Are You Rejoicing Yet?

 

4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
4:5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
4:6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7

 

During my summer vacations I work as a leader and trainer for an indoor challenge-and-fitness center. Sunday school classes and birthday parties are held at the center, where participants enjoy rope climbing, obstacle courses, and other competitions.







When I first meet my assigned groups and explain the rules, I try to exhibit excitement in order to get them ready for the games. I always shout in an animated voice,

 “Raise your hand if you’re ready for some fun!” Usually only one or two people raise their hands. I tell them, “Well then, fun will come to you!” The difference is that for those who raised their hands, enjoyment starts immediately; the others have to wait. People are often bogged down with the cares of life and have difficulty rejoicing. Paul told his readers that someday they’d be redeemed and ushered into God’s kingdom. But why wait until then to rejoice? He invites us to begin rejoicing now.

 

The Author  -  Derek Baird (Texas, USA)  - from the Upper Room

 

Thought for the Day - Knowing God brings us joy here and now.

Prayer

Dear God, help us to experience the joy of living in your kingdom, beginning right now. As Jesus taught us, we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”* Amen. *Luke 11:2-4 (KJV).
 

Prayer focus - To find joy in every day

Released

 

Read Romans 7:21–8:4

 

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

- Romans 8:1 (NIV)

 

My daughter-in-law, Megan, grew up with a dog named Buddy, who was kept outside on a cable run between two shade trees. Daily he was released for a taste of freedom. If only Buddy had recognized that he was free! Although he was released from his cable, he continued to run back and forth between the two trees as if nothing had changed.

 

  When I glance in the mirror, I sometimes catch a glimpse of Buddy. It’s not a wet snout or scruffy hair that catches my eye but a similar refusal to enjoy the freedom that’s been provided for me. Divorced twice by the age of 27 and with two little boys in tow, I was overwhelmed by feelings of shame and condemnation. I kept running back and forth between my past mistakes, as if confined by a cable that kept me from moving beyond that small area.

 

But when I read and truly believed Romans 8:1, I began to appreciate the freedom Christ has provided for me. I memorized the verse and spoke it aloud every time shame or condemnation tugged at my heart. I now choose to believe God’s truth: No matter how we feel, we are free to move beyond our mistakes. We can run in the unlimited freedom of God’s truth, confident of God’s love and acceptance.

 

The Author - Cathy Baker (South Carolina, USA) - from the Upper Room 

 

Thought for the Day

You cannot do anything to change the past but with Gods forgiviness you have a new life in Him.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to choose truth over feelings, which often lead us astray. Thank you for the freedom you provide for us through Jesus Christ. Amen.
 

Prayer focus  - Single mothers and their children

 “if my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14

Do You Love Me?

Read John 21:2-17 

 Little children, let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth.

- 1 John 3:18 (CEB)

 

It is early morning, and I am walking along the shores of beautiful Lake Macquarie. I can easily imagine the scene described in today’s reading and perhaps include myself in the picture.


 The tired and disappointed disciples have been met and fed by their risen Lord. Then, as they sat around, Jesus addressed Peter for the first time since Peter denied him. “Peter, do you love me?” Jesus asked. In reply Peter affirmed his love. Jesus’ next words became Peter’s motivating commission from that time on: “Feed my sheep.” In reality our Lord was saying, “If you really love Me, prove it by doing what I need you to do: Help others to love Me and encourage them on their journey.”






Jesus’ statement reminds me of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady expressing her frustration by singing, “Don’t talk of love lasting through time. . . . Show me now!” Based on how we sometimes behave, Jesus could say the same words to us: “Don’t just tell Me you love Me, show Me. Show Me by your love in daily life and relationships.” When we live close to Christ and allow Him to nourish us, others can see the evidence of our love.

 

The Author - Bill Willis (New South Wales, Australia) - from the Upper Room

Thought for the Day

How many sheep will you feed today?

Prayer

Gracious God, we thank you that even when our love is feeble, your love for us remains strong and unchanging. Help us to grow in our love for you and to express that love each day by serving you as we serve those around us. Amen.

Prayer focus - Those struggling with their faith

Snow Storm - May 3, 2013

The Storms of Life

We have probably all heard at least one stirring message entitled, “Come to Jesus and He will calm your raging storms,” based on Mark 4:35-41, as below:

Mark 4:35-41 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"


That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Jesus, fully aware the storm was imminent, could have spared the disciples a great deal of distress and anguish had He said, “Look, there’s a really big storm coming, so let’s remain on land until it passes.”

But Jesus did not do that. Rather, he deliberately led the disciples through that storm. It is also important to note that the storm itself was not their destination – it was the other side of the lake. Bearing in mind that God uses all things for good for those who love Him; Jesus obviously had His divine purposes in mind when He took the disciples through that storm rather than avoiding it.

We can learn so much from this passage in Mark. It shows that our hope of being able to avoid the storms of life is an unrealistic expectation. I remember writing an essay in year twelve where I shared that I believed God would never allow me to go through any significant trials. Unrealistic expectations like this set us up for a fall. When those storms come, we are surprised, bewildered, and shocked. 
  By Peter Stone

Depression, the greatest trial I have endured, took me completely by surprise.

Pray for those with depression.

It’s No Bother

 

10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
10:30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted.
10:31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows  Matthew 10:29-31




 

Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”  - Acts 10:34-35 (NIV)

 

My brother-in-law had quit a job he had held for more than 20 years and was looking for another one. I told him I would pray for him, but he told me not to “bother” God, who had bigger problems to take care of.

I told him that God yearns to be “bothered.” God wants us pray about anything — not just the big stuff, but all the stuff. I’m thankful that “too busy” or “that’s not important enough for me to deal with” aren’t among God’s responses. Imagine God saying, “Can we reschedule that for next week? And instead of an hour, I can give you only 30 minutes — things are a bit hectic, what with the wars and the economic crises.” Do you think God is more apt to listen to the prayers of church leaders, the president, or world dignitaries because of who they are or the magnitude of their problems or responsibilities?


Acts 10: 34 says God “does not show favoritism.” No matter where we stand on the metaphorical ladder of importance, God listens to all of us with the same passion and concern and love. You and I always have a standing appointment with God. So we can go ahead and tell God what’s on our mind. We can “bother” God, who’s always waiting to hear from us.

The Author - CJ Hines (Iowa, USA) - from the Upper Room

Thought for the Day -  God is never too busy for us; are we too busy for God?

Prayer - O God, thank you for never being too busy for us. Amen.

 

Prayer focus - Those looking for employment

Peace and Rest

²⁸ "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you
rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

 

How we come to Christ is a mystery to many and to others it is too often an afterthought. Many of you know that I am a part of The Two Year Academy for Spiritual Formation #33 which meets in Donaldson, IN., put on by the Upper Room, the same ministry of our church that produces the daily devotional by the same name. This study and growth opportunity has been a healing balm as I have gone through personal trials during this same time frame.

Changing Direction

 

19:1 He entered Jericho and was passing through it.
19:2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich.
19:3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature.
19:4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.
19:5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today."
19:6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.
19:7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner."
19:8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much."
19:9 Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham.19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." Luke 19:1-10

Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born anew, it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom.”  - John 3:3 (CEB)
 

During a recent flight aboard a private plane, I sat in the co-pilot’s seat. Five minutes into the trip, the pilot made a sharp left turn and began descending. The air-traffic controller had informed him that another aircraft was heading in our direction. This experience reminded me that the need to change direction is also part of our earthly journey, at times to steer us away from a dead-end path to one that is life-giving. In the Bible we see this repeatedly.

Having observed and listened to Jesus, the tax collector Zaccheus realized that he wanted to know more.

He invited Jesus into his home, and that encounter changed Zaccheus. He declared a new approach to how he dealt with people, saying, “Half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Jesus also spoke to Nicodemus (see John 3) and to the woman at the well (see John 4) about changing their direction.




This still happens today. Through family members, friends, pastors, and even strangers, God continues to call us in new directions. And as we pray, listen, and obey, we can trust that God will guide us on our journey through new territory.

 

 

The Author  - Stephane Brooks (French West Indies) - from the Upper Room

 

Thought for the Day  - Jesus calls each of us to new beginnings.

Prayer

Dear God, Great Shepherd of the flock, help us to follow you faithfully even when we feel unsure of the way. Amen.

Prayer focus - Someone facing a dead end