Thursday Dec. 9, 2010 1 Tim. 5,6; Titus 1-3

Thursday Dec. 9, 2010

1 Tim. 5,6; Titus 1-3

S-1 Tim 5:3 NIV: Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.

MSG: Take care of widows who destitute.

O- Paul is on special assignment and letting us all know, under God's command that we are to take care of our widows and honor & respect our elders. We are to treat older women as if they are our mothers, and younger as if they are our daughters, and like wise for the men. Not only to treat them with respect but to treat them as if they are our own.......family.

A- In the message the word "destitute." that word means: (social welfare) lacking; deprived or bereft......abandoned or deserted. I know many widows......there faith is truly reliant on God. Some have very very little, but they trust in the Lord and He never fails them. Their testimonies of God's provision for them is admirable. God calls us to take care of the widows......find one, especially during the holiday season and bless them today. Show God's love in obedience to His word or taking care of those who are lacking, and deprived......wow, that speaks to me.

P- Lord, touch our hearts with someone who is a widow in need, and give us the right means to bless them. Father may we be your vessels that will reach the widows who have no one to hold them, and to sleep next to them. Father give us a heart of compassion & mercy for your saints. Bless them through us Lord, and bless them over and over so they lack nothing. Amen

THE WORST OF SINNERS

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - December 8, 2010 - 1 Timothy 1-4

S - 1 Timothy 1:16 But for that reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

O - Paul is talking of Christ's purpose of saving sinners. If Christ could save a wretch like Paul, He can certainly save you.

A - And at times I feel like the chief of sinners, as Paul did. I am really grateful that I cannot forget from whence I came. I left the dark path of destruction and despair and walked onto the light filled path of hope and glory. If Christ can save me, He can certainly save you. I mess up still! And he still loves me. I repent and He forgives me. Life with Christ is awesome! Follow me as I follow Christ.

P - Lord, thank you for your infinite patience with me and help me to offer that same patience to those around me.

THE GARMENT OF LOVE!

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 12/7/10  Colossians 1-4 - THE GARMENT OF LOVE!

S - Cols 3:12,14 MSG, So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline... And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.  I'ts your basic, all-purpose garment.  Never be without it.

O - Paul was encouraging the Colossian church to wear their new garments, given to them by their new life in Christ. And love is the basic garment.

A - Sometimes it's hard to wear love - real things interfere that make it difficult.  For me, frustration was a huge interference.  Frustration comes out of expectations that aren't met or realized.  So I had to step back and take a look at what I could do - to come out of that place of frustration.  The circumstances weren't about to change, so my outlook needed to.  A HUGE difference came when I learned to embrace reality instead of fighting it.  I needed to learn how to work with what I had instead of wishing it were different.  When frustration took a back seat, love was able to move to the front seat.

P - Father,  may we be brave enough to look at the things that are holding love back.  Help us realign our belief systems so that Love can come forth. We want to express Your love where ever we go... set us free, to love!

Monday Dec. 6, 2010 Phil: 1-4 Don't worry!

Monday Dec. 6, 2010

Phil: 1-4 Don't worry!

S-Phil. 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

O-Paul writes to all believer's in Philippi with much joy, thanks and appreciation. He tells us to Ask, but to not be anxious for anything. That we should live our days in stability knowing that the Lord is near, and confident that His spirit will guide us, in all things.

A- To worry is to lack in trust of the Lord. The word says for us to "Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. (Peter 5: 6-7). Yet, when we worry, are we doing that. When we worry, we do not have Joy & Peace. Worry is just as much a sin, as stealing, lying or any of the others.......do we confess it as that? He cares and takes care of every need for the birds, He will certainly be faithful and take care of what is right for us. When we worry, aren't we saying to our Lord "hurry up daddy, do it my way?"

P- Father in heaven I ask you to give us days without worry, and for us to not be anxious about anything, but rather give us Peace that passes all understanding. Teach us to give our worries to you, so that we may live in Peace and Joy, and not be heavy with burdens, but rather light in the goodness of you, so we may glorify you with joy on our faces....not worries the of the world on our minds. Amen

An Unshakeable Place in God's Heart

S - Ephesians 1:4 - "For He chose us..."

O - Have you ever felt rejected? Overlooked? Maybe it was in grade school, when the kids picked teams at recess and you were picked last? Or maybe you feel uneasy at social gatherings at church or at a work holiday party? Maybe you aren't sure who to talk to or who would want to talk to you.
Today's good news is that you are chosen by God. You are loved. There is One who chose to lavish his love on you, who wants to hear your joys and sorrows. Eph. 4:3 says "And you also were included in Christ."

A - I am chosen, I am included, and I can choose to include others.

P - Thank you God for including me in your heart, your plan, and your purpose. Help me to open wide my heart to you and to others. I want to be like Jesus whose big heart reached out to so many. Lord, I pray today for the rejected and neglected, for the lonely and the insecure. I pray that they would receive a new revelation of what it means to be chosen and loved by God. I pray that they would truly know that they have purpose and worth, and that they have an unshakeable place in your heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Thursday Dec. 2, 2010 Romans: 9-12 Being Consistent

S- Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer

your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship.

O-Paul is addressing the need for us to offer our bodies and our every day living as a sacrifice to God. He challenges us to a life of service, to live Godly christian lives.

A- In everything we take God with us.....Embracing everything that He has in store for us. Do we act differently at work, or school, or even home then we do at church? That's what God wants us to be steadfast in....to be consistent. In the message bible it says, in doing so "God brings the best out of us."

P- Father, it is my prayer to be consistent. To have an even walk in my life. Send your holy spirit of conviction in areas where I am not consistent, and re presenting you in a way that is not pleasing to you. Thank you for my life, help me to perfect it in you, Amen.

THAT SIN

by Vivian Bills

12/1/2010 - Romans 5-8

S - Romans 7:19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do - this I keep doing.

O - Paul was speaking about his own struggle with sin.

A - This is one of my favorite lines in the bible. When I hear it, I usually chuckle because it can sound like such a tongue twister depending on which version you read. And then I can SO relate to this. I don't WANT to sin - ever. And yet time and time again I find myself saying or thinking something that I shouldn't and it is extremely frustrating. HOWEVER, I do not stay in that place. I keep throwing sin aside and pressing on because Christ gives me the strength to do so.

P - Thank You, Jesus, that You rescued me from my sin and that You keep me from it as long as I keep my eyes on You.