4 THINGS

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - March 31, 2010 - Judges 9,10; Psalm 49; 1 Corinthians 16

S - 1 Corinthians 16:13 - Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

O - Paul was giving the Corinthians a final directive in his letter to them. Watch out for the enemy; don't waiver in faith; be brave; and don't be weak.

A - We would do well to take these four directives to heart. Some of us have strong faith and yet forget to be on the lookout for temptation. Some of us are very brave and bold in demanor, but are weak when it comes to resisting the enemy.

P - Lord, I am reflecting on this verse for a while. Help me, Lord, to be on my guard. Help me to stand firm in the faith and to be courageous and strong.

EXHAUSTED, YET KEEPING UP THE PURSUIT

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 3/30/10 Judg 8; Ps 42; 1 Cor 15 EXHAUSTED, YET KEEPING UP THE PURSUIT

S - 1 Cor 15:58 MSG, Stand your ground.  And don't hold back.  Throw yourselves into the work of the master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. Judg 8:4,5 - Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it.  He said to the men of Succoth, "Give my troops some bread; they are worn out."

O - Gideon was in pursuit of the kings of Midian, whom the Lord had promised they would conquer.  Gideon asked two towns to feed them, but his request was denied. Yet they continued on and did indeed capture the kings. 

A - I can relate to the Corinthians verse... "Throw yourself into the work of the master."  That sounds very familiar to me indeed!  Yesterday, because of my present fatigue created by this Tune the Temple project, it was suggested to me by my counselor that I give up Tune the Temple and find a less taxing job. Whoa... Well, needless to say, I didn't receive that very well!  So my other option is learning to put limits on how much I work each day.  I feel like the troops, "exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit."  Nope, I am not giving up.

P - Father, teach me how to put limits on my work.  You know I am driven and I like to complete things that I begin.  Show me how to readjust my work so that I can indeed be refreshed with bread as I keep up the pursuit.  Ps 42:1, As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you.  My soul thirsts for God. 

I CHOOSE TRUST

Diana Kriesel

Monday, 3/29/10 – Judges 6,7; Psalm 52; 1 Corinthians 14 – “I CHOOSE TRUST”

S – Psalm 52:8 – “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of God forever and ever.” [Amplified Bible]

O – This gloomy psalm takes a bright turn as David compares himself to a green olive tree, which implies abundance of grace, peace and prosperity. He is saying that though the enemy has made many efforts to destroy him, he has been kept unharmed, like a green and flourishing olive tree—protected in the courts of the house of God; safe under the care and watch of God. David is flourishing because of God’s unfailing love, to whom he vows to trust and praise forever.

A – I love the shift in this psalm from doom and gloom to a solid place of trust in God. This gives us hope for times when we feel like everything is coming against us, we can know that we are planted, safe, and will flourish under the mighty hand and watchful eye of our God.

P- Lord, take us to deeper levels of trust in who You are and how You care for us. Keep us mindful of Your faithfulness in spite of our circumstances; so that, like David, we can confidently “rely on the loving-kindness and mercy of our God."

FOLLOW ME AS I FOLLOW CHRIST

Diana Kriesel

Friday, 3/26/10 – Joshua 23,24; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11 – “FOLLOW ME AS I FOLLOW CHRIST”

S – 1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (NIV)

O – Paul truly made Christ his example in all things and it is from his dedication to the Lord that he can call us to follow him, for Christ had become his model in all that he did. Another translation is “Be imitators of me as I imitate Christ.” This verse comes as he closed out chapter 10, where it is obvious that Paul not only preached doctrine that they should believe, but led a life they could imitate. In essence, he is saying, “imitate me; live as you see me live, because I am living as Christ lived.” Paul knew that Christ did not please Himself, but gave Himself for us; laying aside His divine glory. This means we are to follow Christ first, and then others only as the follow Christ.

A- This verse calls us to a life of excellence because we are living our lives out before others. As people watch our lives, they should see a life being lived unto Christ that is worthy to be imitated, and that imitation would bring glory to God because it would all reflect Christ. Paul is saying, “Don’t follow me any further than I am following Christ. But where you see Christ in me, follow.”

P – Lord, we desire to be a pure reflection of You and Your ways. Keep us mindful of the truth that people are reading our lives. When they do, may they see Your life across each page, and may they not want to put down the book and walk away, but be drawn closer to You because of our love and dedication to You.

Instructions for Living

S: Joshua 22:5 - But take careful heed to do the commandments and the law which Moses commanded you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to keep his commandments, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

O: Israel has been given its inheritance and its people are being sent into their new territory to rest. These are the instructions they were given for living.

A: What amazing instructions for living! Love God, Walk in His Ways, Keep his commandments, Hold fast to him and serve Him. It seems incredible that the instructions for living a "righteous life" haven't changed over time. God hasn't changed the rules. God hasn't changed. His love for his children has never waivered. We are about to celebrate the season that celebrates just how much He loves us - he sent his beloved son to die on the cross for our sins. In light of what he has done for me, I want to seek more and more to follow his instructions with a joyful heart.

P: Father God thank you for your word. Thank you that your word shows us the depth of love you have for your children - that you provided us with instructions to live by. Father God impress upon me today the certainty of your love for me, the certainty of your plans for me and my family. Teach me to follow you Lord. To Love You. To Walk in ALL of your ways. To Cling to you and to Serve you. Amen.

RELATABLE

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - March 24, 2010 - Joshua 18-20; 1 Corinthians 9

S - 1 Corinthians 9:22 - I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

O - Paul did not stand totally separate from the unsaved waiting for them to come to him to be saved. He went to them and made himself relatable.

A - "I was once like you" is a great witnessing statement. When people see that it is not impossible to escape the bondage of sin, then they can see the possibility of their own salvation. "God could never forgive me." How do we counter this statement? By finding common ground. "If God can forgive me, he can certainly forgive you."

P - Lord, help me to show others that I was once like them and you forgave me and now I am free. I am so free in You, Lord and it is a much, much better place to be! Hallelujah!

REFRESHING SPRINGS

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 3/23/10 - Josh 15-17; 1 Cor 8 - REFRESHING SPRINGS

S - Josh 15:18,19 "What is it?  What can I do for you?" Caleb asked.  And she (his daughter) replied, "Give me another present!  For the land you gave me is a desert. Give us some springs, too!"  Then he gave her the upper and lower springs.

O - In conquering the promised land, Joshua was assigning territories to families as directed by the Lord.  Caleb received a portion - his inheritance - and drove out the enemies. He also promised his daughter, Acsah, to anyone who would attack and capture the city of Debir. This was done by his nephew, who received her as a bride and the land as inheritance.  Then she asked for additional land, land with springs, as a wedding gift.

A - It is okay to ask more from our Father! Having received desert land, Acsah asked for springs and pools of water; a land of refreshment.  Sometimes we are caught up in the work and responsibilities of life and we miss the refreshing the Lord wants to give us.  I am guilty; I am realizing how driven I am. I need refreshing. Just as Caleb was very willing to give his daughter refreshing springs, our Father is wanting to give refreshment to us as well. It is part of our inheritance.

P - Father, give me those refreshing springs today, I ask.  Before I begin my work day, I am going to sit and meet with you.  Please replenish this tired soul, I pray.

BOUGHT WITH A PRICE

Diana Kriesel

Monday, 3/22/10 – Joshua 12-14; 1 Corinthians 7 – “BOUGHT WITH A PRICE”

S – 1 Corinthians 7:23 – “You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for by Christ]; then do not yield yourselves up to become [in your own estimation] slaves to men [but consider yourselves slaves to Christ].” [Amplified Bible]

O – Paul is saying that as a result of being purchased by the blood of Christ, we should esteem ourselves as servants of God, not to men. As a result of Christ's sacrifice,it is in our service and obedience to Christ that we find true freedom. Our true Master is Christ and Christ alone.

A – We have been redeemed out of our spiritual slavery to sin, to the law and to unrighteousness. It is the price paid that should draw us toward living a life after the heart of God. When we live our lives from that truth, it should prompt love-driven obedience.

P – Lord we are thankful that we have been bought by Your precious blood. It cost you everything for our freedom. Let us therefore walk worthy of Your sacrifice, Your love and Your grace.

Sunday March 21, 2010 Josh. 9-11 1 Cor. 6 S- 1 Cor 6:12 "Permissable Not always Beneficial"

S- 1 Cor 6:12 "Permissable Not always Beneficial"

NIV- "Everything is permissible for me"- but not everything is beneficial." Everything is permissible--But I will not be mastered by anything."

MSG- Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean it's spiritual appropriate. If I went around doing everything I thought I could get a way with,

I'd be a slave to my whims.

O- This scripture talks about how God gives us a choice to take part or to have some things that are not good for us, and things that can be abused and become addiction.

Food is something that we "need" but in access it becomes unhealthy and abusive to our bodies (His Temple). Some things of the world like smoking, we don't need.

But if we start smoking it can become addictive, and also not healthy for our physical bodies, and not health for our spiritual well beings....and not good examples.

Things that become "Unhealthy, addictive & abusive to our bodies, mind and or spirit and things that are "permissible NOT always Beneficial." You can fill in the blank

in an area that God has allowed us to be Permissable but you have seen where it has become abused or an unhealthy situation and proven to not be Beneficial.

That area of Permissable not Beneficial would be? _____________________

A- Discipline and Discernment are the key in your decisions about what is "permissible." God gives us choices, hoping that our choices will lead to His ways and His heart, to be

examples and temples that He can use for the Kingdom. Food and exercise may not be a problem for you, but food is needed everyday, and it is

used in abuse in every way for some people.....many people struggle with food addiction and disorders........"Permissable not always Beneficial."

It's used for comfort, boredom, stimulant, sugar high.....many ways that "out of control." God wants us to follow the spirit and make

good God choices in the "Permissable" world. He wants us to become aware of the things that are not good for our temple and follow Him....that's His heart, that

we follow willingly, and desire His ways and His heart.

P- Lord, it is so easy to follow the world and to be tempted with the things that are unhealthy for us. The things that we think bring us comfort or fill our time with what we think

is pleasure. More of you Lord, and less of us.......that is our desire. We live in the world, but you have given us the choice and the ability to follow the lead of the spirit

to not be of the world. Let our lights shine in the dull world, we may not ever know when someone else may need a light, if our light is just as dim and dark as everyone else.

Despair

S- Ps. 69:2-3 - "I sink into deep mire, where there is no standing. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary with my crying; My throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God."

O = It is not only the trial, but how long the trial lasts that makes it so difficult. We are called to stand in faith, and yet there are times in our life where "there is no standing". We are called to be overcomers, and yet to be honest, sometimes we are overcome. The psalmist is angry, confused and despairing, and so very tired, yet the Psalmists is still directing his prayers to God.

A - I am grateful for the Psalms of Lament for they tell me that I can be real with God. They tell me that other people of faith have experienced despair and confusion, and found their way out as they continue to look to God.

P - Father, I pray today for all who are in that place of despair. I pray for strength and encouragement, and for friends that will be there for them. I pray that in your mercy, You will be their strength and their help. I pray that laments will be turned to songs of thanksgiving for your deliverance.

GET READY FOR WHAT GOD IS GETTING READY FOR YOU!

Diana Kriesel

Friday, 3/19/10 – Joshua 3-6; 1 Corinthians 4 – “GET READY FOR WHAT GOD IS GETTING READY FOR YOU!”

S – Joshua 3:5 - Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." NIV

O – As the day approached for the people to cross the Jordan, Joshua commanded the people to sanctify (or consecrate) themselves. He didn’t tell them to sharpen their swords, or check their shields. It was spiritual, not military preparation that was needed because God was about to reveal Himself by performing a mighty miracle in their midst. Joshua was declaring “Prepare yourselves! God is about to show Himself strong!”

A – The verse says “…for tomorrow, the Lord will do amazing things among you.” As our “tomorrow” approaches, we must consecrate ourselves to be prepared for the miracles that God wants to perform in our midst. We cry out for a move of God, but we must continually be cleansing ourselves, sanctifying ourselves to always be in a state of preparation for what God is preparing for us. Let’s get ready for what God is getting ready for us!

P – Lord, teach us to stay in a prepared state, “for our tomorrows”—to be so expectant of Your miracles and your Mighty works of power, deliverance, healing, and restoration that we stay gripped with a sense of wonder. We want to keep our eyes fixed on our God, who can do the incredible and the humanly impossible.

HOLY SPIRIT POWER

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - 3/17/2010 - Deuteronomy 32-34; 1 Corinthians 2

S - 1 Corinthians 2:4 (TNIV) My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration fo the Spirit's power,

O - Paul did not rely on his choosing the right words to lead people to Christ. He relied on the Holy Spirit's power.

A - I think, perhaps, we Christians who want to win the lost spend too much time arguing with those who refuse to believe. In our fleshly intelligence we think if we come up with the right words, they will believe. Instead, we should be like Paul. Yes, he was eloquent, however he relied on the Spirit to work in the hearts of men.

P - Holy Spirit, come and make yourself known in my neighborhood, my workplace, and my home. May Christ be revealed through the demonstration of Your power. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 3/16/10 - Deut 30,31; Ps 40; 1 Cor 1 - BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!

S - Deut 31:6,8 - Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified... for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

O - Moses knew that he would not cross the Jordan into the Promised Land.  So he spoke these words to the nation of Israel and their newly appointed leader, Joshua, to encourage them not to fear as they entered into this land of the unknown; this land full of enemies, milk and honey.

A - The Lord has encouraged me using the journey of the Israelites toward their promised land as I have built this new project for Tune the Temple.  And today I am crossing over - the Online Class begins today! Yay!! At times I've been tempted to be discouraged and fearful as there have been many setbacks along the way.  Never has another project with Tune the Temple been this hard! What a steep learning curve this has been learning new technical skills. Let me ask, is the Lord asking something of you that will require elements of the unknown, energy, time, money, etc?  Look at these promises and be encouraged!!  He is doing it; we are along for the ride! His promises are real!

P - Lord, you have been with me through this development process.  And I am grateful that you are speaking to me today that, "The Lord himself will cross over ahead of you." (v3) Thank you that you will be with me in the promised land, helping me to conquer any enemies that I may encounter.  Thank you for Your Continual Divine Presence - that helps me to be strong and courageous!

DON'T GIVE UP!

Diana Kriesel

Monday, 3/15/10 – Deuteronomy 28, 29; Galatians 6 – “DON’T GIVE UP!”

S – Galatians 6:9- Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. NIV

O – As Christians we may become discouraged with spiritual sowing because the harvest is often long in coming. Paul is encouraging us not to become weary or give up because the harvest is sure. He tells us the reaping will come at God’s proper time.

A – It is important that we keep focused on the harvest, so that we do not get discouraged when the obstacles, delays, and detours seem to block our vision between the time we sow, and the time we reap. We invest in people’s lives for the sake of their destiny and purpose, no matter what we see with our natural eyes.

P – Lord, keep our eyes fixed on Your Kingdom purposes in all that we do to sow into the lives of people. Teach us ways to stay fresh, and not grow weary, so that we may remain joyful and keep an eternal perspective.

Sunday March 14, 2010 Deut. 25, 27; Gal. 5 "Who cut you off"

S- Gal. 5:7 & 8

(NIV) You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one that calls you.

(MSG) You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? The detour doesn't come from the ONE who called you into the race

in the first place. And, please don't toss this off as insignificant.

O- Paul is proclaiming that we are free to live a free life.....stand firm in it. Don't let anyone cut you off and detour you into a life separated from Christ, but rather live by

the Spirit. God has called you to be free, so live it. Love others as you Love yourself. This is the greatest commandment because it is the one that, when followed, keeps

us from bondage. It is for Freedom that Christ set us Free. Live free by the Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions that detour you, or cut you off from your race.

A- I remember a sermon of Pastor Diana's about this message......"Who cut you off.......you were running a good race"? What does that mean. It means that, something came

between you and God, and cause you to detour from the race that you were running. I believe there was a video about someone in an olympic race being cut off and eliminated

from the race, as an illustration. BUT God doesn't eliminate us, He picks us up, puts a band aid on our bruises and puts us back on the track, when we ask Him to. It is His

heart that we are free, and that nothing keeps us in the bondage of slavery, and nothing between us and God. When we live God's way, He brings gifts to our lives, to bless

bless others. It is a life we have Chosen to follow, a race we have Chosen to run....run it well.

P- Father thank you for a life of freedom, and thank you for setting us free from the things that once had us in bondage. I asked that you guide us and help to to run a good race.

Help us to leap the hurdles, to keep our eyes open to those who want to cut us out of the race. Keep our eyes and hearts focused on you. Strengthen us from what makes

us weak. Thank you for the gift of salvation. Amen.

Growing Up into Our Inheritance

S- Gal. 4:1 - "Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave though he is master of all."

O - You can be a master, yet function as a slave. You can have a wonderful inheritance but never experience it. God is calling us from slavery to sonship, from rules to an "Abba Father" relationship, from being only natural to moving into the supernatural. One key to this is that we must grow up. 1 Peter 2:2 tells us that we must crave the word the way babies crave milk! Eph. 4:15 tells us that when we speak and apply truth, we will grow. We will experience our inheritance in the areas of our life where we are mature, and we will walk in our inheritance to the extent that we apply the word of God to that area of our life.

A - I am called to be childlike in dependence on God, but I am not called to be childish. Phil. 3:15 "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me... forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal ..."

P - Lord, I want to grow up into my inheritance, and I don't want to do it alone. I want to bring others into their inheritance. Show me step by step how.

CHRIST LIVES IN ME!

Diana Kriesel

Friday, 3/11/10 – Deuteronomy 16-18; Psam 38; Galatians 2 – “CHRIST LIVES IN ME!”

S – Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [NIV]

O – By confidence in the Son of God, Paul is saying he would look to Him for strength, and trust His promises and His grace. We have the living Christ within us. When He died, we died. When He arose, we arose with Him. He lives out His life through us as we walk by faith. Paul speaks of the impact of Christ’s love in giving up His life for us, and declares that he will live his life entirely for Him, who had redeemed us by His blood.

A – I love the way the Message Bible translates this verse: “Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

P – Lord, You are the source of Life itself and Your grace is amazing; as it resides in us! Teach us to walk in the freedom of grace-saturated faith so that we may walk fully confident of Your life living through us.

CHOOSE GOD FIRST

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday, 3/10/2010 - Deuteronomy 13-15; Galations 1

S - Galations 1:10 (NIV) If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

O - Paul is not saying that being nice to people is wrong. He is saying that pleasing people AS OPPOSED to God is wrong.

A - If your friend wants you to skip prayer meeting after you already determined that God wants you to go, then that is wrong. Spending time with your friend is NOT wrong, but God should take precedence and your friend should be told that God takes precedence in your life. This is a good witness. God tells you to keep the Sabbath, but if your friend wants you to skip the Sabbath and party with them and you do it, then you should examine your heart and whom you truly serve.

P - Lord, help me to help my friends see that I choose You and Your ways first. Help them to see that Your ways are good and it makes me a better friend when I follow You first.

YOU WILL CROSS THE JORDAN!

Tuesday 3/9/10 - Deut 10-12; Mark 16 - YOU WILL CROSS THE JORDAN!

S- Deut 12:9;11:10,9 - You have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you.  But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety. The land you are crossing the Jorday to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven.  It is a land the Lord your God cares for... a land flowing with milk and honey.

O - Moses is speaking to the Isaelites concerning matters of importance before they cross the Jordan.  He tells them the wonders of this promised land and gives them assurance they will make it there, after all this time of wandering.

A- We have been speaking much of inheritance lately in our Women's Ministry.  Pastor Diana is carrying a burden for Divine Recovery - taking back or capturing portions of our inheritance that we've yet to grasp as God's child.  I am about to embark into new territory for Tune the Temple - taking the class online.  The journey of preparation has been pretty intense!  I've learned new skills and paid of price of money, energy and time in the process.  This scripture encourages me that I am indeed going to get there! It is a piece of inheritance prepared for me.  It is a good place flowing with milk and honey.

P- Father, you know that I need encouragement daily!  There have been many setbacks and struggles.  I guess I could say I relate to the children wandering in the wilderness. But we are heading in soon! Thank you for another word of encouragment!

CHOSEN TO BE HIS TREASURE

by Diana Kriesel

Monday, 3/8/10 – Deuteronomy 7-9; Mark 15 – “CHOSEN TO BE HIS TREASURE”

S – Deuteronomy 7:6- For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. [NIV] The Message Bible: “Do this because you are a people set apart as holy to God, your God. God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for himself as a cherished, personal treasure.”

O- God was calling His people to obedience for one reason: they were a CHOSEN people; a people set apart for Himself. Their being chosen had nothing to do with their numbers; or their extraordinary merits; it only had to do with the fact that He had chosen them…and He had chosen them because He loved them. God’s sovereign love and faithfulness was the only explanation for choosing a people unto Himself.

A – I keep bumping into the love and faithfulness of God…not only in the good times, but also when I fall, when I fail, when I disobey. Nothing about His love or faithfulness changes, but everything about it changes me! There is such power in the truth that we are chosen simply because we are loved. It covers a multitude of our junk, and turns our faces toward His…over and over again.

P- Father, thank You for stubborn Love! Thank You for choosing to love us even when we blow it, fall short, and feel so undeserving of Your love. Thank You for making a deliberate choice to love us regardless of how perfectly we obey, or how far we run from Your plan for our lives. We are eternally grateful for stubborn love.

Sunday March 7, 2010 Deut. 5 & 6, Psalm 43 & Mark 14 "Significant"

S- Mark 14: 3 (NIV) While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

(The Message)Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper. While eating dinner a woman came up carrying a bottle of very expensive perfume. She BROKE the jar, she poured it over his head. Some thought she was very foolish to waste the expensive perfume. Jesus thought her act was significant (Message bible).

O- The high priests and the religious scholars were looking to arrest Jesus, but not during this feast. When this woman came over to Jesus, she had a significant purpose to show her love for him. She broke the bottle and she poured the expensive perfume over his head. Jesus acknowledged this was "a significant demonstration of love." Jesus already knew that he was going to be arrest and betrayed by His disciples. At the dinner He shares with His disciples that someone from this table, who dips his bread in the wine will betray me. All denied they would do this, but Jesus knew.

A- The woman with the alabaster box, came in, it took much courage to d what she did.......she wanted Jesus to notice her and to know that she believed in Him. Breaking the bottle must have grabbed people's attention, for sure. Alabaster is a very hard stone, must have been smashed to the ground, or cracked with an object, either way, people took notice. Her act of kindness was "significant" in drawing the attention to her admiration for Him. The other's watching called her foolish to waste the expensive perfume on someone who they knew was going to be put to death. This woman knew the price for the perfume, knew the price for the Act of Kindness and it was "significant" for Jesus. She wanted to give her finest. She followed her heart, and went past what others think. Let that be for us today, to follow our hearts, no matter the price.

P- Lord, let us do something "Significant" something with a purpose and a love for you, that may not be written in any book, but it will be written in someone's life story. Let us be "significant do'er's" for the Kingdom and for your Glory. Let us not be bothered by what other's may think, but seek your heart as to what would be "significant" for another. Put Acts of Love & Kindness on our hearts for others Lord, for your Glory! Amen!

=

A Choice

S- Ps. 36: 4b "He sets himself in a way that is not good."

O - Psalm 36 describes the wicked as people who don't fear God, who are proud and deceptive and who choose a wicked lifestyle. They have ceased to be wise and they plan evil. Wickedness is actually their goal. The wicked "set(s) themeselves in a way that is not good." By God's mercy, we are called to be the opposite. We are called by God's goodness to choose a godly lifestyle, called to humility and honesty, called to live a lifestyle of trust, obedience and abundance. When we choose to respond to God's call, we put ourselves in a "way that is good".

A - Lord, this day and every day, I choose to walk with you in faith and trust. Thank you God, that by your grace and mercy, by the passion of your Son, I am your child trusting you. I align myself today, not with the wicked who will come to an end, but with my God who is eternally good, faithful and merciful. I set myself in a good place.

P - "How precious is Your loving kindness, O God!" Thank you that I am your child!

YOU'VE STAYED LONG ENOUGH AT THIS MOUNTAIN

Diana Kriesel

Friday, 3/5/10 – Deuteronomy 1,2; Mark 12 – “YOU’VE STAYED LONG ENOUGH AT THIS MOUNTAIN”

S— Deuteronomy 1:6-7- “The LORD our God said to us at Horeb, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance…” NIV. The Message Bible says: “God spoke to us: "You've stayed long enough at this mountain. On your way now. Get moving.”

O- God had brought the people into the land (the mountain of Horeb) to humble them and to prepare them for the land of promise. After keeping them there for about a year and working character into them, He told them they had stayed “long enough at this mountain.” It was time to move forward. God knows when to take us into a place and when we have been there long enough. It is in His perfect timing that He calls us to advance. His command was for them to march into Canaan and to possess it.

A – It is important for us to recognize the leading hand of God, the staying hand of God, and then the advancing hand of God. He knows where we need to go, what He wants to accomplish in that stage of our lives, and then whether we see it or not, agree with it or not, there comes a time when God says, “you have stayed long enough at this mountain. Now it is time to advance…” (or as the Message Bible says) “Get moving!” Let us not miss our mountains of learning, our training ground where we are humbled and learn the lessons we could not learn elsewhere. But neither let us miss the times when God calls us forth, to advance…to move on to His next season for our lives.

P- Father, thank You for leading and guiding and for speaking to us. Cause our ears to hear what and when you are speaking to us to move forth from the mountains of our lives… cause us to know when to leave behind our yesterdays and to move on into our tomorrows, all for Your Kingdom’s sake!

LIKE A CHILD

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday, 3/3/10 - Numbers 32, 33; Mark 10

S - Mark 10:14 "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

O - Jesus was indignant when the disciples tried to keep the children from coming to Him.

A - How will we learn to possess the kingdom if we don't allow the children to do it? We must learn from them for they have much to teach us.

P - Lord, I approach You as a child, full of trust and total devotion.

TAKING PLUNDER FROM THE ENEMY

Tuesday 3/2/10 - Numbers 30, 31; Mark 9 TAKING PLUNDER FROM THE ENEMY

S- Num 31:1,3,48,49,53 The Lord said to Moses, "Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites." So Moses said, "Arm some of the men to go to war against the Midianites." The officers went to Moses and said to him, " Your servants have counted the soldiers under our command, and not one is missing.  So we have brought an offering to the Lord of gold articles." Each soldier had taken plunder for himself.

O- The Lord had spoken earlier that the Midianites were enemies of Israel and they needed to be killed.  A holy war was declared against this enemy. In the battle, not only were none of the soldiers killed, but they also were able to take plunder from the enemy and offer it as a sacrifice to the Lord.

A- I love how the Lord blesses our struggles against the enemies in our lives.  In the midst of the battle, we wonder if the war will ever end.  Then later we look back and see, not only did we war, but we won and we took plunder in the process.  The Lord uses our struggle to bless others with the wisdom we have gained.  We don't come up missing, we come up stronger, wiser, more experienced with nuggets of gold for plunder.

P- Lord, may you be glorified in the battles in my life.  May I remember that I am on the winning side and that not only I, but others as well, will be blessed by my going through these battles.  Strengthen my hands for war.  Use my life to bless others, I pray.

COMPASSION ON THE MULTITUDE

Diana Kriesel

Monday, 3/1/10 – Numbers 28,29; Mark 8 – “COMPASSION ON THE MULTITUDE”

S—Mark 8:2 – “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat”

O- Whenever Jesus saw the needy multitudes, He was moved with compassion and wanted to help them. After listening to Jesus’ teachings for three days, they had nothing to eat. Jesus had compassion on them in their physical need and called the disciples’ attention to it. The twelve disciples were perplexed about feeding the crowd even after they had just been with Jesus when He had already fed a much larger crowd. The compassion of Jesus expresses our Redeemer’s unfailing love and mercy.

A – Even though the disciples had been with Jesus on other occasions when they had seen His compassion and concern for the weary and hungry people, they still didn’t get it. Jesus had to emphasize the need that was right in front of their eyes. I wonder how often we don’t get it; even when the need is right in front of our eyes. Over and over again we are presented with examples of the love and mercy and concern of Jesus, and yet sometimes we still miss opportunities to be compassionate.

P – Lord, we want to have the compassion that You have for people; whether it be a physical need, spiritual, emotional, financial or other, cause our eyes to see as You see, our hearts to have compassion like You do, and move us past the compassion to action.