DON'T MESS MY HAIR by Mary White

S---2 Smuel 21b &22a "I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this..."

O--- David was celebrating and dancing before the Lord, as they were moving the Arc. His wife Michal, daughter of Saul, saw him and she became angry,as she felt that he was not acting appropriately for a man of his stature, king.

A--- "I willl beccome even more undignified than this." When I worship my God am I more concerned about how I appear to others? If I even have a small understanding of the worthiness of God, I would not care about anyone's opinion of me... I would worship God with all my heart and soul.

P---Oh God, You are so worthy of my praise. Help me to get over myself and worship You in freedom.

MAN'S ESTEEM

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - April 28, 2010 - 2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

S - Matthew 15:8 " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." " (Isaiah 29:13)

O - Jesus was quoting scripture, a prophecy proclaimed by Isaiah. He was talking about "church people" who do things to gain the esteem of men, to make people think they are holy and in relationship with God, when in actuality they have no relationship with God whatsoever.

A - I love starting out my day with God. It helps me to be more calm and in my right mind as I go about my day. But, I can always go deeper. I yearn for "pressing in time" with the Lord.

P - Lord, help me with freeing up time to be with You. I thank You that my time spent with You enhances all my other relationships. Help me to never drift away from the desire to please You and be with You. I never want to substitute man's approval for Your approval.

CHOOSE FAITH!

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 2 Sam 2; 1 Chr 11; Ps 142; Mt 14 CHOOSE FAITH!

S- Mt 14:27-31 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” “Lord, if it's You, “ Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.” “Come!” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

O – While Peter had his eyes on Jesus, he had great faith. He dared to do the impossible. But when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the difficulty of his circumstances, fear took the place of faith and he lost his nerve. As described in the Message: “When he looked down at the waves, churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. Jesus said, “Faint-heart, what got in to you?” But Peter was smart, he looked again to Jesus, asking and being saved by the Savior.

A- I just recorded a video teaching for Tune the Temple about this very topic. I learned at Henry Wright's ministry a great concept about fear and faith – both project into the future and both demand to be fulfilled, meaning you will likely experience what you are fearing or faithing! And, they are mutually exclusive – you can't walk the walk of both at the same time. You must choose. When we choose to keep coming back to faith by keeping our eyes on Jesus, we will experience him as Savior over and over. We will walk on the water as Peter did!

P – Lord, help us! May we dare to believe that with our eyes on You we will experience great things. When we are in fear, remind us that we can't walk in fear and faith at the same moment. And, like Peter, we need to return our eyes to You and trust You to save us and bring us through. May we be people of faith – believing for and projecting great things into the future!

Monday April 26, 2010 2 Sam. 1; Ps. 140; Mt. 13 S- Matt: 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for the fine pearls.

S- Matt: 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for the fine pearls.

O- (MSG) Jesus was on the beach and many people came when they heard of his presence. He wanted to be where he could best be heard so he went into his boat and stood up so the crowd could here what He had to say.

When he finished, His disciples asked him, why do you speak in stories., and talk about seeds, and harvest fields, and weeds, and mustard seeds? He started to explain in detail his stories and He said "Your ears

are open but you do not hear a thing. Your eyes are awake but you don't see a things. the people are blockheads......Humble believer's would have done anything to hear what you are hearing. The Kingdom of God

is like a merchant looking for a fine pearl. He knows that value, and is willing to sell everything once found. It could be hidden anywhere, and he will search until found. Some people have the treasured pearl

right under their nose, but they have no clue of the value or what price was paid for the existance of that pearl. A Pearl is a treasure, and so is each one of us.

A- We can take for granted all that God is saying to us. Even when reading the word, we can miss a treasure that He is saying. Jesus spoke in stories to cause our minds to seek and find the answers. Those that were

that had a desire to want to know everything that Jesus had to offer, never questioned why he spoke the way he did. Yet, his disciples questioned him, almost in a disrespectful way.....that's how I interpreted it. Here

is the son of God, the Messiah, the healer, the miracle worker and he was asked "why he told stories." Wow, I thank him for His stories, it is much easier to understand. I love that the Kingdom of God is reffered as a

treasure or a pearl of great price. When something is of great price, it is beause it is rare, chosen, unique, and valuable. I love that. Thank you Lord.

P- Lord, you are the best story teller I know.....tell us more. When we read of your stories reveal the treasures and the secret nuggets of the lessons you want us to learn, ad hide them in our hearts. Let us praise you

with all our hearts, and trust you with all our strength. Thank you Lord for considering us as "treasures and Pearls of Great Value." Let us value one another in the same way, and value those that are lost with the same

heart and not bury our treasures but reveal them for the world to see. Amen

The Rhythms of Grace

S- Matt 11: 28- 30 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religon? Come to me ... get away with me...walk with me...Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." The Message

O - In Matthew 11, we read how John the Baptist and Jesus were rejected by many. Though rejected, Jesus remains open and issues a standing invitation that echoes through the ages. Tired of religion! Hear his call to relationship.

A - I will, I must, spend time with the Lord, my life and my strength and my joy.

P - Lord, I come. How I need you! How I want to learn the "unforced rhythms of grace".

ARREST ME?

by Mary White

S- Matthew 10:9
"But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say and how to say it.”

O - Jesus is sending out the twelve Disciples to preach.

A - Jesus said “when they arrest you”…not if they arrest you. Yet they went out knowing the probable consequences of their obedience would be to be arrested. If I were told I would be arrested, would I go anyway? Hmm?

P - Oh God please help me to trust you, oh so much, that when you ask me to go or do something that I would instantly obey, knowing that You are all I need.

Thursday April, 22, 2010 Sam. 25 & 26, Psalm 63, Matt: 9 "Follow me"

S- Matt: 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Mattew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," He told him, and Mattew got up and followed Him.

O- Jesus had just crossed the river back into his home town. People were already approaching him and bringing people for him to heal.

Upon arrival, he finds Mattew, sitting their collecting taxes, and say to him "follow me." So Mattew without hesitation followed. Mattew invited Jesus to dinner at his house, and he did not

hold back those friends and followers who were considered to be unclean and unfit by others, to eat with Jesus. When Jesus heard of this he asked "who needs a doctor the healthy or the sick?" "Go

and figure out what this means.

A- Mattew was a sinner, not someone who led his life as Jesus, or who was an example to others. He was a tax collector, one who scwandered money and cheated others, and charged outrages taxes, and

having known for not much grace & mercy. Mattew;s followers & friends were of the same kind. Yet, Jesus "chose" Mattew. He also "chose" to go to his house and eat, not only with Mattew but with those

that were considered the riff raf of the town. The Pharisee's could not understand why Jesus would allow himself to be with those that are unclean, and judged those that were Mattew followers, so they

also became unclean for judging. Jesus responds with "who needs the doctor, the healthy or the sick." Yet, Mattew was "chosen" to follow. Why is that? I think it is because Jesus saw the potential

in him, and saw that he could have a wonderful testimony of heart transformation, so he was chosen not for what he was but what Jesus saw he could be. Mattew went......so he was willing. I want to be

willing to go, and have my life be of a transformation for his glory.

P- Father, thank you for choosing us even though we are not all it and a bag of chips. You see our hearts, even past our mistakes, and you take us in and clean us up, and then send us back out to the

unclean world, and hopely we come home clean and not dirty. I believe Mattew was chosen because Jesus saw he was teachable........help us to be teachable, and to surrender to what you have for

our lives, right where we are at. Fill us with Grace & Mercy for those that are struggling, and not condemn or judge them, but rather lead them to you, and to glorify you with our actions & love. Amen

HEALING

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - April 21, 2010 - 1 Sam 24; Ps 57,58; 1 Chr 8; Mt 8

S - Matthew 8:15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

O - Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law with a touch and then she started doing things.

A - After hearing a testimony of healing, some preachers will say, "Do something you couldn't do before." I love this. It's a demonstration of God's goodness. Sometimes people give testimonies of their faith that God is GOING to heal them and they know it. But, look. Jesus touched her and the fever left her. I want to contend for the immediate healing and not settle for the gradual. I don't want to say "Sometimes healing is a process." I want to say, " This is how Jesus does it."

P - Lord, heal the sick before my eyes. I believe.

HIDING IN HIS STRONGHOLD

by Cathy Weymouth


Tuesday 4/20/2010 1 Sam 23; Ps 31, 54; Mt 7 - HIDING IN HIS STRONGHOLD


S- 1 Sam 23: 4, 29  Once again, David inquired of the Lord and the Lord answered him...  And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.


O - David was in a double-desperate situation - the Philistines were attacking the region of Keliah and King Saul was hot on his tail trying to kill him. And what does he do? He goes to God in prayer.  I love how he inquires of the Lord very specific things in this chapter. Three times he asks specific directions and receives them.  Later we see that he is able to stay safe away from King Saul by hiding out in the strongholds, the caves and caverns, of En Gedi.


A - David's strategy reminds me of his prayer in Psalm 31:2, "Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me."  David has developed a close relationship with the Lord over years of time hanging out together while shepherding the sheep. David's life is a life of closeness, intimacy, dependence, and trust in His Lord.  He knows where to turn in the time of need.  And he knew that success would come by following the Lord's direction.


P - Lord, may our lives be like this.  May we develop that closeness with you as we daily hang out - so that in time of desperation, we know you, turn to you and trust in You.  And may we hide away in the stronghold of You safety just as David hid in the caves of En Gedi.

STIR UP FRESH REVELATION OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD

Diana Kriesel

Monday, 4/19/10 – 1 Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Mark 6 – “Stir Up Fresh Revelation of the Goodness of God”

S – Psalm 35:28 – “And my tongue shall talk of Your righteousness, rightness, and justice, and of [my reasons for] Your praise all the day long.” [Amplified Bible]

O – David’s final prayer was that the people who looked for his vindication would have occasion to be joyful and praise the Lord for it. Because his enemies hated him without a cause, he was convinced that the Lord would vindicate him, giving him more reason to exalt and praise the Lord continually. David is determined to stir up the revelation of God’s righteousness in his heart, and then to speak out of the fullness of his heart.

A – David always looked for new proof of the kindness of God, which would always lead him to new acts of praise, causing his life to be a continual expression of thanksgiving. In like manner, we can, in the midst of the most difficult events of our lives, seek to find new reasons to praise our God. This will keep us from the moaning, groaning, whining and pity parties that come so naturally to us.

P – Lord, teach us to stir up new revelations of Your goodness, righteousness and faithfulness so that it will overflow from our hearts, out of our mouths. May Your faithfulness always pour forth from our lives.

When Life Spins out of Control

S- Ps.59:7 - My God of mercy (of loyal love)

O - 1 Samuel 19 is a real life story of ups and downs, friends and foes, plots and counter plots, friendship, love, sacrifice and danger. It is the story of David, Johnathan, and Michal, David's wife when life was spinning out of control due to Saul's out of control behavior. Johnathan is caught between his love for his father and his love for his friend David. He attempst a "win-win" solution, trying to give his father Saul godly advice which will help Saul and David. At first he is successful, but then Saul erupts again in attempts to murder David.

A - Johnathan could not control Saul, but even in this "out of control" situation, he still had choices to make. Truth to apply - I am not responsible for the choices of others, but I am responsibe for my choices.

P - Lord, when life spins out of contro, show me what my responsiblity is. Lead me in correct godly choices and release me from "false responsibility" or guilt for what is out of my control. I will by your grace, do my part and I release false guilt and responsibility for that which is truly out of my control. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thursday April 15, 2010 1Sam. 17, Psalm 9, Matt. 2 "Be comfortable in YOUR armor"

April 15, 2010 1Sam. 17, Psalm 9, Matt. 2 "Be comfortable in YOUR armor"

S- 1Sam. 17:38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.

O- In this passage, David a servant son of Jesse, was sent to find his brother who had gone to battle against the Philistine's. When he arrived he saw a BIG giant named goliath standing there waiting for someone to step forward and fight. When young David inquired as to what was going on, the other men said the Philistine is challenging one of us to fight him, and we don't know who to send. David, said "I'll go." After much discussion as to why he shouldn't go because of his age, size and inexperience against the giant. David says, I am your servant the one who tends the flock, and goes after the sheep that is lost, against the lions and the bears....It is the Lord who delivers me from the paws of the lions. When Saul agrees, he tried to put his tunic, helmet, and armor on David. But it is awkward and he is not comfortable in someone else's armor. He choose to go into battle with what he is comfortable with.

A- Often times we face challenges and crisis and enter into battle with shields and swords that aren't our own, and don't even feel comfortable using. David was comfortable and confident knowing what was his source of armor and what would keep him from harm.

He was confident in the Lord, because he had already came against battles between lions and bears, and God saved him. That gave him the confidence to fight his battle with what was comfortable for him, and he won. On a personal note, when I am going through something, people can give advice, they can give you scriptures, they can pray for you and I can hear it and receive, but it isn't until I myself hear from God and then get peace about a situation or a decision that I feel confident to go forth in to battle with it. Until them, I am just a sitting duck, just like the Isaraelites thought they were, until the confident one David showed up.

P- Lord, help me to fight my giants with the armor that you have given me, and not to rely on others to pray for a situation and yet not pray myself. Strengthen the armor that you have given me, and allow me to be my simple self, with gifts and talents that were given for your glory, and no one else's. Thank you Lord that you not only fight for us, but with us. Thank you Lord that we are all different, and the gifts, talents, combined together create a wonderful body.

Amen

OBEDIENCE

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - April 14, 2010 - 1 Samuel 15, 16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

S - 1 Samuel 15:22 To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

O - Saul had not obeyed God. He did not totally destroy the Amalekites and all their livestock as God commanded. He had saved some choice animals and had sacrificed some to the Lord.

A - It was as if Saul had said to God, "Yes, Lord, you are great, BUT not as great as I. I will worship you on my terms, not yours." My children have done the same thing to me. They deliberately disobey me because rebellion is in their hearts and then they expect to appease me with a beautifully drawn picture. But, the truth of the matter is that they exalt themselves over me; they believe their ways are better than mine and this, in and of itself, troubles me. I am not easily appeased by them when they do this, even though they are adorably cute - because I know if they do this to me and get away with it, they will also do it to God - and this is not right.

P - Lord, I want to obey You because I love You and I exalt You above all others. Help me, Lord, to be obedient and not to stray from your will.

NOURISHED AND REFRESHED

by Cathy Weymouth


Tuesday 4/13/10 1 Sam 14; 1 Chr 4; 2 Cor 13 NOURISHED AND REFRESHED


S - 1 Sam 14:30 MSG/NIV "Just look how quickly my energy has returned (my eyes brightened) since I ate a little of this honey! How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies.  Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?"


O - Saul had instructed his army not to eat any food that day of battle.  His son Jonathon had not heard about the instruction and resulting curse.  He ate honey and was refreshed.  Later the army was so exhausted and so famished from fighting without food that they slaughtered and ate raw meat with the blood in it, a direct violation to the command of the Lord. 


A - How important it is to regularly nourish ourselves in both body and spirit.  How important it is to revive our energy with good food, plenty of sleep, exercise, fellowship, and spiritual food.  Sometimes it is so difficult to take care of ourselves in ways that are very important.  In their exhaustion, the Israelite army pounced on the plunder and ate it raw.  May we learn to balance our lives so that we are not left that depleted.


P - Lord, you know this is a constant battle for me.  Between sleep issues, driveness in work and the desire to bless people at whatever cost, I find myself drained and dragging.  Teach me to balance my life and to refresh myself regularly in the honeycomb. 

GOD'S POWER IS BEST DISPLAYED AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF HUMAN WEAKNESS

Diana Kriesel

Monday, 4/12/10 – 1 Samuel 13; 1 Chronicles 2,3; 2 Corinthians 12 – “God’s Power is Best Displayed Against the Backdrop of Human Weakness”

S – 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (NIV)

O – The Lord told Paul that he would not sink under his afflictions and that the enemy would not prevail against him, but rather, God promised that His power would be seen in and through the weakness Paul was experiencing. This verse seems to be saying that the grace that will be given if the thorn is not removed will be of greater value than would be the answer to have the thorn removed. God had something better in store than the immediate answer to Paul’s request. Though the removal of the affliction would seem to be a blessing, the grace imparted and the power perfected must be of more eternal value.

A – Sometimes we think that if God will only remove those things that we think are holding us back, that everything would be better. In truth, we can learn that God’s divine power is best displayed against the background of human weakeness, so that He alone is praised. God’s grace can transform our perspective.

P – Lord, we want to come to a place of such complete trust in You, that no matter what we go through, no matter how weak we feel, we can lean into the sufficiency of Your grace and the strength of Your power.

Unexpected Promotion

S- 1 Samuel 10:27 - But some troublemakers said "How can this fellow save us?" They despised him.

O - 1 Samuel 10 is the story of a young man doing a job for his father. Suddenly unexpected promotion comes to him, and he is thrust into leadership. He is chosen, anointed, and received by most, but a few despise him. I wonder who he agrees with more - Samuel or those who despise him? When a key opportunity came up, Saul hid among the baggage.

A - I need to believe in what God says about me and not the negative report of my own doubts.

P - Lord, help me to walk in my calling in my sphere of influence, and not hide from it.

WE REAP WHAT WE SOW

By Mary White

Friday 4-9-10 1 Sam. 6,7; Psa. 72; 2Cor. 9 Reap What We Sow

S- 2 Cor.9:7 "For the Lord loves a cheerful giver."

O- Paul is w riting to the church in Corinth, encoouraging them to support and to be generous to the Team he is sending them.

A-Paul uses the analogy of "What you sow you will reap" Sowing and reaping is easy for me to understand. We are getting ready to plant our garden and we are looking for a good harvest, so we will sow generously Paul also talks about the attitude of our heart...when we decide to give or do something...we should do it with a cheerful heart. To me this speaks not only of giving of my finances but also how I deal with my family, friends, church and co-workers. Whatever I give or do should be with a pure and cheerful heart. If I love generously...I will reap love.

P- Help me Lord to be extragavent wiith my love, deeds and giving.

WHERE'S YOUR FOCUS?

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - April 7, 2010 - 1 Samuel 1,2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7

S - 2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

O - There is sorrow that brings life and sorrow that brings death. When your focus is on the Lord and you realize you've done wrong, you can repent and be saved. But, when your focus is on yourself and you realize your depravity, that leads to depression and separation from God.

A - The best way to climb out of depression is to focus on the Lord's goodness as opposed to your own sinfulness. The next best thing is to help someone else. There is a lot of self-focus in the world today. A lot of people do whatever it is that feels good to them (drugs, drinking, illicit sex, overeating) instead of doing things that help other people and therefore pleasing the Lord.

P - Lord, help me to not focus on me and to instead focus on You and what You would have me do for You and for other people. In You there is fullness of joy.

HIS PROTECTIVE WING

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 4/6/2010 Ruth 3,4; Ps 64,65; 2 Cor 6 - HIS PROTECTIVE WING

S- Ruth 3:9 MSG/NIV "Take me under your protective wing... Spread the corner of your garment over me since you are a kinsman-redeemer."

O - Ruth had been instructed by Naomi to offer herself for marriage to Boaz, a next of kin. He had extended great kindness to her in allowing her to glean from his fields. She lay at his feet in the night, a sign of willingness to marry.  She was a widow with no one to carry on the inheritance, the family name of her father-in-law.  Boaz later took her as his wife and they became the great-grandparents of King David, in the line of Jesus.

A- Isn't it amazing that Jesus was birthed from this line and then He becomes our kinsman-redeemer? He purchases us for himself, restores our family inheritance, gives us the riches of the kingdom.  We come under his protective care; his wing of covering surrounds and enfolds us. He is attentive and caring, loving and kind.  He is our Redeemer.

P- Lord, may I remember today all that you have done to rescue and restore me. May the cross be ever before me. May I not take lightly that you surround my under the shadow of your wings. I thank you for all you've done and I bless you for who you are... my kinsman-redeemer.

Monday April 5, 2010 Ruth 1 &2, Psalm 89, 2Cor. 3 "Favor"

Monday April 5, 2010 Ruth 1 &2, Psalm 89, 2Cor. 3 "Favor"

S-Ruth 2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor." Naomi

said "Go ahead my daughter."

O- Ruth was a widow and the daughter in law of Naomi. She lived with her mother in law and took care of her. She had thought to go to the harvest fields

where perhaps she could go behind the servant girls and find favor in someone's eyes, who would bless her with grains or to recognize the "worker"

in her. The owner of the field asked about Ruth, "who is that" he asked. Because her character and work ethic was admirable. She did not come

to the field looking for hand outs, but rather she came to work, and to give her very best, and to hopefully be recognized for that. She found

A divine appointment with Boaz and extreme favor in his eyes, when he found out who she was, but even more when he found out WHOSE she

was. She had an inheritance and lineage with Boaz. God crossed their paths, to bless His daughter Ruth.

A- Ruth went to the field with a pure heart, and seeking after a destiny. She worked hard and did not grumble or complain but rather, took the talents

she had, and made them work for her. She stood out amongst the crowd, and this is what captured "favor" to be upon her from that day forward.

God gives us all gifts and talents, and has a destiny already prepared for us, that involve our gifts and talents, but often we want someone elses gifts,

and are not satisfied with our gifts and talents. When we walk in what God has given us and have a great attitude, without murmuring and complaining.

He will be Faithful, to bless us with Favor and open doors at the right time in our lives. God wants our path to our destiny to be fun and a happy journey

and for us to "stand out" in what He has given us, for gifts and talents to be used for His glory.

P- Father, help us to get this right. Clean our hearts from everything that tries to smother the joy in our hearts from the gifts you have blessed us with. Let our

light shine, in a harvest field where there are many many harvesters and servants. Let us be the one chosen with your favor. Open the doors of favor in

our lives and teach us to be responsible for what you have given us. There is an inheritance out there just waiting for us to make claim to it, help us find

it and treasure it for our lives.........start with me today Lord. Amen

A Challenge!

S- Ps 89:1, 16 "I will sing of the Lord's great love."' and "I will rejoice in your Name all day long."

O - The Psalmist makes a decision in the midst of challenging circumstanceds that He will focus on who God is and will use his mouth to declare God's greatness. He declares that God is loving faithful, mighty, righteous, just, awesome and that God is his strength and shield.

A - I will declare God's goodness and his greatness today. I will rejoice in his name (his nature) all through today.

P - Lord, you are good, faithful and kind. You are my shield and my provider. My family and I are blessed because we "have learned to acclaim you" and we have learned "to walk in the light of your presence."

THE FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST

Diana Kriesel

Friday, 4/2/10 – Judges 13-16; 2 Corinthians 2 – “THE FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST”

S – 2 Corinthians 2:15 – “As far as God is concerned there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us.” (Living Bible)

O – Paul is saying that we are a sweet fragrance to God, and to those around us, both saved and unsaved. God is pleased when we ‘live’ the gospel out in our lives. That aroma comes from the precious life of Christ WITHIN us, and lived out THROUGH us. Paul identified his own life as a sacrificial offering, which was pleasing to God.

A – As we live our lives proclaiming the gospel with our words and our actions, something precious comes forth unto the Lord, bringing Him pleasure. Sometimes when the gospel confronts people’s lives, it is received with joy; other times it is rejected. Our responsibility remains the same: to show forth the love of Christ. Even though the results are left in God’s hands, we can take joy in knowing that our efforts are not in vain, they bring the Father the aroma of obedience.

P – Lord, we desire to have such a holy love for you that we do not falter when people do not respond to the gospel message the way we would hope. May our purpose be to bring You pleasure. No matter what.

THE REDEMPTIVE GOD OF COMFORT

by Cathy Weymouth

Thursday 4/1/10 Judg 11,12; Ps 50; 2 Cor 1 THE REDEMPTIVE GOD OF COMFORT

S- 1 Cor 1:3,4,6MSG   All praise to... God of all healing counsel!  He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us... When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation.

O - When we suffer in this life, it is never a lost experience if we turn to the Lord to meet us in our need.  He is gracious and kind; loving and gently.  He comforts us and we encounter His love.  And then the extra blessing comes - He is amazing. He uses our experience to help others walking through a similar hardship. He is truly amazing.  How does He coordinate all that?? Our own suffering becomes redemptive.

A - Why do we want so badly to escape when hardship comes?  Why do we want it to end?  Probably because pain is so darn... painful.  If we could remember that our situation is going to be used as a blessing for others, maybe we'd be more likely to embrace what we are going through with a better attitude!

P - Father, as I meet with the young UVM Navigator girls in retreat, use the things you have taught me in my discomfort.  May I be a blessing to them, extending the comfort you have given me.  And may they truly see You in the midst of it!