Throw Yourself into this Work

2 Timothy 2:1-7 So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.

Observation: Paul is writing to Timothy about keeping his focus on the main goal. That of spreading the Gospel. He is very forthright in say that the going is going to get rough. It did for Jesus and it will for all those who follow in the way of Christ.

Application: We are not promised an easy road but one that is difficult. As we experience hardships, obstacles, and roadblocks...don't let it catch you off guard but know that it is part of being a soldier in the army of Christ.

Prayer: Lord, guide and direct us in our following of you. There are going to be rough times and times that it seems we're coming under attack from all angles. Help us to feel your presence and your love. Amen.

Driving with my Daughter

Today was a special day. I started teaching my daughter how to drive a car. I don't know that i have ever felt such a feeling of helplessness. No brake, no steering wheel, absolutely no control over my situation except for the fact that I was able to talk to her. As I sit here thinking about the experience, it's remarkable as to how similar it is to situations that we often find ourselves. No brake, no way to steer, and no control. It is the most helpless feeling in the world.

Yet, we are not totally helpless. We have God who is in control of everything, watching over us, guiding us, and showing us the right way...if only we will listen.

Transitions

Right now, we are in the middle of a series entitled "Thriving in the Midst of Change" and how appropriate this is for what is going on in the life of The Bridge. Last week, a decision was made to move out of our "new" building that we had been renting since February. We quickly were able to find a place and had our first worship in the new building last Sunday. It was wonderful and all the response that I have received has been very positive.

We have been worshipping for more than a year now and we are truly putting on the full court press to get The Bridge into a more self-sustaining position. However, we can't do that without the help of others. I'm encouraging all those who are "Bridgers" to put make worship attendance a priority in their lives. Why? 1. Christians need and grow from a corporate worship experience. 2. We have reached that time in the life of a new church when we are being observed to se if this experiment is being successful and productive in spreading the Gospel. One of the ways this is done is through our worship attendance. Each Monday, I have to turn in the number of people from the past Sunday. This is one of the ways that we are being held accountable to the Conference.

Accountability is one of the ways that we as Christians continue to grow and we are in a transition period right now. What are we transitioning toward has not been written yet.

Mad at God

Scripture: Job 23:1-6 (The Message)
"I'm not letting up—I'm standing my ground.
My complaint is legitimate.
God has no right to treat me like this—
it isn't fair!
If I knew where on earth to find him,
I'd go straight to him.
I'd lay my case before him face-to-face,
give him all my arguments firsthand.
I'd find out exactly what he's thinking,
discover what's going on in his head.

Observation Things are not going well in the life of Job and it seems that he has some anger inside that needs to be let out. God is his target. After all, Job has been living right, he's been doing everything that God would want him to do and yet all this stuff is happening to him. It's just not right!

Application How many times in my life have I been doing the best I can and bad things just keep happening? And when bad things happen, they don't happen one at a time but come in bunches. Many times it really is no ones fault, it is just happening and I want to yell at God. This Scripture show us that it's okay to get upset with God. Our God is big enough and can handle it. If we can't be real with God, who can we be real with? This is part of being in a relationship.

Prayer Thank you God for being loving and allowing me to be me especially when times are not going so well. Please help me to continue maturing in our relationship and growing toward your grace. Amen

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Scripture 2:41-42That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.

Observation: The powerful wind of the Holy Spirit has blown through the place and set everyone on fire. they are so delierious with the Spirit that others who saw them thought they had started happy hour way too early. Yet that was not it. Peter was urging those who would listen to change their lives and be baptized and it was happening at an incredible pace.

Application: This has been one of my favorite verses since I first felt the call to start a new church. How incredible is it to allow the Lord to use you in such powerful ways. Since the inception of The Bridge, our goal has been to follow the model of the first century church. To focus on the things they focused on and not to be distracted by all the other stuff. Sometimes we have succeeded greatly and other times we have fallen short. Our goal is still to reach people; share the Good News with them; and to help them build a bridge between themselves and God.

Prayer: Lord guide us and keep us focused. Amen

Police Chaplain

I have been accepted to be a Public Safety Chaplain for the Huntsville Police Department and I begin my ride-alongs this week. I'm excited to see how the Lord uses this to bring Him glory.

Sorry for Lack of Posting

As you can tell, I didn't post very much last week. Our family went on a vacation for Fall Break and we didn't have access to internet service. I promise to be more regular with the blogging.

Decision Making

Scripture: Acts 1:23-26 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Observation: Judas has betrayed Jesus and met with a pretty gory end. Therefore, there is an open spot in the disciples that must be filled. Now the other disciples are trying to decide who it should be and what do they do but open it up for the Lord to make the decision.

Application: What would my decisions be like if I prayed before making them and then left it up completely to God? I believe that we as humans want some control and there is a part of us that even though we know our God to be faithful and true, we don't want to completely place our decisions in His hands. Yet, here is a great example of how we should let go and allow God to work in our lives.

Prayer: Lord, help me to give up more control over to you. I admit, I like to make my own decisions and even though I know that you only desire what is best for me... I often think that I know better than you, even when time and time again, I have proven this to be incorrect. I love you and I trust you. Amen

You want me to WHAT?

Scripture: Luke: 10-14"When you're invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, 'Friend, come up to the front.' That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
Then he turned to the host. "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You'll be—and experience—a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God's people."

Observation: Once again, we get a look at Jesus turning the world upside down. Don't fight for the head table because you might get embarrassed. Instead seat yourself at the LAST table. Sound familiar? First shall be last and last shall be first. Then he turns his attention to the host of the party and tells them to invite those who no-one ever invites. They won't be able to return the favor but oh will the favor be returned.

Application: Here is Jesus wrapping up how to conduct ourselves and treat others in 2 short paragraphs. Put yourself as low on the totem pole and put others (especially the "misfits") as high as you can get them. This doesn't make sense to the world. It didn't make sense then and it sure doesn't make sense now. However, this is what we are called to do. Is it hard? Yes.

Prayer: Lord, help me to always put others first and self last. Amen

Secrets

Scripture: Luke 12:1-3 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

Observation: Here is one of the many times which Jesus gives his disciples a little tidbit of extra information. Wouldn't it have been awesome to talk to Jesus one on one and hear his advice from his lips? Or would it have been overwhelming? Here, Jesus talks to them about the ramifications of gossip, talking about others in secret, letting everything you say or try to hide be revealed from the roof tops.

Application: How would we live differently if we knew that all our secrets were not going to be secrets? If everything we wanted to keep quite was going to be proclaimed from the roof tops. We would probably have a different attitude toward saying things and doing things that we knew everyone would find out about.

Prayer: Lord help me be the follower that you would have me to be.

Special Day

Today was one of those days that turned out to be better than I could have ever planned or imagined. It all started with a sermon that I had been working on for the better part of a week and I felt pretty good about it. I was going to video it in order to send it in to the Board of Ordained Ministry and so I even got dressed up this morning. (Always want to put my best foot forward for the BOOM.) Yet, when I got to the school it just didn't feel right. We had an extremely small crowd this morning and I just felt that what was planned wouldn't be what was best for those who was there. I also didn't feel that I could give it my best for the video. So, we sat around, we sang, we got closer to one another and we talked about how we have seen God working in our lives. We talked about real life stuff and how God has had a direct impact upon it. It brought us around to talking about how life tries to distance us from God to the point that often we overlook some pretty cool things that God is doing and then we wonder why God is not there. It's not that he isn't there, it's that we aren't looking for Him.

Then the kicker, during the service, Zach had his Bible blow open to a piece of scripture that he read and it was right in line with what we had been talking about. Then Eric, had the same thing happen to him TWICE!! His passage also went right along with what we were talking about. Incredible stuff. Thank you to all who were there and for your willingness to share what God is/has been doing in your life.

Priorities

Scripture: Haggai 1:2-11 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to be built.' "Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai:"Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."

Observation: The people are putting their own wants and needs above that of God. They are placing themselves first and what is happening is that they are not reaping as much as they would if they put God first.

Application How easy is it for us to do just that. We say that God is the priority in our life, that He is number 1 but our actions tell a completely different story. We spend our lives work, work, working and bring home very little because we have put ourselves above God. When we do that, our things, our money, our homes, our lives become our god and the True God is pushed down on the list of priorities.

Prayer Dear God, help me to always keep you my number 1 priority. It's so easy to allow you to slip down the list but when that happens my life seems to slip. Amen

The Least is the Greatest

Scripture: Luke 9:46-48 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest."

Observation: Even the disciples were jockeying for position. There were 12 of them in the presence of the greatest person who ever lived and they were worried about who among them was going to be the greatest. A little selfishness, pride, and ambition showing through even though they were right there in the midst of God.

Application: How often do we allow our own concern for greatness to take control of our lives? How often do we get overly concerned with our own position to the detriment of others. Take a look around, way too often. Jesus makes a huge point here that goes against all that the world taught back in his day and is still teaching with a vengenece today...that we must be concerned about ourselves first and others next. However, Jesus says the opposite...those who are the greatest here are not going to be the greatest, and those who are the least will be .

Prayer: Lord help me to take the emphasis off of me and place it on others. Help me not to get caught up in the ways of the world by looking after "Number 1" first. Amen

Caught in a Storm

Scripture: Luke 6:22-25 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

Observation: The part of this story that has always caught my attention is that the majority of these men in the boat were fishermen. They were used to being on the water and if there was anyone who knew how to handle a boat in rough water it was them. They also knew the dangers of being on the water during a storm. They knew the reality of their situation and they knew that it was quickly getting out of their control. Just like anyone else, when the situation gets out of control, we begin to panic. They were no different.

Application: When I think of times in my life that have been the scariest or the times when I have begun to panic, it is because I have lost control of the situation. There is comfort and strength found in our own abilities to control what is going on around us. Yet, there are times in life, when we are not in control. The winds are beating against the sails of the boat, threatening to tear them apart. The waves are beating against the boat from all angles and there is a better than average chance we will be swamped. These storms of life take on many manifestations such as financial, sickness, grades, problems with spouse, alcohol/drugs, deadlines, or anything that can make you feel helpless and hopeless.

However, there is hope. We serve a God who can rebuke the winds, tell them to stop blowing and they obey! That's amazing and if He can do that with the wind, just think about what he can do with my problems. If I will only trust in Him and not myself. Thats a pretty tall order.

Prayer: Almighty God, you are in control. Even when I think I am, you are and when I know I'm not, you are. Lord help me to rely on your strength, your wisdom, and your grace during those times when there is nothing I can do and to trust in you. Amen

C'mon Let's Go!!

Scripture:

Luke 5:27-28 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Observation: The calling of Levi to be a disciple. Levi, when asked, got up and left everything to follow Jesus.

Application: What does it take to leave everything and follow Jesus? Does it mean that we have to leave our jobs, our families, our homes, our cars, our way of life, our sin? In many of those cases, I would have to say yes depending on the individuals situation. I think we are called by God to cast aside whatever may be hindering us from coming closer to Christ and or doing what God has called us to do. I have a friend who has been called to Guatamala and he, his wife, and 2 children have gone there to live and be missionaries. They left their home, their families, their cars, jobs and many other things including many creature comforts that make our lives easier so that they could go where God was leading them. Is everyone called to pack up and move to a foreign country. No. But we are called to serve God and that service is going to get in the way of some things in our life that carry a great deal of weight in our lives. Will we be able to give it up, let it go and follow God. I hope so. What Levi discovered as he left all to follow Jesus is that he got to spend three incredible years next to the Son of God.

Lord, May I have the will power, the desire, and the forethought to always lay aside so that I may travel closely with you. Amen

All Riled Up!

Scripture: Luke 6:6-10 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?" He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Observation: Here once again, we see the Lord of lords and the King of kings getting all these religious people all riled up and shows us a direct cause that he was hung on the cross. Jesus went around turning the whole world on its head and tearing up traditions and worthless rules and this really made a good many folks mad. They weren't angry that he healed the man's arm (why would they?) They were angry because he broke one of the "rules" to do it. This was radical and being radical leads to the cross.

Application: Jesus is still looking for some people who are willing to be radical in His name. To flip this world on its head and go against what the world says is right and do what Christ would have done. It's radical, it's dangerous and it leads to death on a cross. However, that is what Christ has called us to do...isn't it?

Lord, give me the strength to be a follower in your army. To be radical and loving in ways that are dangerous and might get me killed. Lord, empower me to lead others down that same path. Not just tell them to go but to go before them, leading the way. In Christ.

How do You forget Jesus?

Scripture: Luke 2: 41-45Every year Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up as they always did for the Feast. When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn't know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.

Observation: Things had to be chaotic and there were people all around. Who's got Jesus? Oh, he's with the people who live down the street and all of a sudden, he's left. It's pretty easy. But yet the question must arise, "How do you forget Jesus?" Of all the people in the world who should not be forgotten and the one child you would think the parents would know every move...Jesus. How did this happen. Can't you just hear the thoughts of Joseph, "Man, we've done it now...Lost the ONLY Son of God!"

Application: My thinking on this is somewhat humorous to me tonight, but shouldn't we also be as diligent with Christ in our lives? Sometimes it appears that we who profess so much love in him have lost him also. Often times, we Christians act as if we have left Christ on the counter at home.

Lord, may I always live like you love me and share you most when I don't say a word.

God Loves Even the Wicked

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:10 "Son of man, speak to Israel. Tell them, 'You've said, "Our rebellions and sins are weighing us down. We're wasting away. How can we go on living?"' 11 "Tell them, 'As sure as I am the living God, I take no pleasure from the death of the wicked. I want the wicked to change their ways and live. Turn your life around! Reverse your evil ways! Why die, Israel?'

Observation: Here i a plea from God through the prophet Ezekiel to those who are not living the life that God desires them to live. They are doomed and wasting away. Their life is burdened by the weight of sin and its a struggle and God wants them to know that it doesn't have to be this way. God is saying through Ezekiel, "I'm not having fun here watching you and there is a better way." Yet, God puts the ball back into their court so that the decision is theirs not God's.

Application: There are so many who struggle in life and feel like a huge weight is attached to them that they are having to carry around. I know this feeling intimately and the only way that I found to shed the weight/burden was to turn my life around. I had to quit doing the destructive things that I was doing and make a deliberate decision to follow God. Does this mean that I have never done wrong again, NO. But I now have been let in on a little secret...The more you live a life that God wants and desires for you to live, the more happy, satisfied and content one will be.

Prayer: Thank you God for your love and Grace. Thank you that you never give up on us, even when we have given up on ourselves. Thank you for the extraordinary ways that you continuously convey your mercy. I love you.

Boldly Living for God

Scripture: Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."

Observation: King N has decided that he would create a golden statue that everyone would bow to and pray to. However, S,M,A were not going to have anything to do with it. Even though they had reached a level of authority above the common folk, they had their faith in God. Even faced with a death by fire they refused to turn their back on God. An important part in this was they did not know what the will of God was in this situation. They did not know if God would save them from the furnice or not, but what every the outcome they were resolute with it. "But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference." The bottom line is they were going to be faithful to God.

Application: How hard is it to stay faithful even in the face of death? It would have been so easy for them to bow and save their lives and yet they knew that their lives were a gift from God. In my life today, there are many occasions to bow before the golden statue and deny God. It is constantly being aware of the big picture that is necessary to overcome. I must keep my eyes upon God and constantly place Him first in my life.

Prayer: It is so easy to bow down before other gods. To place them first, especially in difficult times. Lord, give me the strength and desire to continuously place you first in everything that I do. Amen

Getting Others to Pray with You

Scripture: Daniel 2:17-18 Daniel then went home and told his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what was going on. He asked them to pray to the God of heaven for mercy in solving this mystery so that the four of them wouldn't be killed along with the whole company of Babylonian wise men.

Observation: Things have been going well for Daniel and his three friends. God has blessed them in knowledge of books and life and they were gaining some notice by the King. All of a sudden, Daniel realizes that there is about to be a mass execution and he is on the list with all the others to be put to death. Gaining the back story from a guard, Daniel is willing to go before the king to describe his dream and interpret it for him. Knowing that he is blessed by God, he still takes time and realizes the importance of prayer and asking others to pray also.

Application: Like Daniel, God has blessed me in so many ways. As I sit here, I'm thinking that I should be in prayer 23 of 24 hours in the day and yet life goes on. In difficult situations, my first reaction is often times not to stop an pray but to try and solve the problem on my own. I have also noticed that I have to be in real trouble to ask someone else to pray for me. Why is this? Probably because it is a declaration that we cannot solve whatever it is on our own. It is a admission that we are dependent upon God and to be dependent upon someone other than ourselves takes control out of our hands. We as humans don't necessarily like that.

Prayer: Dear God, I admit that I don't pray as much as you would like for me to. I admit that I am stubborn and self-reliant to the point of weakness. I realize that for me to achieve all that you have set before me, I can't do it on my own and I must rely on you. Lord, please continue to work in me and help me to continue growing closer to you through prayer. Amen.

New Bible Study

A group of us from The Bridge has started a new small group that is going to focus on reading and discussing Scripture. We are going to use Wayne Cordero's SOAP method for our study and I'm going to use this blog to journal. I'm excited as I think its going to be great fun and very enlightening.

Holding Accountable

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

"I wrote you in my earlier letter that you shouldn't make yourselves at home among the sexually promiscuous. I didn't mean that you should have nothing at all to do with outsiders of that sort. Or with crooks, whether blue or white-collar. Or with spiritual phonies, for that matter. You'd have to leave the world entirely to do that! But I am saying that you shouldn't act as if everything is just fine when a friend who claims to be a Christian is promiscuous or crooked, is flip with God or rude to friends, gets drunk or becomes greedy and predatory. You can't just go along with this, treating it as acceptable behavior. I'm not responsible for what the outsiders do, but don't we have some responsibility for those within our community of believers? God decides on the outsiders, but we need to decide when our brothers and sisters are out of line and, if necessary, clean house."

Observation:

In this scripture, the reader can tell that there are things going on in the church of Corinth that Paul feels the need to address. Earlier in this chapter, he writes, "I also received a report of scandalous sex within your church family, a kind that wouldn't be tolerated even outside the church: One of your men is sleeping with his stepmother. And you're so above it all that it doesn't even faze you! Shouldn't this break your hearts? Shouldn't it bring you to your knees in tears? Shouldn't this person and his conduct be confronted and dealt with?" Paul is calling for the church to hold this person accountable for his actions. He is telling the church not to go along with the wrong behavior of others nor to look the other way. We have some responsibility for those inside our community of believers.

Application:

Last night at our small group, we got into a great discussion about holding and being held accountable. As Christians we need each other and Christianity is not made to do alone. Part of the caring and loving one another is holding each other accountable for Christian living, our spiritual growth, our personal lives and how we treat one another. I believe it is vital that we do that. Even within our District, our Superintendent has required his pastors to be in accountability covenant groups. Groups where you can share, care, and walk through life with one another. Life is tough and full of temptations and stumbling blocks. It gets even harder when tried to accomplish alone. Everyone needs someone or a group of people who love them and care for them enough to "call them on the carpet."

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we all need to be held accountable for our actions, our growth, the way we treat others including our families, friends, and all our brothers and sisters. And yet while this accountability is so important in our growth, it is often the most neglected part of our lives. There is a part of us that doesn't want to be held accountable. After all, who else knows the situation better than me? However, that is where we can get into so much trouble so quickly. Lord, help to lower the walls of pride around our life so that we may invite the loving guidance from our Christian brothers and sisters. Amen

There are NO If's Among Believers

Scripture:

Mark 9: 16-27 "Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!" 23 Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen." 24No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, "Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!"

Observation:

Jesus has come across the father of a boy who is possessed by an evil spirit. A distraught father who is willing to try anything because this demon is trying to kill his son. The love of a father is very evident in this Scripture and yet he is helpless. He has obviously been done some alternative paths which have not worked and one can only imagine how hopeless he must be getting. The he runs across Jesus and he ask, "If you can do anything, do it." Then Christ answered, "There are no ifs among believers. Anything can happen." "Then I believe, Help me with my doubts!"

Application:

We serve a most awesome God. One who created everything, who has proved His greatness time and time again to humanity. There is nothing that our God cannot accomplish and yet we still need help with our doubts. We walk around asking "If our Lord can do anything." and that is not the question. Of course our God can do something...All things are possible through Christ. As believers, we should have a confidence in the abilities of God and a confidence in his power.

Prayer:

Almighty God, when things are going bad, we tend to look to ourselves. Sometimes they work out and often times they don't. We want to put our trust in ourselves and not in you. Lord, You are the one with the answers, with the hope, with our future. Help us to always remember with the confidence as children of the most high God that there is nothing that you can't handle. We will give you the glory, honor and praise. Amen.

"Do you still not get it?"

Scripture: Mark 8:16-21

Meanwhile, the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said, "Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? Don't you see the point of all this? Don't you get it at all? Remember the five loaves I broke for the five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?" They said, "Twelve." "And the seven loaves for the four thousand—how many bags full of leftovers did you get?" "Seven."He said, "Do you still not get it?"

Observation:

The disciples had by this time seen some incredible stuff as the traveled with, ate with, and ministered with Jesus. They had not only seen him feed 4000 people with just seven loaves of bread, they had also seen him feed 5000 with just a couple fish and some bread and have abundently more than they started with left over. Yet, here when they realize someone forgot to pack the bread, they were quick to lay the blame and and worry about where their next meal was coming from. How quickly they forgot who they were traveling with. Jesus Christ himself. They had no reason to worry nor to bicker and yet this is what we see happening.

Application:

How often does this happen in our own lives? How many miracles have we seen with our own eyes and yet we forget or get distracted by the things of this world and lose sight of who we serve? Way too many. So, how am I going to apply this scripture to my life? I'm going to make a concerted effort to not stress over the little things in life. Those times when someone forgets to bring the bread and remembering that the Lord I serve is the great provider.

Prayer:

Almightly God, you have done so much for me and I continue to see your blessings and miracles everywhere I look. Yet, I so often lose focus and in those times of need, confusion, and despair I forget how great You really are. I become self dependent and crowd you out of the picture when I should be opening my lens and taking you in. Lord help me to do just that. I love you lord. I Christ, Amen.

The Greatest is Love

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13: 3-7
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Observation: The selflessness of love is very evident in this passage. We find here a truly selfless illustration in which the emphasis is taken off of me and placed elsewhere. Can we love the way that scripture leads without putting self aside. No.

Application: Putting others first, ahead of oneself is extremely difficult. It is probably the hardest thing to do because we are such "me first" people. It takes a concisience effort to put aside oneself. It is not natural and so we must make a decision to do just that. How am I going to apply this scripture to my life? By making choices which demonstrate love, by putting others first.

Prayer: Almighty God, you have called us to love in the way that you have demonstrated for us through your Son. Yet, we as humans have such a hard and difficult time doing that. I ask for your strength to love in ways that make no sense according to worldly standards but bring you honor and glory. Amen

Paul Gets Fed Up

Scripture: Acts 18: 5-6When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was able to give all his time to preaching and teaching, doing everything he could to persuade the Jews that Jesus was in fact God's Messiah. But no such luck. All they did was argue contentiously and contradict him at every turn. Totally exasperated, Paul had finally had it with them and gave it up as a bad job. "Have it your way, then," he said. "You've made your bed; now lie in it. From now on I'm spending my time with the other nations.

One night the Master spoke to Paul in a dream: "Keep it up, and don't let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, I'm with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you. You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city." That was all he needed to stick it out. He stayed another year and a half, faithfully teaching the Word of God to the Corinthians.

Observation: Even Paul gets a little fed up. It seems that he is doing all he can to spread the Gospel and it's not working out for him too well. It get's to the point where scripture say that Paul is totally exasperated. Oh, how many times as a preacher do I get like this. It seems that nothing is going the way that I think it should. I think Paul had reached this point and then God appeared to him in a dream and gave him a little pep talk. What do we learn from God's pep talk... several things. 1. Paul was being intimidated and attempts were made to silence him. This is not comfortable living. 2. God has Pauls back. "I'm with you" are the greatest words that God ever tells his people. 3. We don't know all the work that God is doing. All we see is what is in front of our face and not in the hearts of all the people that God is working with.

Application: There are times when I believe that I am the only one out there spreading the Gospel. Sounds stupid and conceted, I know. I try and do it all myself and not allow God to work. When all I see is what I have done..I get "totally exasperated." I forget that it's not me in charge. I'm just a servant and the greatest work is being done by the Master. Work that I don't see, realize nor get credit for. As I try to apply this scripture, I am going to focus on what God is doing and not as much on what I am doing.

Prayer: Dear God, I thank you and praise you for the work that you have called me to. You have chosen me to be among those who have gone before in the spreading of your Gospel. I thank you for this honor and ask that you continually use me in mighty ways. Ways that are beyond my imagination. Thanks Amen.

Advent: A Time of Preparation

Scripture:

Matthew 24:36-44"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.

37-39"The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah's. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.

39-44"The Son of Man's Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.

Observation:

In this passage, Jesus is describing for his disciples what the second coming will be like. He is warning them that there are a great many people who will claim to know the date and time but no one does except for the Father. He is also urging them to stay vigilant and prepared for the time. You don't know when, but you do know that it is going to happen and here he is warning them and us to stay prepared.

Application:

As we enter into this time of Advent (a time of preparation for the birth of Christ), Christians should also be taking inventory of our lives and asking the question are we ready for the second coming of Christ. We don't know when it is and that not knowing leads to complacent living. It's not something we think about on a day to day basis. We go on with our lives and give very little thought to the Words of Christ.

So, this morning I am writing on my bathroom mirror in dry erase marker the following question: "What if Christ came back today, would I be ready?" By reminding myself of that question, I hope to become more aware of what I do, how I do it, and to make sure it brings glory to Christ.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me to live life to the fullest for your glory. All to often we get so self centered on what is best for us and we begin to make decisions and that are not the ones you would have us to make. We begin living our lives for ourselves and not for you. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon and give us the stength, passion and desire to be prepared for your return. In Christ. Amen

Evangelism

Tuesday night at The Bridge Bible Study (we call it a "Bridge Group"), I challenged the members of the group to pray a prayer every morning. I told them to pray that God would put someone in their path who they could talk to; witness to; share with; or pray with. I also told them they would be amazed at the people who would be placed on their path.

The next night, we had our first community event at a local coffeeshop. The coffeehouse is normally closed on Wednesday nights because the owner is a pastor at a small Baptist church, but he agreed to keep it open so we could have our event. His employee even placed a sign on the door that stated they were "Closed Due to a Private Party". When I noticed the sign, I asked the employee to take it down because "you never know who may just wander in" and she obliged my request.

As we began the presentation on the new church, a gentleman walks in and is greeted by one of our core team. He is polite but states he is not there for our meeting and just wanted a cup of coffee. Our Core Team Member was very gracious to him and invited him in. He sat right behind the screen and was approximately 6 feet from where I was speaking. I gave my testimony and told how I was raised in church, but there came a time when I kicked God out of my life completely. I wanted to do life on my on and from a worldly perspective, I did very well and yet I was completely empty inside. I continued to tell how the only way that I found to fill the hole in my life was to invite Christ back into it. All the time, this gentleman is sitting in the coffeehouse.

After the presentation, I was answering questions from the others who had come to the gathering in order to learn more about The Bridge and I noticed another one of our Core Team Members gathering some coffeecups that had the Bridge logo on them and were filled with candy and taking them to those who had come in (including the gentleman behind the screen). Our team member said, "We're a new church just starting in the area and we're glad you're here tonight. Everything you ordered is on the house, compliments of the Bridge and we also would like to give you this coffeemug." He politely slide the coffee mug back to the team member and said, "No thanks, I'm an Atheist." Our Core Team Member replied, "That's okay, we're still glad you're here and you can still have the coffee mug."

After everyone had left, the team member came and told our group what had happened and he said, "I prayed that prayer this morning and I didn't know God was going to place an Atheist in my path right off the bat!" Yet, one of his first experiences of sharing the grace of Christ was to an Atheist and he came away with all his fingers, toes, and no blood was spilled. As we aggressively reach out to people with the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ and as we sincerely pray that God will place people in our paths to share the Greatest Story Ever Told, we can expect to be reaching to those most people would not reach to. I believe with all my heart that there was a reason the Atheist was at a coffeehouse (that is normally closed) with a bunch of Jesus freaks! I believe that a seed was planted that night. We may never see the growth of that seed and it may not have been our seed that caused an openness of her heart to happen. It may take ten or twenty more seeds to be planted. Sometimes, we may be blessed to plant a seed, water it, nurture it and cultivate it as growth takes place and we can rejoice when that happens. However, there are going to be numerous occasions where we plant a seed and thats all we have the opportunity to do.

What Happens when we live God's Way?

Scripture: Galatians 5: 22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Observation: Paul was writing this letter in an explanation of the faith to the church of Galatia. He was using these chapter to talk abou their individual lives and how to live in the faith. So many people today have a distorted view of what it means to live in faith. I have even known some people who believe if they go to church every Sunday, they are faithful people and yet the rest of the week is not taken into account. Paul goes on to talk about the freedom that is found in our faith. Not a freedom to do whatever we want to do, but a freedom from those things that keep distance between us and God. We are free from the sins of the world and they don't have control over us.

Application: The greatest gift that God gives us when we live God's way is true life itself. As we begin to follow the ways of God life explodes with affection for others and and excitement about life. Life truly is good even in the worst of times. Following God does not mean that there is not going to be tough times and that everything is going to be perfect from here own out, but it means that we are not alone and we will be given grace to help us through any situation. We become different people than we are today. We become someone who focuses on others more than ourselves. We become selfless instead of selfish. Its the most wonderful feeling in life. Try it, you'll like it.

Prayer; Most gracious God, you have changed my life in so many ways. Where I once was wandering aimlessly and living life solely for myself, you gave me direction and meaning. The things that I once thought were so important have lost their control on my life. I have found freedom and it is wonderful. I thank you for your love and grace and I thank you for your son who made all this possible, Jesus. It is in his name I pray...Amen

Scripture:

Mark 12:28-34 One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: "Which is most important of all the commandments?"
Jesus said, "The first in importance is, 'Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these."

The religion scholar said, "A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate—that God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that's better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!"

When Jesus realized how insightful he was, he said, "You're almost there, right on the border of God's kingdom." After that, no one else dared ask a question.

Observation:

Let's cut to the chase...What is the greatest commandment. I want to make sure I do that one. In the Jewish faith, there are many, many commandments. So for this scholar to come and ask which one was the most important says this was a man who was cutting through all the other stuff to focus on what was most important. In life, there are so many things that have importance placed upon them and the church and religion is no different. Is it important to go to church every Sunday? Yes! But is it the most important? No or else Jesus would have answered "Go to church every Sunday" What has happened is that we have empowered church attendance and many other things with being Christian and that's way off base. I heard someone say,(just this morning) that sitting in a church makes me no more a Christian than sitting in my garage makes me a car. So what sets us apart as Christians? 2 things: Love God and Love our Neighbor.

Application:

Although these two things seem to be extremely easy, they are not! They are extremely hard. To love God with all your heart mind and soul means placing God before all else in our lives and that's not easy. We so often want to place even ourselves ahead of God. In order to place God first that means sacrifice and as humans sacrifice does not come naturally. It's something that we have to work at. There's an old saying that it's a lot easier to say than to do and that is certainly true in this case.

Loving others as we love ourselves is equally as hard because this is calling us to love even those we don't like very much. It calls us to love those who are not like us, who dress differently, who look different, talk different, live in a different way than we do. It's those people whom we want to critize and to judge, yet we are not called to critize and to judge...we are called to love them as much as we love ourselves. This is a prime example of Jesus calling his disciples way out of the box. Why are we called to do this? Because it is what Christ has done.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, what you have called us to do is extremely hard and difficult. To love you in a sacrificial way does not come naturally to me and it's something that I have to work at. I have a desire to put myself first always and to do what is best for me according to the ways of the world. However, what is best for me is your will and that is almost always contrary to the ways of the world. Help me to remember that you are desiring for me to become more Christlike and showing me the way to love in a way that leads to perfection. Yet, I can't do that without your grace. Please continue to pour it upon me as I struggle to become more like your Son and my Savior in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Letting Go and Letting God

Scripture: Mark 8:16-21

Meanwhile, the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said, "Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? Don't you see the point of all this? Don't you get it at all? Remember the five loaves I broke for the five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?" They said, "Twelve."

"And the seven loaves for the four thousand—how many bags full of leftovers did you get?" "Seven."

He said, "Do you still not get it?"

Observation:

In the short passages leading up to this exchange, Jesus had cured a deaf and mute guy, cast a demon out of a girl, and fed a multitude of thousands with just 7 loaves. Yet, his disciples...those who were the closest to him...those who had seen it all still looked to their own resources and their own selves to provide what they needed. This caused them to be destracted and even to find fault with one another when every thing they needed was found in the Christ sitting right there with them.

Application:

How many times as Christians have we seen the work of the Lord. We have witnessed his greatness and placed our faith in him. Yet, we still want to do it ourselves. We try to "fix" things or manipulate things so they go our way and so often that takes our eyes, our attention off of whats important.

Christ asked the disciples that day, "Do you still not get it?" and I believe he is still asking that question today. We're in some pretty good company with the disciples, but I for one still don't get it most days. Christ is going to provide everything we need to be the disciples he has called us to be. He doesn't want us to "fix" or be self prepared for every situation. He wants us to rely on his strength to be able to deal with what ever may come our way. To be totally committed to him and relying on him for everything. That's hard to do, but Christ will not disappoint.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, it's so hard to "let go and let God". I have something inside me that tells me I am the master of my universe and if I want it done right, I've got to do it myself. But you tell me to put my faith in you. You are the great counselor, the great physician and the great creator and you love me more than anyone or anything. Give me the strength and the faith to be able to fully place my trust in you in all things. Help me to remember that you are God and that nothing happens without you knowing. Continue to guide me in the ways that you would have me to go.

In Christ,
Amen

"You're Interested in Religion, I'm Interested in People"

Scripture:

Zechariah 7:1 On the fourth day of the ninth month, in the fourth year of the reign of King Darius, God's Message again came to Zechariah. 2-3The town of Bethel had sent a delegation headed by Sarezer and Regem-Melech to pray for God's blessing and to confer with the priests of the Temple of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, and also with the prophets. They posed this question: "Should we plan for a day of mourning and abstinence next August, the seventieth anniversary of Jerusalem's fall, as we have been doing all these years?" 4-6God-of-the-Angel-Armies gave me this Message for them, for all the people and for the priests: "When you held days of fasting every fifth and seventh month all these seventy years, were you doing it for me? And when you held feasts, was that for me? Hardly. You're interested in religion, I'm interested in people.

Observation:

All through out Scripture, God makes religion personal. It's about relationship and here God is reinforcing that theme.

Application:

From the beginning of the Bible, God has desired a relationship with humanity. Yet, through our brokenness, we have worked to destroy that relationship. As a new church plant, I have had people tell me that we were not doing church right. I beleive they mean that we are not religious enough and if that is the case, I say "praise God". At my current church, our contemporary service has been referred to as "Christianity Lite". Is it different? YES! Does it have a different focus...Possibly. Our focus is to facilitate a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I have found that for many of the generations, we have to meet them where they are in life. Kinda like Jesus did. Jesus met people by the sea where they worked and offered to make them fishers of men. He hung out by the wells where people would come to gather their water and he offered them living water.
I heard a story of a church who started a Bible study at Hooters! Why did they do that...because that's where a great many men were gathering and they thought it would be a great place to share Jesus. I spend a great deal of my office time in Starbucks and other local coffeehouses. Why do I do this...because I have found very few people who don't go to the church where I pastor walking down the halls in the middle of the day. However, it's amazing how many people who don't go to church that I meet at the coffeehouse. I as in a local coffee house the other day when 5 ladies walked in with their Bibles and guess what? They began having a Bible study right there in the middle of the coffee house. I thought to myself what a witness that was! Then I asked myself, why aren't there more Bible studies being done in coffeehouses? They are after all the "wells" of he 21st century. What a way to reach people where they are. Where did we as a Church decide on he motto "if you build it they will come"? Somewhere along the line we have gotten the false notion that people who need Christ need to come to us instead of us going to them. I believe we will have to answer that question one day.

Don't Worry; Be Happy

Scripture:
Luke 12:25-28"Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

29-32"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

Observation:

Jesus has told a parable about a farmer who has such a great year that his barn will not hold all the crop harvested and so in such great excitement, he builds multiple barns. He even goes as far as planning his retirement and living the good life from hear on out. Then God shows up and tells the man he is going to die that night. Then Christ turns his attention to his disciples and begins to talk to them about fussing before the mirror. Did the disciples worry about retirement? Were they preoccupied with storing up for a rainy day and missing out? I do.

Application:

It's part of human nature to be worried about tomorrow. There is something in us that makes us want to be in control and to be in control, we must have some sort of control over the future. Our control comes from our wallet. Do we have enough for retirement. What happens if I get sick? What if my child needs something? What if the car breaks down? I find myself worring about things such as that all the time and Jesus is right...God knows all these things. Certainly God wants us to prepare for our furture lives. However and most of all, God wants us to put our faith in Him. So many times we put too much faith in ourselves and our solutions and God ends up being a footnote.

For me, I have to ask myself really hard questions that go something like this..."Do I trust God enough to take care of me and do my action so it?" "Why do I spend so much time in worry about things that are really out of my control? Shouldn't I find relaxation in that our God is so big and powerful and has all the hairs on my head counted (no matter how many or few).

So the big question becomes, what am I going to do about it? I am going to give a big worry over to God. I'm going to do everything in my control to prepare, but then I'm giving it to God. No more worry. The worry is stealing my happiness.

Prayer:

O God, you are so great and I am so small. I do find great comfort in knowing that you are all powerful and there is nothing on this earth that you can't handle. So Lord, this morning I come bearing my baggage. The stuff that has been holding me back, stealing my joy and bringing me worrry and sleepless nights. I give it to you and I trust in you that you have a better grasp on the reality of my life than I do. Thank you. Amen

Popularity Contest

Scripture:
Luke: 6:26"There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular."

Observation:
Jesus had been on the mountain praying and as he came down, he was surrounded by his disciples and a crowd began to gather. Those who were looking to be healed, to hear him speak, to touch him. The words above are among the words he spoke to them that day. So man lived for the approval of someone in the higher class than they were in. Often times, their approval could be the difference between feeding a family or even life or death. At the very least, the approval of someone in a class higher than one's own meant some prestige or power. It still does today.

Application:
Even in ministry, it's very easy to fall into this trap. Most of us don't like conflict and want everyone to get along. But even more than that, if everyone can't get along with each other, we just want to be liked by all. Life seems easier when everyone likes you. It's a fact. However, it always comes to an end. You can't have the aproval of everyone all the time. I just did a Strength's Finder and one of my strengths is Belief. The strength assessment said that those with this strength have core values that set their direction. These beliefs have served me well in my life. They have set the course for and helped me not to live flattering and indulging others. I have also found that it is okay not to be popular and there are times when it seems no one likes you. The reality of the Christian faith is that it leads to a hill called Golgatha and a cross. If it was true for Jesus, why would we think it would be any different for us. However, it does not stop on that hill, but continues on Easter Sunday morning with the resurrection. So, live like there is no death and be true to your task of sharing the Gospel.

Prayer:
Lord, our human nature desires for this life to be easy and to be liked by everyone. Yet, that leads to compromise and most often leads to a compromise of how you would have us to live. What ou have called us to do...the path that you lead us down is not an easy one and one that there is no way we could travel without you. So, continue to lead me and guide me. Continue to give me the strength that I need to do our will no matter what the cost. Amen

It's Your Life That Counts

Scripture: Luke 3:7-9

When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to deflect God's judgment? It's your life that must change, not your skin. And don't think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as 'father.' Being a child of Abraham is neither here nor there—children of Abraham are a dime a dozen. God can make children from stones if he wants. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire."

Observation:

The people in this scripture were doing what everyone else was doing...getting baptized. Not because of a change in their heart or because the Holy Spirit touched them, but because it was the "in" thing to do. John blasted them by saying do you think a little water is going to help you? It's you life that must change, not you skin.

Application:

The comes a time in our lives that we realize that something is missing...that something is just not quite right. We realize that we are sinners, a broken people who live in a broken world and we can't change it. We don't have what it takes to be whole on our own. When we realize this and ask for the forgiveness of Christ, we receieve a grace that is justifing. We're not worthy on our own but through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are made worthy. At this time, our goal becomes to strive for Christian perfection. To be more like Jesus. To live a life like Jesus. To love others as we love ourselves and to love God with all our heart, mind and soul. That takes life change. It doesn't come over night and each day we work toward that goal. Often times changing ever so slightly but yet still changing

While the grace of Christ is free, unmerieted and undeserved...the grace flowing upon us changes us and allows us to be more like Christ. It does not allow us to sit back and watch tv. This grace allows us to be disciples and to love others in the ways that Christ loved them. It causes us to get out of our comfort zones and do things that we would not have normally done and go places we would not have normally gone. Christianity is not a spectator sport where we watch the game on the field in the comfort of the stands, but where we get into the mud and muck of peoples lives to share with them our story of how God has changed our life.

Prayer:

Most precious God, you have loved me in such grand style. Even before I knew of your love for me, it was poured out abundently upon my head. As I grew and became away of your Son Jesus and what he did for me, I asked for forgiveness and once again, grace was poured out abundently. Now, Lord, I am walking toward Christ. Each day trying to be more like Him. Some days, I stumble and fall way short, but I keep trying. Lord, grant me strenght and a passion to be more like Christ each and every day.

Knowing More Than God

Scripture
Jeremiah 42:1-3 All the army officers, led by Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, accompanied by all the people, small and great, came to Jeremiah the prophet and said, "We have a request. Please listen. Pray to your God for us, what's left of us. You can see for yourself how few we are! Pray that your God will tell us the way we should go and what we should do."
4Jeremiah the prophet said, "I hear your request. And I will pray to your God as you have asked. Whatever God says, I'll pass on to you. I'll tell you everything, holding nothing back."

5-6They said to Jeremiah, "Let God be our witness, a true and faithful witness against us, if we don't do everything that your God directs you to tell us. Whether we like it or not, we'll do it. We'll obey whatever our God tells us. Yes, count on us. We'll do it."

7-8Ten days later God's Message came to Jeremiah. 9-12He then spoke: "This is the Message from God, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your prayer. He says, 'If you are ready to stick it out in this land, I will build you up and not drag you down, I will plant you and not pull you up like a weed. I feel deep compassion on account of the doom I have visited on you. You don't have to fear the king of Babylon. Your fears are for nothing. I'm on your side, ready to save and deliver you from anything he might do. I'll pour mercy on you. What's more, he will show you mercy! He'll let you come back to your very own land.'

13-17"But do not say, 'We're not staying around this place,' refusing to obey the command of your God and saying instead, 'No! We're off to Egypt, where things are peaceful—no wars, no attacking armies, plenty of food. We're going to live there.' If what's left of Judah is headed down that road, then listen to God's Message. This is what God-of-the-Angel-Armies says: 'If you have determined to go to Egypt and make that your home, then the very wars you fear will catch up with you in Egypt and the starvation you dread will track you down in Egypt. You'll die there! Every last one of you who is determined to go to Egypt and make it your home will either be killed, starve, or get sick and die. No survivors, not one! No one will escape the doom that I'll bring upon you.'

Observation:

The people found themselves in a situation that was not good and the had asked Jeremiah to pray and get some answers. Just get us some answers and we will do what ever God tells us to do. God heard the prayers of Jeremiah and he asnwered those prayers with some pretty specific advice. "Stick it out in this land, I will build you up." God told them, you don't have anything to worry about. I'm on your side and will save and deliver you. But you can't go back to Egypt. Stay here in the midst of turmoil and I've got your back. Go to Egypt where things are peaceful and you will die there.

Application:

God gave some pretty specific instructions in this prayer. He didn't beat around the bush, cut corners and leave anyone guessing as to what was meant. God wanted these people to stay where they were and depend upon Him. Yet they thought they knew better than God...especially when God's Word was not what they wanted to hear. That is so often the case with humanity. We seek the guidance of God as long as God leads us in the direction we want to go. As long as everything is pleasant, we enjoy following and desire to follow God. Yet, when things go extremely bad (the times we need to depend on God the most) we want to handle them our own way; we want control of the situation. I believe some of this comes from our wanting to be in control, but I think more of it comes from a lack of trust that God will do what is best for us. Of course, we often times have a difference of opinion with God in what is best for ourselves and we often choose to do it our way.

In our relationship with God, we are going to find ourselves in situations where we have to trust in God and it's probably not going to make sense to the rest of the world (it may not make sense to you). I can't help but to think about Noah building this great big boat in the middle of the desert and the ridicule, torment, laughter and doubt that must have crept into his mind. Yet he trusted God, suffered through the laughter and continued building. Time and time again, there are instances in the Bible of people who have been put out there and all they had was their trust in God and God NEVER failed them.

Prayer:

Gracious and loving God. You have so much in store for our lives and so many adventures to take us on. Some will be hard and test our trust in you. Some will not make any sense and we will have an urge to do things our own way...the way that makes sense to us, usually the easist least painful way. But through those tough, hard times, we find ourselves being drawn closer to you. We find our relationship growing closer and stronger. So Lord, I ask that you help me resist the urge to do things my own way and to think that I know more than You. Help my trust to deepen in you. In Christ. Amen

Love

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4: 7-10My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God.

OBSERVATION: Here we see the reference to loving neighbor and loving God. A theme that is repeated throughout the New Testament. Love is the greatest gift ever given to humanity. It is through Gods love that He sent Jesus. It is through God's love that we have prevenient, justifying, and sanctifing grace. And it is through love that we expereince a relationship with God.

APPLICATION: As Christians we are called to love each other and it is through that love for others that our love for God is made real. To perfectly love God, we have to perfectly love others and yet...we are not perfect. We are far from it. So, how do we love others in a way that would be pleasing to God? Day by Day, little by little. It is a process and we are not going to get there overnight. It's called santification and it takes time. It also takes us putting forth some effort. I believe that while we do nothing to earn God's love; God's prevenient and Justifying grace and these onl come through his love...we do have a role to play in the growing to be Christ like. The role includes Bible study, prayer, fasting, and all the other means of grace. It also includes building of relationships. It means growing in our love toward one another and it is through that love for others in which our love for God manifest itself.

PRAYER: O God, help me to love and to grow in my love for others today and each day this week. Help me to focus specifically on ways that I can demonstrate my love for others. In Christ, Amen

Doom to the Shepherds

Scripture Jeremiah 23:1-4 "Doom to the shepherd-leaders who butcher and scatter my sheep!" God's Decree. "So here is what I, God, Israel's God, say to the shepherd-leaders who misled my people: 'You've scattered my sheep. You've driven them off. You haven't kept your eye on them. Well, let me tell you, I'm keeping my eye on you, keeping track of your criminal behavior. I'll take over and gather what's left of my sheep, gather them in from all the lands where I've driven them. I'll bring them back where they belong, and they'll recover and flourish. I'll set shepherd-leaders over them who will take good care of them. They won't live in fear or panic anymore. All the lost sheep rounded up!' God's Decree." The Message

Observation: Those who have been chose to be the shepherds of the sheep of God have an incredible responsibility to take care of those sheep. Misleading, scatering and driving them off is not what God has called them to do. He even ranks this as criminal behavior. God cares so much for his sheep that he will bring them back where they belong and nurse them back to health and recovery. All the lost sheep rounded up!

Application: I can't help but to think of the current situation in our denomination when I read this. In our conference there are 863 and it is my understanding that over 200 of those churches have less than 20 people. I believe there are 3 kinds of people. 1. Those who are on the discipleship path. They are growing in their faith, have a group of people who love and care for them and are being trained, encouraged, and empowered to reach others for Christ. These people go through tough trials of life and suffer but they have an excellent foundation of faith and also of faithful people who love, care and hold them accountable.

2. There are those who go to church, sit on the pew every Sunday, but are not growing. Those who will tell you they have faith, but you can't see it anywhere. Some have no passion for any growth and some have a desire for more, but in their faith infancy, they don't know how to get it and the church they are attending is not teaching them in a way that impacts their life. There is little accountablity, caring as long as it doesn't involve more than a covered dish, and belonging as long as it is never gets beyond social.

3. There are those who don't go to church at all or at the most on Christmas and Easter. Most have a somewhat elementary understanding of the Gospel, but have not made it applicable to their life. The are wandering and struggling through this life often times wondering if this is all there is. In many cases, these people have been hurt by organized religion and washed their hands of it. Often, they have at one time in their life truly been on the path to discovering what God had in store for them but were turned away by a "mature Christian".

In this passage, there is a warning to those of us how are shepherds (pastor's, laity, and all those in between). We have a responsibility to take care of our sheep. Taking care of our sheep means helping them to get closer to God as they travel down this road of life. It means giving them the tools they need, encouragment, accountablility, mentorship, be an example so that they can become all they can be (sanctification). It also means reaching out to those who don't know God and even harder to those who have been hurt by the Church.

Our membership in the United Methodist Church has been on the decline for way too many years. Why? The sheep are not being taken care of. We have been more worried about keeping our members happy and liking us than we have their spiritual growth. Thus we have church full of people who live in "fear" and/or "panic" because they are not prepared to deal with the stuggles of the world with God and God's people.

Prayer: Almighty God, we have not done a good job of being shepherds. We have allowed our own agendas, our own pleasures our own desires to be liked to over rule what you would have us to do. I ask for your forgiveness and I ask that you place in me and other shepherds a passionate desire to re-create churches that are more than just social clubs but disciple making factories. Amen

Blind

Scripture: John 9:1-2 Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" 3-5Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.

Observation: This Gospel tells the story of Jesus making a paste, rubbing it on a man's eyes who had been blind from birth. As the approached the man, the disciples asked who was the blame for this man's blindness and Jesus said they were asking the wrong question. They were asking who sinned or "who did it" when they should have been asking..."What can God do?"

Application: A great miracle is about to be performed here b Christ...making the blind to see and yet, the disciples would have missed it had Christ not been physically present. They were more worried with who caused the blindness than they were the cure. So many times in life, we are faced with situations that seem unsolvable, incurable, and utterly hopeless. We tend to start searching for the cause of our situation. How did I get into this mess instead of asking what God can do. Our God is such an incredibly powerful and loving God that there is not a situation we can find ourselves in that He cannot deliverus from. Loneleness, despair, desparation...the list goes on and on as to what God can do.

Prayer: O lord, you have created the heavens and the earth. You have formed the sky and the seas and birthed all the life on earth and yet too often we don't think you can handle the turmoil in our lives. Lord, help us to realize that you are God and you love each of us. No matter what we've done, road we've traveled, depth we've been to...you still long for us. Lord, allow us to call on you to clear the path for us and to the one who gives us sight. Amen

What God Wants

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9
"Shout! A full-throated shout! Hold nothing back—a trumpet-blast shout!
Tell my people what's wrong with their lives,
face my family Jacob with their sins!
They're busy, busy, busy at worship,
and love studying all about me.
To all appearances they're a nation of right-living people—
law-abiding, God-honoring.
They ask me, 'What's the right thing to do?'
and love having me on their side.
But they also complain,
'Why do we fast and you don't look our way?
Why do we humble ourselves and you don't even notice?'
"Well, here's why:
"The bottom line on your 'fast days' is profit.
You drive your employees much too hard.
You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight.
You fast, but you swing a mean fist.
The kind of fasting you do
won't get your prayers off the ground.
Do you think this is the kind of fast day I'm after:
a day to show off humility?
To put on a pious long face
and parade around solemnly in black?
Do you call that fasting,
a fast day that I, God, would like?
"This is the kind of fast day I'm after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
What I'm interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'

Observation: Looking the part but not living the part. It's so easy to pretend to be a Christian. To try and look the part and do what others think should be done. But having Christ in one's life brings about life change and that is what the Prophet Isaiah is talking about here. Life change...doing things different from the rest of the world. God is not as concerned about being busy with worship or fasting or praying...if they are not backed up by life change. In this passage, we are given what kind of fast God desires...it involves loving others. Helping those out in need. Feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. This brings honor and glory to God much more than parading around telling everyone that you're fasting and how much it hurts.

Application: There's something in me that wants, desires and seeks recognition. I want people to know that I am fasting and to make a big deal about it. I want to realize and to remember that bringing attention to those things that are between me and God cheapens them. The way that I treat others is a direct reflection upon my relationship with God. There's an old camp song that says, "They'll know we are Christians by our love" and there is not a truer statement which can be made.

Prayer: Almighty God, create in me a desire to bring you glory...not by telling people I'm fasting but by the love that I have for others. Help me to put self aside adn to love even those who it is so hard to love...those who make me angry, upset. Help me to see them as one of your children whom you love with all your heart so that I can love them with all of my heart.

Role of More Mature Christians

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-3 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Observation: The author is talking directly to those who have been put in leadership positions. Those who are in a place to have other Christians looking to them for their care and protection and how leading should be done. Being willing and eager to serve because God wants you to...not for money nor to lord over someone but only for the glory of God.

Application: This is a great scripture to keep in mind for me as a pastor, but also to pass on to the core team as we build The Bridge. Our model is one of servanthood. Through that servanthood, we will grow spiritually but we will also be helping someone else grow closer to God.

Prayer: Almighty Lord and Savior, as I begin this journey, constantly remind me of the honor and the responsibility that has been given to me. Help me to always seek to do your will, being eager to serve those who are entrusted to my care and not lord over them. In Christ.

Scripture 1 Peter 4:7- 11: The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Observation: As the author of this letter wrote, it was his belief that the end was near and the expectation was that Christ would be returning soon. There was and stil should be an urgency in these words of advice. In this letter the author writes, "Above all" do he following and all of his advice is directed at loving others and loving God.
1. Above all, love each other deeply.
2. Use your gift to serve others.
3. Speak as one speaking the very words of God
4. Serve with the strength God provides so that God is praised.

Application: This scripture as with most does not refer to self glory nor self gratification. In our world today, self is what life is all about. Yet, Christ flipped this world upside down and expects the opposite from the world. Christians are called to lead a different life A life that brings glory to God but also showers others in love and service.

Prayer: Almighty God, it's so difficult to live in an unselfish way, but that is what you expect of us. We can only do it with your help. Please fill us with your Holy Spirit so that I may live a life tat will cause you to say "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Tough Times

Scripture: Isaiah 42: 16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.

Observation: The Lord is acknowledging that people are not perfect in the reference to the blind. (We are all blind in different ways) We all find ourselves on paths that we do not know and places that are unfamiliar to us. These places are scary, intimidating and overwhelming. However, we have a promise from God of His presence and His action. He will turn the lights on and smooth out the rough spots. We are promised that He wil not forget us.

Application: We face such turmoil in our lives. The death of a loved one; the struggle to pay bills; the foreclosure on a house; receiving the word from the doctor that it is cancer; the loss of a job; and the list goes on and on. Often times we wonder how we can go on to the next moment in life. How am I going to get through this time? The Lord has promised and we find hope in knowing that He is leading us by was we have now known. He is our guide in life that will light the path and make the rough places smooth. It is through His love and grace that we can endure and prevail in whatever life may throw at us. He is God! There is nothing as powerfule and yet wonderful in the universe.

Prayer: Loving God, we find comfort in your words of encouragement. There is a strength found in the knowledge that you are with us as we walk down the path of life. We thank you for that assurance and ask that we be constantly reminded of your love and our need for it. Aen.

Being an Example

Scripture: 1 Peter: :11-12 "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

Observation: Live a life that will be an example even to the pagens. God will work through you life to change their view, belief and trust in God.

Application: There are going to be those how accuse ou of doing wrong, those who try and persuade you to join them in things you know you shouldn't do. Scripture tells us to resist. To live a life that is good even among those who are accusing you of doing wrong. They want you to get on their level. Their desire is for you to get into the mud with them. Peter tells us not to do that...to be above it adn through our good life, we will be an example that God can work with.

That's is an extremely easy thing to say and an incredible hard thing to put into practice. Especially when there are those who are a part of your life and are not going anywhere. Those who hae an impact on someone you love and care for. Our natural tendency is to rip them to shreds but here the Lord is guiding us as Christians down a path that does not make sense according to worldly standards. Peter is telling us to abstain from those sinful desires...I believe this means showing grace even to those who have hurt/damaged you and the people loved. It's hard and it goes contrary to my feelings inside, but I know it is what Christ would do. Turn the other cheek.

Religion

Scripture: James 1:26-27 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Observation: James (who might be the brother of Jesus) is writing in this verse on religion. He in 2 verses tells what religion is and what it is not. James says that someone that does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, dceives himself and his religion is worthless. Someone who wears their religion on their sleeve but lies in a way that does not mirror what they say. James says that action speak louder han words. Religious people have two duties: 1. Help those in need. In James' day the people most in need were widows and orphans. They were the outcast and thus they needed the most help. Part of being a disciple is reaching out to the outcast. 2. Keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Don't allow the world to determine your religion.

Application: It's so easy to get caught up in the ways of the world and to almost desire the praise from others of being a Christian. And so we begin to tell people how religious we are and yet live lives that do not reflect what has come out of our mouths. James says to put your money where your mouth is. There have been long struggles between the writings of James and Paul. Paul says faith is all you need and James puts an emphasis on works. However, I believe it is a mixture of the two. I believe when you have an encounter with the love and the grace of God there is something that calls you to reach out to others.

Prayer: Almighty God, help me to walk each day with the love for others that you have for me. Guide me in the direction of those who need to hear about you and give me the words to say. You have called us to something greater than the place we are at today, yet we cannot get there without you. Lord, light the path, grasp my hand and lead on. Amen

Finding Strength in Each Other (Small Groups)

Scripture: "So Brothers and sisters, be careful that none of you has an unbelieving heart that will turn you away form the Living God. But encourage each other everyday while it is toda. Help each other so none of you will become hardened becuas sin has tricked you. We all share in Christ if we keep till the end the sure faith we had in the beginning.

Observation: In this letter the author is encouragin the Hebrew church to keep the faith. there are 3 points in this Scripture:

1. We have to encourage each other. To hold one another accountable. To be there for them and help them out along the way. Christianity is not a spectator sport.

2. sin is at work and will trick you and harden your heart.

3. Faith is something that can be lost.

Application: The importane of finding and being a part of a small group is demonstrated in this passage. It is vitally important in our walk to walk with others along the way. This allows us to help them but also allows them to be there for us. there will be low points in life and its extremely hard and difficult to navigate life as a Lone Ranger. That's not what God has called us to do. We are called to be a family supporting one another.

Prayer: Almighty God, its so easy to want to do things my own way. To go it alone. Yet I realize I need others. Thank you for blessings my life with those who love and care for me. Amen.

The Power of Scripture

Scripture: "Since you've been a child you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given b God and is useful for teaching, for showing peopel what is wrong with their lives, for correcting fauls and for teacing how to live right. Using the scriptures, the person, who serves God will be capable of having all that is needed to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Observation: Scripture is the road map to life. It contains all the answers to all the questions ever asked. It can be painful and uncomfortable to read becuase it will show plaes in life that need to be turned around. It is also like a tool box given to the person reading it. All the tools they will need to do God's work.

Application: "The Bible says..." The Scripture is able to make you wise and that wisdom leads to salvation. The imporance of Scripture can never be denied or taken for granted. I will be different as I continue to dele into the Scriptures every day. As I follow this plan and journal so that I can experience spiritual growth.

Prayer: Almighty God. I know the answers lie in the Scripture. I know that my life will be blessd by reading them everyday, but days get so hectic. Give me strength and a burning desire to read scripture. Make me so hungry for your word that I can't do anything else. In Christ...Amen.

Ruined by Pride

Scripture: "But when Uzzah became powerful, his pride led to his ruin. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God." 2 Chron. 26:16

Observation: U. was a powerful king of Judah and became King at 16 years of age and ruled 52 years. He was aught by Zecheriah how to respect adn obey the Lord and as long as he obeed God, he was ver successful with many victories adn conquest. Yet his power brought pride and he was going to do the right things the wrong way. He went into the temple and insisted on burning incense to the Lord. 81 brave preiset went to him to get him to stop but he didn't and as he was stading there a skin disease broke out on his head and he carried this disease ntil he died . He had to live in a separate house and could no longer enter the temle of the Lord.

Application: How many timesdo I "get too big for my britches?" Too man. It's very difficult to keep pride in check when things are going well. No matter how much we know, we still desire to do things our way and often that leads to trouble. I'm on a mission trip right now and the them is "It's not about us...It's about Him (Christ) and yet so often the good things we do become "bad" because they become inwardly focusd. Instead being about God. This happens to the best of us and each day, I will work to put aside myself and focus on being a true servant of God.

Prayer: Almighty God. Its so easy to put self first. To allow pride to come into our life and begin to put ourselves first instead of being the servant you have called us to be. Oh Lord, place in mea humble heart so that I can be more like Christ. Amen.

Partnering with God

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7 One day the wife of a man from the guild of prophets called out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead. You well know what a good man he was, devoted to God. And now the man to whom he was in debt is on his way to collect by taking my two children as slaves."
2 Elisha said, "I wonder how I can be of help. Tell me, what do you have in your house?"
"Nothing," she said. "Well, I do have a little oil."
3-4 "Here's what you do," said Elisha. "Go up and down the street and borrow jugs and bowls from all your neighbors. And not just a few—all you can get. Then come home and lock the door behind you, you and your sons. Pour oil into each container; when each is full, set it aside."
5-6 She did what he said. She locked the door behind her and her sons; as they brought the containers to her, she filled them. When all the jugs and bowls were full, she said to one of her sons, "Another jug, please."
He said, "That's it. There are no more jugs."
Then the oil stopped.
7 She went and told the story to the man of God. He said, "Go sell the oil and make good on your debts. Live, both you and your sons, on what's left."

Observation: God cares about our everyday needs. No matter is too small and no person too insignificant for God's attention. There is no limit to the incredibleness of God in a hopeless situation.

In this day, a woman had virtually no chance of making money. Women were less than second hand people and she saw no way of being able to pay back the debt that her family owed now that her husband had died. The only solution presented to her was to sell her children into slavery. It is obvious that they were not at an age of being able to go and work for the money needed. This woman must have been distraught at what must have seemed to be a hopeless situation.

Application: So many times in life, we find ourselves in situations that seem hopeless. We only see one way out and it's not a good way. It's easy to get distraught and wallow in hopelessness. The hardest thing to do is to trust in God during these times. God provides solutions/alternatives. Yet this woman had to "do something". God didn't swosh in and fill the jars for her. Instead, she had to gather and pour. God partnered with her to use what she had to get her out of debt.

Prayer: Almighty God. Help me to always trust in you. To partner with you and to allow you to work in my life even when the situation seems hopeless. Amen