SCRIPTURE
Matthew 17:4
4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
OBSERVATION
I love the way Peter is always a man of action. He was the one who walked on water and he's always the first to make a fool of himself. He is always making rash statements and doing rash things — but he's also the one who does walk on water and who declares the true nature of Jesus.
Here we see him scrambling to please Jesus by offering to build three shelters. A silly thing in retrospect for sure. Visitors from heaven most likely need no shelters — they are not subject to the natural realm (thus the whole flying around in the air thing).
Peter's heart is in the right place, but he doesn't stop and think and that sometimes gets him in trouble. I love how Jesus doesn't even bother replying in the story!
APPLICATION
Stop and think. Yes be zealous for God, but pause and see what the Master wants you to do and don't just do what you think the Master would want you to do!
PRAYER
Lord, give me Peter's heart, but someone else's brains!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
SCRIPTURE
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
OBSERVATION
Jesus is coming back one day and He will reward us for what we have done. Rewards are different from salvation. Salvation is not a reward for anything we have done or could ever do. It is not something earned — it is a free gift of God. But after salvation, it is clear that our level of commitment and contribution is directly proportionate to the rewards we will receive.
APPLICATION
I need to be more aware of serving and laying down my life and my goals for others. One of the paradoxes of Scripture is that by laying down our life, we find it. I must continually seek out ways to give and serve others.
PRAYER
Lord, open my eyes to see others — to see them as precious commodities that You love and desire me to serve even as you served. Help me to see people the way You see them. Amen.
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
OBSERVATION
Jesus is coming back one day and He will reward us for what we have done. Rewards are different from salvation. Salvation is not a reward for anything we have done or could ever do. It is not something earned — it is a free gift of God. But after salvation, it is clear that our level of commitment and contribution is directly proportionate to the rewards we will receive.
APPLICATION
I need to be more aware of serving and laying down my life and my goals for others. One of the paradoxes of Scripture is that by laying down our life, we find it. I must continually seek out ways to give and serve others.
PRAYER
Lord, open my eyes to see others — to see them as precious commodities that You love and desire me to serve even as you served. Help me to see people the way You see them. Amen.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Jesus is After the Heart
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 15:16-18
16 "Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them.
17 "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?
18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'
19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
20 These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.' "
OBSERVATION
In the first twenty verse of Matthew 15, we see Jesus turning the whole system that the Pharisees had created upside down. The Pharisees had invested countless time and energy into figuring out how to best follow the Law of God — the Torah. But in their zeal for God's Law, they had actually ended up ignoring the very thing they set out to protect. They had not only missed God's heart, but they had failed to keep the Law anyway (see verse vss 5-6).
But Jesus didn't stop there, He also challenged some of the basics of Jewish tradition. The culinary rules were followed not just by the Pharisees but by any self-respecting Jew. These rules dictated what you could eat and what you couldn't eat. If you ate the wrong things, you became unclean. To us today, the whole notion of clean and unclean tends to refer only to the external state of a person (are they dirty or not?). But in the Jewish culture, the whole world was divided up into clean and unclean. And whether or not you were clean or unclean determined your ability to interact with others, worship God and generally operate in society.
So a lot was invested in not eating the wrong things and only eating the right things. This is what God laid out in the Law of Moses. It was okay to eat animals with cloven hoofs, but not those with scales. It was okay to eat fish with scales, but not those without. And so forth. Eat the wrong thing and you couldn't go to the Temple, you had to go through ritual ablutions to cleanse yourself and the list went on.
But Jesus turns to His disciples and says, it's not about the kind of food you eat, it's about your heart.
APPLICATION
The whole point of the Law was to try to teach the people of Israel God's heart. But as humans so frequently do, they reduced it to a set of rules and regulations. A set of checkboxes that could be hammered through like a pre-flight checklist. If I do these things, then I'm okay with God.
But Jesus is saying, God is not interested in the list as much as He is interested in the heart. It is not that what you do doesn't matter — because it most certainly does. What you do flows from something internal. You can do the right things for the wrong motives and vice-versa. The heart — the motives — are what is most important. Right motives will result in right action.
We get so fixated on doing the right things, that we forget that what God really wants is a hear that is committed to Him. What we give Him altogether too frequently, is a heart committed to the checkboxes.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to operate out of a heart that loves You and seeks You first. Far too often I assume that there is a formula that I must follow in order to be close to you and I end up doing the formula rather then seeking your face. Help me to be a man that seeks after you with all of my heart. Amen.
Matthew 15:16-18
16 "Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them.
17 "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?
18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'
19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
20 These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.' "
OBSERVATION
In the first twenty verse of Matthew 15, we see Jesus turning the whole system that the Pharisees had created upside down. The Pharisees had invested countless time and energy into figuring out how to best follow the Law of God — the Torah. But in their zeal for God's Law, they had actually ended up ignoring the very thing they set out to protect. They had not only missed God's heart, but they had failed to keep the Law anyway (see verse vss 5-6).
But Jesus didn't stop there, He also challenged some of the basics of Jewish tradition. The culinary rules were followed not just by the Pharisees but by any self-respecting Jew. These rules dictated what you could eat and what you couldn't eat. If you ate the wrong things, you became unclean. To us today, the whole notion of clean and unclean tends to refer only to the external state of a person (are they dirty or not?). But in the Jewish culture, the whole world was divided up into clean and unclean. And whether or not you were clean or unclean determined your ability to interact with others, worship God and generally operate in society.
So a lot was invested in not eating the wrong things and only eating the right things. This is what God laid out in the Law of Moses. It was okay to eat animals with cloven hoofs, but not those with scales. It was okay to eat fish with scales, but not those without. And so forth. Eat the wrong thing and you couldn't go to the Temple, you had to go through ritual ablutions to cleanse yourself and the list went on.
But Jesus turns to His disciples and says, it's not about the kind of food you eat, it's about your heart.
APPLICATION
The whole point of the Law was to try to teach the people of Israel God's heart. But as humans so frequently do, they reduced it to a set of rules and regulations. A set of checkboxes that could be hammered through like a pre-flight checklist. If I do these things, then I'm okay with God.
But Jesus is saying, God is not interested in the list as much as He is interested in the heart. It is not that what you do doesn't matter — because it most certainly does. What you do flows from something internal. You can do the right things for the wrong motives and vice-versa. The heart — the motives — are what is most important. Right motives will result in right action.
We get so fixated on doing the right things, that we forget that what God really wants is a hear that is committed to Him. What we give Him altogether too frequently, is a heart committed to the checkboxes.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to operate out of a heart that loves You and seeks You first. Far too often I assume that there is a formula that I must follow in order to be close to you and I end up doing the formula rather then seeking your face. Help me to be a man that seeks after you with all of my heart. Amen.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
A Little Remodeling
SCRIPTURE
David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. He built up the city around it, from the supporting terraces [a] to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him. 1 Chronicles 11:7-9
OBSERVATION
There have been many times that God has placed me in situations or places that needed a little "fixin' up". David had to build "up" the supporting terraces..I saw the terraces as places used to "look out" over the the walls for those coming toward the city. The walls were used to "protect" the city. God brings people into our lives to "protect and look out" for us. And they might seem like "rubble" to us in some way. I have to remember that God was there all along.
APPLICATION
The Worship Department Section Leaders are currently going through leadership study together. This scripture reminded me that many people are going to come to serve on the different ministries. They will come from all walks of life...large boulders, medium rocks, little pebbles. They will be different physically and emotionally. As leaders, God is here to help us develop them so that they fit into God's plan for what He's doing in the kingdom.
PRAYER
Father, help me to build up those "walls" and "terraces" in my life that you have appointed to "look out" for me...those that You have assigned to "protect and support" me. What I do in this walk with You, I am reminded daily that I want to please You. I ask that You make me sensitive to the needs of those who do those "small" things that make me and others look big. We reflect that to You....the glory is Yours! I pray for the Spirit of Encouragement on all leaders...parents, teachers, employers, etc..to build up their walls!
Christel Richards
Worship Department
Tenor/Section Leader
David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. He built up the city around it, from the supporting terraces [a] to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him. 1 Chronicles 11:7-9
OBSERVATION
There have been many times that God has placed me in situations or places that needed a little "fixin' up". David had to build "up" the supporting terraces..I saw the terraces as places used to "look out" over the the walls for those coming toward the city. The walls were used to "protect" the city. God brings people into our lives to "protect and look out" for us. And they might seem like "rubble" to us in some way. I have to remember that God was there all along.
APPLICATION
The Worship Department Section Leaders are currently going through leadership study together. This scripture reminded me that many people are going to come to serve on the different ministries. They will come from all walks of life...large boulders, medium rocks, little pebbles. They will be different physically and emotionally. As leaders, God is here to help us develop them so that they fit into God's plan for what He's doing in the kingdom.
PRAYER
Father, help me to build up those "walls" and "terraces" in my life that you have appointed to "look out" for me...those that You have assigned to "protect and support" me. What I do in this walk with You, I am reminded daily that I want to please You. I ask that You make me sensitive to the needs of those who do those "small" things that make me and others look big. We reflect that to You....the glory is Yours! I pray for the Spirit of Encouragement on all leaders...parents, teachers, employers, etc..to build up their walls!
Christel Richards
Worship Department
Tenor/Section Leader
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Knowledge and Understanding
SCRIPTURE
"To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them." Matthew 13:12
OBSERVATION
If I don't focus on God's word and soak it in word for word, then I will be missing out on the knowledge God has in store for me.
APPLICATION
This scripture teaches me that I need to devote myself to God's word. Through God's word I will gain knowledge. I need to stay focused on his word in order to reap all that God has in store for me.
PRAYER
Dear Lord help me to devote myself to your word. I pray that I keep a focused mind and that I truly listen to what your word tells us. I pray that I seek the gifts that you have for me. I pray for wisdom gained by your word. That way I can use my gained wisdom to defeat the attacks of the enemy. I pray for the abundance of knowledge in your name. Amen.
Caleb DeLaCruz
Worship Department
Tenor/Section Leader
"To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them." Matthew 13:12
OBSERVATION
If I don't focus on God's word and soak it in word for word, then I will be missing out on the knowledge God has in store for me.
APPLICATION
This scripture teaches me that I need to devote myself to God's word. Through God's word I will gain knowledge. I need to stay focused on his word in order to reap all that God has in store for me.
PRAYER
Dear Lord help me to devote myself to your word. I pray that I keep a focused mind and that I truly listen to what your word tells us. I pray that I seek the gifts that you have for me. I pray for wisdom gained by your word. That way I can use my gained wisdom to defeat the attacks of the enemy. I pray for the abundance of knowledge in your name. Amen.
Caleb DeLaCruz
Worship Department
Tenor/Section Leader
Friday, April 25, 2008
Are you an in-law?
SCRIPTURE
“If you had known what these words mean, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matt 12:7-8)
OBSERVATION
This part of chapter 12 highlights the difference between living in the law and living in love. It is actually easier to live in the law because there is a clear winner and loser – you are either in or out based on what you do. Being raised Catholic, I could tell you exactly what my religion expected of me, and I did it (at least when I was at church). It was all about religion, and that religion included building my own stairway to heaven by my good works. Hey, I worked hard for it – I earned it! That’s what I thought, anyway.
APPLICATION
Giving mercy can be harder for our works-based flesh to deal with. We want to be judgmental, especially of other Christians and other churches whose traditions or methods don’t match up with ours. Giving mercy means allowing others to have their freedom in Christ and trusting the Holy Spirit to do His job, convicting, shaping and changing us. Our personal convictions from Him should not necessarily be turned into application for every Christian – we are each different and the Holy Spirit deals with each of us differently.
PRAYER
Oh, Lord, help me to remember to choose mercy over the law – help me to remember You came to call sinners, not the righteous. Help me to love those that religion would condemn. Help me live as the prophet Micah says, “to do justice, to LOVE MERCY, and to WALK HUMBLY with my God”.
Carole Leitgeb
Worship Department
Alto/Section Leader
“If you had known what these words mean, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matt 12:7-8)
OBSERVATION
This part of chapter 12 highlights the difference between living in the law and living in love. It is actually easier to live in the law because there is a clear winner and loser – you are either in or out based on what you do. Being raised Catholic, I could tell you exactly what my religion expected of me, and I did it (at least when I was at church). It was all about religion, and that religion included building my own stairway to heaven by my good works. Hey, I worked hard for it – I earned it! That’s what I thought, anyway.
APPLICATION
Giving mercy can be harder for our works-based flesh to deal with. We want to be judgmental, especially of other Christians and other churches whose traditions or methods don’t match up with ours. Giving mercy means allowing others to have their freedom in Christ and trusting the Holy Spirit to do His job, convicting, shaping and changing us. Our personal convictions from Him should not necessarily be turned into application for every Christian – we are each different and the Holy Spirit deals with each of us differently.
PRAYER
Oh, Lord, help me to remember to choose mercy over the law – help me to remember You came to call sinners, not the righteous. Help me to love those that religion would condemn. Help me live as the prophet Micah says, “to do justice, to LOVE MERCY, and to WALK HUMBLY with my God”.
Carole Leitgeb
Worship Department
Alto/Section Leader
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Yoke's On You!
SCRIPTURE
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and burden is light.” Mathew 11:28-30 NIV
OBSERVATION
I love this scripture, especially when the toils of the human condition start to rise above my neck and I feel I have to start standing on my tippy toes (can anyone else relate?). This, for me, is especially true lately as things from work, worship team, school and family are pressing and crushing in. But there was one thing that stood out to me in this scripture today that I have overlooked in past years. Besides taking his gentle yoke upon us, Jesus wants us to learn from him.
APPLICATION
Learning has been very much a part of what has been happening on the worship team as we strive to serve God in new ways. We strive to learn leadership in context of the Kingdom, strive to learn teamwork in context of a worship team, strive to master your instrument to find yourself approved and able to be used by God.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunities that you give us to learn. May we always be conscious of your voice, your gentle direction your deep understanding and your boundless faithfulness.
Robert Leitgeb
Worship Department
Drums/Section Leader
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and burden is light.” Mathew 11:28-30 NIV
OBSERVATION
I love this scripture, especially when the toils of the human condition start to rise above my neck and I feel I have to start standing on my tippy toes (can anyone else relate?). This, for me, is especially true lately as things from work, worship team, school and family are pressing and crushing in. But there was one thing that stood out to me in this scripture today that I have overlooked in past years. Besides taking his gentle yoke upon us, Jesus wants us to learn from him.
APPLICATION
Learning has been very much a part of what has been happening on the worship team as we strive to serve God in new ways. We strive to learn leadership in context of the Kingdom, strive to learn teamwork in context of a worship team, strive to master your instrument to find yourself approved and able to be used by God.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunities that you give us to learn. May we always be conscious of your voice, your gentle direction your deep understanding and your boundless faithfulness.
Robert Leitgeb
Worship Department
Drums/Section Leader
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Lord and nothing but the Lord, so help me God!
SCRIPTURE
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:37-39
OBSERVATION
If we truly love the Lord, then we need to spend time with him. But not only spend time with him, but WANT to spend time with him. It shouldn't be a HAVE to thing. We can't let the business of our lives get in the way of our one true love.
APPLICATION
If I were to be truly honest with myself I would say that I struggle greatly with this scripture. As a mother, your heart leaps for your children and how easy it is to love them and put them as number one on your list and in your life. And yet the Lord is very clear as to "Whom" we are to put number one in our lives. The Lord gives no room for exception in this commandment. "There is to be no one before Me"...no ifs, ands, or buts!!!
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for loving me and for giving me the opportunity to love you. Help me Lord to love you more everyday and keep you first in my life. Help me to be a good example in my children's lives as they learn to love you through my example.
Allison Doyel
Worship Department
Soprano/Section Leader
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:37-39
OBSERVATION
If we truly love the Lord, then we need to spend time with him. But not only spend time with him, but WANT to spend time with him. It shouldn't be a HAVE to thing. We can't let the business of our lives get in the way of our one true love.
APPLICATION
If I were to be truly honest with myself I would say that I struggle greatly with this scripture. As a mother, your heart leaps for your children and how easy it is to love them and put them as number one on your list and in your life. And yet the Lord is very clear as to "Whom" we are to put number one in our lives. The Lord gives no room for exception in this commandment. "There is to be no one before Me"...no ifs, ands, or buts!!!
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for loving me and for giving me the opportunity to love you. Help me Lord to love you more everyday and keep you first in my life. Help me to be a good example in my children's lives as they learn to love you through my example.
Allison Doyel
Worship Department
Soprano/Section Leader
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
We All Need to Get a Job!
SCRIPTURE
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:35-38
OBSERVATION
Jesus was looking at all of the people who needed help and direction. They needed someone to lead them and care for them like a shepherd for his sheep. He had compassion not because of the needs they had, but because he knew the workers to meet those needs would be few. I have heard it said that 20% of the people in the church do 80% of the work. Can you imagine what the Church would be able to accomplish if everyone recognized the needs in people's lives and then did what was necessary to meet those needs? In verse 38, he gives us the solution, ask the Lord of the Harvest for more workers in the fields.
APPLICATION
Opportunities to serve others present themselves every day, whether it is the Children's ministry, ushering, the WOW Jam, or praying for a co-worker, the opportunities are endless. The first step is to recognize the people around you that need the touch of the Lord and the second step is to ask God to reveal how we should respond. We also need to be obedient and willing to serve where God directs us.
PRAYER
God, each day people go untouched because the need far outweighs the supply of help. Send workers into the field to prepare the land and harvest the crop.
John Doyel
Worship Department
Tenor/Choir Director
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:35-38
OBSERVATION
Jesus was looking at all of the people who needed help and direction. They needed someone to lead them and care for them like a shepherd for his sheep. He had compassion not because of the needs they had, but because he knew the workers to meet those needs would be few. I have heard it said that 20% of the people in the church do 80% of the work. Can you imagine what the Church would be able to accomplish if everyone recognized the needs in people's lives and then did what was necessary to meet those needs? In verse 38, he gives us the solution, ask the Lord of the Harvest for more workers in the fields.
APPLICATION
Opportunities to serve others present themselves every day, whether it is the Children's ministry, ushering, the WOW Jam, or praying for a co-worker, the opportunities are endless. The first step is to recognize the people around you that need the touch of the Lord and the second step is to ask God to reveal how we should respond. We also need to be obedient and willing to serve where God directs us.
PRAYER
God, each day people go untouched because the need far outweighs the supply of help. Send workers into the field to prepare the land and harvest the crop.
John Doyel
Worship Department
Tenor/Choir Director
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Simple Faith
SCRIPTURE
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith”…Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
OBSERVATION
My first observation? Where do I start? These verses are so full of rich layers of meaning. All will agree, this is a very powerful story, but the verse that touched my heart today was verse 9: “For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me”. The centurion understood Jesus’ power under God better than anyone at that moment. His faith was based on a personal acknowledgement that Jesus had an authority greater than his servant’s suffering.
APPLICATION
My dad used to say, “Faith is simple”. He was right. The faith of the Centurion was truly simple because he simply acknowledged Jesus’ authority. Applying the meaning of these verses to our lives is also simple. It is clear that as Christians, we acknowledge Jesus as Lord and profess our understanding of His saving grace. And on a daily basis, we must also simply acknowledge His almighty authority as the one and only Son of God.
PRAYER
Father, in the busyness of my life, it can be too easy to forget your almighty authority as the God of the Universe. Please forgive me if I’ve overlooked your sovereignty in my life. Strengthen my understanding of Your authority. Teach me more and more about who You are. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Paula Aiton
Worship Department
Woodwinds/Keyboard/Section Leader
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith”…Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
OBSERVATION
My first observation? Where do I start? These verses are so full of rich layers of meaning. All will agree, this is a very powerful story, but the verse that touched my heart today was verse 9: “For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me”. The centurion understood Jesus’ power under God better than anyone at that moment. His faith was based on a personal acknowledgement that Jesus had an authority greater than his servant’s suffering.
APPLICATION
My dad used to say, “Faith is simple”. He was right. The faith of the Centurion was truly simple because he simply acknowledged Jesus’ authority. Applying the meaning of these verses to our lives is also simple. It is clear that as Christians, we acknowledge Jesus as Lord and profess our understanding of His saving grace. And on a daily basis, we must also simply acknowledge His almighty authority as the one and only Son of God.
PRAYER
Father, in the busyness of my life, it can be too easy to forget your almighty authority as the God of the Universe. Please forgive me if I’ve overlooked your sovereignty in my life. Strengthen my understanding of Your authority. Teach me more and more about who You are. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Paula Aiton
Worship Department
Woodwinds/Keyboard/Section Leader
Friday, April 18, 2008
Salt Substitute
SCRIPTURE
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. (Mt. 5:13)
OBSERVATION
Salt...Salt has many purposes. Salt is used in preservation, in curing, and to enhance flavor. The scripture says that if we, as Christians, lose our effectiveness (saltiness) we aren't good for anything, we're useless. We are in danger of becoming a "Salt Substitute." It looks like salt, and resembles salt in taste, but in reality, it's not salt!
APPLICATION
God says we're the salt of the earth! We as Christians are called to preserve mankind. We're called to bring a "Cure" to that which is rotting in sin and to bring flavor to this bland world. The cure, the preservation, and the flavor is in Christ...It IS Christ. If we aren't doing these things, if our salt isn't being used, we are in danger of losing our "Saltiness" and becoming that substitute!
PRAYER
God, help me. Help us as Christians to do what you've called us to do. Help us to take the call of the Great Commission seriously and use our "Saltiness" for it's intended purpose. If it's fear that's holding us back, give us your boldness. In Jesus name! Amen.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. (Mt. 5:13)
OBSERVATION
Salt...Salt has many purposes. Salt is used in preservation, in curing, and to enhance flavor. The scripture says that if we, as Christians, lose our effectiveness (saltiness) we aren't good for anything, we're useless. We are in danger of becoming a "Salt Substitute." It looks like salt, and resembles salt in taste, but in reality, it's not salt!
APPLICATION
God says we're the salt of the earth! We as Christians are called to preserve mankind. We're called to bring a "Cure" to that which is rotting in sin and to bring flavor to this bland world. The cure, the preservation, and the flavor is in Christ...It IS Christ. If we aren't doing these things, if our salt isn't being used, we are in danger of losing our "Saltiness" and becoming that substitute!
PRAYER
God, help me. Help us as Christians to do what you've called us to do. Help us to take the call of the Great Commission seriously and use our "Saltiness" for it's intended purpose. If it's fear that's holding us back, give us your boldness. In Jesus name! Amen.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Pure and Flawless
SCRIPTURE
And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. (Ps. 11:6)
OBSERVATION
The words of the Lord are perfect, without flaw, without blemish. What God says is true and will come to pass. You can put your faith in God's word.
APPLICATION
This scripture is simple, yet so powerful. There are thousands of promises from God in the Bible, the written word. God also speaks through prophecy. This hits home for me because people that have given prophetic words are imperfect, the writers of the Bible were imperfect, But the Word of God remains untainted and perfect. Remember, when God tells you something, it's something that you can forever cling to!
PRAYER
Father, help me to put all my faith in your Word! Help me to hide it in my heart and lean on it not only in times of trouble, but when all seems well.
Amen.
And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. (Ps. 11:6)
OBSERVATION
The words of the Lord are perfect, without flaw, without blemish. What God says is true and will come to pass. You can put your faith in God's word.
APPLICATION
This scripture is simple, yet so powerful. There are thousands of promises from God in the Bible, the written word. God also speaks through prophecy. This hits home for me because people that have given prophetic words are imperfect, the writers of the Bible were imperfect, But the Word of God remains untainted and perfect. Remember, when God tells you something, it's something that you can forever cling to!
PRAYER
Father, help me to put all my faith in your Word! Help me to hide it in my heart and lean on it not only in times of trouble, but when all seems well.
Amen.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Fruitless Repentance
SCRIPTURE
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Mt. 3:8)
OBSERVATION
John the Baptist was preaching and baptising people from Jerusalem, Judah, and the whole region of Jordan. When he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming, He said to them, "You brood of Vipers, Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance! They were all about religion and "Acts". John was warning them that Repentance without bearing fruit was pointless. He goes on to say that fruitless trees would be cut down and cast into the fire.
APPLICATION
Am I producing fruit? What kind of fruit am I producing? Am I in danger of being cut down? Remember, repentance isn't just saying I'm sorry or some action of desperation to get out of trouble, but a change of heart, a complete 180. It's turning and running the other way, producing fruit as you go.
PRAYER
Father, help me to be fruitful! Help me to be ever mindful that if I am not bearing fruit, that I am in danger of being cut down! Help me to not only produce fruit, but quality fruit, fruit that won't wither in a day or so, but food that will strengthen the body of Christ.
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Mt. 3:8)
OBSERVATION
John the Baptist was preaching and baptising people from Jerusalem, Judah, and the whole region of Jordan. When he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming, He said to them, "You brood of Vipers, Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance! They were all about religion and "Acts". John was warning them that Repentance without bearing fruit was pointless. He goes on to say that fruitless trees would be cut down and cast into the fire.
APPLICATION
Am I producing fruit? What kind of fruit am I producing? Am I in danger of being cut down? Remember, repentance isn't just saying I'm sorry or some action of desperation to get out of trouble, but a change of heart, a complete 180. It's turning and running the other way, producing fruit as you go.
PRAYER
Father, help me to be fruitful! Help me to be ever mindful that if I am not bearing fruit, that I am in danger of being cut down! Help me to not only produce fruit, but quality fruit, fruit that won't wither in a day or so, but food that will strengthen the body of Christ.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Power of Fear
SCRIPTURE
When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear. (1 Sam 17:24)
OBSERVATION
The Israelites were about to go up in battle against the Philistines. The Israelites were "God's Army" (V.45), but when they saw Goliath, the fear of man gripped their hearts causing them to lose faith in the power of the Lord. David knew God was with him and that God was greater than anyone or anything.
APPLICATION
Don't let the fear of man hold you back from the things that God has for you! Maybe it's a defeat that God is seeking to give you in your personal life or your work life. Maybe God wants to use you to make a difference in the life of someone that's hurting. The fear of man can be great at times, but is nothing compared to the power of God!
PRAYER
Lord, help me not to give in to fear. Give me your strength and boldness when fear begins to creap in.
Amen.
When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear. (1 Sam 17:24)
OBSERVATION
The Israelites were about to go up in battle against the Philistines. The Israelites were "God's Army" (V.45), but when they saw Goliath, the fear of man gripped their hearts causing them to lose faith in the power of the Lord. David knew God was with him and that God was greater than anyone or anything.
APPLICATION
Don't let the fear of man hold you back from the things that God has for you! Maybe it's a defeat that God is seeking to give you in your personal life or your work life. Maybe God wants to use you to make a difference in the life of someone that's hurting. The fear of man can be great at times, but is nothing compared to the power of God!
PRAYER
Lord, help me not to give in to fear. Give me your strength and boldness when fear begins to creap in.
Amen.
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