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
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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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