This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Bernice Stewart.
We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. . .
2 Corinthians 4:18a
When we are attacked by life's trials we have a CHOICE to make -
We can walk by FAITH or by SIGHT.
God commands us to walk by Faith (His word & promises)
and not by Sight (facts or circumstances) - 2 Corinthians 5:7
When we walk by faith we respond with what and how God's
word says to do and not react with our human feelings and
intellect.
However, we don't throw out our feels and intellect but we subject
them to our spiritual being to be anointed and utilized in accordance
to God's will.
The poem "Seeing Beyond" by Mildred N. Hoyer is more than a positive
attitude it's a faith walk life style - embracing the substance of hope.
See the blossom on the bare branch;
See the harvest in the tiny seed;
See the wholeness in the illness;
See God's order in the confusion;
See life in the midst of death-
See the substance of things unseen.
Prayer: Father, we give you thanks for the everlasting Gospel which
gives us hope to see beyond our human vision. AMEN.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Monday, November 29, 2004
Tuesday, 30 November, 2004
This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Bernice Stewart.
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:20-21
Each Sunday during worship service the assisting minister carries our large Bible from the rear of the sanctuary to the front of the sanctuary and places it on the lectern. Two lessons are read and then a gospel lesson is read from the Bible each week.
Some one asked me once if I believe in the Bible or believe the Bible.
Many times when we say we believe in something it is a belief of mental assent. It's a passive belief which has not reached the heart so that we act upon that belief. However, when we believe it is an action - an active act upon that belief - our faith.
Do you believe what the Word says even though your eyes and your feelings tell you something different? Faith doesn't care what the symptoms are. It doesn't care what the circumstances look like. It's not moved by what the banker says, or the doctor, or the lawyer, or the bill collector.
In other words our actions and responses to the situation trust the mercy and grace of God to prevail.
Prayer: We give thanks God for Your refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. AMEN
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:20-21
Each Sunday during worship service the assisting minister carries our large Bible from the rear of the sanctuary to the front of the sanctuary and places it on the lectern. Two lessons are read and then a gospel lesson is read from the Bible each week.
Some one asked me once if I believe in the Bible or believe the Bible.
Many times when we say we believe in something it is a belief of mental assent. It's a passive belief which has not reached the heart so that we act upon that belief. However, when we believe it is an action - an active act upon that belief - our faith.
Do you believe what the Word says even though your eyes and your feelings tell you something different? Faith doesn't care what the symptoms are. It doesn't care what the circumstances look like. It's not moved by what the banker says, or the doctor, or the lawyer, or the bill collector.
In other words our actions and responses to the situation trust the mercy and grace of God to prevail.
Prayer: We give thanks God for Your refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. AMEN
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Monday, 29 November, 2004
This week's devotions are by Redeemer member Bernice Stewart.
That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5
The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious ...AND
Lazarus was dead!
....no more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.
Those are a few lines of a message that were emailed
to me. They reminded me that . . .
When we turn to HIM and are not turned into ourselves
we experience the awesomeness of the GRACE of GOD!
What we do is not of our own strength but God's power!!
Prayer: Father, help us to focus on You as You qualify
and empower us to do Your will. AMEN.
That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5
The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious ...AND
Lazarus was dead!
....no more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.
Those are a few lines of a message that were emailed
to me. They reminded me that . . .
When we turn to HIM and are not turned into ourselves
we experience the awesomeness of the GRACE of GOD!
What we do is not of our own strength but God's power!!
Prayer: Father, help us to focus on You as You qualify
and empower us to do Your will. AMEN.
Friday, November 26, 2004
Friday, 26 November, 2004
This week''s devotions are written by Redeemer member Judith Bird.
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Continuing with our theme of thanksgiving, thank God for each of the following:
Thanks be to God.
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:15-17.
Continuing with our theme of thanksgiving, thank God for each of the following:
- The individual who has had the greatest influence on your faith life.
- The most beautiful place you have ever visited.
- Your best friend.
- Help with a particularly difficult problem or event.
- Your favorite song.
Thanks be to God.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Wednesday, 24 November, 2004
This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Judith Bird. Please note that there will be no devotion sent tomorrow due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Looking for a Thanksgiving card the other day, I came across one that queried: When did the Pilgrims know it was time for the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: When the Christmas displays had been up for two months.
Sadly, that does seem to be commentary on the observance of Thanksgiving these days. It seems more "in the way" on that road to Christmas, than a time to stop, contemplate our blessings and thank God for all he has given us.
A hymn in With One Voice sums up our blessings well:
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors, God made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountains, the river running by,
The sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky.
The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden, God made them ev'ry one.
God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
Thanks be to God.
Looking for a Thanksgiving card the other day, I came across one that queried: When did the Pilgrims know it was time for the first Thanksgiving?
Answer: When the Christmas displays had been up for two months.
Sadly, that does seem to be commentary on the observance of Thanksgiving these days. It seems more "in the way" on that road to Christmas, than a time to stop, contemplate our blessings and thank God for all he has given us.
A hymn in With One Voice sums up our blessings well:
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors, God made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountains, the river running by,
The sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky.
The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden, God made them ev'ry one.
God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
Thanks be to God.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Tuesday, 23 November, 2004
This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Judith Bird.
As the parent of two sons not too far removed from their teens, I have to say I really enjoy the comic strip Zits. It's the ongoing saga of 15-year-old Jeremy and his life. One strip recently shows Jeremy, almost in passing, asking his mother if she ever smoked. She starts out calm, collected, "No, I'm proud to say that I never picked up that FILTHY, DISGUSTING, FOUL-SMELLING, EXPENSIVE POLUTING AND ADDICTIVE HABIT!"
Jeremy, somewhat wind blown, walks away, noting, "Sometimes I envy those people who complain about receiving mixed messages at home."
This leads us into the last five areas for families to examine during this, Family Week. (The rating scale is 0=Low and 10=High.)
Clear Roles
Appreciation
Adaptability
Togetherness
Participation
TOTAL FAMILY STRENGTH SCORE: ____________
Low = 0-25 Moderate=26-50 Good=61-75 Excellent=76-100
Prayer: Dear Father, Give our family the strength and courage to listen and communicate clearly, to forgive and comfort compassionately, and to love each other abundantly. Amen.
As the parent of two sons not too far removed from their teens, I have to say I really enjoy the comic strip Zits. It's the ongoing saga of 15-year-old Jeremy and his life. One strip recently shows Jeremy, almost in passing, asking his mother if she ever smoked. She starts out calm, collected, "No, I'm proud to say that I never picked up that FILTHY, DISGUSTING, FOUL-SMELLING, EXPENSIVE POLUTING AND ADDICTIVE HABIT!"
Jeremy, somewhat wind blown, walks away, noting, "Sometimes I envy those people who complain about receiving mixed messages at home."
This leads us into the last five areas for families to examine during this, Family Week. (The rating scale is 0=Low and 10=High.)
Clear Roles
- Strong families recognize parents are in charge and are open to the children's ideas. Family members respect the parents' authority and listen to the children.
Appreciation
- Strong families care for each other and are grateful to one another. Family members demonstrate thoughtfulness, offer recognition, express appreciation.
Adaptability
- Strong families are able to adapt to life changes and stressful situations. Family members are stress.
Togetherness
- Strong families like to spend their free time together. Family members enjoy being together and spend quality time together.
Participation
- Strong families work on tasks together. 10 Bonus points
TOTAL FAMILY STRENGTH SCORE: ____________
Low = 0-25 Moderate=26-50 Good=61-75 Excellent=76-100
Prayer: Dear Father, Give our family the strength and courage to listen and communicate clearly, to forgive and comfort compassionately, and to love each other abundantly. Amen.
Monday, 22 November, 2004
This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Judith Bird.
It's the week of Thanksgiving - and it's also Family Week, a time, according to the Family Service Council of Ohio (FSCO), "to underscore the importance of families, the critical role they play in Ohio, and what makes them strong."
Whenever I make that list of what I am grateful for, "family" is always there - at the top, which is one reason I really liked the "Family Report Card" FSCO sent out this past week. They suggested that families complete it together to see how they score.
FSCO is not a "religious" organization but I was struck not only with how meaningful the areas they want families to look at are but also with the measures they use for rating. These are areas that all families - traditional and non-traditional - could benefit from discussing. We'll look at the first five today and the second five tomorrow. The rating scale is 0=Low and 10=High.
Communication
Encouragement
Commitment
Morals & Values
Community
Involvement
Prayer: Dear Father, Help us to build strong relationships with our sons and daughters, our mothers and fathers and our partners, nourishing them with love, care, and a supportive home. May we all grow to become all you created us to be. Amen.
It's the week of Thanksgiving - and it's also Family Week, a time, according to the Family Service Council of Ohio (FSCO), "to underscore the importance of families, the critical role they play in Ohio, and what makes them strong."
Whenever I make that list of what I am grateful for, "family" is always there - at the top, which is one reason I really liked the "Family Report Card" FSCO sent out this past week. They suggested that families complete it together to see how they score.
FSCO is not a "religious" organization but I was struck not only with how meaningful the areas they want families to look at are but also with the measures they use for rating. These are areas that all families - traditional and non-traditional - could benefit from discussing. We'll look at the first five today and the second five tomorrow. The rating scale is 0=Low and 10=High.
Communication
- Strong families communicate clearly, openly and frequently. Family members share thoughts and opinions and are always open and honest.
Encouragement
- Strong families appreciate and value the uniqueness of each family member. Family members strive to create a sense of belonging for everyone and support/encourage one another.
Commitment
- Strong families are committed to the family as a unit. Family members give each other positive reinforcement and see themselves as a team.
Morals & Values
- Strong families are guided by morals respected by all members. Family members discuss their values with each other and respect each other's values.
Community
- Strong families are connected to their communities.
Involvement
- Family members are not isolated; they contribute to their community, and can rely on neighbors and friends.
Prayer: Dear Father, Help us to build strong relationships with our sons and daughters, our mothers and fathers and our partners, nourishing them with love, care, and a supportive home. May we all grow to become all you created us to be. Amen.
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