A Prophet's Honor

And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” – Matthew 13:57

Sometimes it’s difficult to live out the anointing of God because people are used to seeing a person a certain way. They may think a person is putting on airs as they explore their gift in front of others. We worry that people may think, “Who do they think they are?”

Jesus modeled for us that it is important to keep on doing what God has called us to do. What if we are not welcome or encouraged in this gift? Jesus knows our pain. People said, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son…now he says he is the son of God.” Emotions ran high at that time, but Jesus continued to be obedient. We also need to keep following God for he knows the way we should go…and he will finish it.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for the plan you have made for me. I pray that I am obedient to follow you alone. Amen

Faith Tip: Has God been nudging you to go beyond people’s expectations? Pray about it, and follow wherever God leads you. You will be blessed to be a blessing.

 

Written by Kathy Bruins

I Need You...

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. – Hebrews 3:12-13

Have you ever been excited about something, and then after awhile, the thrill is gone? We turn from it in search of something new and exciting. There is a hole in each of our souls that needs to be filled. It is always hungry until we find the one thing that will satisfy it always. God is the only one that can meet that craving need. When we try to satisfy it in other ways, the hunger returns again.

God knows that is the pattern many of us have in searching for fulfillment and has provided a way to keep us strong and excited in him. God gave us each other. We need one another to keep moving in the right direction. We encourage one another through our words and actions. The impact of others makes a difference in our lives. God’s word is expressed through them as well as God’s love.

Prayer: Lord, you have blessed me with people in my life that make a difference. I pray that I can make a difference in other’s lives. Amen

Faith Tip: Consider who you have encouraged lately? Who has encouraged you? Praise God!

Written by Kathy Bruins

You Have Exciting News!

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” – Acts 4:18-20

When my husband asked me to marry him, I was so excited. I wanted everyone to know. Early the next morning, I woke up, dressed and went to the store for a few groceries. As I waited in line, the woman in front of me had the pleasure of sharing in my excitement as I told her that I was engaged and showed her my ring. I welcomed this stranger into my world to share the good news. She was very happy for me and felt blessed to know.

That’s the kind of excitement the followers of Jesus need where it bubbles up inside and we just can’t contain the good news. We want everyone to know and join in the celebration. Jesus died and rose again in victory. Even though it didn’t happen today, it is still an active truth. We live in the victory of Jesus today. Isn’t that exciting?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the victory I live in today because of you. I pray that the excitement spills over as I tell others about you. Amen

Faith Tip: Imagine you were at Jesus’ resurrection. What would you say to him when you saw him? What would you tell others?

Written by Kathy Bruins

Are Your Bones Rattling?

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. – Ezekiel 37:4-5

Life is full. It’s not difficult at all to be busy. Sometimes I feel like I don’t have time to spend with God and his Word. If I choose not to spend time with God, I am choosing not to have God’s breath enter me and give me a refreshment of his Spirit. If tasks take precedence, my spirit begins to become dry.

We all need the drenching of God’s Spirit in us to make our lives alive and vibrant. This can only be done by the Spirit of God. It is our choice whether or not to drink in the living water Christ offers.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your refreshing Spirit. I pray that daily I take time to quench the thirst in my soul with you. Amen

Faith Tip: Make it a priority to spend time with God. Drink deep of his living water.

Written by Kathy Bruins

Recharging Your Spiritual Batteries

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. – Matthew 14:13

Last night I played a tennis match with my tennis team.  It was an indoor match and although it was cooler outside it was very hot inside.  To make matters worse, I had not played for almost three months so I was not in top physical condition.  So I welcomed the breaks between games when I had the opportunity to rest, drink some water and recharge.

We all need times in life to rest and recharge.  Even Jesus took breaks in his ministry to find some peace and quite and recharge his spiritual batteries.  Life can be very demanding and we can grow tired and worn-out in all that we need to do.  This can cause us to be physically tired as well as spiritually drained.  So we need to take time to withdraw from the busyness of life and rest, drink deeply from the living water and recharge our spiritual batteries.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord, for the work you call me to do.  Help me to make time to step back so that I can rest and recharge so that I do not become spiritually and physically drained.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Plan a time of retreat, put it on your calendar and make sure you use that time to truly rest and recharge so that you can then step back into the game and be ready to fully follow God’s call.  

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Ring Out The Gospel Message

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. – 2 Corinthians 4:7

The Liberty Bell is an iconic bell representing the independence of the United States.  It was one of many bells thought to have been rung to announce America’s Declaration of Independence from British rule.  Although many bells where rung on that day, it is the Liberty Bell that has stood the test of time to be the bell that carries the message of independence to future generations. 

The Liberty Bell is an unlikely choice for this honor, as it is an inferior bell as far as bells go.  It cracked when it was first rung and had to be re-cast.  The re-cast bell did not ring well, so it was re-cast a second time.  Through this process of re-casting the metal became brittle which led to the much larger crack that gives the bell its unique appearance today.  Although the bell is cracked, broken and inferior it is the bell that has carried the message of independence throughout our nation’s history.

As Christians we are a lot like the Liberty Bell.  Because of sin we are broken, we are inferior and cracked; like jars of clay.  But we have been chosen to be bearers of God’s treasure which is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Despite our brokenness we have been given the glorious opportunity and responsibility to ring the gospel message loud and clear to our world.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that in my brokenness you have chosen me to bring the message of the gospel to others.  Forgive me when I use my brokenness as an excuse.  Help me to not be ashamed of the gospel and ring it out loud and clear for all to hear.  Amen.  

   

Faith Tip:  We have been chosen as God’s people to go out and tell the world about Jesus Christ.  So let us shout out the message in our words, actions, and attitudes.  

Written By Pastor Aaron Anderson

A Stiff Neck

“I have seen these people,” the LORD said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.” – Exodus 32:9

As a boy, I remember one day lying on my bed when my brother came in and sat down on the bed with his head cocked way to one side.  He complained that his neck was stiff and he couldn’t move it.  I thought he was joking around so I quickly, but gently, took my foot and gave a swift kick to his head.  His head snapped upright.  I thought he might be mad, but instead he said, “Wow, thanks, my neck isn’t stiff anymore.”  It turns out he was telling the truth and my kick had healed his stiff neck!

No matter how old we are, we can become a stiff-necked person.  We can be obstinate, inflexible and stuck in our ways.  When we get stiff-necked we become like hardened clay in the hands of the potter and it is difficult for God to work with us, mold us and shape us.  Sometimes we just need a swift kick from the Spirit to heal us from our stiff-necks and make us more open to God’s will for our life.  How is your neck today; is it a little stiff?

Prayer:  Father, forgive me when I become a stiff-necked person and my will becomes hard to bend.  Help me to be more open and pliable in my life so that you can mold me and shape me according to your plan. Amen.

Faith Tip:  Is there an area in your life where you have become stubborn and set in your ways?  Think about that today and find ways to become more open and less stubborn and allow God to shape you according to his plan.       

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Quality vs. Quantity

Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. - Psalm 119:34

The term, “Quality vs. Quantity” is a term that sparks many debates throughout life.  Is it better to mass-produce a product or make a few quality products?  Is it better to have many friends or just a few very close friends?  Is it better to spend a lot of time with your children or quality time with your children?  For some of these questions the answer depends on the person or circumstance, for others the answer may be both.  With God’s word the answer should be both quality and quantity.

It is good to be in God’s word as often as possible, but if all we are doing is striving for quantity then we are missing the point of being in God’s word.  When we read the Bible for daily devotions or try to read the entire Bible in a set amount of time, we sometimes fall into the trap of just reading the words without gaining understanding.  It is better to read less and gain understanding, than to read a large quantity of God’s word and gain nothing from it.  Is your Bible reading based on both quality and quantity?

Prayer:  God, I thank you for your word.  Help me to be in your word as much as possible, but also help me to gain understanding.  Forgive me when I just read the words and fail to gain understanding.  Help me strive in my Bible reading to achieve a balance of quality and quantity.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Examine your Bible reading.  Do you have enough quantity?  If not, make more time to read your Bible.  Do you have enough quality?  If not, read your Bible in such a way that you have time to absorb it and gain understanding.  

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson   

Fitting In

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household. – Ephesians 2:19

I enjoy traveling to different countries and places.  It is interesting to see new sights and experience diverse cultures.  Although I enjoy these travels I do not enjoy the feeling of being a foreigner.  It is difficult to get around when you don’t know the language.  At times it can be uncomfortable interacting with others when you don’t understand the cultural norms and customs.  You feel as if you just don’t fit in.

Fortunately, in Christ we will never have that feeling in God’s Kingdom.  Actually, it is here on earth that we should feel like foreigners and strangers, because this is not our home.  God’s Kingdom is our home and we are never foreigners and strangers in God’s Kingdom.  In God’s household we always fit in!

Prayer:  Thank you Father, for giving me a home.  Forgive me when I become too comfortable in this temporary earthly home.  Place a longing in my heart to be at home with you. Amen.  

Faith Tip:  Many who come into the church feel like foreigners and strangers, because they do not know the customs and norms of attending a worship service.  How might you help a new person at church feel like they are welcome and a fellow citizen in God’s household?

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Cleaning the Files

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 

As I go through files in my office, it’s kind of a trip down memory lane in connection with the projects I have worked on and people the Lord has brought into my life. I’m not crazy about filing, but I do love to reminisce. Unfortunately, along with the great times that have happened in the past, there have also been challenges. These we would just as soon forget. However, we can “forget” or let these experiences have less of a hold on us in forgiving the people involved. If we hold on to the anger and bitterness, we are hurting others but mostly ourselves.

When Jesus died on the cross, there was a big file of bad situations marked Sin. We were and are guilty. Jesus forgave us and suffered for us. If the Lord of the universe can do that for us, there’s no reason we can’t do that for someone else. Free yourself from the bonds of not forgiving. It’s not worth hanging onto any longer. God wants you to trust him and be free.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for forgiving, loving and dying for me. You didn’t have to do it. I pray that I can obey you and forgive others who have hurt me. Amen

Faith Tip: Is there someone the Lord has brought to your mind to forgive? Pray, trust and forgive. 

Written by Kathy Bruins

Overcoming

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. – 1 John 5:5

There are many self-help books sitting on the shelves of the bookstores today touting what you need to overcome and be successful in this world.  Their advice is endless; better time-management, understanding your strengths, living in the moment, controlling your anger, believing in yourself, etc…  The list goes on and on.  Some of this is good advice and most can help us live a better life, but John gives us the best advice of all.  John tells us that overcoming in this world is not so much about believing in ourselves, but believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

Are there problems you are struggling with today?  There are many ways to solve the problems that we encounter in this world, but we must first start by placing our belief and trust in Jesus Christ.  When we come to Jesus with our problems and we trust that he will carry us through and we lean on him, he will provide us with the strength, wisdom and energy to overcome the problems we face in this world.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to rely more on you and less on myself.  Give me what I need to overcome the struggles I am facing.  Thank you for always being there for me.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  What problem are you facing today?  What do you need to do to give that problem to Jesus?   

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson   

Fulfilling Vows Day After Day

Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day. – Psalm  61:8

Today Julie and I are celebrating our anniversary.  On this day twenty-one years ago we made vows to one another that we have been striving to fulfill day after day.  Some days are easier than others.  There are days when we fail and disappoint and there are days when we seem to get it right.  But through all these years God has used those sacred vows to bind us together as one.

Vows are an important part of any relationship.  Vows are promises made to one another to provide security, peace, trust and understanding.  Vows are very important to our covenantal relationship with God.  God has vowed to be our God and be with us always and as Christians, we vow to follow God and his ways and strive to work for his Kingdom.  It is within our vows that we grow closer over the years, both in marriage and also in our relationship with God.

Prayer:  Lord, I thank you for loving me so much that you have made a vow to be my God.  I thank you for that promise and I know that you will never break your promise to me.  Help me to live within these vows day after day.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Think about the day when you made a promise to follow God.  Maybe it was when you made profession of faith, when you were baptized, or when you made a decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  Maybe it was more of a process over time.  Whenever it was, remember that promise and celebrate it.  If you have not made that promise to God, then make that promise today!  

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Fill It Up

So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. – Hebrews 10:23 (MSG)

With the high price of fuel these days it is an expensive endeavor just to keep our cars moving.  But if we want to keep our cars running we must pay the price of fuel, because it is the fuel that provides the key ingredient that keeps cars going. 

What is the fuel that keeps you going throughout the day?  Some might point to a cup of coffee; others might say they just need caffeine.  For others their fuel might be a good night of rest, an exciting goal for which to strive, or anticipating the weekend or a long-awaited vacation.  There can be many things that provide fuel for our lives, but Paul points out in Hebrews that what truly should keep us going are the promises of God.  When we are feeling down, running on only fumes, we need to remember God’s promises, because they will provide us the fuel to give us the strength and hope to endure.  God’s promises will always fill our tank and they never cost a dime!

Prayer:  Thank you God for your promises.  May I always keep a firm grip on your promises to keep me going.  Help me fill my tank with your promises.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Open up God’s word today and fill up your tank with God’s promises.       

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Justifying the Truth Away

Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the LORD has not sent them, they say, “The LORD declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words. – Ezekiel 13-6

This morning, after showering and getting ready, I looked at my watch and it said 7:00am. I was surprised at how early it was and decided that I must have gotten ready faster than usual. I then ate my breakfast and glanced at the clock sitting on the mantle. The time on the clock was different then the time on my watch and I assumed that the clock’s batteries must need to be changed. I then took my daughter to the bus stop, but the bus had already left. It wasn’t until she had missed the bus that I realized that my watch was twenty minutes behind. All morning, I was believing my watch had the correct time and anything that told me differently I justified away.

Lies can become like that. Sometimes we fall into the trap of believing only what we want to hear even if it is a lie. And when someone or something else tries to tell us differently we justify away the truth to make the lie seem more believable. It is this trap that makes it easy to fall into sin and difficult to escape from it.

In Ezekiel’s day the false prophets of Israel were telling lies and believed these lies so much that they even said that they were from the Lord. We must always be on our guard and be ready to listen to others even if they are telling us something we don’t want to hear. Then we must be willing to examine what we hear against God’s word so that we will not be deceived into believing lies that lead us away from God’s will.

Prayer: Lord, give me ears to hear the truth and wisdom to believe the truth. Give me discernment to know the difference between lies and truth. Forgive me when I believe the lies and justify away he truth that is before me. Amen.

Faith Tip: What lie(s) are you holding onto today? What truth(s) do you need to take hold of today to keep you from believing the lies of the evil one?

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Take Your Best Shot

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. – Colossians 3:23

This past Saturday my daughter Alyssa organized a Hoops of Hope event to raise money to help children in Africa who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The idea is that for every dollar raised the donor shoots a free-throw. The great thing about it is that it doesn’t matter if you make the shot or not because every shot counts. There is no pressure; you just have to take your best shot.

That is what it is like working for the Kingdom of God. God doesn’t call us to be perfect or to be successful. He just calls us to try our best. This a good message to hear in the midst of our success-driven society. In a pressure-filled world that strives for perfection it is nice to know that God calls us just to take our best shot. When we try our best for God’s Kingdom, God will take our best efforts and will smooth over the rough edges, work out the kinks, fix our mistakes and use our work in mighty ways. God doesn’t call us to be perfect he just calls us to take a shot.

Prayer: Thank you Lord that I can be a part of your Kingdom work. Help me to not be held back by the fear of failure. Give me the strength and courage just to try and give it my best shot. Amen.

Faith Tip: Today go out and take your best shot for God’s Kingdom. Do something for God. Try your best and then allow God to work through your efforts.

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Make Every Effort

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:5-8

I truly want a clean and orderly office. Most of the time, it looks like the aftermath of a cyclone. Every now and then I get on top of it and get everything organized, but then it gets disastrous again as I get busy with many things and have piles of information everywhere so that I won’t lose it. As the clutter gets worse, things begin to disappear. It takes a continual effort from me to make my office organized and to keep it that way. It will not happen by itself no matter how much I want those office cleaning elves to stop by some night while I’m sleeping.

Adding to our faith also takes continual effort. It will not happen by itself. We need to make a choice to practice goodness, seek knowledge, self-controlled, to persevere, to live godly lives, show affection and to love. The reason is so that we can be effective and productive for Jesus. If we’re not, we are living for ourselves in our own little world.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the journey of building onto my faith that I am on. I pray that when the struggles get tough that I look to you for strength and direction. Amen

Faith Tip: Evaluate how your faith building is going and make a choice.

Written by Kathy Bruins

We've Got It!

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. – 2 Peter 1:3-4

How can I be a better person? I’m sure there are books and other resources that could help me. I could study more and perhaps volunteer more. What about prayer? I could pray more and maybe even get another spiritual gift…maybe that would make me a better person.

Sounds like a lot of pressure, doesn’t it? We as humans are good at beating ourselves up that we can do better. We believe we need to do and have something more than we already have to accomplish this. The truth is that we are given everything we need…right now…to live a good life because of Jesus. Jesus has given us everything we need to stay away from sinning, but it is our choice. Those evil desires do not have a hold on you unless you allow them. We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to “participate in the divine nature.” We can do it now.

Prayer: Your promises, Lord, are more valuable than anything on this earth. You told me that I have everything I need to live a pious life, and I believe you. I pray that I can walk in your ways all the days of my life. Amen

Faith Tip: What lie do you believe that causes you to sin? Stomp on it in Jesus’ name. It has no power over you. God is more and has his best for you.

Written by Kathy Bruins

Thirsty Again?

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a
drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” – John 4:7-14

All of us crave something. Think about the things we may crave such as food, job, new car, new home, more money, better relationship or something else that we feel we need to make us complete. There is a hole in our soul that cries out to be filled. Sometimes we reach our goals like getting the new job we wanted. Then we are surprised to find out that the hunger inside of us starts us again with a new need in sight. We crave again to be filled.

Just as the Samaritan woman went to the well with her bucket to get the water she physically desired, Jesus offered her something much better. He offered her the way to have the hole in her soul filled permanently with his living water. God offers that same gift to us if we will only choose to accept it. By drinking deep of the living water of Jesus Christ, then we will feel and actually be complete. Our cravings will be focused on God who will continually fill us with the spiritual nourishment we need to be complete and not distracted by worldly cravings.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for giving me your living water. I pray that I continually seek to drink from your well and not the wells of the world. Amen

Faith Tip: Sing a song of praise such as “As the Deer” and really focus on the words to apply to your life.

Written by Kathy Bruins