When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region (Matthew 8:28-34).
It’s crazy that many times when I go to the doctor or dentist, my blood pressure rises. During one examination that was very simple, it was high enough that the nurse wasn’t sure I should leave their office alone. I felt fine. I didn’t feel nervous, but my body was telling a different story. Although it was good for me to be there, there was fear. The professionals call this white coat fear. They see it often where a person will be fearful about going to the doctor and would rather they just go away.
I think sometimes God does things in our lives that we are not comfortable with and we get fearful. Sometimes we ignore it and hope it will go away so that we don’t have to deal with it, even if it is for our own good. We don’t consciously say, “Jesus, please go away,” but our response may say that clearly. God does not give us a spirit of fear, but he does give us many wonderful promises of faith, trust, joy, grace and more.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that today I may grab onto the work you have for me to do today and not fear it. If it is a change I need to make, I pray that I can make it. If it is to sit in your presence, I pray that I can do it. May today bring you glory. Amen
Faith Tip: Seek God in what he has for you today, and then be fearless for the glory of God.
Written by Kathy Bruins
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Who's In Charge?
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come 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” (Matthew 8:5-8).
I watched the teacher explain an assignment to the class before leaving with my Kids Hope student. I noticed that all the students were working on the assignment, not because they had a great desire to do so, but because of the authority of the teacher. She knew what was best for them to learn and directed them in it. The students knew she was in charge and trusted her direction, so they obediently followed.
Knowing who’s in charge is a great benefit to any situation. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus asked the centurion, “Shall I come and heal him?” like he was unsure of what to do. Jesus knew exactly what to do, in fact, he knew the heart of the centurion and how he would answer the question asked. It was a great testimony to the authority of Jesus. He knew Jesus had all the power to heal—Jesus only had to say the word.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the authority you have over all things. Your word is powerful, and you are the one I can always run to when I need help. I pray that I may submit to all you have for me because you know what is best. Amen
Faith Tip: Consider the different aspects of your life and ask yourself, “Who has authority over this part of my life?”
Written by Kathy Bruins
I watched the teacher explain an assignment to the class before leaving with my Kids Hope student. I noticed that all the students were working on the assignment, not because they had a great desire to do so, but because of the authority of the teacher. She knew what was best for them to learn and directed them in it. The students knew she was in charge and trusted her direction, so they obediently followed.
Knowing who’s in charge is a great benefit to any situation. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus asked the centurion, “Shall I come and heal him?” like he was unsure of what to do. Jesus knew exactly what to do, in fact, he knew the heart of the centurion and how he would answer the question asked. It was a great testimony to the authority of Jesus. He knew Jesus had all the power to heal—Jesus only had to say the word.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the authority you have over all things. Your word is powerful, and you are the one I can always run to when I need help. I pray that I may submit to all you have for me because you know what is best. Amen
Faith Tip: Consider the different aspects of your life and ask yourself, “Who has authority over this part of my life?”
Written by Kathy Bruins
Friday, January 7, 2011
New Beginnings
As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. – 1 John 2:24
New beginnings are exciting. It is exciting to start a new job, begin a new project, have a new baby, build a new friendship, buy a new home, and travel to a new destination. As we begin a new year we can be filled with excitement as we think about fulfilling our New Year’s resolutions and all the new opportunities that will present themselves in this year. But, like all new things, that excitement will soon begin to fade. What seemed new will become routine and mundane. That is why many of us fail at sticking to our New Year’s resolutions.
The same is true for our faith in Christ. When we first come to Christ everything is new and that newness brings great excitement and joy. But overtime our faith can become stale and lifeless. What once seemed exciting can become routine. Therefore, as John states, we must make sure that our excitement for the Lord remains in us and does not become joyless. That means that we must work at it, just like we must work at keeping our New Year’s resolutions. Don’t allow your faith to falter. Do something everyday to remain in the Son and in the Father!
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the faith that you have placed within me. Forgive me when I allow my faith to become stale and routine. Create in me an excitement for you each and every day. Amen.
Faith Tip: Consider making a New Year’s resolution to help you keep your faith vibrant and alive. Maybe start a time of devotion, prayer or Bible reading. Maybe do some volunteer work to share the love of Christ. Maybe get involved in a Growth Group or Bible study. Many options are available.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
New beginnings are exciting. It is exciting to start a new job, begin a new project, have a new baby, build a new friendship, buy a new home, and travel to a new destination. As we begin a new year we can be filled with excitement as we think about fulfilling our New Year’s resolutions and all the new opportunities that will present themselves in this year. But, like all new things, that excitement will soon begin to fade. What seemed new will become routine and mundane. That is why many of us fail at sticking to our New Year’s resolutions.
The same is true for our faith in Christ. When we first come to Christ everything is new and that newness brings great excitement and joy. But overtime our faith can become stale and lifeless. What once seemed exciting can become routine. Therefore, as John states, we must make sure that our excitement for the Lord remains in us and does not become joyless. That means that we must work at it, just like we must work at keeping our New Year’s resolutions. Don’t allow your faith to falter. Do something everyday to remain in the Son and in the Father!
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the faith that you have placed within me. Forgive me when I allow my faith to become stale and routine. Create in me an excitement for you each and every day. Amen.
Faith Tip: Consider making a New Year’s resolution to help you keep your faith vibrant and alive. Maybe start a time of devotion, prayer or Bible reading. Maybe do some volunteer work to share the love of Christ. Maybe get involved in a Growth Group or Bible study. Many options are available.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Dreams for a New Year
And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. – Joel 2:28
As we begin a new year we often start with new goals in mind that we would like to accomplish in the new year. In order to meet these goals we must have some picture or vision in our mind of what it is we want to achieve. If we want to lose weight we must have a vision of what we have to do in order to lose the weight and what we would look like when the weight is gone. Without a vision or dream in mind we wouldn’t have anything to strive for and we would fall short of reaching our goal.
The Lord tells us, through the prophet Joel, that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit we are filled with dreams and visions from the Lord. These dreams and visions are pictures of the future that God wants to accomplish through us and through his church. What dreams and visions has God given you for 2011? What dreams and visions has God given our church for 2011? We must be able to see these dreams and vision before we can begin to accomplish them. In 2011 dare to be a dreamer!
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that through your Spirit you reveal your dreams and visions to me. Help me to catch your dream and vision for my life that I may use this new year for your glory. Amen.
Faith Tip: Think about a vision that God would like to accomplish in you this year. Write it down, share it with someone else, and strive to live into that new vision in 2011.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
As we begin a new year we often start with new goals in mind that we would like to accomplish in the new year. In order to meet these goals we must have some picture or vision in our mind of what it is we want to achieve. If we want to lose weight we must have a vision of what we have to do in order to lose the weight and what we would look like when the weight is gone. Without a vision or dream in mind we wouldn’t have anything to strive for and we would fall short of reaching our goal.
The Lord tells us, through the prophet Joel, that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit we are filled with dreams and visions from the Lord. These dreams and visions are pictures of the future that God wants to accomplish through us and through his church. What dreams and visions has God given you for 2011? What dreams and visions has God given our church for 2011? We must be able to see these dreams and vision before we can begin to accomplish them. In 2011 dare to be a dreamer!
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that through your Spirit you reveal your dreams and visions to me. Help me to catch your dream and vision for my life that I may use this new year for your glory. Amen.
Faith Tip: Think about a vision that God would like to accomplish in you this year. Write it down, share it with someone else, and strive to live into that new vision in 2011.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Turning Over a New Leaf
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13b-14
It is refreshing when we get a second chance in life, a new lease on life, a chance to turn over a new leaf. Did you know that the phrase, “turn over a new leaf” has nothing to do with trees, but is actually referring to turning a page (or leaf) in a book? When we finish the page in a book we turn the old page over to a new page and continue to move on through the story. The same is true for our life when we turn over a new leaf, we leave the old part of our life behind and move forward as God continues to write our life story.
As another new year begins, we have a chance to start a new chapter in our life, a chance, you might say, to turn over a new leaf. A new year gives us the opportunity to forget the mistakes, heartaches and problems of the past and to press forward into a new chapter of our life story. As Paul did we must press on toward the goal to which Christ Jesus has called us. Who knows, the chapter of 2011 might be the best chapter yet. Let’s turn over a new leaf and find out.
Prayer: Thank you Lord that in Christ Jesus we have new life. Thank you that in this new life we have a new chapter to look forward to. Help me to not dwell on my past mistakes, heartaches and problems so that I may enjoy my new life in Christ. Amen.
Faith Tip: A new adult class titled “Making a Difference” is starting tonight at 6:30. Plan to come and discover how you and our church can make a difference in our community.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
It is refreshing when we get a second chance in life, a new lease on life, a chance to turn over a new leaf. Did you know that the phrase, “turn over a new leaf” has nothing to do with trees, but is actually referring to turning a page (or leaf) in a book? When we finish the page in a book we turn the old page over to a new page and continue to move on through the story. The same is true for our life when we turn over a new leaf, we leave the old part of our life behind and move forward as God continues to write our life story.
As another new year begins, we have a chance to start a new chapter in our life, a chance, you might say, to turn over a new leaf. A new year gives us the opportunity to forget the mistakes, heartaches and problems of the past and to press forward into a new chapter of our life story. As Paul did we must press on toward the goal to which Christ Jesus has called us. Who knows, the chapter of 2011 might be the best chapter yet. Let’s turn over a new leaf and find out.
Prayer: Thank you Lord that in Christ Jesus we have new life. Thank you that in this new life we have a new chapter to look forward to. Help me to not dwell on my past mistakes, heartaches and problems so that I may enjoy my new life in Christ. Amen.
Faith Tip: A new adult class titled “Making a Difference” is starting tonight at 6:30. Plan to come and discover how you and our church can make a difference in our community.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Living Hope
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. –
1 Peter 1:3
A new year brings a renewed hope; hope for better health, better relationships, better financial situations, better opportunities, better life, better todays and better tomorrows. It is this hope that casts us into a new year with great expectations of what the future holds.
In Christ’s resurrection we have been given a new birth. In this new birth we have a living hope. Living hope is hope that never fades, hope that never disappoints and hope that brings peace and assurance. We do not know what the future holds, but we do know that our loving God holds the future and because of his great love for us we can rejoice in the hope of what God has in store. This living hope gives us excitement, joy and new life. So as you begin this new year, jump into life with a living hope in Jesus Christ!
Prayer: Thank you God for the living hope that I have in Jesus Christ! Thank you for a new year, may I live in this year as if I have that living hope within me. Amen.
Faith Tip: What do you hope God will do in you and through you in 2011? Pray about it, for nothing is impossible with God.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
1 Peter 1:3
A new year brings a renewed hope; hope for better health, better relationships, better financial situations, better opportunities, better life, better todays and better tomorrows. It is this hope that casts us into a new year with great expectations of what the future holds.
In Christ’s resurrection we have been given a new birth. In this new birth we have a living hope. Living hope is hope that never fades, hope that never disappoints and hope that brings peace and assurance. We do not know what the future holds, but we do know that our loving God holds the future and because of his great love for us we can rejoice in the hope of what God has in store. This living hope gives us excitement, joy and new life. So as you begin this new year, jump into life with a living hope in Jesus Christ!
Prayer: Thank you God for the living hope that I have in Jesus Christ! Thank you for a new year, may I live in this year as if I have that living hope within me. Amen.
Faith Tip: What do you hope God will do in you and through you in 2011? Pray about it, for nothing is impossible with God.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
Monday, January 3, 2011
Made New In Attitude
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds. – Ephesians 4:22-23
Happy New Year! As a new year begins many will make New Year’s resolutions to try to change or make better something in their life. Some will resolve to lose weight, others will resolve to quit a bad habit, to exercise more, to pay off debt, to be more faithful in daily devotions, to spend more time in prayer, to eat healthier, and the list goes on and on. However, in a few weeks many who began the new year with good intentions will realize how difficult change can be and will fall right back into their old ways of doing things.
In Ephesians, Paul provides an important tip to those who want to make a change in their life. Paul tells us that in order to change our old ways that change needs to first occur in our attitude and in our thinking. Our thoughts and attitudes are what lead and control our actions and we will never be able to change our actions without changing our attitude and thoughts.
As you make your New Year’s resolutions or as you try to change your life to become more like Christ, first think about the attitudes and thoughts that need to be changed within you.
Prayer: Change my heart, O God, make it ever new. Change my heart, O God, may I be like you. Amen
Faith Tip: Attitudes and thoughts become like stains on our mind. The longer they are left unattended the more difficult they are to remove. What attitudes and thoughts are keeping you from becoming a new creation in Christ? Do some cleaning today and remove those stains.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
Happy New Year! As a new year begins many will make New Year’s resolutions to try to change or make better something in their life. Some will resolve to lose weight, others will resolve to quit a bad habit, to exercise more, to pay off debt, to be more faithful in daily devotions, to spend more time in prayer, to eat healthier, and the list goes on and on. However, in a few weeks many who began the new year with good intentions will realize how difficult change can be and will fall right back into their old ways of doing things.
In Ephesians, Paul provides an important tip to those who want to make a change in their life. Paul tells us that in order to change our old ways that change needs to first occur in our attitude and in our thinking. Our thoughts and attitudes are what lead and control our actions and we will never be able to change our actions without changing our attitude and thoughts.
As you make your New Year’s resolutions or as you try to change your life to become more like Christ, first think about the attitudes and thoughts that need to be changed within you.
Prayer: Change my heart, O God, make it ever new. Change my heart, O God, may I be like you. Amen
Faith Tip: Attitudes and thoughts become like stains on our mind. The longer they are left unattended the more difficult they are to remove. What attitudes and thoughts are keeping you from becoming a new creation in Christ? Do some cleaning today and remove those stains.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
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