“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…” (2 Timothy 1:9).
Lent begins today. What will we do with it? Is it just another day in our life, or is it something in which we take action? The action is in preparation. Preparation can take many forms such as buying eggs to color, getting an Easter dress and bonnet, or planning a special meal for Easter. There is nothing wrong with doing these things, but the real preparation is in the heart. Lent is a time to prepare our hearts for the greatest event in history. Reliving the Easter experience in our lives brings us closer to the true meaning of what Jesus accomplished and what it cost him.
God calls us to live a holy life. God is the only one who makes us holy and it is truly only by his grace that we can experience holiness in walking with God. Follow in the footsteps of the Master this Lenten season and discover the powerful events of God as he readies his one and only son to pay the ultimate price for you and me.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for taking the sin in my life and paying for it. Your love for me is more than I can imagine although I don’t deserve it. I pray that I can pick up your cross each day and carry it closer and closer to Calvary. Amen
Faith Tip: Begin today with praying for an open heart to where God wants to take you on this Lenten journey.
Written by Kathy Bruins
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
God of Comfort and Compassion
“[Praise to the God of All Comfort] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
To be understood is to be given a great gift. We all have different life experiences, but when we run into someone who has been through a similar experience we have, there is an instant connection. You both feel understood.
God being the author of our lives allows us to connect with those on similar paths so that we can be understood as well as give understanding. Compassion and comfort are offered, and it’s the perfect kind because someone who’s been through our type of situation is sensitive to our needs and seems to know how to minister to us in a powerful way. It’s all from the hand of God.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful gift of compassion and comfort. You empower your people to display your love to others in wonderful ways. I pray that I can be sensitive to those you connect me with and attune to their needs. Amen.
Faith Tip: When you hear of someone struggling, see if you have a common experience that you can understand their challenges and minister to them in Christ’s name. If you don’t, then just let them know you care and desire to help them.
Written by Kathy Bruins
To be understood is to be given a great gift. We all have different life experiences, but when we run into someone who has been through a similar experience we have, there is an instant connection. You both feel understood.
God being the author of our lives allows us to connect with those on similar paths so that we can be understood as well as give understanding. Compassion and comfort are offered, and it’s the perfect kind because someone who’s been through our type of situation is sensitive to our needs and seems to know how to minister to us in a powerful way. It’s all from the hand of God.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful gift of compassion and comfort. You empower your people to display your love to others in wonderful ways. I pray that I can be sensitive to those you connect me with and attune to their needs. Amen.
Faith Tip: When you hear of someone struggling, see if you have a common experience that you can understand their challenges and minister to them in Christ’s name. If you don’t, then just let them know you care and desire to help them.
Written by Kathy Bruins
Monday, March 7, 2011
Showing Love
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).
Being married gives many opportunities to show the other person how much you love them. It’s not only on special days like birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day that affection can be demonstrated, but every day. As we trust, help, encourage, pray for, and do other things for our spouse, we live out our love for them. We want them to know our heart for them.
We can live out our love for God in much the same way. We invite God to know how our heart beats for him. To test, practice and know, we are putting what we have learned to practice in loving God. We increase our trust, avail ourselves to his leading and follow obediently, we praise him for all he has done, and seek his face in all things. That is showing our heart to God in a real way.
Prayer: Lord, I love you. Please search me and know my heart for you. Thank you for always be so faithful and loving. Amen
Faith Tip: Show your love to God today and invite him to search your heart.
Written by Kathy Bruins
Being married gives many opportunities to show the other person how much you love them. It’s not only on special days like birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day that affection can be demonstrated, but every day. As we trust, help, encourage, pray for, and do other things for our spouse, we live out our love for them. We want them to know our heart for them.
We can live out our love for God in much the same way. We invite God to know how our heart beats for him. To test, practice and know, we are putting what we have learned to practice in loving God. We increase our trust, avail ourselves to his leading and follow obediently, we praise him for all he has done, and seek his face in all things. That is showing our heart to God in a real way.
Prayer: Lord, I love you. Please search me and know my heart for you. Thank you for always be so faithful and loving. Amen
Faith Tip: Show your love to God today and invite him to search your heart.
Written by Kathy Bruins
Friday, March 4, 2011
Everything That Hinders
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. - Hebrews 12:1
In this passage Paul is encouraging the Hebrews to throw off everything that is keeping them from running the race set before them by Christ. I find it interesting that Paul makes a distinction between that which hinders and sin. Paul recognizes that it is not just sins that keep us from running the race of faith.
What hinders you in your faith? It might not be sin; maybe it is something that you consider good, a habit, pleasure, work, hobby, event, entertainment, a relationship. Paul is saying that even if there is something that you consider good in your life that is keeping you from living for Christ, then you must toss it aside. Sometimes these can be harder to throw off then sin, but we must be willing to throw off everything if we want to finish the race and finish it well.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me the race to run. Help me to run this race by throwing off everything that hinders me, both the good and the bad. I want to run this race for you and I want to finish well. Amen.
Faith Tip: We often say “no” to things that Christ is calling us to do, because of everything else going on in our life. Today, take an inventory of everything you do and see if there is anything you need to throw off so you can more often say “yes” to Jesus.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
In this passage Paul is encouraging the Hebrews to throw off everything that is keeping them from running the race set before them by Christ. I find it interesting that Paul makes a distinction between that which hinders and sin. Paul recognizes that it is not just sins that keep us from running the race of faith.
What hinders you in your faith? It might not be sin; maybe it is something that you consider good, a habit, pleasure, work, hobby, event, entertainment, a relationship. Paul is saying that even if there is something that you consider good in your life that is keeping you from living for Christ, then you must toss it aside. Sometimes these can be harder to throw off then sin, but we must be willing to throw off everything if we want to finish the race and finish it well.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me the race to run. Help me to run this race by throwing off everything that hinders me, both the good and the bad. I want to run this race for you and I want to finish well. Amen.
Faith Tip: We often say “no” to things that Christ is calling us to do, because of everything else going on in our life. Today, take an inventory of everything you do and see if there is anything you need to throw off so you can more often say “yes” to Jesus.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Too Much of a Good Thing
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. – Philippians 3:10-12
The familiar saying tells us, “You can never have enough of a good thing.” On the surface this sounds correct, but we know that this isn’t true. There are certainly times when we get too much of a good thing. A child gets a stomach ache from eating too much candy at Halloween. An athlete sustains an injury from too much exercise. Eating too many sweets and too much junk food can lead to obesity, heart disease and a myriad of other health problems. We have even heard the stories of those who have won the lottery and struggle with more problems in their life because they have too much money.
Although we can have too much of a good thing, we can never get enough of Jesus. Paul, when he was writing to the Philippians, was sharing his abundant knowledge and love of Jesus. One thing you could say about Paul was that he was filled to overflowing with Jesus. Yet, he still desired more. He wanted to know more about Jesus. He wanted to know his love, his resurrection and his sufferings at a much deeper level. Paul could never get enough of Jesus.
Do you desire to know Jesus in this way? No matter how much we think we know about Jesus, no matter how filled we are with his Spirit and power, we can never, ever for all eternity, have enough of Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, like Paul, I want know more and more about you. I can never get enough of you. Help me Lord not to be satisfied with where I am in Christ, but help me to long to go deeper in my faith. Amen.
Faith Tip: What is one thing you can do today to get more of Jesus? Is it more time in the Word, prayer, study, worship, service? Whatever it is, strive to get more and more of Jesus.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
The familiar saying tells us, “You can never have enough of a good thing.” On the surface this sounds correct, but we know that this isn’t true. There are certainly times when we get too much of a good thing. A child gets a stomach ache from eating too much candy at Halloween. An athlete sustains an injury from too much exercise. Eating too many sweets and too much junk food can lead to obesity, heart disease and a myriad of other health problems. We have even heard the stories of those who have won the lottery and struggle with more problems in their life because they have too much money.
Although we can have too much of a good thing, we can never get enough of Jesus. Paul, when he was writing to the Philippians, was sharing his abundant knowledge and love of Jesus. One thing you could say about Paul was that he was filled to overflowing with Jesus. Yet, he still desired more. He wanted to know more about Jesus. He wanted to know his love, his resurrection and his sufferings at a much deeper level. Paul could never get enough of Jesus.
Do you desire to know Jesus in this way? No matter how much we think we know about Jesus, no matter how filled we are with his Spirit and power, we can never, ever for all eternity, have enough of Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, like Paul, I want know more and more about you. I can never get enough of you. Help me Lord not to be satisfied with where I am in Christ, but help me to long to go deeper in my faith. Amen.
Faith Tip: What is one thing you can do today to get more of Jesus? Is it more time in the Word, prayer, study, worship, service? Whatever it is, strive to get more and more of Jesus.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Confession
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:19
Confession is not an easy thing to do. It highlights our shortcomings, brings to mind those things we would rather forget, and makes us painfully aware of our sinfulness. That is probably why confession is one of the most neglected areas in personal prayer. When we go to God in prayer it is much easier for us to offer thanksgivings and requests, but confessions are a little more difficult.
I remember in college, in order to save money, I would cram as many clothes in the washing machine as possible. This method of washing clothes did save some money, but it wasn’t very good at getting the clothes cleaned. When it comes to confession I think often we take the same approach. We lump all of our sins together and pray “Lord, forgive me of my sins” and move along with our prayers as if throwing all our sins in what big heap will suffice. When we confess our sins in this way we don’t have to deal with them directly and it is much more comfortable.
Instead of lumping our sins together, we ought to pull each sin out of the pile one at a time and confess each individual sin in every painful, embarrassing and raw detail. Of course, this way of confession is difficult, humbling, and uncomfortable, that is why we often don’t do it. But it is effective! Because when we confess our sins in this way it makes us more aware of our need for God’s grace and, as John tells us, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Prayer: Lord, help me to confess each of my individual sins before you so that I may become painfully aware of where I have fallen short of your glory, not so I can wallow in guilt and shame, but so I may be humbled and be thankful for your love and forgiveness. Amen.
Faith Tip: Take some time today to come before the Lord and confess your individual sins to God.
Written By Pastor Aaron Anderson
Confession is not an easy thing to do. It highlights our shortcomings, brings to mind those things we would rather forget, and makes us painfully aware of our sinfulness. That is probably why confession is one of the most neglected areas in personal prayer. When we go to God in prayer it is much easier for us to offer thanksgivings and requests, but confessions are a little more difficult.
I remember in college, in order to save money, I would cram as many clothes in the washing machine as possible. This method of washing clothes did save some money, but it wasn’t very good at getting the clothes cleaned. When it comes to confession I think often we take the same approach. We lump all of our sins together and pray “Lord, forgive me of my sins” and move along with our prayers as if throwing all our sins in what big heap will suffice. When we confess our sins in this way we don’t have to deal with them directly and it is much more comfortable.
Instead of lumping our sins together, we ought to pull each sin out of the pile one at a time and confess each individual sin in every painful, embarrassing and raw detail. Of course, this way of confession is difficult, humbling, and uncomfortable, that is why we often don’t do it. But it is effective! Because when we confess our sins in this way it makes us more aware of our need for God’s grace and, as John tells us, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Prayer: Lord, help me to confess each of my individual sins before you so that I may become painfully aware of where I have fallen short of your glory, not so I can wallow in guilt and shame, but so I may be humbled and be thankful for your love and forgiveness. Amen.
Faith Tip: Take some time today to come before the Lord and confess your individual sins to God.
Written By Pastor Aaron Anderson
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Chosen
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. – John 15:16
I remember the days in elementary school when we would choose up teams on the playground. Two people would get to be the captains and do the choosing while the rest of us huddled together in a group with anticipation of being chosen. I was never selected first or even second for that matter, because I was short, thin and not the most athletic kid on the playground. In fact, I usually had to wait quite a while to be chosen. When my name was finally called I was happy and wasted no time in joining my new team.
Do you know that feeling of not being chosen? It is not a good feeling; it makes you feel forgotten. With Jesus you are not forgotten. He tells us in this scripture that he is the one that does the choosing and he as chosen you! He has chosen you to be a part of his “team”. We should find comfort and peace in knowing that we have not been forgotten, but we have been chosen. All we have to do is leave the huddled masses and accept the invitation with gladness and be a part of the Lord’s team. And the best part is that we already know that his team is the winning team!
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for choosing me. I want to be on your side and bear fruit for the Kingdom. Help me to bring others to your side. Amen.
Faith Tip: Do you feel forgotten, lonely and left out? If so, just remember that Jesus hasn’t forgotten you. He has chosen you! Accept his invitation and be a part of the Lord’s team.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
I remember the days in elementary school when we would choose up teams on the playground. Two people would get to be the captains and do the choosing while the rest of us huddled together in a group with anticipation of being chosen. I was never selected first or even second for that matter, because I was short, thin and not the most athletic kid on the playground. In fact, I usually had to wait quite a while to be chosen. When my name was finally called I was happy and wasted no time in joining my new team.
Do you know that feeling of not being chosen? It is not a good feeling; it makes you feel forgotten. With Jesus you are not forgotten. He tells us in this scripture that he is the one that does the choosing and he as chosen you! He has chosen you to be a part of his “team”. We should find comfort and peace in knowing that we have not been forgotten, but we have been chosen. All we have to do is leave the huddled masses and accept the invitation with gladness and be a part of the Lord’s team. And the best part is that we already know that his team is the winning team!
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for choosing me. I want to be on your side and bear fruit for the Kingdom. Help me to bring others to your side. Amen.
Faith Tip: Do you feel forgotten, lonely and left out? If so, just remember that Jesus hasn’t forgotten you. He has chosen you! Accept his invitation and be a part of the Lord’s team.
Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson
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