Drawing Closer to God

May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word. – Psalm 199:169

We have binoculars at our house that we use to get a closer look at the ducks that swim on the lake and for watching birds.  Last night a new use was found for these binoculars.  I saw Jacob sitting on the couch watching a tennis match with the binoculars in his lap.  I asked him why he had the binoculars.  He said he was using them to see the score on the TV.  You see, we have an old 19” television set and the scores for sporting events, which are made for the large screen TVs of today, are difficult to see on such a small screen.  The binoculars helped him gain a better understanding of what was going on in the tennis match.   

God’s word is like a pair of binoculars.  God’s word gives us a better understanding of God.  Without the word of God we would not be able to truly know him.  His word allows us to focus our sight upon him and draws us closer to the Lord.  Imagine trying to describe a duck to someone when all you can see is a dark speck out in the lake.  Then imagine how much more detailed your description would be if you had binoculars to see the duck.   The same is true when we know and understand God’s word.  We are better able to tell others about God. 

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for you word and how it gives me a better understanding of you.  Help me to be in your word daily so that I can draw closer to you.  Amen.

Faith Tip: Pick up God’s word today and allow his word to focus your thoughts on him and draw you closer to him.    

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Good Old Friends

Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD” – 1 Samuel 20:42

This weekend our family had an opportunity that too many people do not get.  We were able to tour the house that we lived in for three years when I was in seminary and our three older kids were little.  The house has since been moved to a different location and newly remodeled inside and out.  Although all these changes have been made, and it has been many years since we had been in the house, it still seemed like our home.  We walked through each room as memories came flooding back reminding us of the times we enjoyed together in that house.  It was as if we had never left. 

Visiting that house was like visiting a good old friend.  A good friend is one who you can be away from for many years and changes take place in your lives, but when you reunite it is as if you had never been apart.  A good friendship is an important part of Christian life.  Jonathan and David understood the importance of having a good friend in your life.  The prophet Daniel had close friends.  At the end of many of his letters, the Apostle Paul provides a list of his close friends.  Even Jesus surrounded himself with twelve very close friends.  Thomas Aquinas once said, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.”

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for blessing me with good friends.  Help me to not take my friends for granted.  Help me to strengthen my current friendships and make new ones.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Today let a friend know how much their friendship means to you.

    

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Held Back by Fear

They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.” – Numbers 13:27-28

Today, I am taking our son, Jacob to visit the campus of Western Michigan.  During this visit he will catch a glimpse of the future that God has in store for him.  I am sure some of what he sees will be exciting and intimidating at the same time.   The college students will probably look like giants to him, although they are only a few years older.  As he thinks about all the hard work that will be required to graduate, he may become a little hesitant about wanting to jump into the future God has planned.  

As the Israelites escaped from Egypt, God gave them a glimpse of the land of Canaan.  It was a glimpse of what God had in store for their future.  What they saw excited them as they discovered a land flowing with milk and honey, but they also saw cities and people that intimidated them.  The saw how much work would need to be done in order to occupy this land and they became afraid and their faith faltered.  They decided that staying in the desert was better than the future God had planned for them.  Because of their fear and lack of faith, God didn’t give them the land until forty years later.

Sometimes when God gives us a glimpse of what could be, whether it is in our life, church, family, or career, it is an exciting thing.  But often we are intimidated by how much work it would take to get there, and that fear makes us want to stay where we are even though we may be in a wasteland compared to where God wants us to be.  Instead of letting fear keep us in the wilderness, we must trust God, embrace his plans for our future and in faith, boldly take hold of the exciting things that God has in store for us.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that you always have a plan for my future and that plan is always wonderful. Forgive me when I allow fear to hold me back.  Help me to trust in you and give me the courage to be willing to put in the work and make the sacrifices to move forward into your plan for my life.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Has God given you a glimpse of what could be in your home, church, or life?  If so, put your fear and doubts aside and decide what you have to do to be a part of all the work needed to move into that future?    

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Togetherness

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. – Romans 12:4-5

I recently was the keynote speaker at a women’s event at our church. It was such a great day to gather with sisters in the Lord and talk about God while we served one another in “spa moments.” Events like this usually do not happen with one person … it takes a village. There were ladies especially gifted with food, decorating, administration, hospitality, communication, music and more that made the day so special.

It’s wonderful that we don’t have all the talents and spiritual gifts ourselves. Having a dependence on one another brings us together in unity which glorifies God. This is how the church is meant to operate. Our ultimate dependence is on God who will help us join together and complete the work he has set before us. I imagine this is the way it will be in heaven … doing things together for the glory of God.

Prayer: Lord, I love to work alongside with my brothers and sisters in projects you give us. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of the bigger picture. I pray that I will obey the call you give me. Amen

Faith Tip: Has God called you to be part of a project in the Body of Christ? Consider your talents and gifts that he has given you to bless others.

 

Written by Kathy Bruins

Good Intentions to Keep From Stumbling

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. – Psalm 119:165

When caring for the physical needs of other people, such as a caregiver or physical therapist would do, there is a special tool often used called a gait belt. Gait belts help in the transfer of people who may not be steady on their feet. It keeps them from falling. Having a gait belt lying on the bed or hanging on the wall may show good intentions, but using it is the only way it works.

God’s word is the same way. The Holy Spirit works through the word to give us peace and keep us from stumbling. But if our Bible is in a drawer or lying on the table, it may show good intentions of reading it. The only way to make it work is to pick it up and drink deep of its spiritual nourishment.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your word that keeps me from stumbling. Real peace is only experienced through you. I pray that my focus remains on you throughout the day. Amen

Faith Tip: If you haven’t read God’s word in awhile, pick it up and enjoy the treasures inside.

Written by Kathy Bruins

I Love the Way You Hold Me

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. – Psalm 116:1-2

There’s a song I hear on the radio that I like called Hold Me by Jamie Grace. Not only does it have a catchy tune, but the words speak to me regarding how God loves me in such a special way. In fact, here’s the link so you can listen to it yourself.

Each day is so special because of God. Consider and take notice of the ways he shows his love to you. Does your day need “flipping around”? He can do it.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the way you love me. You are my constant companion through all the good and challenging of life. I pray that I always turn to you. Amen

Faith Tip: Love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul.

 

Written by Kathy Bruins

What's In Your Cart?

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,  your consolation brought me joy. – Psalm 94:18-19

While grocery shopping yesterday, I am always amazed at all the choices we have to put into our cart. The cereal aisle is a great example of this. If someone was to buy a different cereal each week, I bet it would take them over a year to get through them all. How about apples? How many different versions of apples are available on the market? I imagine more than the store has room to stock. It is truly a blessing to be able to put things in our carts to push around and take home with us.

In our spiritual journey, we also have a lot of choices of what we will put into our lives, push around and take home with us. While food focuses on our physical diet, the things in life focus on our spiritual diet. Not all things are good for us.

When we splurge on the unhealthy things of this world, we feel bloated and sick in our soul. The choices we make are crucial to our health. God is there to help us make better choices, or to pick us up out of the muck of our bad choices. Muck is the consequence of bad choices. Allow God to lead you away from the muck and to the green grass of life he has planned for you.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being there for me at all times. Even when I fail, you still love me and care for me. I pray that I follow you away from any muck that is positioning itself in my life. Amen

Faith Tip: Choose carefully each step of your faith journey so that you don’t slip into the muck

Written by Kathy Bruins