The Bible says that we are to be the "Light of the World" and the "Salt of the Earth." I recently read a great statement..."I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine." ~ Source Unknown
Basically my translation of this is "Zip it." Our life needs to be the example that will light the way to Jesus. We need to "zip our lips" more often than not - we can ruin things with our speech. Let's live our lives in such a way that people will be drawn to God. I just got the image in my head of flies being drawn to the light. Let us not be the zappers that draw bugs to the light and zap the life out of them. But instead the light that gives life.
Let us be a positive influence in this world living it out day by day.
~ Pastor Anne
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Manna
I read this illustration today...
One of Rabbi Ben Jochai’s scholars once asked him, “Why did not the Lord furnish enough manna to Israel for a year, all at one time?”
The teacher said, “I will answer you with a parable. Once there was a king who had a son to whom he gave a yearly allowance, paying him the entire sum on the fixed date. It soon happened that the day on which the allowance was due was the only day in the year when the father ever saw his son. So the king changed his plan and gave his son day by day that which sufficed for the day; and then the son visited his father every morning. How he needed his father’s unbroken love, companionship, wisdom and giving! Thus God dealt with Israel and deals with us.”
One of Rabbi Ben Jochai’s scholars once asked him, “Why did not the Lord furnish enough manna to Israel for a year, all at one time?”
The teacher said, “I will answer you with a parable. Once there was a king who had a son to whom he gave a yearly allowance, paying him the entire sum on the fixed date. It soon happened that the day on which the allowance was due was the only day in the year when the father ever saw his son. So the king changed his plan and gave his son day by day that which sufficed for the day; and then the son visited his father every morning. How he needed his father’s unbroken love, companionship, wisdom and giving! Thus God dealt with Israel and deals with us.”
Monday, February 16, 2009
Being content
The apostle Paul says "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances....I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation..." (Phil 4:11 - 12). We cannot change the past - whether good, bad or ugly the past is in the past. Although we cannot alter it, we can alter our future. We can learn from our mistakes, walk in forgiveness (of others and ourselves), and make a difference in the steps we take from now on.
God never said it would be easy, mistake-free, lacking hurt and hardship, or a piece of cake. But He promised never to leave us or forsake us...and He has provided a way to be content in the process. Paul learned the secret and we need to as well.
"Content" means "to be satisfied with what one is or has." I don't believe this means to stop growing, giving up or becoming lazy. This means that I don't have to hide or lie or compromise who I am. I am not perfect, but my goal is to follow in Jesus' footsteps. To get as close to the only Perfect One as I can. To ask forgiveness when I screw up and make amends when I need to. To understand my purpose in the kingdom of God and listen to the Holy Spirit as He guides me.
When we find the secret of being content we find peace.
~ Pastor Anne
God never said it would be easy, mistake-free, lacking hurt and hardship, or a piece of cake. But He promised never to leave us or forsake us...and He has provided a way to be content in the process. Paul learned the secret and we need to as well.
"Content" means "to be satisfied with what one is or has." I don't believe this means to stop growing, giving up or becoming lazy. This means that I don't have to hide or lie or compromise who I am. I am not perfect, but my goal is to follow in Jesus' footsteps. To get as close to the only Perfect One as I can. To ask forgiveness when I screw up and make amends when I need to. To understand my purpose in the kingdom of God and listen to the Holy Spirit as He guides me.
When we find the secret of being content we find peace.
~ Pastor Anne
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Do you blame God for the things that happen to you?
This week I have started a new devotional which is the chronological Bible. Everyday you read a passage in the order in which the events occur (in their opinion...I don't know if they are correct or not). After spending a couple of days on the creation through the flood to Babel, I landed in the book of Job. Scholars are not absolutely sure where to date it, some suggest it fits in before the patriarchs which is where this Bible puts it.
Anyway, as I was reading a verse stuck out to me. This verse follows Job losing everything - material possessions, servants and his children. In the NIV 1:22 reads "In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." Other versions are similar but break it into two sections "did not sin or charge/blame God." This got me thinking. How often we blame God for the things that happen to us. When we "blame" we take responsibility off ourselves and lay it all on the "blamee" (the one we are blaming). In Job's case I don't think the bad things that happened to him where a result of sin, or of something he had done. So, does this mean that he had a right to blame God? I can see how he would be tempted to blame God.
However, I do believe that God allows things to happen for reasons that are beyond our understanding. I don't believe He does them to make our lives difficult or for some malicious reason. God has a purpose in all things. And as we mature in Christ we need to hold onto that. Many of the trials and testings that we go through are extremely difficult, but coming through them inevitably makes us stronger. And this strength allows us to comfort others.
One of the most difficult times in my life was watching my mother die of cancer. She was an incredibly kind and loving woman, and she died at a young age. But through that horrible, devastating situation I came to know Jesus. I know that He was with me even when my back was to Him. I don't believe that God took my mother to punish me or bring me undo pain, nor do I think that it was the result of some sins that she had committed. But walking that difficult time in my life has made me stronger and has enabled me to comfort those in similar situations.
Before we blame God for the things that happen to us...let us hold on to the fact that our God is a loving, holy and just God. His purpose is not to make us miserable, but to draw us closer to Him. That is truly the best place we can be!
Have a GREAT day!
Pastor Anne
Anyway, as I was reading a verse stuck out to me. This verse follows Job losing everything - material possessions, servants and his children. In the NIV 1:22 reads "In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." Other versions are similar but break it into two sections "did not sin or charge/blame God." This got me thinking. How often we blame God for the things that happen to us. When we "blame" we take responsibility off ourselves and lay it all on the "blamee" (the one we are blaming). In Job's case I don't think the bad things that happened to him where a result of sin, or of something he had done. So, does this mean that he had a right to blame God? I can see how he would be tempted to blame God.
However, I do believe that God allows things to happen for reasons that are beyond our understanding. I don't believe He does them to make our lives difficult or for some malicious reason. God has a purpose in all things. And as we mature in Christ we need to hold onto that. Many of the trials and testings that we go through are extremely difficult, but coming through them inevitably makes us stronger. And this strength allows us to comfort others.
One of the most difficult times in my life was watching my mother die of cancer. She was an incredibly kind and loving woman, and she died at a young age. But through that horrible, devastating situation I came to know Jesus. I know that He was with me even when my back was to Him. I don't believe that God took my mother to punish me or bring me undo pain, nor do I think that it was the result of some sins that she had committed. But walking that difficult time in my life has made me stronger and has enabled me to comfort those in similar situations.
Before we blame God for the things that happen to us...let us hold on to the fact that our God is a loving, holy and just God. His purpose is not to make us miserable, but to draw us closer to Him. That is truly the best place we can be!
Have a GREAT day!
Pastor Anne
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Happy New Year!!!
The joy of a New Year! A clean slate to write a new year's worth of joys and praises with (hopefully) a limited number of challenges and heartaches.
Instead of looking at this year as to how it will benefit us. May we look at this year as an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus. To walk in His ways, to hear His voice, and be led by the Spirit. To be a blessing to others at all times. To make an impact on this world to advance God's kingdom. Perhaps this will be the year that the trumpet will sound and we will see Jesus and embark upon an eternity of worshipping in His presence.
Let us start today with our eyes opened and an expectation of divine appointments!
Instead of looking at this year as to how it will benefit us. May we look at this year as an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus. To walk in His ways, to hear His voice, and be led by the Spirit. To be a blessing to others at all times. To make an impact on this world to advance God's kingdom. Perhaps this will be the year that the trumpet will sound and we will see Jesus and embark upon an eternity of worshipping in His presence.
Let us start today with our eyes opened and an expectation of divine appointments!
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