Devotions

What Would Jesus Buy?

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:21:39 -0500

Here’s is an interview with producer Morgan Spurlock about his new documentary about the commercialization of Christmas.

Jamaica Team Prayer Wall

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:48:28 -0400

Here you can post up prayers for the group as they will be leading a VBS sports camp. Pray that the team doesn’t get distracted by the storm and that God uses the storm to provide an opportunity to witness.

** An Update on the team**

Jamaica Mission Team Update (Monday) The Missions Group we scheduled this trip through have made contact with our team. Everyone is safe. The damage to Montego Bay was not as great as expected. The house they were staying in had a few leaks, but everyone is safe. Barb has already called parents to give them the news. We must give God thanks tonight for his protection.  RC 

Jamaica Mission Team Update (Sunday)  9:35 PM Sunday evening The Missions organization we booked this trip through just called me. Their rep traveling with our group text messaged and said they're doing fine. Having wind and some rain, but the group is doing well. At the moment, the hurricane is nearly 3/4ths the way across Jamaica. In just a few more hours it will pass. We thank God for his blessings this far.  RC   Jamaica Mission Team Update (Saturday) I have spoken with Danny this afternoon and Jeff Peele called Teresa Paolone who then called me. Both Jeff and Danny feel they are in a safe, stable structure in Montego Bay. Most of the buildings there have been built in anticipation of storms like this one.  There was a message that the group had to be divided but they are all together and will be together throughout the storm. Tonight they are eating pizza and watching a movie.  I am confident that they will be safe, however, their mission has changed. Now it looks like they will use their time there to help Jamaicans clean up after the storm. There is still an urgent need for prayer for their safety, but they also ask for wisdom and strength. Please keep them in prayer throughout the night, all day Sunday and each day until they return.  Thanks RC

Here are the names of the team members: Ryan Russell, Mallory Peele, Justin Peele, Loree Peele, Jeff Peele, Jimmy Wentworth, Jared Martin, Brian Howerin, Tracy Paolone, Andrew Bell, Danny Farris, Karie Farris, Bryan Hakey, Alisha Fox, Robyn Webster, Chris Hutton, Jenna Bishop, Morgan Sellers, and Amanda Bishop.

1 Peter 3:12

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.”

Don’t Get Distracted By: Morgan Sellers

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 18:56:47 -0400

Some of the High Schoolers are going to Jamaica this August on a missions trip. We’re having a sports camp and a VBS while we are there. This week, we’re running through everything we are doing at a Christian daycare. I’m doing a devotion for the verse Galations 5:7 for the sports camp. Galatians 5:7 says “You were running a good race. Who cut in and kept you from obeying the truth?”

The Bible compares Christian lives to running a “race” or a walk with Christ. But this verse is talking about how sometime our walks with Christ have a distraction, or a detour. So somehow, you get off course because of all of the distractions

If the Bible compares the Christian life to a race, but what kind of race is it talking about exactly? Some people run faster than others and God takes them home. However, most of us are running a marathon. But, our marathon isn’t over a nice level track or road that is easy to get where you need to be, it has its peaks, valleys, and shadows too. After every rough time, we have high points. Then, we’ll fall again and then get back up. It’s a race for God’s people to win. As Christians, we are to pursue, of all things, the truth.

Why God lets us walk through the mud to clean us again By: Christina Bein

Sun, 8 Jul 2007 15:38:34 -0400

Scripture Reference:
Luke 15:11-32
Colossians 4: 2,5-6
Proverbs 20:9
Proverbs 3:5-6
Matthew 18:14
Romans 8: 37-39

When I was asked to write a devotional, I was like what do I write about. What is it that I could write that would teach and reach out to you guys. And thats when I wrote my first blog about turning my life over to Him, to God. And thats when I realized, that some times we, Christians think we have everything in a row and we know what Gods plan is for ourselves. And not till we stop struggling with God do we realize that.
I have all my life thought I had it together till I read two scriptures that opened my eyes, Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"? Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”, I mean I thought I knew my plans in life, I thought I was leaning on God. But then when things didn't go my way, I always struggled to make it go my way. I have struggled with letting God lead me, I have over stepped HIS authority so many times just to get what I wanted, I stopped asking HIM what I needed, I even stopped thinking about what HIS plan was a made my own. And I saw it destroying who I was, and I didn't even care!!! And HE never walked away because I walked away from HIM. But HE did what all good parents do, HE let go and waited for me to walk back to HIM, ALL muddy with stuff I couldn't control! I remember the day I reached back out to HIM, drowning in all my struggles and trails. And HE was there ready for me, HE lifted me out of what I call my CRAP hole and said come on lets get you cleaned up! I have never felt so happy, so relaxed, and so refreshed! Its like as soon as I let go and stopped fighting HIM everything in my life came together. The perfect story came to mine it was Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32),
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father."But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]' 22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. 25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'
The Parable of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel of Luke is familiar to most of us. It's the story of a rebellious son who rejects his father's upbringing. Prideful and strong, the son heads-off to a far-away land, leads a wild life of adventure, and squanders everything of value (literally and symbolically). Not until he's confronted with failure and despair, does he return home, repentant and willing to do anything to win back his father's favor. To his surprise, and the surprise of others, he's welcomed, without question, into his father's loving and forgiving arms. No amount of time, no amount of money, and no amount of rebellion could get in the way of the father's patience and unconditional love for his son. "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (Luke 15:24). Of course, the awesome message of this parable is that God is patient and gracious with all of His children. He is willing to welcome each of us home into His loving and forgiving arms. Matthew 18:14 ”In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”. And I thought to my self how amazing it is that a Father loves us so much that he is willing to just forgive all of our sins, and take us back without questions. Time to time you maybe struggling with letting go and letting God, but there are some simple things you can do to keep on track. Amazingly it is scripture! Colossians: 4:2,5-6 “2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. “ And when all else fails remember that in Romans 8:37-39 says “37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

AMAZING GRACE (MY CHAINS ARE GONE)
BY:CHRIS TOMLIN
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see

T'was grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone, I've been set free
my God my Savior has ransomed me
and like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love Amazing Grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine

Pleasing People or Pleasing God By: Morgan Sellers

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 22:05:59 -0400

Are you trying to please people or please God?
Hopefully, we're more concerned with pleasing God than with pleasing others. Even devoted christians are still going to want to impress others. Peer pressure can be good or bad. If you choose friends that encourage you to obey God then you'll experience positive peer pressure, but if your friends encourage you to do foolish things, than that isn't good. When you do or say things that lead you away from God, you're heading down the wrong road. So try not to want to do the "popular" thing. Do what's right and you won't have to worry about negative consequences. If we are to please God, we must resist the temptations and pressure of the world and conform ourselves instead to his will.

An extremely devoted christian doesn't follow the crowd...a devoted christian follows jesus

Galatians 1:10
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.