What do YOU Believe?
Classmates in the Small Group Disciples II Sunday School class at 11:00 know that each year I select a word as a focal point of the year. This year the word is BELIEVE. This word causes me to think about what I DO believe. The Apostles Creed immediately comes to mind. I BELIEVE in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth... etc. All too often I say things by rote memorization. Recently at a Gideon/Auxiliary Small Testament sidewalk distribution a student asked me, "What do you believe?" Well, as a teacher, parent, and Christian I was compelled to give a truthful, accurate answer to this young lady.
I believe I am a daughter of God by the power of His name.
John 1:12: "But as many, as receive him to them he gave power to become sons (and daughters) of God even to them that believe on HIS name."
I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 8:37: "...If thou believes with all thine heart, then Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
I believe when I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and made my righteous confession that is salvation.
Romans 10:9 -10: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
A small testament was given, and I asked if she had a church, Sunday School or a Good News Club at her school. Her grandmother did, and she would talk with her. They did have a Good News Club after school, which she could check out. The APS in the front of the testament were shown where she could find help if she was afraid, or worried, or sad. Also the GPS was shown in the back of the testament, which is God's Plan of Salvation. I told her God Bless and sent her on her way. The seeds were planted for her and clarified for me (in case I am asked at another time.) What do YOU believe? All people need to know the truth.
Prayer:
Dear God, continue to be with me and each of us as we are called to share what we believe with others. May we tell the truth when asked about our faith, not only to share it with others but also to strengthen each and every one of us in our calling. Give me the words and strength to share when the opportunity arises to empower boldness Amen.
Contributed by Roz Honchul
- Mar 11, 2018Day 26: Sunday, March 11th, 2018
Day 26: Sunday, March 11th, 2018“…Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”2 Chronicles 20:20
What do YOU Believe?
Classmates in the Small Group Disciples II Sunday School class at 11:00 know that each year I select a word as a focal point of the year. This year the word is BELIEVE. This word causes me to think about what I DO believe. The Apostles Creed immediately comes to mind. I BELIEVE in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth... etc. All too often I say things by rote memorization. Recently at a Gideon/Auxiliary Small Testament sidewalk distribution a student asked me, "What do you believe?" Well, as a teacher, parent, and Christian I was compelled to give a truthful, accurate answer to this young lady.
I believe I am a daughter of God by the power of His name.
John 1:12: "But as many, as receive him to them he gave power to become sons (and daughters) of God even to them that believe on HIS name."
I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 8:37: "...If thou believes with all thine heart, then Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
I believe when I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and made my righteous confession that is salvation.
Romans 10:9 -10: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
A small testament was given, and I asked if she had a church, Sunday School or a Good News Club at her school. Her grandmother did, and she would talk with her. They did have a Good News Club after school, which she could check out. The APS in the front of the testament were shown where she could find help if she was afraid, or worried, or sad. Also the GPS was shown in the back of the testament, which is God's Plan of Salvation. I told her God Bless and sent her on her way. The seeds were planted for her and clarified for me (in case I am asked at another time.) What do YOU believe? All people need to know the truth.
Prayer:
Dear God, continue to be with me and each of us as we are called to share what we believe with others. May we tell the truth when asked about our faith, not only to share it with others but also to strengthen each and every one of us in our calling. Give me the words and strength to share when the opportunity arises to empower boldness Amen.
Contributed by Roz Honchul
- Mar 10, 2018Day 25: Saturday, March 10th, 2018
Day 25: Saturday, March 10th, 2018For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans 6:23
FREE GIFT with Purchase?
Do you wonder what you need to do to get to heaven? I mean this is eternal life with God so you must need to do something really good to get there. Nothing is free. You have to buy it, work for it or do something to show for it. Let’s see, we need to check off all the boxes:
-Go to church
-Be baptized
-Be confirmed
-Attend Sunday School/ Bible Study
-Follow the rules
-Help people
-Listen to Christian music
-Wear cross jewelry
-Be superior because we do all these things
The list can go on and on of all the things we think we need to do to earn our way to heaven. These are all good things (except the being superior part), and we should do these things to please God. But guess what? You can NEVER earn your way to eternal SALVATION. It is a FREE GIFT from God. It is FREE; there is nothing you can ever do to get it except believe in Jesus our Savior who God sent to take our punishment. He died and rose again for you so you could live!!! Isn’t that exciting and wonderful news? Jesus conquered death and the grave for you!
Now sometimes this is a hard concept to grasp. We are in a world where you have to earn stuff; nothing is free. This is true for the world, but God is not of the world, and His FREE GIFT is not of the world. God knows we are sinners, and there is no way we could ever do enough, be it good works or outward signs to earn salvation. If it were up to us, no one would be saved. Praise God that He loves each and every one of us so much that He sent Jesus to save us.
Prayer:
Dear friends in Christ, take the FREE GIFT. It is everlasting and you do not have to earn it! It is truly FREE when you believe in our Savior Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Contributed by Laura Dungan
- Mar 9, 2018Day 24: Friday, March 9th, 2018
Day 24: Friday, March 9th, 2018
My family’s Christmas Eve tradition began with my grandmother Dewald at her house and is still carried on today by each of the families she left behind. Since my mother has passed away, my family now meets at my brother’s house on Christmas Eve, and we share a meal and exchange presents. Before we open gifts, we always read the Christmas Story from Luke 2, have a prayer, and sing a few Christmas songs. My father read the Christmas Story, my husband read it, and now my brother reads it. As always, this year he chose one of Mother’s bibles to read from. When he opened the Bible, he found a poem she used as a bookmark, and he shared it with us as our prayer. We don’t know where or when she got it, but it was appropriate on Christmas Eve and seems appropriate to share as we approach this Easter season. I have included it here exactly as my brother found it in its aged and decaying status.If we put God into this poem, we can see once again that He wants us to show our love and kindness toward Him and others, not just talk about it. Throughout the Bible, we get this message; He wants to be an integral part of our lives. My mother knew this. I am sure that is why she saved this poem and put it in her Bible. She was the kindest, most Christian woman I have ever known. Her faith was unshakeable, and she lived her life showing this faith by her actions every day. As we move through this Lenten season, let us look inward to our own actions and reevaluate our lives to ensure that we are living anactive Christian life.Prayer:
Dear Lord, May we always show You our love and our acceptance of Your love and grace by how we live and interact with others. Be with us as we strive to live better lives in Your name. Amen.
Contributed by Phyllis Wheeler
- Mar 7, 2018Day 23: Thursday, March 8th, 2018
Day 23: Thursday, March 8th, 2018“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand. “Psalms 139:5-6 (NLT)
Six days in the hospital. Six days out of my healthy life. I had gone through a “simple, non-invasive procedure,” but things went very wrong. A severe reaction to the anesthesia and pain medicine left me sick with nausea and a terrible headache. I couldn’t sleep without nightmares and hallucinations, nor could I drink or eat because of the nausea. I was dehydrated and fell into a trench of self pity and despair. I wasn’t allowed to go home while the nausea remained, but there was nothing I could do.
I called on the Lord for help, and I cried bottles of tears. On the fourth day, I found Psalm 139 on my phone. “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand.” I knew that God was there in that lonely room with me. I clung to the thought of His Hand resting on my head. A little while later, the friendly kitchen lady came to ask what I would like for dinner. This gal was a blessing all week. She would squat down against the wall and chat with me. Over and over again she would suggest something that might appeal to me. Poor thing—I probably made so many faces at her. Nothing sounded even remotely palatable.
But that day she said, “Miss Betty, how about some fresh fruit?” OH! A light bulb went off!! Of course!! When I was pregnant with both our sons, I discovered that if I carried a fresh peach and sniffed it, the nausea would ease for a moment. Silly, but it worked! I was so excited that this sweet woman had suggested fresh fruit!!! When my evening tray arrived, there it was, a small cup filled with fresh cantaloupe, pineapple and grapes. I reached for it, pulled off the lid and took a big whiff!! Heavenly! It took the awful scourge away for just a few seconds. I was so thankful for that sweet woman and her fresh fruit! I held that bowl next to me all night, and I received three gifts of those same fruit bowls the next day. I even ate some of the grapes and cantaloupe. It was the start back to health. I will never forget God’s amazing Hand of grace: a dear, sweet woman who cared for me, and a bowl of fresh fruit.
Prayer:
Dear Father, thank You for caring for us through thick and thin. Help us to remember that even when we are in the pit of despair, Your Hand of love and protection rests on our heads. Amen.
Contributed by Betty Phillips
- Feb 28, 2018Day 22: Wednesday, March 7th, 2018
Day 22: Wednesday, March 7th, 2018“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”Psalm 32:8
Everyone has a turning point in his/her life.
For me, my turning point was seven years ago, five days after I had my son. I had many other hurdles in my life before this, but this one was different. This one was a game changer. I was not prepared for the ride I was about to take and neither was my husband.
While I was pregnant, I had pre-eclampsia, a condition that is common in many women when they are pregnant. The only way to treat it was to have the baby. Well, I had the baby, yet my blood pressure did not go down. I was released five days after I gave birth, which was much longer than most new mothers.
The next morning, I woke up in severe pain at home and drove myself to the hospital. I had an aortic dissection. It’s a condition where your blood flow is so rapid, it builds up like a dam in your aorta and eventually it tears the aortic wall. John Ritter, of Three’s Company died of the very same thing. I spent several days in the ICU, was treated with medicine and thankfully did not have to have surgery.
Afterward, my whole perspective on life changed. God and my family became the center of my life. I wanted to be a better person and the person that God wanted me to be. JD, Hudson and I moved back home from Austin to be closer to our family, and I began a new career as a teacher and to serve others. God had a path for me, not one I had planned on for myself but one He planned for me. I always felt God’s presence throughout this experience and truly believe He kept me here to make the world a better place and to enjoy my wonderful family. God gave me the best gift of all, being able to watch my son grow up.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, May we always be mindful of the wonderful life You have given us and the wonderful people you have put in our path to enrich our lives. Amen.
Contributed by Tiffany Bralley - Feb 28, 2018Day 21: Tuesday, March 6th, 2018
Day 21: Tuesday, March 6th, 2018
“For the word of God is living and active…”
Hebrews 4:12
We have a large bird feeder hanging from a tree limb in our backyard. It is several years old, as the rust around its edges testifies. I enjoy watching many species of birds coming to the feeder: brightly colored Cardinals who are fussy and chase other birds away; lots of white-wing doves who try to perch upon the feeder only to prefer to eat seed dropped upon the ground; the occasional Stellar’s Jay (Blue Jay) who is aggressive but only sticks around for a little while; numerous Chickadees and Wrens who constantly fly from the nearby hedges to the feeder for a quick bite. We keep our feeder filled with various kinds of bird seed: premium songbird, sunflower seeds, or just the economy seed mix. When we forget to fill the feeder, the birds don’t come around as much. I suppose they find nourishment elsewhere.
I think the feeder is like the Bible. Like the bird feeder, the Word of God is available for anyone (no matter what kind of “bird” we are), anytime, no matter the circumstances, day or night. It provides necessary spiritual “food” (no matter the kind of seed/translation) and never needs refilling.
When do we read and meditate on the Word of God? Do we only read and meditate on the Holy Scriptures when it’s convenient in Sunday school or worship? Only when we go to the “feeder” are we able to be nourished for our spiritual journey.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit Lord, help us to seek Your Word and make it living and active for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Contributed by Mike Hoel
- Feb 28, 2018Day 20: Monday, March 5th, 2018
Day 20: Monday, March 5th, 2018
Mind Your Own Business
“But Jesus did not say he would die; he only said,’If I want him to remain alive till I return, what is it to you?’”
John 21:23One thing you have to love about the Lord is He does not sugarcoat anything. He says all things in love,but if the truth hurts, so be it.How many times have we looked to another and wondered, “why do they have this or that?” “Why do things seem to work out for them and not me?” I think this piece of scripture covers that pretty well--what is it to you? Jesus is saying it is none of your business and to mind your own business.
Wow! This seems pretty harsh! As Christians if we are minding our business then we are listening and obeying God. Unfortunately, as Christians we are sinners, so we spend a lot of time worrying about others and not always in a loving way..... So when you stray from what business God has given you, do not be surprised if you get a gentle reminder to mind your own business.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Thank you for lovingly reminding us where we need to focus our hearts and minds. Let us remember that only you, Lord, know all the business, and it is Your business not ours. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Contributed by Laura Dungan
- Feb 28, 2018Day 19: Sunday, March 4th, 2018
Day 19: Sunday, March 4th, 2018"But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever claims to live in him, must walk as Jesus did."1 John 2:5-6
PERFECT! We do NOT live in a perfect world. We probably have a difficult time understanding what PERFECT LOVE is, much less accepting it as perfect. I always have to go back to 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
“If anyone obeys His Word, God’s love is made complete in him.” Complete. Perfect. That’s a BIG order. But it is God who makes His love complete in us, not we who make His love perfect in us.
Let’s take one step at a time:
Obey His Word. Accept His perfect love. Walk as Jesus did.
We CANNOT DO THIS BY OURSELVES. We MUST submit Him.We must obey His Word.As we work toward obeying God's word, let us each day try to focus on one small piece of perfect love....
Prayer:
Loving and gracious God, please help us to obey Your word so that your Love may be complete in us. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
Contributed by Jean Gautier
- Feb 28, 2018Day 18: Saturday, March 3rd, 2018
Day 18: Saturday, March 3rd, 2018
Today's scripture is Psalm 121.
My family home is at the foot of Mt. Magazine in Arkansas. There I was given my foundation of faith from my grandparents and my mother. If I am troubled, I will go to the mountain and walk the land where my “people” walked. I stop by the church that is across the street from my grandmother’s house. I stop by the cemetery and reflect on the memories of my “People.” Then I go to the top of the mountain and find my rock. It is the same rock that stood outside my great-uncle’s cabin in the 1800s. I stand on my rock on the top of the mountain and I pray. I pray for strength and guidance. I give thanks for my family who taught me to have faith.I’ve learned that I do not need to go to the mountain or to my rock. I just have to look up. My faith does not come from the mountain or hills; my faith comes from our Lord. My mother made certain that I had this faith that will carry me wherever I travel. Our Lord is always with us. Our Lord is the same Lord that has served us throughout all of history. Our Lord will give us the strength to face any challenge. All we have to do is to look up to our heavenly Father for help and guidance. He will always be there. My mountain and my rock are just symbols of my family and my faith.
As parents, if we raise our children to have our faith, we have done our “jobs.” We will pass the most important values from our parents to our children. Thank you, Mom, for teaching us our faith and our family.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Help me to remember that all I have to do is to look up to find You. You will give me strength and guidance. You are always with us. Your teachings laid the foundation for every single day throughout the ages. Help me to follow your word and have faith to make decisions that reflect your guidance. Thank you for my mother who shared her faith with each of her children. Help me to pass the values of our ancestors forward to my children and grandchildren. Thank You for always being present in our lives; all we have to do is look up for your help! In Your name I pray, Amen.
Contributed by Carol Dugger
- Feb 28, 2018Day 17: Friday, March 2nd, 2018
Day 17: Friday, March 2nd, 2018“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”Matthew 5:13In 2011, a dear friend of mine asked if I would co-lead a small group with her. I had a lot on my plate but prayed about it, and, of course, my answer was yes. We had six weeks of training and were commissioned on October 16, 2011. We planned,we strategized, and we prayed some more.
The second Tuesday in January 2012, our small group, “Son‘N Fun,” began. We were pretty salty, I’d say, inviting all to give our group a try, regardless of our their home church or even no church. Attendance has varied; we’ve had anywhere from 10-32 attending, sitting six to a table. We have built lasting relationships, and what an exciting adventure “Son n Fun” is! We eat a meal, hear a devotional, pray, encourage, share through laughter and tears, support and love each other, and play a game called “Bunco” at the end of our meeting. The salt continues.
We began our seventh year on January 9, 2018, with 23 in attendance.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for ALWAYS being there for us. Thank You for the salt that is in us and for guiding us to use it to do Your will, to use our salt to encourage others to come. Amen.
Contributed by Patricia Vassaur
