Sunday, February 18, 2018
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Our grandson Jack is 15 months old. As many of you know, he was born with two very rare eye conditions leaving him blind. One of Jack’s eyes never formed, and the other eye was extremely underdeveloped. Both of his eye conditions were undetected prior to birth. Immediately after he was born, Jack was rushed to the neonatal ICU. Within hours of his birth, doctors told us that he would never see. I’ll never forget the moment the doctors told us those words. Jack will never see. We were rejoicing over his birth and yet so overwhelmed with the raw emotion of learning about Jack’s conditions.
We called our family and friends. One of our dear friends, a pastor and his wife, told us they were driving immediately in from Dallas to be with us. They wanted to pray over Jack and place their hands on him. Our friend told us, the Lord kept repeating to me Jeremiah 29:11 over and over the whole way here! He placed his hands on Jack and recited this beautiful verse. He declared this verse for Jack. We all cried and praised God! This is the verse we declare for Jack every day.
It is the most amazing thing! Complete strangers will come up to us, lay their hands on Jack and pray for him. Many times they recite Jeremiah 29:11. God has such wonderful things planned for our sweet Jack! We are so blessed to watch God’s works in his life. Praise be to God!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us all of your promises for our lives. May we be forever grateful for your love and devotion to each of us. May we always find comfort in the words you give us through scripture. Amen.
Contributed by Nancy McCullough
- Feb 18, 2018Day 5: Sunday, February 18th, 2018
Feb 18, 2018Day 5: Sunday, February 18th, 2018Series: Lenten Devotionals 2018
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Our grandson Jack is 15 months old. As many of you know, he was born with two very rare eye conditions leaving him blind. One of Jack’s eyes never formed, and the other eye was extremely underdeveloped. Both of his eye conditions were undetected prior to birth. Immediately after he was born, Jack was rushed to the neonatal ICU. Within hours of his birth, doctors told us that he would never see. I’ll never forget the moment the doctors told us those words. Jack will never see. We were rejoicing over his birth and yet so overwhelmed with the raw emotion of learning about Jack’s conditions.
We called our family and friends. One of our dear friends, a pastor and his wife, told us they were driving immediately in from Dallas to be with us. They wanted to pray over Jack and place their hands on him. Our friend told us, the Lord kept repeating to me Jeremiah 29:11 over and over the whole way here! He placed his hands on Jack and recited this beautiful verse. He declared this verse for Jack. We all cried and praised God! This is the verse we declare for Jack every day.
It is the most amazing thing! Complete strangers will come up to us, lay their hands on Jack and pray for him. Many times they recite Jeremiah 29:11. God has such wonderful things planned for our sweet Jack! We are so blessed to watch God’s works in his life. Praise be to God!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us all of your promises for our lives. May we be forever grateful for your love and devotion to each of us. May we always find comfort in the words you give us through scripture. Amen.
Contributed by Nancy McCullough
- Feb 17, 2018Day 4: Saturday, February 17th, 2018
Feb 17, 2018Day 4: Saturday, February 17th, 2018Series: Lenten Devotionals 2018
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
It is a tradition in my family that when a child reaches school age, he/she receives his/her own personal Bible. My first Bible was a King James Bible that I received on February 17, 1947.
One of my first Bible verses I remember learning was Psalm 119:105 in the King James version. Mrs. Anderson was her name and she encouraged all the children in her Sunday school classroom to memorize Bible verses. Today we have many versions of the Bible, but my favorite one is the New International Version (NIV).
I no longer carry a heavy Bible with me. I use a smartphone. The site I use is Bible Gateway. On that site I can pull up 49 versions of the Bible as well as audio, Bible maps, commentaries, devotionals, and Bible dictionaries. God’s word is there to give us hope and guidance and to help us grow spiritually and to share with others so they may come to know God.
The Bible for me is a life-long journey. I hope it is for all of us.Prayer:
Oh God, help us build on our relationship with You through the scriptures. Amen.
Contributed by Elaine Passman
- Feb 16, 2018Day 3: Friday, February 16th, 2018
Feb 16, 2018Day 3: Friday, February 16th, 2018Series: Lenten Devotionals 2018
Friday, February 16, 2018
James 5:16
“Pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
Several years ago, my best friend Mike Quinn called me one Sunday after church and told me that he was on his was up to Baylor Scott & White in Dallas because his wife Tina was experiencing liver failure, and the hospital here had exhausted all possible avenues for her treatment. I immediately began to pray for her healing and made my way up to Dallas to be with him. The week was long with so many ups and downs. By Friday evening the doctors informed Mike that unless she had a liver donor, she wasn’t going to make it through the weekend, and he needed to gather the family members together so they could say their last goodbyes. Mike had called me when he received the news, and we cried on the phone. I tried to find the right words to say, but was at a loss. What do you say to someone that has just been told that someone they love so dearly is not going to make it through the weekend unless a miracle happens?? I told him I would continue to pray for Tina and lift her up to the Lord for healing. Exhausted, I arrived home late that Friday night but was so restless I could not sleep. I usually sit on the side of our bed and say my daily prayers before I go to sleep, but this night I walked into our den and got down on my knees and prayed for a miracle of some kind to happen. No sooner had I finished my prayer than my phone rang, and it was Mike. A long pause ensued, and in a broken and tearful voice he said, “We have a donor!” Four years have passed this past October, and Tina has fully recovered with no side effects and lives a normal healthy life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for Your healing hands to cure the sick and comfort those who are in need. In your holy name I pray, Amen.
Contributed by Dave McCullough
- Feb 15, 2018Day 2: Thursday, February 15th, 2018
Feb 15, 2018Day 2: Thursday, February 15th, 2018Series: Lenten Devotionals 2018
Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older he will remain upon it." (Proverbs 22:6)
FAMILY
My parents were dedicated to family and demonstrated and lived worldly Christian values. They took us to church to establish the basic fundamentals of life. They ensured we were educated to meet the challenges of the community. They set the standards for the future. We were led by our good deeds and strong faith in the Church and Jesus Christ. My brother, sister, and I were guided to success in life. Our success spilled over to the church, school, on the job, and family. Today, all family members are successful, educated, and accept responsibilities associated with growing up and raising families. They are loving, supporting, caring people who are thankful for the past and continue to reach for a better future. The benefits of growing up in the church and a growing family continue to demonstrate strong and productive families. Today, our families worship together and strive for a more fruitful future. We have learned to appreciate and support each other in all aspects of life. Our children, grandchildren, and great-grandson are living examples of the grace of God, and we continue to follow the teachings of the Bible to reach the mountaintop.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for family. Thank You for the continued life and living teachings of the Bible, inward peace, and prosperity. We pray for the Church, its leaders, and its families. We ask for Your forgiveness and continued blessings on the Church, the community, and its members. Amen.
Contributed by Jos Portmann
- Feb 14, 2018Day 1, Ash Wednesday, February 14th, 2018
Feb 14, 2018
Day 1, Ash Wednesday, February 14th, 2018Series: Lenten Devotionals 2018Do everything in love.” (Corinthians 16:14)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
When I chose my devotional for Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday, I really hadn’t considered their connection. We mortals celebrate Valentine’s Day for lovers, those who are in love, and maybe those who are looking for love. I’ve been fortunate to be married to my best friend for nearly 38 years (tomorrow), and in love with him all these years. Then it dawned on me that if you consider the most important love of all times, it comes to us from God, who sacrificed His only Son so that we might have everlasting life. I can only imagine the enormity of that gift, as losing a child, for whatever reason, is the most painful type of love that I know. Losing my oldest daughter 20 years ago last August has allowed me to experience some of the pain that our Lord must have felt.
I hope during this 40 days of Lent you will be able to experience the love that our Lord showers on us daily in our walk with Him, and that you will be able to experience both the joy in giving love as well as receiving it.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for the love you have put in my life. I hope that I can be the person that You want me to be, showing love to all I meet. Amen.
Contributed by Marty Portmann
- Feb 4, 2018Nicodemus Meets Jesus
- Apr 15, 2017Day 46: Holy Saturday, April 15th, 2017
Apr 15, 2017Day 46: Holy Saturday, April 15th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 46: Saturday, April 15, 2017 Matthew 25:31-40
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away and the sea was no more. ²I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³I heard a loud voice from the throne say, ‘Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be nor mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’"
Over these past 40 days, in addition to reading and being inspired by the stories in the devotional, I also committed to a forty-day retreat with Jesus. It is different from my usual daily devotions. For my usual daily devotions, my wife Jannette and I do them together. We begin by reading a scripture, writing down our observations and thoughts about the scripture, thinking about how the scripture applies to our life, then sharing our thoughts with each other and praying together. I have found this practice not only enhances our spiritual life, it enhances our married life. (Just a note—over these past forty days my wife and I also read the devotions in this booklet—thank you for this gift).
Like my usual daily devotions, the forty-day retreat with Jesus begins with scripture. Not a long narrative, just a few verses that I would read several times. Unlike my usual daily devotions, I wouldn’t write down my thoughts, observations, and application. Instead I attempted to quiet my mind and pray, “Lord Jesus, speak to me.” Then I listen, listen for what Jesus needs and wants to say to me. I wouldn’t write it down because I would get distracted and start writing my own thoughts about the scripture. I would just listen for a word from Jesus. Then like my usual devotions I would pray, thanking Jesus for speaking to me.
The above scripture is the one I am reading today. Today is a different kind of day. Jesus is wrapped in cloths, lying in the tomb. Everyone believes Jesus to be dead. Some, like his followers, are grieving. Some, like the religious officials, are rejoicing. Many others couldn’t care less. This is a different kind of day. It is the day between Good Friday and Easter. It is the time between the crucifixion that gives us the gift of total forgiveness and the resurrection that gives us the gift of total new life. What does one write for a devotion on this day? Instead of sharing with my thoughts and observations about the above scripture, I invite you to experience a different kind of devotion for a different kind of day. Start by reading the above scripture several times. The scripture is about a different kind of day—a day of ultimate triumph. Ask Jesus to speak to you. Then quiet your mind and listen for Jesus to speak a word to you. If one doesn’t come right away, it is okay. Read the scripture again later in the day and take time to listen. End you time with saying a prayer to Jesus thanking Him for speaking to you.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for speaking to me. May Your word be real in my life today. Amen.
Contributed by Senior Pastor Jeff Miller
- Apr 14, 2017Day 45: Good Friday, April 14th, 2017
Apr 14, 2017Day 45: Good Friday, April 14th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 45: Friday, April 14, 2017 John 19:38-42 (NIV)
“38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. [a] 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”
More often than should be, a homeless veteran or an unaccompanied veteran will be laid to rest at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery. No family, no close friends; instead, volunteer veterans and members of various veterans’ support groups gather together to give the veteran an appropriate burial of honor. For Christ, it wasn’t His close disciples, friends or even family that arranged or performed his burial. Instead, two members of the Sanhedrin, wealthy men, secret disciples, who had nothing to gain and everything to lose, stepped forward and arranged the burial. It is believed that Joseph even gave his tomb. It was a new tomb, one that had never been used. Joseph and Nicodemus, secret followers of Christ, showed the respect they had for Christ and His doctrine, and that it was not lessened by the reproach of the cross. They may have also believed that through their actions others would see the strength of their love and follow Christ’s message. So it is for those veterans providing an honorable burial for homeless or unaccompanied veterans. The service to fellow vets is not lessened by the criticism of their homeless unaccompanied status but strengthened to show honor. Unlike Joseph and Nicodemus, we are called to confess Christ to others and show His love to all.
Prayer: Father give us the strength and courage to profess Your love for all and not be discouraged by the unbelief or criticism of others. Amen.
Contributed by Colleen Smith-Fey
- Apr 13, 2017Day 44: Thursday, April 13th, 2017
Apr 13, 2017Day 44: Thursday, April 13th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 44: Thursday, April 13th, 2017 John 3:16
Now That’s Amazing!!!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Amazing is defined as causing great surprise or wonder, astonishing.
Now I do not know if you have noticed the use of amazing by friends, family, or on the TV or movie screen. As I read the definition I have to think, “Really, was that dessert amazing?” “Was the job amazing?” “Was the football play amazing?” I mean these things are pretty great, but amazing?????
Now put those things we say or others say are amazing and compare it to the love of God? Hmmmmmm… they do not seem so amazing when put in that perspective, do they?
Our Father in Heaven loves us so much that He sent Jesus to save us. He loves us so much Jesus died on that cross for us. He was without sin, and He did not deserve our punishment, but He took it because of the love He has for each and every one of us. WOW!!! Now that’s amazing!!!
So when someone says, “Wow, that was amazing!” you may want to think, “No, what’s amazing is what Christ our Savior did for us on that cross. He conquered death and the grave for us. He gave us the gift of eternal salvation!! My friends–Now thatis amazing!!Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are my King.
You are amazing.
I want to thank and praise You for loving us so much.
Let us always remember how amazing Your love is.
Amen.
Contributed by Laura Dungan
- Apr 12, 2017Day 43: Wednesday, April 12th, 2017
Apr 12, 2017Day 43: Wednesday, April 12th, 2017Series: Lenten Devotionals 2017
Day 43: Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV)
“3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
All my life I have been content to sit quietly in the shadows and allow others to take credit for the work I do and ideas I have. I do not mind because I simply do not wish to be the center of attention. I have never been one to boast or make a noise, and I prefer to hide in the corner and sit quietly as life passes me by. It is because of this that I have never quite understood my children, and other adults for that matter, that demand constant reinforcement and recognition. Those who are always in need of tooting their own horn, shouting to the heavens, "Look at me, here I am! Look at what I have done!" demanding that "Star Pupil" or "Employee of the Month" plaque. I have tried to teach those around me that they are valued and loved not only by myself but most of all by God. They should not need constant pats on the back and awards to boost their self esteem and know that it is not a competition between them and others. We are all the same in God's eyes and we are all perfect. I believe Philippians 2:3-5 says it best "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."Prayer: Dear Lord, Help us to do Thy will with only the motivation to please You and not seek constant accolades and awards. We should be satisfied just doing Your will and living the life You choose for us. Amen.
Contributed by Gretchen Franck
