Bowing

Luke 18:9-14

Scott Miner

When we bow down to God, lay our life before Him we will be right with God. 

God knows all what we are. 

Open your hearts.  Be humble, make no pretenses before God.  We can do this in our quiet time with God; or we can approach Him when we study His word in small groups.  Be true to yourself and to God. 

Be honest.  Be humble.

PRAYER:  Dear Lord, help us to be humble.  Help us to show our true selves to you.

Priceless

Mark 12:28-34

David Tozer

Today we read how Jesus retold the first and second commandments and attributed greater weight to them than all the other commandments. On hearing this, a scribe reflected how these commandments were more important than the offerings and sacrifices made at the churches of the day. Jesus responded that the scribe’s insight brought him closer to God.

We can liken the “offerings and sacrifices” to the material things which are important in our society today, and which many of us work for and covet. The scribe’s commentary applies as well today as it did in Jesus’ time, and reminds us that none of our material possessions is as important as following God and looking after our fellow man, or neighbor.

We tend to think of “the least of God’s children” as being those in need. We can assist a friend through a difficult time, help someone from our local community who has fallen on hard times, or through an agency support relief efforts in another country. In these and other ways we are following the second commandment, caring for others as we would like to be cared for. Placing that care and love above the material things in our lives, and embracing God and his word, will in turn enrich our lives bring us closer to the kingdom of God.

PRAYER: LORD. Help to understand that the things I possess are nothing when compared to the ability to help others, and that through that help and my devotion to you I will become closer to you.

More Powerful

Luke 11:14-23

 Tolozko Family

 “Satan is called the Prince, or Ruler, of all demons in Matthew 9:34; 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15. Demons are also called the ministers, or ambassadors of Satan, Luke 4:35; 9:1, 42; John 10:21... “Satan is a source of disease. Satan produced the illness in Job, Job 2:6, 8. Satan uses demons to produce disease in human beings. There is therefore the principle of demon-induced illness, Matt. 12:22; Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38. Certain mental diseases, and illness which are related to abnormal behavior, may be demon induced, dumbness and deafness, Mark 9:17; Luke 11:14; Matt. 11:22, certain forms of epilepsy, Mark 1:26; 9:20; Luke 4:35. Satan is the source of at least ten different types of abnormal behavior which are mentioned in the Bible.”

PRAYER: Our fears and ill health are relieved by the Lord. Amen.

He Is Timeless

Matthew 5:17-19

Will Wilson

Jesus is teaching us in this scripture that he did not come to us for some temporary instruction on the Law or just to fulfill the Prophets.  Jesus message was that the law was not as important as what’s in your heart.  And that the greatest commandments weren’t laws at all:   “to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul” and to “love your neighbor as yourself”.    How often the Pharisees tried to trick him and test him, but Jesus’ message never changed.  And the message in his wisdom through scripture doesn’t change – it provides the “true north” that should guide our lives.

PRAYER:  Lord, your message in the scriptures is as true now as it was 2000 years ago.  Remind us all to stop and listen.  Similar to the crowds and church leaders who doubted you then, there are doubters now.  But your word still resonates and makes us confident in our salvation through Christ.

Each and Every Time

Matthew 18:21-35

Liz Spoto 3rd grade Sunday School

In this verse, Matthew tells us that we should always forgive others.  God forgave us, so it is only fair that we should also forgive.  It feels good to forgive and to be forgiven; and it feels bad when you are not forgiven.  When you are in a fight with a friend, and you both apologize to each other, you both feel better and have more fun.  If someone forgives you, you should also help to fix the problem that you created.  Remember, no matter what someone does, if you don’t forgive them, it might be hard for them to forgive you.

PRAYER:  Dear God, please help us to forgive others, since you have forgiven us.  Amen.

Simplicity

2 Kings 5:1-15

Patti Flowers-Jacobina

The passage in 2 Kings 5:1-15 is a story of recovery.  Healing that comes from the most unexpected, basic place....a river.  Apparently, a river of life that heals Namaan, a man of valour afflicted with leprosy.  It's hard to imagine leprosy today.  I just remember watching the Ten Commandments and Charleston Heston's relatives suffering in the leper camps and shuddering.  A horrible, ill-regarded, shame-producing disease.  

I can definitely relate to how frustrated, disappointed and outright angry Namaan must have been when the prescription for healing is to wash in the river Jordan for 7 times!  Having skin issues myself, it can be very disheartening.  I often would exhibit any allergic reaction on my face - yes, right there for everyone to see, front and center.....no, not on my back or elsewhere...but my face, of all places.  In my own minor way,  I can truly relate to Namaan.  I've washed, I've scrubbed, I've tried ointments, I did prescription, over-the-counter, homeopathic and finally, found out that what was causing my reactions was INTERNAL, not external.  

So, the healing came from changing what I ate and voila, no skin issues!  A literal lifetime of skin challenges pretty-much solved.  Now, I realize leprosy is alot worse than what I encountered but I wonder, if along with Namaan's external healing, came an internal, life-changing healing.  The type of healing that provides a daily thankfulness and assurance in what is divine and God- given.  It does sounds like Elisha's God is the One to follow (the prescription though simple, cured) which Namaan soon commits to doing for the rest of his worshipping life.

Healing cannot be just external, but a desire to change, to be more thankful and more gracious.  To live into who God truly created us to be, bumps and barnacles and all!

PRAYER: Thank you Lord, for accepting me for who I am and who, through your constant re-shaping, I am to become. 

Gardening

Luke 13:1-9

Tom Cooper

In the first part of this verse (vs. 1-5), Jesus is telling his followers that the manner in which one dies is not for us to judge; some may wrongly look for sinful behavior or action as a cause for one’s death.  Jesus says do not judge – we all are born in sin and will die but must repent by believing and following him to have eternal life. 

And then, Jesus tells a parable in the second part (vs. 6-9) about bearing fruit, thus making a linkage between repenting and bearing fruit.  This parable talks of the expectation to bear fruit.  When we plan a flower or tree, we want to see it produce.  In the same way, God has created us to do the same – bear fruit.

I recently retired as a manager at the Department of Transportation.  During my career, I had to the opportunity to hire inexperienced college graduates and others for my staff.  Much like planting a tree, new staff needs mentoring, direction and opportunities to grow.  As time goes on, some staff grow and become more productive.  They move to bigger and better things.  This was very rewarding for me, I always got much joy from seeing my staff learn and grow.  However, for some, more time is needed to bear fruit like the man tells of his fig tree in verse 8.  Growth is an integral part of life, be it with gardening or with people.

How can each of us bear fruit?  In another section of the Bible (Corinthians 12), Paul tells followers that all have the capacity to bear fruit.  Our talents are spiritual gifts that are special to us and they need to be put into action for the body of Christ. 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the gifts you have given me and I pray that I use them wisely for your service.  Amen.