Week 4: Seven Golden Lampstands

Revelation 1: 4-5 "John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth." The Book of Revelation is the account of when Jesus walked among His seven churches. He called them His seven golden lamp-stands. It is Jesus who told John,in exile on the Isle of Patmos for His faith,to write His message to His churches.

As I studied our Lord's message to His churches I noted that, without exception, His command was that they be found faithful to Christ and to keep Him the head of His church. The Lord Christ will not accept any doctrine that is being taught or proclaimed in His church other than John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'

I believe our Lord's church has gained respect from people in the community. Even among church members I see a desire to cooperate and move forward with good works as the way of showing to the world the meaning of their faith. A friend of mine related a story to me about the church where his son is pastor.

The owner of a business in the community called the pastor and invited him to have lunch with him and his employees. At lunch the pastor was treated

with utmost courtesy and respect. When lunch was finished the owner of the business stood and spoke directly to the pastor. "I have always given my employees a bonus at Christmas but this year I decided I wanted to do something different. After talking with my employees I decided to give you a

check for 2000 dollars to help any families in your membership or any families you know in the community who could use a helping hand."

The pastor told how they were able to help several families. They bought gift cards from the electrical company and gave to the families to help pay

their electric bill. They bought gift cards from service stations to help pay for gasoline as well as cards from grocery stores, department stores,

and other necessity stores.

I was impressed when the pastor related that not only did the people accept the gifts with sincere gratitude but the attitude of the business man was

sincere joy regarding what was done to give a boost to some who were struggling to keep up with their obligations.

Dear readers, I'm sure you know such happenings in your church and community so lets praise God for opening doors so we can serve Him and for the desire to follow in the steps of Jesus.

Lord Jesus, in this New Year 2007 help your church leave the comfort zone inside the sanctuary walls and go into the community where souls are hungry for your love and your salvation. May your kingdom come, your will be done and your way be emulated on earth as it is in heaven. Amen

February 2007

"Some of My Favorite Scriptures"

Week 1: A Chain Letter

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your

path.

One day when I was a young mother I received in the mail a CHAIN LETTER. The letter told me to write the above scripture ten times, place it in ten

envelopes and send them to ten different people. I have forgotten what treasure they promised would come to me if I did what they said, but the

treasure that I received was far superior to anything materially available.

After writing the scripture ten times, I had the words and the reference memorized and they became my words to live by. When I had completely

digested the meaning of the verse, the words became God's promise to ME and from then until now I seldom make any choice or decision without

acknowledging God's presence or seeking His direction.

Sometimes though, when I'm traveling down the road of life and God says turn here, I go straight on like I did not hear His direction. However, very soon I will see why He directed me to turn and I have to backtrack and turn where he said. Time and energy are wasted because I failed to listen and obey.

Dear Readers, We'll always have Satan saying to us, "go your own way it will not made any difference." If we listen to that voice we waste time and

energy every step we take on our own.

Heavenly Father, help me to be listening for your voice with confidence knowing you are always looking out for my good. Amen

Week 2: Think on These Things

Philippians 2:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is

admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Someone said the only way any person can change his mind is to think of something else. Using that scenario it is possible to control our thoughts, though difficult and takes discipline, it is possible.

Following the birth of my third child, I had a bout with mental illness. I could not make my mind focus. Since my mind was racing, performing simple

tasks would exhaust me. Using my emotions or doing tedious work requiring concentration left me fatigued.

The above scripture gave me confidence and the assurance that I could help myself somewhat. So, leaning on my Lord I began my journey.

First, I wrote the scripture on a note pad and put it on my refrigerator door. When I was afraid or thinking frightening thoughts, I read the

scripture. If my children were making me nervous, I read the scripture. Many times when I wanted to cry all day, I read the scripture. One thing I

remember that happened consistently when I read the scripture was that the Holy Spirit impressed me to call some person on the phone. Talking with

people who were close to me calmed my soul.

Next, I began to choose my train of thought. If angry, I forced my mind to think of a time when I was very happy or when an unusually funny thing

happened in my life. It worked! When daily pressures overwhelmed me I forced my mind to think of the loveliest thing I could remember seeing or a family vacation that brought me happiness.

Finally, and best of all, when my mind was all jumbled up I simply ask God to take away my negative thoughts and fill my mind with praise for Him. He

always answered the prayer as well as the times when I asked Him to reveal His presence to me.

Dear reader, calling out to God when your mind is sick and confused or you are physically ill will help build a strong, intimate relationship with Him.

Lord Jesus, stay close because whether I'm contented and happy or worried or sad, I need You every hour! Amen

Week 3: The Lord's Nation

Psalm 33: 12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance."

I can't comprehend what it would be like to live in a nation where our Lord is not God. I caught a glimpse once when I sat with a sister in Christ at

the fellowship table in our church. She had accompanied her husband on a business trip to one of the third world countries. My friend said that

during a banquet held the last night of the seminar there were people from many other countries who had come to present a paper regarding their work. She, her husband and another couple were the only Americans.

My friend tried to describe the darkness in the banquet hall, a darkness that could be felt. The lights were on but the air seemed heavy with the

darkness. She said it took her awhile to realize the darkness was due to the absence of Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

Dear Readers. Matthew 5:44-45 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Those individuals in America who have yet to accept Jesus as their Savior are sheltered under the umbrella of our Lord's light because they live in a

nation where, at this time, the majority of people claim to know Him. I don't believe we realize how blessed of God we are. The darkness my friend

felt gave her terrifying thoughts of the danger we in America live under. It could take one generation, two at the most for our nation to be so

infiltrated with other religions and beliefs that the light of Jesus would have difficulty penetrating the darkness.

Holy Father, help us stand firm on your Word and may we follow the message as it leads us to you. Let your light shine through us to America and to other nations, also. Amen

Week 4: The Lord's House

Psalm 122: 1 "I was glad when they said to me, 'let us go into the house of the Lord.'

Whether I'm in my own church with my church family or traveling, I'm disappointed if I can't go into the house of the Lord on Sunday. On one such

occasion I went to extra expense and trouble to worship with a congregation in Salzburg, Austria.

I sing with the Los Alamos, New Mexico Choral Society and once the forty-member choir made a concert tour of Western Europe. The plane landed in Munich, Germany on a Saturday. Our tour coordinator had arranged for the choir to have their own tour bus and driver to use during the eighteen days of our tour. The bus met us at the airport and took us to our hotel. The director advised us to take a short nap before dinner to help us over the jet lag since we were to give a concert that evening. He also advised us to go to bed early in order to have breakfast at 6 AM then leave on the bus for Salzburg, Austria at 7:30 AM where we would sing the mass for their morning worship service.

My husband and I had breakfast with the choir then went to our room. When we came back downstairs at 7:25 AM to board the bus to Salzburg at 7:30 , the bus had already left. I was heartsick. I was so looking forward to worshiping with God's people in Austria. The hotel desk clerk told us the

bus had only been gone a few minutes and asked if he should call us a cab so we could try to overtake the bus on the Autobahn? (Interstate freeway) "Yes," we told him. Just then a cab drove up in front of the hotel. As we got into the cab, the desk clerk explained to the cabbie , in German, what we needed. We could not understand anything the cabbie said to us but knew from what we had been told that the speed limit for trucks and busses on the Autobahn is 65 miles an hour and for passenger cars there is no speed limit. Our hope was that since the cabbie was allowed to travel at a higher rate of speed than the bus, he would overtake it.

The cabbie lost speed due to Munich's many stoplights, early Sunday morning traffic congestion and a dense fog. Finally, on the Autobahn, while we strained our eyes to see the taillights of our bus, (called coach in Germany) our driver kept saying something that sounded like "I don't think

we'll catch the coach." I kept saying, "Go on."

I glanced over our cabbie's shoulder at the the speedometer that read 125 miles an hour. My husband was sitting on the edge of his seat and I put my

hand over my eyes so I couldn't see the speedometer, and prayed harder.

Suddenly, through the fog I could make out our bus's taillights. "There it is, there it is," I exclaimed! The driver nodded in response. All cabs in

Germany are equipped with siren lights on top of their cars. The cabbie turned on his lights and our bus driver saw the whirling red lights on the

speeding vehicle behind him and stopped just as we drove along side. When the bus driver saw us in the taxi, he was very upset and apologized profusely for leaving us behind. We paid the cabbie twenty five dollars and thanked him. We hoped he understood our expression of gratitude to him for getting us to the bus. We later thanked God that we were safe and for giving us a great day beginning with a time of worship and singing with the people of Salzburg, Austria.

Dear Readers, for individuals like me, the church is an extended family. For those living through trouble and sorrow, God's church provides strength and

encouragement when they gather together with others to worship Him. His church is also the instrument through which the gospel message is proclaimed to the world.

Thank you Father for always having my needs in your mind. Help me live in gratitude and praise for your never failing love and care. Amen

March 2007

"Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Deeds"

Week 1: GIDEON

Judges 6: 14-15 "The Lord turned to Him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"

"But Lord how can I save Israel?" Gideon asked. "My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

Even after the Lord promised Gideon His power to subdue the Midianites, Gideon asked twice for a sign that it was really the Lord who was talking to

him. The Lord gave him a sign. Gideon put out a wool fleece and asked God to make dew fall on the fleece and the ground around the fleece to remain dry, which God did. And still Gideon was not convinced so he ask God to make the fleece dry and the ground around it wet. So God did.

Despite the fact that Gideon's people were continually crying out to the Lord for help because of the persecution by the Midianites, it probably had

been awhile since Gideon had heard God's voice which made him want to make sure he was hearing correctly or it was his way of cowardly stalling or

perhaps saying to the Lord, "I'm scared."

Sometimes ordinary people have trouble believing they have anything to offer God but most of the time they are the very ones He chooses to work through because ordinary people know for sure they are only instruments in the hand of a powerful but loving God. They will testify that God working through them accomplished what God needed and at the same time they themselves grew in knowledge and love for God and His purpose.

For example President Harry S. Truman was born to a farm family. After high school he joined the National Guard. Truman had no further formal education. World war one resulted in Truman's guard unit being called to active duty. While in France Truman rose to the rank of Captain. After the war he tried several types of work but none was financially suitable for starting a family. He entered local politics then became a U.S. Senator from Missouri. He was made vice president and became President upon the death of President Franklin Roosevelt. President Truman had to make the decision to use the atomic bomb that ended World War 11. He was an ordinary man who was given the responsibility of making extraordinary decisions that affected all Americans.

Dear Readers, God qualifies us for His work when we accept Him as our Savior and make Him Lord of our lives. Remember, He has the power to overcome any lacking we have, be it physical, mental or emotional and if He calls us to a task He will supply whatever we need to accomplish it and will sustain us with His love.

Father in Heaven, help me recognize your voice. Revive my soul and fill me with yourself so I can do your work when you call me. Amen

Week 2: ESTHER

Esther 4: 12-14 "When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your

father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this."

When Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, took the inhabitants of Jerusalem captive, among those carried into exile were Jehoiachin, King of Judah,

Mordecai, and his orphaned niece, Esther, whom he had adopted.

Mordecai and Esther lived in the province of Susa under the rule of King Xerxes. His queen, Vashti, was very beautiful and was entertaining the

noblemen with her charms when her King Xerxes who was also in High spirits sent his servants to bring Queen Vashti in her royal robes to him. The queen refused to come to her King. So she was fired. The servants suggested to King Xerxes that a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. The search was made and all the beautiful girls were brought in to the harem at the citadel of Susa. As was the custom the girls were given beauty treatments and the girl who was in every way lovely was Esther. When her beauty treatments were complete Esther was taken to King Xerxes and he was attracted to her more than any of the other women. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her Queen instead of Vashti.

Dear Readers, please reread the book of Esther. You will be amazed how God was with his people even while they were in exile and how he preserved a

remnant through Esther, an ordinary girl who risked her own life doing an extraordinary task for her God and saved her people.

A nurse, her five-year-old drowning-survivor patient and the survivor's mom boarded a plane in Oahu, Hawaii headed for Dallas, Texas where the survivor received two weeks of intense tests and evaluation of tests results. During that time her nurse lovingly tended to the child's needs like dispensing appropriate medicine, feeding, bathing and changing big diapers in her desire to be God's hands, voice, and feet while He works at recreating His injured creation one cell at a time. Besides the professionalism, her ordinary nurse works untiringly as a friend doing extraordinary deeds with joy.

Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, Thank you for truths from your word that show us that you will never leave us or forsake us! Amen

Week 3: JEREMIAH

Jeremiah 1: 4-8 "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, Before you were born I set you apart;

I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

"Ah, Sovereign Lord,"I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the Lord said to me,"Do not say, 'I am only a child.' you must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.

Since God created Jeremiah to prophesy, no way could he get out of the purpose for which he was born. God did keep his promise to rescue Jeremiah.

He rescued him from a sentence of death, Jeremiah 37: 11-16, receiving a beating and put in stocks Jeremiah 38: 1-8, from a cistern filled with mud

Jeremiah 20;1-3, and from prison after a beating 26: 10-11 and all because he obeyed God and said to the people what God told him to say. But his

message was not what the people wanted to hear! They never repented yet they wanted to hear that God was going to bring them back from exile to their own land. Still this ordinary man called the "weeping prophet" was obedient and kept on witnessing to God's people of their coming trials in an

extraordinary way.

Dear Readers, Abraham Lincoln was born to very poor parents. Abraham had only three months of formal education in a rural school. His mother died and his stepmother taught him to read. As a young man his love for the written word caused him to carry a book with him to read at any opportunity and led him into studying books on law. Abe (his nickname) opened his own law office and practiced law before entering politics. He became president of the United States at a crucial time in our history which following his emancipation proclamation cost him his life. Another ordinary man who gave

his life doing extraordinary deeds for America.

Thank you Lord for the brave people you send to lead and bless our nation. Help me to be your person and use me to bless the people you send into my life. Amen

Week 4: Mary Said: My Soul Glorifies the Lord

Luke 1: 38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered, "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

God's messenger did not leave Mary until she understood clearly where she fit into God's plan and had accepted her roll in it. Tradition says Mary's age was mid teens and she was at the well drawing water when the angel Gabriel came to announce to her God's plan. Mary and other Jewish young women seemed to believe the prophecy that Messiah would be born but had no knowledge of the criteria on which God would make His choice of who would mother His Messiah.

God shows his compassion when He tells people He visits unexpectedly, 'don't be afraid.' The night the angel's announced Christ's birth they told the

shepherds 'don't be afraid,' we have good news of great joy which shall be to all people.' The angel Gabriel personalized his visit by calling Mary by

name. Then assured her that she is highly favored and that the Lord is with her! The other assurance from Gabriel was that her pregnancy would be an act of Almighty God. No wonder Mary's song of joy is recorded in the Bible. An ordinary young girl was told to do and did an extraordinary deed that

changed every part of Cod's creation.

Dear Readers, My daughter and son-in-law are foster parents. God has gifted them with a love for children. Even before they had their own three children the neighborhood children would ring their doorbell and ask if my son-in-law could come out and play.

Some of the children they care for come to them from very sad circumstances like the four children under five years of age from the same family. The police found them roaming the streets. He took them to their home and found no food in their house. The policeman then took them directly to child protective services and they called my daughter and son-in-law. The children had had no structure or training and cared for themselves like little animals. They would get a jar of peanut butter and eat it with their fingers from the jar. They were never put to bed but went to sleep on the floor in front of the TV.

The first structural training my daughter and son-in-law introduced to the children was to have them sit at the table for their meal. They were read a

story and put to bed on time. At first, so they wouldn't be afraid, they all slept together in a double size bed except the baby who slept in a crib

close by. Soon they were given their own bed but still in the same room. Instead of climbing on the kitchen counter to help themselves, they were

taught to ask for a snack if they were hungry between meals. To help with forming daily patterns the children were given activities like getting

dressed, making their bed, eating breakfast at the table, brushing their teeth, and combing their hair. When they completed their activities they got

a star on a chart their foster parents made for them. My daughter said they got excited about getting a star on their chart. Before going to bed they

would put on their pajamas, brush their teeth, and put the toys away. When they finished the bedtime activities they could get another color star on

their chart. The children were with the foster parents for nine months and by that time they were healthier and had grown physically and mentally. They were given a new start in life by an ordinary couple doing extraordinary deeds for God's Glory.

Thank you Lord for your ordinary children who, because they love you are doing extraordinary deeds through out the world. What we hear from the media is everything on earth that is wrong but you are leading your children steadfastly onward and upward day after day while they draw people to your love and salvation through their work. Amen

April 2007 "The Resurrection"

Week 1: Resurrection is about Reality

1 Corinthians 15: 3-8 "For What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that

he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After

that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he

appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

The empty tomb is the strongest proof that Jesus is alive. But to satisfy the skeptics there are other conditions that substantiate that truth.

The apostle Paul wanted his readers to know that the resurrection of Christ is not an incidental part of the gospel message. It is primary. His virgin

conception, His teachings, His miracles, and the many changed lives would be meaningless if Jesus had not been made alive after He was pronounced dead on the cross, taken down, and buried in the borrowed tomb.

Dear Readers, Our Lord Jesus Christ did not leave us alone when He ascended Into heaven. He finished His earthly work by sending His Holy Spirit to live within us as our guide and comforter.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us and wanting us to be with you in your heavenly kingdom. Amen

Week 2: Resurrection is about Salvation

Corinthians 15: 1-2 "Now, brothers I want to remind you of the gospel I have preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Paul was preaching the complete gospel that includes both the Messiah's death and His resurrection. So if Christ died and was not raised from the dead on the third day His followers belief is in vain and we are all still in our sins. Paul said to deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus reveals the gospel was never really understood or believed.

Dear Readers, the indisputable fact is that Christ Jesus rose from the dead. According to Romans 8: 16, He is alive today and His Spirit that lives

within us bears witness to our spirit that we are his children.

Lord, Help me know you in the fullness of your revelation so with confidence I can teach your word to those who are hungry for your truth. Amen

Week 3: Resurrection is about Hope

1 Corinthians 15: 12-15 "But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the

dead?"

Christ is our example. During His time on earth He lived out everything we will need to know and experience before we see Him again. We have the

assurance that our Lord's resurrection experience is a valid example of our own eternal life. Because He defeated death so shall we is His promise and

our hope.

Dear readers, The great opera singer Jerome Hines was converted as a result of studying the Bible in preparing to write an opera on the life of Christ.

At a Southern Baptist gathering he sang a simple hymn that expressed the significance of his new found faith: "Blessed Assurance."

Dear Lord and Savior of Mankind, give me just the right words to say to those who have a dread of dying because they do not yet know of your victory over death. Amen

Week 4:Resurrection is about Work

John 5:17 Jesus said to them, 'My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.'

When Jesus revealed His risen self to Mary and she was clinging to Him He told her to not hinder Him that He had to go to the Father and He gave her

something to do, also. "Go tell my brothers I go to my Father and your father, my God and your God." Later when the disciples were in a locked room for fear the authorities would do to them what they did to Jesus, Jesus suddenly stepped into their midst and greeted them with, "Peace." Next, He proved his identity to them by showing them His wounds. He reminded them how He had suffered and that He had truly died.

Beginning with the song the angels sang at His birth (Luke 2: 14) and continuing to these words in John's gospel following His resurrection even

into the present, Jesus has been working to bring peace between humanity and God. This is His work of reconciliation. It is interesting to me that our

Lord left nothing to chance regarding the work His brothers has ahead of them. He told them to first, wait for the power then go and tell that He is

alive.

Dear Readers, His commission still stands. As we go we are to proclaim the message of peace: our Savior is alive! By His death and His resurrection He

conquered sin and death for those who believe on His name. We worship a living God!

Holy Father, The survival of your church through the centuries is proof of our risen and still living Savior. He is at your right hand interceding to

you for us as He works preparing a place for us. Only you know the time when our Savior will return and take us to be where He is forever! Thank you for your promise to hold us close to your heart until then. John 10: 29-30 Amen

May 2007 "Sin"

Week 1: The Definition

Isaiah 1:18-20 "Come now let us reason together," says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson they will be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

God's promise is that if Israel stayed with God and worshiped Him only, He could protect them and they would live a life of peace. Jeremiah 33:3 "Call

to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not." When they rebelled He could not protect them from the more powerful and evil nations that surrounded their small nation. They would live by the sword and of course, without God, would be defeated and carried away into captivity.

Dear Readers, we seldom hear the word sin anymore. Nevertheless, sin is a reality as is its consequences. It simply means rebelling against God. Of

course the one sin that changes everything in our lives is having deep sorrow over and repent of the sin of unbelief which is the failure to take

God at His Word and failure to believe Jesus when He said in John 14: 6, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but

through me" When we tell Jesus we are sorry for our sin against Him and ask for His forgiveness, He will forgive us and will put His Spirit in us. This

is the place where every journey with God must begin.

Thank you Lord Jesus, for the willing sacrifice you made on the cross for me and also the sacrifice you made when you left the splendor of your heavenly home where you lived in an environment of peace, tranquility, power, comfort and where you were loved, honored, and glorified, to be born and live a life of pain and sorrow where you were hated, humiliated, spit upon, insulted, rejected, beaten, tortured and then died for me because I am helpless. I cannot make myself good enough to be in God's presence so you died and rose from the grave so that when God the Father looks at me He sees you and you make me favorable in His sight. Amen

Week 2: Sin of Commission

1 Peter 2: 11 "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live

such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits."

In Genesis 2: 15-17 God simply told Adam and Eve to eat everything in the garden but the fruit of the tree of good and evil. Then another voice came

slithering along and called God a liar. (Genesis 3:4) The voice of the serpent is a disguised form of God's enemy, Satan, who is still working

today. Satan's voice tell us to do what will give us a thrill without considering the consequences. Sin is the technical term for disobeying God.

Whatever the other voice said Adam and Eve could have said no to the deceiver. Simply being and doing what God commands in His Word and what His Spirit who lives in us leads us to do will get for us a closer walk with our Heavenly Father.

Dear Readers, we must have God's power to help us overcome the temptation to commit the sin of pride, an unforgiving spirit, flying into an angry rage, speaking hurtful words, living selfishly, treating others unkindly, desiring a neighbor's material possessions, lying, cheating, stealing,

murdering by destroying someone's reputation with gossip, and seeking revenge. The answer is to pray, read God's Word and listen when the Holy

Spirit nudges us to act on God's command to repent.

Father God, help me to be like Jesus. He is my example and I need your power and your presence to emulate His love for all those folks you put in my path each day! Amen

Week 3: Sins of Omission

James 4: 17 "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

This scripture includes all people and proves that everyone has sinned and missed the mark of our Lord's Perfection. Romans 3: 23. The last command

Jesus gave us before He returned to His Father is found in Matthew 28: 23. When he said, (paraphrased) "all power is given to me in heaven and earth

therefore as you go into the world tell the good news and make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy

Spirit. Teach them to do all I have shown you to do." So what did Jesus show his disciples to do? By example and His spoken word He taught them to love everyone including their enemies the same as He did. He showed them how to be impartial and help everyone needing help regardless of race or social standing. He demonstrated how the disciples were to respond to insults, beatings, unresponsiveness, intimidation, imprisonment and death. He

promised they would never go through anything alone but He would always be by their side with His power.

Dear Readers, I can't help wondering if we had not committed the sin of omission but faithfully kept our Lord's last command how many wars would

have been averted, how few prisons would be needed and how few of our citizens would need help from the welfare system. Our churches would be so

busy doing loving deeds for one another there would be no time to quarrel or split. We could safely walk in and out of our homes in the cities, towns and villages without fear. Other sins of omission needing repentance and God's forgiveness include failure to give God praise and the credit for our

everyday blessings so our children will know and trust Him as they grow up, ignoring people when they are hurting because we don't know what to say to them, failure to love all people, failure to pray for the sick, failure to read the Bible in order to know God better, and failing to assemble

ourselves together regularly in God's church to worship Him and get our spiritual food so we can testify to the world that our God is real.

Help me Lord to change, beginning today let me be more like you, filled with compassion for everyone of your creation. Make me aware of your presence as I determine to be more caring and give you the praise, honor and glory for my salvation and for leading my life. Amen

Week 4: There is Hope

Romans 15:4 "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

Our hope is found in John 2: 1-2 "My dear children I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have one who makes our

cause His cause and speaks to the Father on our behalf--Jesus Christ, the righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for

ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Hope is probably the most wonderful four-letter word in our language. Through hope things become reality. At one time in my life I experienced a

sense of hopelessness. It was due to illness and after I prayed for God to remove it and restore to me the sense of His presence, the hope in Jesus

Christ returned in answer to that prayer.

Dear Readers, because life is so short we must not take sin lightly. Whether it is the sin of commission or omission it separates us from God and we

cannot afford to spend one minute away from our God's protection because Satan is ready at all times to drive a permanent wedge between us and our Lord and Savior. He wants to destroy our influence so folks around us will pay no attention to what we say when we talk about Jesus and His loving sacrifice for us. We can't let Satan win but if we sin we must not give up. When we bring our failures and put them at Jesus feet and tell Him our deep sorrow over our weak moments and ask for His forgiveness, He will forgive us, cleanse us, and restore the joy of His salvation to our life. We must not hold our sin inside us for it will destroy us!

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, open our eyes to the fullness of what we have in you. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Amen

June 2007 "Marriage"

Week 1: What Marriage Is

Matthew 19: 5 "and Jesus said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.'

Marriage is made up of one man and one woman who choose each other for the purpose of spending the remainder of their lives together. The goal is to keep the romance alive when circumstances are happy as well as during the inevitable crisis times, The goal is no easy endeavor to attain but with

God's wisdom and power it is possible and worth every effort both man and woman make to achieve the goal.

To help keep the love light shining even when both schedules become hectic: plan a specific time to be together. Take a walk together, at least once a month plan a date night with dinner out and perhaps some kind of entertainment: perhaps a movie at a theater or rent a movie to watch at home. After children come plan a family night at home playing games or whatever is a pleasure for everyone but marriage partners, you must still make time for just one another.

I attended the bridal shower for my Grandson's fiancee'. We were asked to write our advice that would help make a long and happy marriage. My advice was applicable for both bride and groom: have a forgiveness mindset even before there is a need to forgive and even before saying you vows during the wedding ceremony.

Dear Readers, A successful Marriage takes work. No couple wants or plans to be a part of a failed marriage. My husband and I were married sixty-one

years and sometimes even trying was difficult. It seemed like it would have been easier to have an apathetic attitude and say it's not worth all the

work, but our God is not a quitter and He worked things out for us when we acknowledged His presence and stayed close to Him. We depended on the wisdom we found in His word during those hard times.

Heavenly Father, Help the young couples who are being married this year as well as those celebrating anniversaries to seek you wisdom as they work to have happy, healthy marriages that are permanent. May they call on you for guidance when they make decisions and apply your word in both the good and hard times of wedded life. Amen

Week 2: What Marriage Is Not

2 Corinthians 6: 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Marriage is not a battlefield! When married partners are both believers in Jesus Christ the same Holy Spirit of God lives in each one. So there would

never be a need for a battle but to simply sit together at the negotiating table. Lay all aspects of the differences down and calmly discuss the

positive and negative sides of each difference and invite God to make His way clear regarding both. Keep in mind that our Lord loves each person the

same and we are all precious to Him.

Whatever means couples decide to use to solve problems their children will emulate. If they find the solution by calling on God and negotiating, their

children will use the same way when they are married and if they use divorce as the solution the children will use that as their way out of their

problems also. Running away solves nothing. Those involved keep running from one marriage to another trying to find answers instead of dealing with the problems within their own heart and soul.

Dear Readers, According to Ephesians 5: 25 a man is to love his wife as Christ loves the church and be willing to sacrifice for her as Christ

sacrificed His life for His church. And a woman is to respect her husband. The times I saw my husband willing to sacrifice his pleasures for me I could

not help but love and respect him. Where there is mutual love and respect there will be no battles but God will make the best way clear as He looks

into each heart and sees there the sincere desire of both to obtain the best for their lives now and into their future.

Lord, bless your children with good mental, physical and spiritual health that they may be a witness to your enabling power in their marriage. Amen

Week 3: A Wedding

John 2: 1-3 "On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee, Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had been invited to the

wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus mother said to him, 'They have no more wine."

Jesus obviously enjoyed family social functions. We know from His word that he was supposed to be at the Cana wedding and use the miracle that He

performed: turning water into wine, to launch His ministry. After the miracle the guests said the best wine was saved for the end of the celebration though it was usually served first. This miracle gives us the proof that Jesus enters into our lives because He wants to. He wants to be called on when there is a problem that has the potential to disrupt family life. I recall Hannah of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. She was deeply hurt because her husband's other wife bore her husband sons and she taunted Hannah because Hannah could not bear a child. Hannah cried out to God for a son and God gave her Samuel. Our Lord desires for His people to call out to Him when life is unbearable because of their painful circumstances. Remember He knows each one by name as eluded to in John 10: 3.

Dear Readers, please read all of John chapter 2 and the story of Hannah, also. The pomp and circumstance of weddings make very special memories and many time throughout their married life those memories of happy and exciting occasions are like a balm to the troubled souls of married couples as

illness or problems with children happen. When we are invited as guest to weddings, we are witnesses to the sincerity of the couple taking their vows

and can hold the couple accountable to the promises they made to each other and to God since He is a witness,also. Our part is to pray for the new home being established and give to the couple words of encouragement when needed.

Lord God, help Your children remember that You have their best interest in Your heart and to call on You for wisdom and guidance in their marriage.

Amen

Week 4: Love in Marriage

1Corinthians 13: 4-8 "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 truth. It always protects, always trusts, it

always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Dear Readers, I cannot add to the scripture regarding love, but to conclude we need more of it. Love begets compassion another necessary attribute in marriage. When we look at our mate with eyes of compassion we are looking at forgiveness. The way Jesus looked at the crowds, in Matthew 8: 36. "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless." When our mate fails in his or her responsibility we will continue on with our responsibility as though a failure never happened. In other words one failure is not an excuse for both to fail. Actually it is very beneficial to say to each other a word of thanks and a "well done" statement as well as "I love you".These words go a long way toward healing

wounds!

Many marriages fail because of alcohol or drug abuse and many fail because when problems arise in the marriage partners talk over the problem with a

friend of the opposite sex and bonding begins between them and an affair is the next voice we hear.We must keep in mind that when a problem comes we keep it between partners and God without bringing another person into the picture unless it is with a Christian counselor of the same sex. Every time I talked to God about problems with my spouse or the children and I put all the details out before Him from my perspective, He has never failed to give me guidance and sometimes He even makes the problem go away!

Lord Jesus our Savior, have mercy on the couples getting married this June. Help them to include you in their married life. Give to them an extra

measure of your grace and determination to begin and see the relationship through until they are separated only by death. Amen

July 2007 "America: One Nation Under God"

Week 1: Benefit--Freedom

2 Corinthians 3: 17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

This Bible verse is important to American Christians. If we continue to live in God's Spirit we are guaranteed continued freedom. I have toured other nations but I have never lived abroad and have no idea all the freedoms I take for granted. One very special one is the fact that here in America those children from poverty stricken backgrounds or children who grew up in households where they had everything they wanted have the same chance to get an education that will prepare them for a successful career or the employment of their choice.

If on occasion someone believes they have not been given the same opportunity we have the freedom to complain to the officials in charge with out fear of reprisal.

Dear Readers, God expects us to bring up our children in the light of Jesus Christ. If we fail to be what our Lord Christ commanded that we be we are in danger of loosing our freedom as early as one generation. We must pray and live our lives in a way that people around us will sense that Christ's Spirit is living in our being.

Thank you Lord for your gift of freedom I have in these United States of America. Please help me to never abuse my freedom. Amen

Week 2: God's Goal for America

Deuteronomy 4:9 "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

God has a goal for America Just like my dad had a goal when he was left alone to rear his daughters. Dad felt keenly his responsibility to rear his daughters in such a way that we would be responsible citizens of our nation.

He did not give us away for someone else to rear when the going got tough but remained faithful until his death. From his faithful stick-to-it-ive-ness I learned responsibility and to finish my tasks. From Dad's strict discipline I learned self-discipline. From his teaching about God I learned about Jesus and gave myself to Him at an early age and found I could depend on Him to guide my life.

Dear Readers, God's goal for America is to be a nation of happy, productive people He set free to worship Him privately and in His church or not to worship and a people who will share Christ's gospel message without fear of persecution. A people free to pursue joy and contentment with family and friends by obeying the laws of the land, caring for those who are poor, aging and ill as we continue the task our Lord started when He walked on the earth.

Our Father in Heaven, Help us refrain from putting our nation in bondage by depending on our government to supply our needs. May we seek you first with all our hearts then everything we need and your peace will be supplied through your mercy and grace. Amen

Week 3: Purpose--To Bless the World

Genesis 12: 3 "I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on the earth will be blessed through you."

God's intention was for His name to be known throughout the world. Through His people, Israel, the entire world would be blessed. Unfortunately Israel did not stay pure. Idolatry became her downfall and we find that after Jesus, God's Son came and was being rejected Jesus told Israel in his Parable of the Tenants that His vineyards would be taken from His chosen people and given to others: Matthew 21; 37-43 "last of all, he sent, his son

to them. 'They will respect my son.' He said.

"But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other. 'This is the heir, Come, let's kill him, and take his inheritance. So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" He will bring those tenants to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scripture: "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.' Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be

taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit."

Dear Readers, Clearly this is what our Lord did. He gave His inheritance to America. He gave the people who longed for freedom to worship Him the gift of a nation that truly flows with milk and honey. In America there is plenty. In America there is everything we need. In return for His gift God intends for America to bless the world just as He expected it of Israel. Since Israel failed He expects America to be faithful. For many years God has used America for home base from which He called missionaries to carry the gospel story to the nations around the world and He has called others to minister to the need for the gospel story to be told in our own nation. This year 2007, the Southern Baptist Convention has fifty

one hundred missionaries working in other nations in obedience to God's call to 'go and make disciples of all nations.' This number doesn't count the missionaries from other Evangelical denominations who are telling the gospel story to other nations, also. Through the Southern Baptist Convention God called out fifty one hundred

forty three missionaries who are working full time proclaiming to the

American people living in the towns, villages and cites of our homeland and provinces that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah Savior and that He died and arose again to provide eternal life to those who repent to Him.

Lord God, thank you for the privilege you have given America to be your instruments of love and peace to the world. Forgive our failures and restore us so we will never forget you blessed America so she can bless the world! Amen

Week 4: Promote National Harmony

Zechariah 7: 9-10 "This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In all your hearts do not think evil of each other."

This morning I'm sitting gazing at my backyard through sliding glass doors as I finally realize the reason I don't have a thick mossy grass covered yard instead of a blade of grass between weeds and bare ground is because I live in the mountains of northern New Mexico. My back yard is sloped and under the approximately two inches of soil is tufa. Nevertheless, this little plot of land and the house on it is mine. I have papers that say I paid money for it so I am the owner of this property. At this time in America's history no one can take my property from me as long as I pay the property owner's tax.

I am an example of how in our America an orphan who grew up on a farm near the foothills of the Ozark Mountains can rise above her circumstances, own a business and lead a successful productive life. Thank you Lord!

Dear Readers, America is flawed because she is inhabited by human beings who are all sinners saved only by the loving grace of Almighty God. The "one nation under God with liberty and justice for all," statement in our pledge of allegiance is significant because according to Biblical history God does not tolerate the mistreatment of poor and helpless people or the confiscation of their property by the wealthy. The fact that his Son, Jesus Christ, was born in a manger to a common woman and the first who heard the

angel's announcement of His birth was the lowly, hardworking shepherds validates the truth that God is no respecter of persons.

Dear Jesus, help America's judicial system make sure those citizens who are innocent don't suffer more while criminals go free. Help us all bend our knees before you face as we pray for you to open our eyes to what America's real needs are and may America continue to bless the world as you have blessed her. Amen

August 2007 "Fruits of Faith"

Week 1: Believe God

James 2: 23 "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness and he was called God's

friend."

The first fruit of faith is belief. Abraham believed God when God told him all the nations of the world would be blessed through him. One step at a

time Abraham's seed did bless the nations. We are blessed today because Abraham's seed produced our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dear Readers, My friends mom had nine children at a time in our nation when living conditions were hard but Mom would pray then encourage her children by promising them that times would get better. Through her faith and belief that God would answer her prayer conditions did get better. All nine children were well educated and have led successful lives.

When darkness abounds all around us it is hard to keep believing God when He promised in His word the light of the world would come but God kept His promise. Jesus came.

Father God, Help me believe you and trust you more each day. Help me be faithful to share your promises with others and may they be encouraged to believe you. Through your message of love may our unbelieving world come to faith in you and find comfort and hope. Amen

Week 2: Obedience

John 9: 5-7 "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it

on the man's eyes. "Go," He told him, "wash in the pool of Siloam (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Sometimes Jesus asked those he was healing to do the simplest task. The healing of this blind man depended on his obedience to do what Jesus said

and when he obeyed he could see. Thinking about it, what we are asked by Jesus to be and or do is simple but the evil one, Satan, fills us with fear.

I heard our pastor testify that he never wanted to be a preacher and when God called him, he ran away from God for a long time. Then one day the

burden of guilt was so heavy he could no longer refuse and surrendered to God in obedience to His call. The burden lifted and extreme joy replaced his

fearful rebellion.

In Acts 26:19 the apostle Paul declares to King Agrippa, "So then King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven." Paul is still

obeying as he continues to tell the King about preaching in Damascus, Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and to the gentiles telling them they should

repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

Dear Readers, The greatest act of obedience is our Lord's sacrificial life and death. In obedience He left the splendor of his heavenly home to carry a

cross to Calvary and die because no one else was worthy to do it. He had to obey the Father's plan or the world would no longer be. Because of His great love for mankind He willingly and lovingly gave His life in obedience to the plan ordained by the triune God before time began.

Lord of Heaven, Thank you! Amen

Week 3: Rest

Mark 6: 31 "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them 'Come with me by

yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

There are so many distractions these days just the way it was when our Lord was aware His disciples had grown weary. However, if you will read the rest of that story you will find that rest was not to be because the people saw them enter the boat and ran ahead of then on the shore. When the boat docked there were five thousand men not counting women and children and Jesus fed them. Isn't that just like our lives? When we think we'll be home free after doing just one last thing and instead we get five thousand to dos!

There is a line in an old hymn that goes, "there is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God." When we have struggled with life's decisions,

problems, and our own failures we becomes spiritually fatigued. But when we give up, confess our failures and frustrations to Jesus and repent to Him,

He provides the cleansing, refreshing power that covers our soul and the indescribable sense of peace and spiritual rest we experience is truly the

faith rest that is spoken of in Hebrews 4: 3a, "Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said."

Father in Heaven, as I experience your rest fill my cup with your love toward others. Amen

Week 4: Maturity

Hebrews 6: 1 "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from

acts that lead to death, and of faith in God."

There is a time for childhood and a time of growing up. When my babies got to be two year olds they continually used the term, me or mine, regarding

possessions. So it is with spiritual maturity. As new believers, we study, pray and testify about our salvation experience to influence others and

affirm our faith in order to grow beyond the, me and mine mindset. Obviously the writer of Hebrews is addressing a church that had failed to move beyond their salvation experience (milk stage) to more in depth study of God's word that would produce mature Christians ready to be sent by God to minister to the community and endure the persecution they were experiencing every day. Instead of being prepared to teach others they were still in need of being taught!

Dear Readers, Spiritual maturity comes as the result of an individual's hungering and thirsting for a closer relationship with Christ. When that is

attained our minds are opened and we understand from God's word how the past relates to the present. I have been reading the Old Testament and I see clearly how God worked in the lives of His people to bring about His desire for Israel. Almost like the progress of one step forward and two back He brought them to the place and time when He could safely send His Son and the people would let Jesus live long enough to bring to pass the purpose for His coming which was to live, die and rise again that we through repentance and faith in Him could live eternally in His presence.

There is so much more of the Bible I want to know and its up to me to obediently ask God to reveal His truths. When I'm ready God will give me the

knowledge of Himself that is essential to my growth in wisdom and faith. The closer I walk with God the more my faith in Him will grow and I will hunger

for an even stronger intimacy with Him. Jesus promises in His Sermon on the Mount Matthew 2: 6, "blessed are those who hunger and thirst after

righteousness for they will be filled." He is Righteousness!

Lord of Life, in my journey help me to always fix my eyes on you and walk straight into your loving arms. Amen

September 2007 "The Teacher"

Week 1: Teachers Are Respectful

1 Peter 2: 17 Show proper respect to everyone; love the brotherhood of believers, fear God and honor the king."

On the plane flight home from vacation a young college student occupied the seat next to me. I inquired of him concerning the teachers he had during his school years. Was there a favorite or one that stood out in his mind and what characteristic did the teacher have that impressed him? He told about a high school teacher who showed respect for his students. In his conversation with them he treated the students as the adults they were and not as elementary age children. Of course in return, the young man reiterated, "his students showed the teacher that same kind of Respect. He, the teacher, taught by example."

Dear Readers, we are all teachers! Every day someone is watching and emulating our attitude and our way of life. Are we teaching them how to

respect one another even if they are different and God, as Creator, Revelation 4: 11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and

honor and power, for you have created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being," Jesus Christ, as our redeemer, "John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not die but will have eternal life," and the Holy Spirit, as Counselor? John 14: 26 "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

Holy Father of all mankind, Help us to be your hands, feet and voice as we share your love with the people you send our way daily. Amen

Week 2: Teachers Are Faithful

3 John 5 "Dear friend , you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you."

My elementary teachers taught under circumstances that were not ideal, but they were faithful to their commitment to teach children of people they had never even seen before. Sunnyside rural School had three men who had the duties of a school board except that these three men paid the teachers salary. Sunnyside school had grades one through eight and every year all desks were occupied. It was difficult for one teacher to give individual attention but each one of the teachers tried really hard to help each student as needed. I recall one boy had some kind of reading disability. His father was one of the men that Miss Ione was responsible to for her salary. One time after report cards were sent home that father came and spoke privately with Miss Ione. She had tears in her eyes when she came back into the room. But she was faithful and continued to do her best to teach the boy to read in order to give him and his parents some hope for his future.

Dear Readers, Teaching is an honorable profession. It provides great opportunities to mold young lives and open the doors of their minds to the world that is waiting for them to explore and perhaps rise above their circumstances.

Those early years in our nation were difficult for teachers especially during the great depression of 1929. Some had a salary of only forty dollars a month and at Christmas they were expected to give a bag containing an apple, orange, and some candy to each student. This was paid for out of the teacher's salary. Through all the hardships most remained faithful. Because they saw the importance of education for all children, they faithfully taught with the expectation that all their students would grow up to be responsible citizens of American society.

Thank you, Lord, for my own teachers who influenced my life and elevated my hopes and dreams for a better life that did become reality. Amen

Week 3: Teaching With Wisdom

James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

A new math teacher was helping a struggling student learn his multiplication tables when suddenly the light came on for him and he exclaimed, "I see it now, I see it, no one explained it that way before!" Teachers need wisdom since every student is different and will learn at different levels. Wisdom is not intelligence. Wisdom is a mixture of intellect and discernment.

Dear Readers. A perfect example of wisdom is the story about two mothers and King Solomon. ! Kings 3: 16-28. "Now two young women came to the King and stood before him. One of them said, "My lord, this woman and I live in the same house. I had a baby while she was there with me. The third day after my child was born this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. During the night this woman's son died because she lay on him. So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. The next morning, I got up to nurse my son--and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn't the son I had borne."

The other woman said, "no! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours." But the first insisted, "No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine." And so they argued before the King.

The king said, "This one says, "my son is alive and your son is dead,' while that one says, 'No!' The living one is my son; the dead one is yours." But the first insisted, "No your son is dead and mine is alive.' Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword for the king. He then gave an order: "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other." The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king. "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him! But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!' Then the king gave his ruling; "Give the living baby to the first woman, do not kill him; she is his mother!"

King of Heaven, give your wisdom to teachers so our children will be taught well and will be prepared to lead your world back to you! Amen

Week 4: The Master Teacher

Matthew 5: 1-11 "Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down, His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you falsely and say all

kinds of evil against you because of me.

Many times when Jesus lived on earth He told stories (Parables) in order to bring home a lesson to his people. The stories He told were about conditions in which His people lived every day so they could instantly relate his stories to each other and the lesson He was teaching them regarding how to be reconciled to God and to each other.

Dear Readers, teachers who are successful as was the Master Teacher will get to know the students they teach. Jesus knew His people. He delivered them out of over four hundred years of bondage in Egypt, listened to them grumble and complain in the desert wilderness, time after time when His people lived in the land He gave them they forsook His love, worshipped graven images and were taken into captivity by their enemies. He forgave them and brought them back to their homeland. He watched them mistreat the poor of their own people. Yes, Jesus did indeed know His people but since He loved them He forgave them He taught them with insight.

Like the Master Teacher a good teacher will get to know his or her student's weak points and strong ones. They will also know their interests outside the classroom and the student's family life. To be effective a teacher will be available to help when the student are asking for it or there is evidence the student will fail if help is not received.

Lord Jesus, Thank you for all your wonderful teachers. Help your people

emulate you when they teach professionally. Amen

October 2007 "Worship"

Week 1: A Desired Kind of Worship

John 4: 2324 "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Perhaps one difficulty people have in worshiping God is that He is invisible. We have to sense His presence not see His presence. That was

certainly so with His people, Israel. When people in the surrounding nations were worshiping god's they could see that were made with their hands, Israel's God demanded His people worship Him spirit to spirit as well as with sacrifices and offerings even though the Holy Spirit had not yet come into the world to live in their hearts. However, God revealed His powerful presence to His people in vivid ways like when He fed them Manna on their journey from Egypt to Canaan, the land God had promised to them. Exodus 16:4 "Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you.'

Dear Readers, God is alive and His Spirit dwells in the hearts of those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. It's important to keep in mind that we are spiritual beings and that our spirit communicates with God's spirit to let us know we are His children, Romans 8:16, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." We are in the proper mode to worship when we see God as He is, and look at ourselves who we are, helpless without Him. We will then bow our hearts before Him in reverence and awe as we encounter His presence in true worship.

Father, I know you have poured out your blessings on your people. When we lift up your name in honor and praise you receive our worship and according to your word you will draw lost people to yourself. Amen

Week 2: Prerequisites to Worship

Psalm 95:6 "Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care."

Preparing our spirit is necessary to our worship experience. To prepare we must first, recognize who God is, next we must admit we are not His equal. He is the Creator. We are the created. We must want to encounter Him where He is on a higher level than our finite minds can comprehend. We cannot come before our God with a proud and haughty spirit. We are proud and thankful for what God is making of our lives and do realize according to John 15:5, "apart from me you can do nothing." After we meet these conditions we are ready to bow our hearts and call out His name, "Jehovah God, my Creator, forgive my sins and help me be your person for You are worthy of my praise."

Dear Readers, every benefit we have in our personal lives, in this Nation and the benefits we see in other Nations is because our God is a God of love and all power. He can do all that He wills. His desire is that in their life each person will reach their God given potential. To that end

He always answers our prayers and will give us what we request if what we request is in our own best interest. He will not however, because of His love for us, give us something we ask for if it would hurt us in the long haul. The more we encounter God in true worship as alluded to above the better we will know Him. His Spirit will teach us to discern the blessings we are to ask for that will be good for us.

Lord God, You are our one and only Savior. Help us honor You with all You have made us to be. Help us understand that we will be different individuals spiritually after we encounter You in true worship. Help us give up to you anything that is hindering us from a life changing worship experience. Amen

Week 3: Hindering Our Worship

MATTHEW 4: 9-10 "All this I will give you." Satan said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'

Our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted when He lived on earth. The first thing I notice about Jesus is that He recognized His tempter and called him by name, Satan. Today we must recognize temptations as such and since Satan is still alive and well and is tempting and deceiving us exactly as he did our Lord, we can use God's power and send him away. Satan tried to distract Jesus so He would fail in His mission to die for the salvation of God's creation. Satan doesn't want us to worship God and will hinder us with all kinds of devious distractions.

Satan tempted Jesus in three areas of human need: first, physical-food--second, ambition: using God's power to get ahead using sensationalism to draw attention to His Kingship. Last, the human need to worship that God created within every person.

Jesus was victorious over His enemy using the scripture:

Food-Deuteronomy 8:3 "Man does not live by bread alone."

Next: Deuteronomy 6:16, Building up one's own ego by wonder workings: "do not put the Lord your God to the test." Last, Matthew 4:10 "Away from me Satan for it is written, "Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.' Satan asked Jesus to commit the sin of idolatry. Satan knew how God hates idolatry yet Satan had the audacity to ask Jesus to bow down and worship him.

Dear Readers, Satan will hinder our worship as it suits his agenda. When we are in the church assembly, during our daily quiet time, or as we prayer walk along the way. Satan will hinder by finding distractions that cause our attention to be drawn in the same areas of human need as he did to our Savior. We must command him in the name and power of Jesus to leave us. Satan does possess power but God is more powerful and God loves us. Satan hates us and uses us in his effort to get back at God.

Heavenly Father, help us immediately recognize the deceiving tactics of Satan and pray to you for deliverance when he tries to minimize our need to worship You. Amen

Week 4: Results of Worship

Psalm 99:5 Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; He is holy.

So much is involved in worship but to me it simply means I consciously come into God's presence and lay all of me at His feet. My joys, happiness, trials, worries, despair, fears, sorrows, challenges, and victories I give to Him. When I'm empty of all my distractions I'm ready to give Him my total attention, my love and ready to praise Him for who He is, what He has done in the past and what He is doing now in my life and in all of His creation. I'm ready to tell Him of His greatness, mercy, grace, love and give to Him my thanksgiving, praise, honor and all the glory that is due Him.

The real truth is I'm not the same person I was before I encountered God in worship. I'm new, like I'm starting life over. On the higher level my

problems appear small while God is elevated. The gifts from the God of my salvation: healing, peace, comfort, joy, rest and sense of freedom I

receive from my encounter with Him is awesome.

Dear Readers, When we encounter God in worship we experience a sense of completeness. So in spiritual strength we soar above the "it's beyond me" occasions.

I heard the testimony of a friend as he told about his combat duty during World War 11. For Sunday worship the chaplain conducted the services in a tent with a make-shift stand for the pulpit while the Air Force attendees used empty ammunition boxes for pews. He stated that even under those conditions the atmosphere of worship was pure and the power of God's presence lifted him beyond himself and any fears he had regarding his future.

King of glory, I pray You will continually reign supreme in the hearts of your people around the world. Amen

November 2007 "Blessings: Name Them"

Week 1: BLESSINGS: LOVE

Matthew 3: 16,17 "As soon as Jesus was baptized he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, 'this is my son whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

I knew my earthly father loved me because he took care of me. He provided food, water, shelter and protection. He taught me about Jesus, God's Son. He sent me to school so I could be a good citizen of the great nation but he was not an affectionate man.

I missed the affections of a mother since my mother died before my first birthday. I wanted to help my three children know the tenderness of a

mother's love. I knew the importance of caressing them when they were very young and even when they reach the age of rebellion I became sensitive to the times when they needed me to just hold them in my arms.

Dear Readers, Perhaps you have children who need an affirmation of your love and God's love. Watch for signs of that need such as pouting or brooding, a lack of smiles and laughter, to much anger, and just plain meanness toward parents, siblings, pets and playmates. I found this to be warning signs that life was not OK with my kids.

Children may have reached the age of accountability and need to surrender their life to Christ Jesus. You can be the one to help them or take them to talk to an evangelical pastor or minister.

My first daughter at age nine became very naughty when she was ready to become a Christian. She didn't want to talk to me about it but I was able to find a time when she least expected it and simply asked, "What is troubling you?" She said a few thing but then in tears she said, "I want to give my life to Jesus and I don't know how." I was able to help her do just that by using the Bible verses John 3:16 and Romans 3:23 which were familiar to her and then praying with her. She prayed also asking God to forgive her sins and unbelief. We both found out that our Lord is never very far away from us when we need Him.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for supplying the needed sense of love and affection when they are absent from our lives. Amen

Week 2: BLESSINGS: WATER

John 4: 7 "When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 'Will you give me a drink?'

Jesus used his human thirst for a drink of water to introduce Himself to the Samaritan woman who had spent years watching and waiting for the water of life that could only come from the promised Messiah.

At our house in Southern Missouri the pump for the well water we drank and used otherwise was located very close to the back door of the kitchen. (As convenient as the act of carrying water into the house could be) People who came to our house to help Dad with the farm or just came to visit always commented about how good our water tasted. It not only tasted good it was always cool even in the heat of summer proving that we had a very deep well.

Dear Readers, Water is a blessing and preservation of our nations water supply is a big issue now especially here in the Southwest. I'm trying to be conscious of this and not waste water but we are creatures of habit and we are used to having plenty so we are extravagant in our use of God's blessings.

Lord God, I thank you for your blessing of water and that I no longer have to carry it into the house. Forgive me when I take for granted the blessing of pure, clean water. Amen

Week 3: BLESSINGS: FOOD

Mark 7: 18, 19 "Are you so dull?" He asked, Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him unclean?" For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.' (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")

Before the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came to earth, God Himself placed limitations on various foods for the health and safety of His people. In the above verses we see how things changed. Food is needed for various occasions, daily sustenance, celebrations of all kinds, and for the livelihood of those who grow the food and those who process it.

Food is comforting. I was not so keenly aware of this until once when I had a crown put on a molar tooth. My husband drove me to the dentist in Albuquerque. When the dentist was ready to install the crown he first used cold air to dry the cavity in which lay an exposed nerve. He did not numb the nerve but using his full strength he pressed the crown on over the tooth. The pain was so severe I fought to keep the tears back as I paid my bill at the front desk and on the highway as my husband drove toward home. It was late so we decided to eat dinner in Santa Fe. I could hardly eat but as I ate the meal the pain subsided and I suddenly felt a sense of comfort wash over me. I realized for the first time there is such a thing as comfort gained from eating. Especially when physical pain is involved.

Dear Readers, Comparing the cost of food when I was growing up on the farm during the great depression and now is interesting. My dad, sisters and I worked in the fields. We were paid at noon on Saturday. Saturday afternoon we walked three miles to the small town where Dad bought supplies. There wasn't much money to spare but Dad gave each of us fifteen cents to buy our lunch. At the restaurant we purchased a regular size hamburger for a dime and the soda of our choice for a nickel. Today it is difficult to get a lunch for less than five dollars.

Holy Father, Thank you for providing food during those hard times when our nation was depressed. Thank you for leading your people to share what they could with those who had less and for keeping us strong and healthy. Help us understand it was in your loving care that we survived to praise your Name. Amen

Week 4: BLESSINGS: SHELTER

John 12: 3 "Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus feet and wiped his feet with her hair, And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Wherever Jesus is, His presence is like a sweet fragrance that penetrates every area of our life just as the perfume that Mary poured on His feet

penetrated every room of the house where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. I'm so thankful for the shelter God has blessed me with. It is no mansion but when the cold wind in the winter is whistling around the outside corners of my house, inside I have a comfortable place to eat and rest.

As a child the house where I lived in southern Missouri was not always as protective. Since my dad did well to provide food and clothing for our

bodies there was not money for repairing a roof so at times it leaked and buckets were place to catch the water.

I heard a true story about a young couple that married during the depression years and someone gave them a cook stove for a wedding gift. The only problem was the stove pipes cost ten cents each and they needed two pipes. It took the couple two years to save enough to buy the pipes to install and use their cook stove.

Dear Readers, Another blessed shelter is the house of worship . The church house provides a comfortable place to worship our God. So far we have freedom to go to our church house without fear of interference from any government authority. Lets thank God this season for our freedom and do what is necessary to guard it.

Lord Jesus, Thank you for the freedom of soul we sense when we truly worship you. So much is ours in this blessed America because of the price you paid for our salvation. Amen

December 2007 "Who is this Jesus?"

Week 1 JESUS IS: IMMANUEL--GOD WITH US

Luke 2: 27-32 "Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your SALVATION, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

It was revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would live to see God's Messiah. Thus he was ready to depart when he held eight day old Jesus in his arms and knew the Baby was indeed the promised one. It was a great revelation for those who had faithfully watched and waited for Jesus to come though they did not fully understand what it would mean to have "God With Us."

When I'm expecting overnight guests I clean my house, giving special attention to my guest's bedroom. I prepare my guest's favorite food,

favorite entertainment and all I can think of to do that will help them feel comfortable and welcome. God's Spirit prepared the hearts and minds of His faithful people like Simeon to recognize and receive God's greatest Gift to mankind.

Dear Readers, From generation to generation God's people passed the word along that hope for all mankind was on the way. Are we adequately helping our children prepare for their future roll as children of the King, Jesus Christ? Will they understand the Holy Spirit's message when the time is right for them to repent and ask Jesus to come into their heart and control their life?

Heavenly Father, Help us make the message clear and plain that you provided hope for us when your Messiah was born over two thousand years ago. His Spirit is still here and awaits our repentant response to His loving sacrifice of life then death on the cross for our sins. Amen

Week 2: JESUS IS: WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

Isaiah 61: 1-3 "The Spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, release from darkness for the Prisoners, proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Of all the counselors I've heard about in my lifetime, Jesus, according to the description of a counselor in Isaiah is several cuts above any of them. The best description of Him is, WONDERFUL!

Dear Readers, Can you imagine sitting down and talking about life's deep concerns, heartaches and grief with this counselor and have Him in words and His Spirit of love make life full of beauty instead of ashes and be the oil of gladness and joy instead of weeping and mourning over sin, failure or illness. A touch of Heaven! Many times when I'm facing something in life that is beyond me I long to just sit awhile and talk face to face with this Man who has all power and love embodied in His being. Like the time my sixteen year old granddaughter died as the result of an automobile accident. I wondered how to move on beyond the loss of our child and also the loss of future generations of our family that were formerly possible through her.

Lord of Life, You are truly God with us. I remember that you came as the Baby in the manger through a virgin called, Mary. Thank you for coming to be the Savior of ordinary people like me as well as Kings and Rulers. Amen

Week 3: JESUS: IS LIGHT

John 8: 12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

The birth of Christ caused a breakthrough in the anguish of darkness that had long fallen upon Israel; a darkness that was seemingly without end.

Jesus was talking about that kind of darkness. A darkness that is heavy because of the blindness of sin. The truth is that darkness conceals. Light reveals. Darkness is the symbol of wrong or error and evil; light is the symbol of goodness and truth. The saddest truth today is that blind hearts are still rejecting Jesus, their only hope for real enlightenment of His love.

However, denying the existence of the sun does not obliterate it. I'm reminded of the winters on the farm in southern Missouri when cloudy days seemed dark and dreary for what seemed like weeks. Then one day in the late afternoon a breakthrough in the clouds opened and the bright light rays from the sun came shining through. What a difference it made in my spirit just to remember once again that somewhere the sun is always shining.

Dear Readers, We are being threatened with spiritual darkness on every hand. Even God's people are carried away with the post-modern mindset: believing there are no absolutes, no right and wrong. Sin and truth are not considered; only instant gratification. The consequences for today's behavior doesn't seem to matter to the now generation. If our world is to survive, as God's people, we must take a stand for truth

from His word.

God of Heaven, restore the desire in your people's heart to live lives that reflect their love and gratitude for the coming of your Light to earth two

thousand plus years ago! Amen

Week 4: JESUS IS: THE PRINCE OF PEACE

John 14: 27 "Peace I leave with you my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

This peace that God gives through His Son is not just freedom from war. The peace that Christ gives is a sense of wellbeing or tranquility regardless of circumstances. This kind of peace is hard to fathom. Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Dear Readers, I experience this peace each time I encounter God in true worship. It is a peace that frees me from tension, worry, guilt, and

self-condemnation, but on the other side of experience I have conflict when I yield to the drive of my fleshly nature and the desire for

self-fulfillment crowds out the still small voice of Jesus that is calling me to serve Him by serving others. I have learned a perpetual truth. When I listen to the desires Jesus has for my life instead of my own desires it is easier to hear the still small voice of Jesus calling me into His service and there in I find His peace.

Lord of Heaven and Earth, Thank you for the sacrifice you made when you left your position in heaven to come to earth because of your love for your creation. In your coming you have made it possible for us to be in your presence forever. Help your church to be faithful in carrying on your work as you commanded until we see you face to face. Amen

2007 Devotions

January 2007 "Seven"

Week 1: Creation

Week 2: Seventy Times Seven

Week 3: Seven Trumpets Over Jericho