Missions Possible ~ Africa

What a great night hosted at our Calgary campus. The African meal was wonderful, the auction was fun, the drumming a hoot, and the money raised will minister to many people in Africa for months to come. We can do more together than we can by ourselves. It is good to be a part of the worldwide family of God.

A Painful Start

Scripture ~ My sighing comes before I eat, and my groanings pour out like water. Job 3:24

Observation ~ Even before breakfast Job's heart ached. He started the day in pain. His pain and tears overflowed. We see his conviction early in the story to worship God, but he does not deny his pain. 

Application ~ There are those around me who wake up with pain. It doesn't go away ~ they go to bed with it, and they wake with it, and some even dream with it. There eyes open and they hurt. The people close to Job heard his pain. May I be close enough to people to hear their sorrow, and may I be a help.

Prayer ~ Father, please help me to minister to those who hurt, to be someone who helps.

Worthy to Suffer

Scripture ~ So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41

Observation ~ The disciples had just been beaten, and they were happy about it. They were happy that they could suffer too. It seems as this was an offering. It didn't shipwreck their faith, it didn't discourage them, it didn't slow them down and it certainly didn't dampen their spirits. It is not denying the pain, but acknowledging the reality of being identified with Jesus. They counted it as a joy. Also, it's important to note they were suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, not the world.

Application ~ When was the last time I suffered for my association with Jesus. I can't remember anything recent. What does standing up for Christ look like? What does standing out look like?

Prayer ~ Jesus, I am proud of you. I am proud to be Yours. I want the world, and the church to know that I am a follower of Christ, no matter the cost. May I be found worthy to suffer for you.

No Comprendo

Scripture ~ And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people. Nehemiah 13:24

Observation ~ The children could speak the language of the world that they were living in, but they could not speak the language of their heritage. They were so immersed in the culture, they lost their language.

Application ~ Although it is important to be able to understand, and even be able to speak, the language of the culture we live in, it is essential to be able to speak with the language of our heritage. It is not enough to have the ability to speak 'spiritually', but pass this on to the next generation. My kids need a biblical vocabulary (much like Audrey teaching them Italian), complete with a biblical perspective and an understanding of the will, the way, and the works of God. 

Prayer ~ Father, may I model for my kids a spiritual vocabulary, and may it become a part of them.

No Longer Separated

Scripture ~ Then I said to the nobles, the rulers, and the rest of the people, "The work is great and extensive, and we are separated from one another on the wall". Nehemiah 4:19

Observation ~ The task was bigger than the people and the people were separated. Nehemiah needed a strategy to bring the people together in time of attack.

Application ~ Busy world, busy lives, and people are separated. I need a plan on how to bring people together that we might not be separated. More people who would live a connected life to others. Life Together.

Prayer ~ Father, please help no one fall through the cracks in our church. We need to be connected to You, and to each other.

Great People

Scripture ~ For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it no he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.  Luke 22:27

Observation ~ As Wayne Corderio says "Jesus is found among those who serve".  Jesus was serving those who sat at the table. Not only was Jesus humbling himself as One who serves, but he was placing greatness upon those whom He served.

Application ~ I want to value the people I serve. I want them to feel a sense of 'greatness' when I serve them. The last thing I want is for them to think I am a great servant ~ I want them to sense the greatness God places on their lives.

Prayer ~ Jesus, may I serve as You served, and may people be lifted up.

Not My Concern

Scripture ~ Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Psalm 131:1

Observation ~ David wrote with a recognition of his limitations. There were things that were beyond his perspective. 

Application ~ It's wise for me to concern myself with things that concern me. I need to keep my nose out of things that are simply distractions ~ things that are not my responsibility. I need to take care of the things that are in my care.

Prayer ~ Lord, please help me keep my nose out of things that are not my business.

What's "Minas" is Yours!

Scripture ~ So he called 10 of his servants, delivered to them 10 minas, and said to them 'Do business until I come'. Luke 19:13

Observation ~ The one who earned 10 minas, and the one who earned 5 minas, were allowed to keep them. In fact, the one who earned 10, was given the one the unfaithful steward lost. It seems as though if you do something with what you have, you get to keep it. If you do nothing, it will be taken away and given to someone who will do something with it.

Application ~ I need to take an inventory of what the Lord has entrusted into my care. What do I have that he is expecting me to do something with? Money? Resources? Health? Time? Money - I can be a better steward to save more, in order to give more. Resources - I can use it up, wear it out,  make it do, or do without.  Health  - taking care of myself that I might extend the quality of time I have to serve Him. Time? Working smarter, not harder, and using it wisely so I have more 'free time' to be available for Him.

Prayer ~ Father, here on October 6th, I dedicate myself to being a better steward of what you have entrusted into my care. Teach me to be a better 'ruler'.  

Save The Jews

Scripture ~ And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions. Esther 3:13

Observation ~ It is interesting that this passage of scripture is todays reading, as today is the International Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem. 

Application ~ Today Cynthia Morris showed a video in the Calgary campus and led us at both locations in prayer for Jerusalem. 

Prayer ~ Father, may we (Cornerstone) be ones who bless Jerusalem and pray for peace within its walls. May you continue to protect the Jews, revealing yourself as the Messiah, and causing them to be the blessing you intended for them to be.

Secret Service

S ~ Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. Esther 2:10

O ~ It wasn't until Esther was in a place of power and influence that she revealed her family and people.  She came to the kingdom (of persia) for such a time as this. Had she revealed her family earlier, she may not have been in such a position. It was advantageous for her to keep her heritage secret until the right time.

A ~ It's not always the best to announce our christianity. It doesn't mean we are a bad witness; in fact, we can have a good reputation with those outside, before we let them know of our christianity.

P ~ Lord, please help me be sensitive to Your timing of the  publicness of my confession of faith.

Stay On The Wheel!

S - The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the work of Your hands. Psalm 138:8

O - The Lord will complete that which concerns me. I am confident of this very thing, that He will complete the work He has started in me. It is very liberating to both partner AND rest in the fact that He is at work in me, and at work in that which concerns me. God's completion is perfect. When He said, it is good, it was good!

A ~ I want to do my part in following Jesus, but it is by His mercy that He completes and perfects me. The job of the clay is to stay on the wheel!

P ~ Father, I know you are at work in me, and around me. Open my eyes that I may see You.

Relationship Is Our Inheritance ~ Don't Squander It

S ~ But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Luke 15:14

O ~ He spent his inheritance; that which had been saved (reserved) for him, he wasted. It wasn't until he was empty that there was a famine, and I'm sure realized, he should not have spent it all. The famine was not in the land of His father, it was in this new place that had looked so attractive. He began to be in want, not only because of the famine, but because He was out of relationship with the Father (The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want!). There was no 'want' with the father ~ they were killing the fatted calf and throwing a party, complete with rings and robes. In fact, there was so much abundance, the older brother chose to not join in ~ he must have been 'not in want'.

A ~ I don't want to live outside of relationship with the Father. The blessings of relationship only carried the son so far. I don't want to ride on those blessings only to discover that somewhere down the road I've left close relationship with God to simply enjoy the blessings that the relationship has to offer. 

P ~ Father, may I live close to You. Walk with you. Talk with you. Depend on you. Let you be my shepherd.

The Time of the Latter Rain

S ~ Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone. Zech 10:1

O ~ There is a natural time for rain, but there is a supernatural time for rain, and God is the source. He needs to be asked, and He will give it. Flashing clouds speaks to me of clouds with rain AND power.

A ~ As so many have spoken the time of rain for WaterBrook, need to remember that God will give it.

P ~ Lord, Acts 2 tells me that this is the time for latter rain. May the rain (reign) of Your Spirit pour down and may it cause growth, and nourishment, and life for everyone!