The Power of God

S ~ Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic. Acts 8:10

O ~ Simon demonstrated power through magic. Magic is real - or at least in the sense of being spiritual, demonic, powerful.  Not the ‘pick a card, any card’ kinda magic or illusions - but the terrible evil deceptive kind that eventually keeps people from a relationship with Jesus.

A ~ Face it - people like power. They like supernatural power. Why serve a powerless God? And yet God’s power is so much greater than temporary interventions - He intervened in eternity - the power to save a life. Look at the resurrection - that’s real power.

P ~ Lord, whenever I am tempted to say “Show us Your Power” - may I be reminded You already have. Romans 8:11 - But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you

He Makes All Thing Beautiful

S ~ The Sea was placed on a base of twelve bronze oxen, all facing outward. Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east, and the Sea rested on them. The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a water lily blossom. It could hold about 11,000 gallons of water. 1 Kings 7:25-26

O ~ I never realized what the temple might actually look like. It has never mattered to me.... not really. But then I read 11,000 gallons of water, and it reminded me of twenty million gallons of water that flow over the Trevi Fountain every day - and it was breathtaking. Probably the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen.

A ~ There is value in things looking nice. It has an emotional effect on us. As we are getting our home ready to sell, it is amazing the little things that have been left undone for years - are not being done - and they make such a difference. God created beauty to be enjoyed, not marred. Solomon’s Temple must have had the Trevi Fountain Awe Factor.

P ~ Lord, please help me to work on making everting around me, including me, beautiful. It has impact.

Useless Unless

S ~ Psalm 127:1-2

Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. 

O ~ Even though builders build and sentries guard - and we anxiously work - it is useless unless God is in it. And if He is ‘in it’, then we can rest in His love.

A ~ Unless the Lord sells a house... unless the Lord brings the buyer...unless the Lord sells the church. It’s a time to not be anxiously working, but rather working with the Lord - and resting in His love.

P ~ Lord, I come to you... with family in hand. Audrey, Robyn and Emily Dawn.... and my church family. We need 2 places to sell, and 2 places to buy.  Please  - we need Your help. Unless You help, we are sunk - but if You help, we are set.

Go To The Temple...

S ~ But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!” Acts 5:19-29

O ~ Go to the temple. 

A ~ As we have been looking for a time and a way to reopen the church building doors, I felt like I had an idea prior to my reading today. I need to start live-streaming from the church building, in preparation for our actual relaunch.  I considered starting a livestream Saturday night service, which can then be replayed on Sunday morning. If things go well on Saturday, we can just replay.  If there are rough spots, we can hopefully edit for Sunday morning.  And then this verse - go to the temple and give the people the message of life. It’s a plan, Stan.

P ~ Lord, thank You for Your Voice, and how You always lead me by Your Spirit and throughYour Word.

Obedience AND Sacrifice

S ~ But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24

O ~ There is something in sacrifice that is beautiful, when done in worship to the Lord. Obedience is better, but you don’t have to choose between them - you can do both.

A ~ I have forgotten the attitude of sacrifice in serving the Lord. I have been pastoring, and somewhere along the line, forgot that the sacrifices I make to do so, are not just for the people, but for the Lord. It’s ok if pastoring costs me something - especially if I can offer it in worship to the Lord.

P ~ Lord, I again give you my life - a living sacrifice, and may it be holy and acceptable in Your sight, which is my reasonable service ~ my spiritual act of worship.

Five Smooth Stones

S ~ These four Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them. 2 Samuel 21:22

O ~  Some people have stated that the reason why David took five smooth stones was because Goliath had four brothers.  Bupkis I say, bupkis.

A ~ I want to understand God’s Word, and to not be goofy with it. I don’t want to stretch it, read more into it, but rather I want it to stretch me, and I want to read out of it.

P ~ Lord, please keep me from goofy theology, goofy doctrine, goofy interpretations - that I might have a solid, balanced, foursquare understanding of Your word. (foursquare - not the denomination)

The King's Smile

S ~ When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain. Proverbs 16:15

O ~ A smiling King brings life, and His presence, power and favour brings refreshing. 

A ~ The plan then, to experience life and refreshing, is to make sure the King keeps smiling! As much as depends on me, may my life cause the King to smile.

P ~ Lord, I know Your favour rests on me because I am Your son, but may how I live my life bring honour to You too... and cause you to smile.