Ministers

Ministers

“You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand,
and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
(Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

        My pastor says that we are all ministers in some way. Is that true? I believe that it is a fact that most of us want to keep under our hats. Perhaps the term closet minister applies to many of us. We help, we lead by example we attend services to learn more and we silently minister to those around us. Often, we do not know when we are leading.
        In any Sunday congregation there are takers and givers. Silent ministries occur in many ways. Twenty-odd years ago, a young single couple was acting in a very special way; holding hands, whispering in each other's ears and an occasional peck on the cheek. My personal thoughts were that they were inappropriate. The pastor announced their pending wedding during that service.
        After the service, a good friend of mine mentioned how neat he thought they were and that he wished he and his wife still had that level of enthusiasm for each other. My mind crossed over and today I think that couple, without intent, set an example for older couples. They were ministers.
"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds...”.
Thought for Today: This week let us be thankful for those around us. Be at peace and demonstrate our passion and love to others.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, you have blessed us with many friends. We are surrounded and cannot avoid them. At work, on the streets and at home we are blessed. Today we want to pray for them all and especially pray that they recognize the beauty of Christian friendship.

Spiritual Prosperity

Spiritual Prosperity

“After Job had prayed for his friends,

the LORD made him prosperous again

and gave him twice as much as he had before.”

(Job 42:10)

            Prosperity is generally the result of good work; some are prosperous, and some are not. The world economy works that way. It is competitive and some people end up with more than others.

            Today ask yourself where you are in this regard and become a guaranteed winner. You see, real winning is not a financial thing at all. In our competitive business world growth has been difficult. Regarding our physical selves; growth in fitness, weight loss, and staying healthy are challenges that few change from year to year. That is why New Year’s resolutions go by the board.

            One area where we can always grow healthier and have plenty of help is spiritual growth. If you are reading this devotional you are on the right track. You see, there is no limit to God’s love and the benefits of being a spiritual being. Spiritual growth is always available, unlimited and beneficial. That is where true prosperity is found.

Thought for Today: Today let us ask if we are experiencing spiritual growth? …and why?

Prayer for Today: Lord and Father today help me grow in you, grow in my faith so that I may be a better servant. Amen

Anxiety and Faith

Anxiety and Faith

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God"
(Philippians 4:6)

            Stress is becoming an American, if not a World wide tradition; part of our life style. We often go through our week wound up like a rubber band that has been twisted tighter and tighter. However, we all recognize that the rubber band eventually breaks. When it is wound too tight or stressed too long, it snaps! We are certainly a higher life form that a rubber band, however are we similar when stressed.

            We have a way of unwinding during the most stressed of times. Mine is by writing "Good News" to people that I love. Yours may be different- exercise, meditation, a chat with a friend, reading. There are many ways to release stress. In Paul's writings in Philippians 4: 8 & 9 he suggests that Faith is a tool to help us.

 "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.
 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—
put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Focus for Today: Today let us focus selfishly on ourselves. Let's feel the peace and presence of God in our lives. When the "stress monster" wants to control our lives, let's read this passage and let "the peace of God" into our lives. As Christians we deserve peace.

Prayer for Today:  Heavenly father, the world seems to be a breeding ground for stress. Every where we look there is something to worry about; terror, hate, employment troubles, stock market woes- even severe weather. This week we pray that we may keep you and peace in our thoughts, that we have the presence of mind to make wise choices and release our stresses to find tranquility.
Amen

Life's Goals

Life Goals

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;

life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

(Luke 12 vs. 15)

            In our democratic society we are encouraged to compete in the workplace and elsewhere. In the 50’s there was the term “Keeping up with the Jones’s.” In the 90’s that seemed to become “Leave the Jones’s behind.”  The two-car family of the 60’s became the two home, four cars and a boat family of the new millennium. It is easy to understand why attendance and giving in church declined; no one has any time or money left!

            This is not meant to be a stewardship message asking for more. It is meant as a caution and designed to provoke thought. One of my blessings was being raised in a household with two cars and two homes. When we moved to Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes and 10 million lake homes, we said no way. You see, I grew up maintaining two homes with my dad and did not want to ever do that again!

            In confession June and I did have too much stuff and too many things. We downsized in 2006 and have not finished yet!

            Jesus is clear in his message as reported by Luke. Life is about spiritual growth, love within the community, helping others, being comfortable in your own skin etc. Happiness has nothing to do with stuff or things.

Thought for Today: Today let us think about what we need to get through the day and contemplate what we want. Let’s try to understand the differences.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, we are blessed and live in a great society. Today we ask forgiveness for our participation in the blatant consumerism encouraged in this world. We pray that as we move forward, we experience the blessing of learning what our real needs are and experience the true abundance of your love. Amen.