Day 11 21-Day Challenge

I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Check out that dive!!! (Has nothing to do with todays's journal entry. Sorry.)

"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." John 11:27 NIV

This is cool - I never got this before from this passage. Always got hung up on what is about to happen with Lazarus coming back to life. These words were spoken by Martha. Martha, and her sister Mary, were close friends of Jesus (along with brother Lazarus) and their story is well-known. In Luke 10 we learn that Martha is upset because her sister won't help in the kitchen while Jesus is visiting. All Mary wants is to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him. When Martha complains Jesus says that Mary has chosen what is better. That discussion was all about priorities.

And now Martha has figured it out. She is the first one to meet Jesus and her faith in Him is immovable. "But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." vs. 22 Incredible faith from a person who was basically chastised (or that's how I see it) by Jesus. Martha has figured out what is priority in her life. Jesus has become for her a Rock, even in a horrible time of her life.

I see myself in this situation. I get hung up on going and doing and I often feel that being busy makes me successful in God's eyes. The chastising that Martha got is also for me. I need to focus on priorities. I need to place my trust in the Immovable Rock. I have to be willing to spend time at the feet of Jesus. Then I know that every detail of life will fall into place.

God, help me to remember today that being busy at Your work doesn't mean I'm really getting anywhere. Help me to slow down and listen to the voice of Your Son. Only by sitting at His feet will I be able to get my priorities in line with Your plans for me. Thank You that You have plans for me - to prosper me and not allow harm to come to me. You are my Rock and my Hope. Amen.

Day 10 21-Day Challenge

"I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:16 NIV

Early in Jesus' ministry he is telling the Jews that they are not God's "only" people - there are others. And He pouts forth the idea of unity - one flock and one shepherd. God's perfect plan for the church and it has gotten so far off-track. God wants us unified as His one church and we can't even get along within our own local church family. God must be dismayed with our choices and our actions.

God, forgive me for the times I treat the church as my own turf. Help me see Your plan for the unity of the church - one flock and One Shepherd. Thank You for the Shepherd. Amen

P.S. I am concerned for the families of our church and our communities. There is this attack going on that is trying to destroy our marriages and families. Please join with me to pray that Satan will not be able to destroy any more marriages. That God will strengthen our marriages and our families. Thanks.

Day 9 21-Day Challenge

He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see."

Jesus healed many people of blindness. He wanted people to see and understand the fullness of the beauty of God's creation. Such an incredible gift. He also heals us of spiritual blindness. Jesus wants to open the eyes of my heart so I can look at the world and see a glimpse of what God sees. God looks and sees hurting people, messed up, lost, blind, stumbling around in spiritual darkness and He desires to heal us of our blindness. This man knew one thing - he was blind and now he can see. This brought him to faith in Jesus - a simple yet strong faith in God's Son.

God, open my eyes and my heart to You and Your plan today. Strengthen my faith. You saved me - that one thing I will focus on today. Amen.

Day 8 21-Day Challenge

"...because his time had not yet come." John 8:20 NIV

Jesus is on this incredible mission - a journey - and nothing will stop God's plan. People try to turn against Him. The religious authorities want Him dead. But no one can get their hands on Him, because God says it is not yet the right time.

God is on control. God's plan is perfect - timing for everything, including my life. If we could just remember that. Healing comes in God's time. Answers to our prayers - they come according to God's plan. And above all of this is the fact of His perfect love for me and for you. It is great to know that I am within His love and His plan.

Thank You, Father. Amen.

Day 7 21-Day Challenge

"Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee." John 7:52

Rumors, gossip, hearsay - all this junk being spread around about Jesus. and they were wrong. They knew Messiah would come from Bethlehem, but Jesus was from Galilee. How could they know something so definitely and be so wrong? There is a strong message for me as a leader of God's people - don't jump to any conclusions; don't believe everything I hear. All kinds of junk might be flying around, but I have to weigh the truth and be cautious.

God, as I work with Your church, help me to see the truth, to be patient, and to love Your children the way You do. Amen.

Day 6 21-Day Challenge

"From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him." John 6:66

These followers of Jesus had just been part of a HUGE miracle - thousands of them had eaten their fill of fish and bread. The next day they began to question and doubt. "Many" of them turned away. That is so sad - to be with Jesus and see Him work and yet not believe.

But I am no different. I have seen Jesus work in so many ways in my life and in the lives of others, but I go through these times when I question and I have my doubts. I want my faith to be unwavering, but it still happens and I hate this about myself.

Forgive me, Father, for those times I doubt. You show Yourself to me in so many ways. You are so great to me. I want to be strong. Strengthen my faith. Amen.

Day 5 21-Day Challenge

OK. I had no Internet at home over the holiday, so I am typing in what I journaled at home. Sorry for all this at once. I am enjoying this study of the book of John - pretty cool.

"The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there." John 5:13 NIV
Imagine this encounter - 38 years crippled and hoping for something to change, but every day it was the same - waiting. This one day a stranger shows up and the man is healed. Of all of the people gathered there who needed healing, Jesus chose this man. Talk about life-changing. A personal encounter with Jesus, whether you know Him or not, will change your life and your future.

Thank You, God, for sending Jesus and for the "encounter" I had with Him. Please help me to remember the significance of this encounter - I have a hope for the future because of You, because of Your Son. Amen.

Day 4 21-Day Challenge

I love the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. There are so many great lessons there. Today, though, this verse caught my attention - "They said to the woman, 'We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and WE KNOW that this man really is the Savior of the world.'"
The woman by the well was telling everyone about her encounter with Jesus. Her invitation brought them to Jesus, but it was hearing it for themselves that opened their souls to God. This tells me how important it is that I tell people about God and invite them to come hear about Jesus. But the work of opening their hearts is God's part of the process. I am not responsible if someone refuses to accept God.
We are in partnership with God - we share and invite - He touches the hearts of people and causes change. God chooses to use you and me to get His Word out there.
Thanks God for Your plan. You said that the harvest is plentiful - make me a harvester for You. You have blessed me in so many ways. On Thanksgiving and every day I praise You. Amen.

Day #3 - 21-Day Challenge

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15 NIV

This verse is a reference by Jesus to the action of Moses with the nation of Israel. So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. Numbers 21:9 (NIV) Any person could be saved from death by simply looking at the snake that had been placed on a pole. When Jesus is lifted up people are saved by looking to him. Later Jesus would state that when he is lifted up he will draw all men to himself. This is a reference to his death on the cross and how life comes to us through that act of sacrifice. He gave everything as He allowed Himself to be placed on the cross and hoisted into the air. That act allows me to look to Him for my hope.

Another thing I think of here is that I have the responsibility to "lift Jesus up" so that others have the opportunity to see Jesus. As a follower of Jesus I have the opportunity to use my life to show others the power of God. I see this as the most important thing I can do with my life. It is vital that the church be lifting Jesus up and allowing people to catch a glimpse of Him.

How do we "lift Jesus up"? What things should our church family be involved with that will show others the power of God to change their lives? This really speaks to being careful the things we get involved with. Do our church programs lift up Jesus and help others see Him? That is the question I have to consider as I look at the work of the church. In my personal spiritual life I have to be sure I am showing others what God is doing in my life. Pretty heavy stuff.

Thank You Father for the life You offer through Jesus. My salvation comes through the fact that Jesus was placed on a cross to die. My future hope was cemented when Jesus walked out of the tomb. You are an awesome Dad. I love You.

Day #2 "21 Day Challenge"

How are you doing on your reading from the book of John? It's not too late to get started.

This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. John 2:11 NIV

Jesus turned water to wine at this wedding celebration. That was his first miracle. John doesn’t focus on the wine, but he looks at the purpose of doing the miracle. Jesus used this event to give his followers a glimpse of who he really is. He revealed his glory to them. They could not have understood the whole picture of who Jesus was, but they got these insights little by little. Moses encountered God’s glory on Mt. Sinai. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen. Exodus 33:22-23 (NIV) No human can fathom the full picture of God’s glory. Our finite minds would collapse. But God understands this and He gives us these little clips along the way. Not until he had died and come back to life could the disciples begin to comprehend most of his actions. But they got this glimpse. Because of this revelation, these guys made up their minds. “We are going to follow this man. We trust him.”

In my mind I think about those first followers and I wonder why they had to have all of these signs and wonders in order to truly believe in Jesus. They got to be with him and hear him speak and see him heal people and yet they struggled to put their faith in him. I like to think that I don’t need those signs in order to believe. I simply put my trust in him.

Deep down I know I am just like those very first followers. I go through times when I question God and I wonder why certain things happen and other things don’t happen. I’m sure you struggle with these spiritual questions like I do. We are just humans. I look for signs that show me who God is; signs that reveal his glory. And just when I need a reassurance about God’s presence in my life, He steps in and He works and I am blown away all over again. Then I put my faith in him. I wish I wasn’t so human like that, but I am. Seeing is believing.

God continues to show Himself for me and for you every day. Sometimes I see His Hand at work. Other times I’m not paying attention and I miss it. This doesn’t mean He is not working. Just means I forgot to tune in.
God, help me today to tune in to what You are doing. Thank You for honoring my doubts by showing Yourself over and over and over again. Thank You for sending these signs my way and letting me get another glimpse of You and Your glory. Today, Father, I put my faith and trust in You. Thank You for the plan You have put in place for my life. Use me and my small faith today in an amazing way. Blow me away with Your love. Again and again and again. Amen.

Day One - 21 Day Challenge

I am excited this morning. It is the first day of our 21-Day Journaling adventure and I cannot wait to see and hear what God has planned for us. We are going to read one chapter from the gospel of John each day and then simply write about what we find. Are you up to the challenge? Am I?

Many things jumped out at me today as I read - Jesus gives light to every man, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, but here is where I landed today:

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. John 1:40-42

The first thing Andrew did... Andrew had an encounter with Jesus and it changed him. Andrew knew that this information was too great to keep it inside of him. And notice who he tells - his brother, Peter. Peter who became such a great leader in the church was brought to Jesus through the excitement of Andrew.

I hope you have had that encounter in your life. Jesus will rock your world when you let Him come into Your life. I know that my life would not be as great as it is without the presence of God in me. But how many of us can say that the first thought on our minds is, "Who else needs to know about this? Who can I tell?" I love that sense of excitement and expectation. I love it when I get to be a small part of people meeting God and accepting him.

I hate it when I lose that sense of excitement - when it feels like going through the motions. God, You know my heart is for lost people. Please take that spark in me and increase it so that I cannot help but tell everyone I meet about how great and loving You are. There are so many people right outside my door who are lost and struggling to survive. God, don't let me ever forget that I have within me the power to change the world. Andrew came into contact with Your power and he couldn't keep it to himself. God, forgive me for losing sight of your plan and for becoming lackadaisical about being your witness. Give me the confidence of Andrew so that my first thought is always to tell people about you. God use me today to impact your children. That next person I talk to is important to you. Amen

Let's keep first things first, shall we?

Sell Something Valuable

A few weeks back I asked New Community to consider selling some item of value on Ebay (or some other method) and then give the proceeds to fund our benevolent ministries. Several people gave cash donations to purchase trucks full of food for area disbursement. So far we have received $ to fund 4 truckloads of food. That is so awesome. And just yesterday we received a check from the first item that someone sold. That $100 check is the seed money for some great ministry that will be accomplished throughout Grundy County. I am excited about how this church family steps up to meet needs. I love these people! This picture is from one of our "Feed the Need" food drives. We always have so many generous volunteers when we are out there serving. Thanks, New Community.