Devotional 8-26-16

Prayer

Why do we pray? How do we pray? What answers do we want from prayer? How do I receive the answer to to my prayer? Praying is hard!

These are a few questions regarding prayer and I will not answer them.  I am not about to teach you how to pray.  What I will say is that prayer is a conversation with God.  Just as we converse with anyone in our daily lives.  The difference is that we are talking with God, one that we do not physical see.  Oh, we see and hear him in many away, just look around there he is.  And what we see or hear might be the answer to our prayer.  Sometimes our lack of an answer to what we want may be our answer.  Sometime ago my career had changed following many prayers.  But at a point in this new career I started having doubts.  Again I prayed, had I taken the right path?  I didn't feel I was receiving an answer until one day I realized that the lack of an expected answer was my answer.  This new career was were God wanted me to be.

In a recent reading by Norman Vincent Peale this quote; "prayer will bring you to the point where you will accept what God wants." The answer will not be immediate but it will come.

While you are praying let God and Jesus know that you love them and thank them for all that have done for you. Re-dedicate your life to them.  Be like a child, that is of love and trust in God.

"Prayer with this attitude can change your life wonderfully" (Norman Vincent Peale)
So pray daily have that cup of coffee or tea with your Father God. Enjoy the conversation no matter what is happening in your life he is there to guide you, even give you relief. 

From the Common English Bible:
Matthew 6:9-13 Pray like this: Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Amen

With Peace, Love and Blessings
Fred Herr
Inspired by the Holy Spirit and the writing of his servant Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.  

Devotional 8-19-16

Hold Hands and Dance

My 16 year old granddaughter, Savannah, had just finished a very traumatic 24 hours, “Gramma,”  she asked, “Why can’t we all just get along? Why can’t we all just hold hands and dance?” My heart broke for her, but the imagery that her question inspired has stuck with me. Why can’t we all just hold hands and dance?

John 3:16-17 tells us that God sent his Son into the world, not to judge the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. God sent Jesus into a chaotic world full of hate, greed, fear, jealousy, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings. Sound familiar? He sent Him to save us from ourselves. Jesus not only brought us forgiveness from our sins, He taught us how to live. He taught us not to judge others. He taught us to forgive ourselves and others. Most of all He taught us to love God and each other. I can’t help but wonder what would happen if all the world just lived by these simple precepts. Could we all just get along? Could Gods plan be for the world to hold hands and dance?

Margaret Williams

Devotional 8-12-16

This was taken from  book "Poems of Inspiration and Comfort" by Deborah Bell

God can Handle It

I an the vine, he are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.   John 15:5

I tried to do it on my own...I tried to work it out
I knew that God could handle it (with just a little doubt)
I was closer with each step I took...new hope each day arose
But when I'd near the end it seemed the book would quickly close.

From my Lord these words then came...My Child...just move aside
I heard your prayer...now here I am but both My hands are tied
Yes...I will give all things you ask...just ask in faith and believe
Then do your part...and step aside...do not My Spirit grieve
You ask but still continue on so what am I to do
I cannot work a mighty work until your work is through

So...I laid aside my selfish will and moved out of the way
I left it in God's loving hands and left it there to stay
He intervened so lovingly with timing and with skill
I laid my crown down at His feet...and yielded to His will....

Let us pray:
Thank you God for loving us and for always listening to us. All we must do is to let go and let you take care of us by believing in faith and the Holy Spirit to see us through! Keep all of your children in your loving arms and bless them all!
Amen

Melanie Herr

Devotional 8-5-16

SISTERLY ADVICE 

“This is the world today.”  Mass attacks, Terror Attacks, Killing policemen, Killing the innocent, Black Lives Matter, White lives matter, All lives matter, foul language in politics…….Enough!   Enough!  I hurt!  Stop it! And it continues….I cannot accept it, I will not accept it!  And it continues….I hurt!  I hurt!  What can I do?  What can I do?  I expressed this in my Sunday school last week. Every day and every night when turning on the news, there it is again! Some say turn off the news. That did not help.

I have a sister who is younger than me. If you have one of them, you know sisters. Sometimes when talking with your sister, one is thinking ahead of what to say next and not really concentrating on listening. So I was expressing my pain with the world and how I was hurting, when all of a sudden, I found myself really listening. She said, “Take yourself out of the picture, quit letting it be about you.” Think of the victims and their pain.  Pray to God to help them deal with their pain and sorrow.  Prayer can be a most powerful resource for them and the world.  Ask God to help THEM and not YOU. My little sister had definitely judged me and hit the nail on the head. I do not take sister criticism well but I finally saw what I was doing to myself.  So now I pledge to what a good Christian should do----Pray for God’s healing power for the victims of all the chaos that is happening in this country and world.

Today’s sermon by Rev. Deane was about Mary and Martha.  Martha was so concerned about food preparation and was upset with Mary’s not helping her that she complained to Jesus about it. Jesus told her that Mary had chosen best to listen to Him.  I think my sister told me that to quit complaining and Let God handle it. Sisterly advice that struck home.

Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, Help us to keep in mind that prayer can be most powerful, especially when we consider others more than ourselves.     Amen  

Carolee Brown