Devot. A Day to Remember

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a relaxing weekend!  This week we will focus on Memorial Day and next week go back to our new series on The Cross.

Over the weekend, one of my senators sent the following, a bit of background on the history of Memorial Day,

"Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers.  

 

During that first national celebration, former Union Gen. and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there.

 

While we all spend time with our families and friends, remember to take a moment to thank those men and women who serve today and for those who have given their lives for our country."

I agree with my senator on her last paragraph.   While we enjoyed time with our families, have barbeques and picnics, many families across our nation are using today to remember their loved one -their dads, moms, sons, daughters and spouses who bravely fought on our personal and national behalf and did not return in order that we might be free on this day.

'Memorial' means "something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday." (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/memorial) 

The video I have included below encompasses this statement and embodies the truest meaning of Memorial Day.    I found it by accident,  was deeply touched by it and felt compelled to share.  

 I use it as a means of asking you to join me in prayer this week for our military families who have loved ones currently serving, our servicemen and woman who are making sacrifices every

 day on our nation's behalf, for their safety.  Also for the families who are morning the loss of a family member who has served.   

 

If you or you loved ones have served or are serving, please accept my deepest heartfelt thanks and appreciation!

 

May the Lord bless and keep you and your loved ones this week. 

 

Please feel free to pass on this devot! 

 

Video:  http://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/moms-of-soldiers-who-died-in-the-military-share-the-meaning-of-memorial-day/vi-BBtzpZ4

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/day-remember (Used by permission. Take from http://www.icr.org/)

Devot. The Cross of Christ

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a good week! 

We will be starting on a series about the Cross, how it is the hinge point of our faith in Christ, what a difference in can make in our everyday lives. 

The symbol is sadly one of controversy in the public square, but it is a Biblical symbol of so many things- forgiveness, power over sin, death, an eternity in hell, and freedom for the one
who is spiritually and physically enslaved to the thing of this world that pull us down.

I am really looking forward to sharing this series and the meaning of the Cross with you.   I am praying it will be powerful and that you will learn something life changing each week.

Below is a song that  someone played for our church's Sunday evening service this past weekend.   As soon as I heard it, I knew I had to share it with you. The lyrics are powerful, biblical and will be our 'theme' for the next few weeks, so please listen closely.

Lord bless and keep you and yours this weekend!

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-cross-of-Christ   (Used by permission. Taken https://www.intouch.org/)

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwwwOW8eyj0

Petition: Protect Kenyan Girls

Dear Friends,
The news and petition below is tragic, but true.   Denying the facts, or not knowing about them doesn't erase reality.   We can all stand a stand to make a difference for girls around the world whose innocence is targeted by evil.  Will you stand in the gap for these girls by signing this petition and sharing it?  Think if it was you own daughter, granddaughter, sister.  Make a difference and combat this evil in your own way today!

SIGNATURES 64,206
Defend Kenyan Girls from Sexual Slavery.
Like     f   Like this on Facebook   Grace, Mutilation, rape, and sexual slavery are crushing young girls' dreams. The innocence of childhood is obliterated as girls as young as ten years old are sold off as child brides. The price is a single cow, but the cost is a lifetime of misery. This wretched and barbaric practice must end. We're taking direct action, on the ground in Kenya, to rescue these young girls and place them in safe schools. But more than that, we're taking the perpetrators of these evil acts directly to court. Sexual enslavement and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) violate both international law and Kenya's constitution. Yet diabolical local leaders continue this horror with virtual impunity. Our African office is educating local communities and fighting to hold corrupt officials accountable. We're back in court in just a few days and our deadline to file at the U.N. is quickly approaching. Time is of the essence. These girls need your voice today. Sign Our Petition: Defend Kenyan Girls from Sexual Slavery. Jordan Sekulow ACLJ Executive Director

Devot. Jesus Is God

Dear Friends,
I saw this devot. in my inbox and felt I needed to share.
Pray you learn something that is truthful today!
Taken from http://www.icr.org/

May 20, 2016 Jesus Is God “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him . . . he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:8-9)   Theologians have wrestled with the dual nature of the Lord Jesus since the beginning. On the one hand, there are those who deny or belittle His humanity, and on the other hand, there are those who deny His deity. Both natures are completely true: Jesus is fully human and fully God.   The prophets identified the coming Messiah as fully God. Isaiah 9:6 is the “naming” prophecy that specifies that the Messiah would be called “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 7:14 specifies that “the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Matthew quotes that passage and translates the Hebrew word Immanuel as “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).   The Scriptures abound with this teaching. He is called the only begotten (John 1:14, 18; 3:16; 1 John 4:9). He is called the Son of God (John 3:18; 5:25; 9:35; 11:4). He is recognized as eternal (John 17:5, 24; Colossians 1:15; Micah 5:2). He has the power of life in Himself (Romans 1:4; John 10:17-18; Colossians 1:18; Acts 13:32-33). He is given the inheritance of God (Hebrews 1:2; 3:4, 6). He performed the works of God (John 10:36-38). Even the demons and Satan recognize Christ as God (Luke 4:41; Matthew 4:3, 6). HMM III

Devot. Why the Resurrection Still Matters

Dear Friends

 

I hope you had a good weekend!   I know Easter is over, but I found this devot. sometime ago and wanted to share.

It is a powerful devot. and I pray that it is a big encouragement.

 

Lord bless you and your this week!

 

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/why-the-resurrection-still-matters  (Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

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Devot. Arise and Call Her Blessed

Dear Friends
I hope you had a good week! 

This devot. shows the extent of influence a mother, biological or spiritual can have on a young life, most especially if she is a Christian.

This devot. can apply to you as a mom, a spiritual mom, considering what type of mom to be;  if you are an unmarried guy, what type of lady to pick as the future mother of your children; if you're a dad/ grandpa, mom/grandmom what you would like your daughters or granddaughters to exhibit in character.   The applications are boundless!

Pray you learn something valuable today!  Lord bless your weekend with His peace and presence.

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/arise-call-her-blessed  (Used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

Devot. Two Mothers

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a good weekend!  Since Mother's Day was this past weekend, we are going to be doing Moms devots. this week.

For those of you who are moms, Happy Mother's Day!   For those of you who are not married, or do

not have children, I want you to think about something that I  have been reminded of this week.

 

Any lady can be a spiritual mom.  You as a Christian lady can have a godly influence on children and young people around you, be a mentor, point them to Christ in word, action and deed, be a godly example of the believes in these areas as 1 Timothy 4:12 states.

As a  spiritual mom, you can make just as much of a difference in a young life as a biological mom can and have the joy of getting to know and love them. 

 I speak from experience/what I have seen around me, even within my church.

 

If you no longer have a mom with you and wish you did, pray and ask the Lord if there is a lady in your vicinity who is lonely, maybe doesn't have kids near by that you could adopt as your mom.   Child/parent type of love doesn't have to be confined to genes.   Everyone needs to shown the love of Christ.

 

I pray this devot. is a blessing to you as it was to me and that you also learn some spiritual truth.  Lord bless and keep you and yours this week!

Devot. Below

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May 8, 2016 Two Mothers “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” (Luke 1:46-47)   Two Jewish ladies, each carrying children recently conceived, met to discuss their circumstances. Perhaps billions of mothers, before and since, have had similar encounters, but since this meeting between Mary and Elizabeth was so special and precious, perhaps we can all profit by its study.   The first thing we notice is that their conversation turned immediately to God, to praise of Him for His goodness and grace. No doubt each one experienced all the common difficulties and discomforts of these months but chose instead to dwell on their blessings and the greatness of God.   Mary especially, in the discourse introduced by our text, burst forth in a torrent of praise, singing of the virtues of her Savior and reveling in His grace (vv. 46-55). He had chosen her despite her unworthiness. Her present misunderstood circumstances were not in view at all, just her precious communion with her Lord and His gracious dealings with mankind. In all these things, she “rejoiced.”   Note that there is no hint of doubt in her song, neither is there a shrinking back from His holiness. In these verses are no fewer than 15 quotations from the Old Testament. Mary knew God’s Word well and sang it back to Him. Furthermore, she sings in humility, not calling herself “mother of God,” as some do today, but sings of “God my Saviour.”   These two mothers provide a model for each of us, especially those blessed with childbearing. May each encounter focus on Him, not just on temporal events. May our fellowship be centered in Him and in His Word, not just with friends or family. May prayer and praise burst forth from our lips, not just idle conversation. May we know all the joy and confidence of Mary and join in her song. JDM

Devot. How to Pray

Hi Folks.

 

I hope you had a super week!  

 

So we read last week on how prayer indeed makes a difference.  I have seen answers to specific prayers in my own life and the lives of others.  So not only do I trust God when He says in His Word that He hears me, I have seen the evidence first hand.

 

But let me ask, In order to have prayers answered, does it matter who we prayer to or how we end our prayers?   Yes, it does very much!  In the 1st paragraph of this devot. it mentions how Jesus gives clear directions on Who to pray to and why.

I pray you would learn something valuable this weekend.  Lord bless and keep you and yours! 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/18613  (used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/#)