Devot. Praise Him in the Storm

 Hello Folks,

I hope you had a super week!  

Below I think is a timely reminder for all of us in the midst of the uncertainty in our world.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."  Jesus was saying to NOT worry about the next day, not to borrow trouble or look ahead, because today had enough problems of its own.

But then Jesus said in Matthew 10:29-31,  "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? (a half of a penny) and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

The Lord Jesus is saving that if God Himself notices when a bird falls out of a tree, He knows the tiny details of our lives (how many hairs we have exactly at any given time!)- and that if He cares about that little bird, we are of even more value to Him.    

I pray that the devots below remind you that the Lord Jesus is with you in whatever storms you are facing right now, He already tomorrow in His view, you and every detail of your life are very valuable to Him.  Lord bless your weekend!

Praise Him in the Storm:

https://www.dayspring.com/dailydevotion?date=2022-02-05&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion%202022-02-05&utm_term=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion

(Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/)

Devot. Love and the Heart

 DEAR FRIENDS,

BELOW ARE 2 VALENTINE THEMED DEVOTS. THAT I THOUGHT WERE THOUGHT PROVOKING AND I ALSO INCLUDED A LINK FOR A FREE BOOK.

IT'S TRUE STORIES OF LADIES WHO LIVED OUT THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES.  

THIS BOOK KEPT ME ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT AND I PLOWED THROUGH IT IN 2 NIGHTS!  I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!! IT STRENGTHENED MY FAITH...THIS WOULD BE IDEAL FOR ANYONE, BUT IF YOU HAVE TEEN OR COLLEGE GIRLS IN YOUR FAMILY, THIS WOULD BE A SUPER GIFT 🎉!

PRAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND!

FREE BOOK:

https://www.persecution.com/HEARTSOFFIRE/

DEVOT. ACCEPTING GOD'S GIFT OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE:  (CAN LISTEN TO OR READ)

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/accepting-god-s-gift-of-love    

(USED BY PERMISSION.  TAKEN FROM https://www.intouch.org/)

DEVOT. LOVE AND THE HEART BELOW.  

USED BY PERMISSION.  TAKEN FROM https://icr.org/)

February 14, 2022 Love and the Heart “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37) According to Jesus, this is “the great commandment of the law” and this is also the first verse in the New Testament to associate “love” and the “heart.” This “love,” of course, is not romantic love (the Greek word for that love is never used in the New Testament at all), but the divine type of love (Greek agape), as in “God so loved the world.” The “heart” (Greek kardia, from which come such English words as cardiology) is mentioned often in the Bible, but almost never means the actual physical organ. It refers to the emotional and spiritual components of man’s nature—“the hidden man of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4). We use “heart” for the same purposes in English. Just how this particular date came to celebrate the heart as a symbol of romantic love and to be called Valentine’s Day is uncertain. There were various emperors, popes, and religious leaders named Valentine in the early history of Christendom, including two Roman Catholics designated as Saint Valentine. In any case, Christians should remember that true Christian agape love should be manifested in our lives every day of the year. To that end, “see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22). True Christian love can only be expressed out of a heart that has been made pure. As Paul wrote young Timothy, “Now the end of the commandment is charity [that is, agape love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1 Timothy 1:5). And remember that, first of all, we must “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30). HMM

Devot. Showing Christ Like Love to Others

 Hello Folks,

I hope you had a super week!!!  

Below are some practical ways that we can express God's love to others.... Jesus said in John 13:35, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Jesus was saying, "People will know that you love and follow me, especially if you show Christian love towards each other."   

The connotation and context of this verse (based on verse 34)  is Christians showing Christ-like love to other Christians,  but we can also apply it more broadly.  

I remember a Christian in my circle of friends relating that folks where he worked said to him, "You're different, you're not like everyone else.   What makes you different?"  They were then able to share that Christ made the difference in their lives.  These folks saw Christ in him and felt His love through them.

Below are 2 practical devots. on how we can reflect Christ's love to those who need to see that He can make a difference in their lives.

Have a blessed weekend! 

(Devot. used by permission.   https://www.dayspring.com/)

6 Ways to Show Love this Year: 

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/ways-to-show-love-in-2018?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20220209WaysToShowLoveThisYearArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

A Recipe for Love from Ephesians 4:

 https://www.dayspring.com/articles/a-recipe-for-love-from-ephesians-4?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20220123LoveYourNeighborAsYourselfArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

Devot. O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

 Hello Folks,

I hope you are having a good week!!  Below are a few thoughts and a poignant song.

I found a quote this week that stated,  "I have given Christ countless ways not to love me. None of them changed His mind." (Peter Washer)

Romans 5:6 and 8 states, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  

Christ CHOOSE to die a horrible, hideous death -for YOU AND ME.  In spite of the fact that He knew we would daily hurt Him through our sin, pride and self will, He still CHOOSE to go to Calvary, die an extremely painful death and God's means of paying for each human beings ticket to Heaven, even those who would hate and reject Him and His free gift of salvation-then and now.   You have to love someone an awful lot to do that for them....

A familiar passage is John 3:16-17, "For God so loved ('so loved'-so much so that it's immense) the world, (the entire human race, past, present and future) that he gave his only begotten Son (one and only Son), that whosoever (anyone!) believeth in him should not perish, (die and spend an eternity in hell a part from the Lord Jesus) but have everlasting life. (Life forever in Heaven with Jesus!) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. "

I hope the devot. and song below will give you a more thought provoking insight into God's love for you....Have a blessed weekend!

A Prayer to Grasp the Fullness of God's Love: 

https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/a-prayer-to-grasp-the-fullness-of-gods-love.html?utm_source=Your%20Daily%20Prayer&utm_campaign=Your%20Daily%20Prayer%20-%20Crosswalk.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=5976600&recip=553026050&aps=43ab33d8004313f951deb9fb1e2e7802411b70278e7af96de065b2ae54435d80

(Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.crosswalk.com/)

Song- O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPlOQk-Rr8U

Devot. Sometimes You Just Need to Start Over

 Hello Folks!

I hope you have had a super week!!

Both of these devot.s are for the one who feels they need a 're do', a fresh slate and start in their walk with the Lord. 

Lamentations 3:22-23, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

1 Corinthians 5:17 specifically says to the one who has trusted the Lord Jesus as His Savior, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

I pray the devots. below are a blessing and encouragement to your weekend!

(Used by permission.  https://www.dayspring.com/)

Sometimes You Just Need to Start Over: 

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/sometimes-you-just-need-to-start-over?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20211226ReceivingWhatGodHasForYouArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

Ways to experience His Joy this Year: 

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/ways-to-experience-his-joy-in-2018?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20220105PostHolidayFatigueArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

Soul Winning Book

 Dear Friends, 

Have you ever wished you could tell someone else about Jesus, but didn't know where to start?

I read a book in Bible college that was simple, practical and easily shared "How do I tell someone else about Jesus?"

The Book is called "Soul Winning: The Heart of God" by Michael D. Ray (or "Mike Ray" as some updated additions note).

I would highly encourage you to purchase this book if you would love to tell your family and friends about Jesus and salvation!

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Winning-Michael-D-Ray/dp/B001EO2VKI

Here is a online download to listen to! 

http://stevereyesfamily.com/audiobooks/soulwinning-the-heart-of-god/

LIVING CROSS PRODUCTION! IN PERSON AND LIVE STREAM!

 Dear Friends!! I have an exciting invite to extend to you!

A church is MD that I have connections to with is hosting a live dramatization of the Resurrection story this week  (Good Friday week).   It’s their first time doing this since Covid started, so it's very excited!!

It will feature a live choir, orchestra, actors in a brand new, never before seen production!  (Back in the day, they even had live animals!)

As I child, from the time I was 5 to 10, my parents and I would go as part of our Resurrection weekend activities. When I became a teen, I got involved from the ages of 13-18. It was super exciting to be involved in Living Cross at that point in my life!

The Living Cross is a very well attended event, even having folks attend from other states!!

I would highly encourage you to consider going, you won’t be disappointed.  If you go, I suggest you get there early, as the building fills up quickly.

It’s completely FREE, nursery is provided for the little ones as well.

You can invite your church, youth group etc..If you have a large group attending, you can call ahead and ask for seats to be reserved.

DETAILS:

PLACE: CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR

550 BALTIMORE MD, WESTMINSTER MD 21157

https://opendoorchurch.org/promo/living-cross-2022

TIMES: 

TUESDAY, APRIL 12,

THURSDAY, APRIL 14TH

FRIDAY, APRIL 15TH 

ALL AT 7PM

If you cannot attend, it will be live streamed on Friday 4/15 @ 7pm. 

They are having it via live stream if you are interested.....

Here are the details, should be another great one!

1. Click on this link first 5 to 10 minutes before the production: https://opendoorchurch.org/Streaming

2. There will be a red button show up under this caption:

The practical teaching and powerful preaching of Church of the Open Door will strengthen your life and equip you for the challenges facing Christians in

3. The red button will say "off air" or 'on air". 

When it says 'on air", click it and it will go to a new screen.  

If the show's not ready to start yet, it will take you to an intro. screen with music, Scriptures or scrolling banners on the screen.

4. When the production is ready to begin it will look like 'real time'-everything will come to life!

I WOULD HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO, LIVESTREAM AND INVITE OTHERS!

THIS IS A POWERFUL PRESENTATION THAT SHOWS WHAT CHRIST REALLY DID FOR YOU AND ME, THE WHOLE POINT OF EASTER AND WOULD GIVES OTHERS THE CHANCE TO UNDERSTAND, EXPERIENCE WHAT JESUS DID FOR THEM AND 

BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO RECEIVE HIM AS THEIR SAVIOR AS WELL!

CALL THE CHURCH IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!

410-876-3838  (WHEN ASKED IF YOU WANT THE CHURCH OFFICE OR SCHOOL OFFICE, CLICK WHATEVER NUMBER THEY SPECIFY FOR THE CHURCH OFFICE.)