I know I’m not alone when I contemplate why I let so many opportunities slip by and I’m always able to “justify’ why I remain silent. Little excuses such as…being in a hurry, too many people around, don’t know what to say, they don’t want to hear ‘it’ anyway, too embarrassed. We’re all familiar with the excuses and we have been using them since the beginning of time and God has been reassuring us just as long. I wonder, what will I say to God if I continue in my silence?

Remember these —

Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Ex 4:10

God told Moses —

• “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.”

• Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you.  You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.  He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. Ex 4:11-16

After speaking to the people and commissioning Joshua as God had told him Moses has this to say —

• “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut 31:7-8

Jeremiah seemed to be timid when he spoke these words,

• “Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”  But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Jer 1:6-8

God assured Jeremiah he would become strong and courageous.

God told Jeremiah —

• I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land. Jer 1:18
•  ”I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore. Jer 6:27
• I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze. Jer 15:20

We must remember we do not have to be afraid to share the Good News.

• God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 
• So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Heb 13:5-6

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand — shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16 (The Message)

We have all experienced arrogant, prideful and wicked people. If not you may be living in a cave somewhere. It’s very hard for me to be around someone who is filled to the brim with pride and maintain a good attitude. After a certain point I’m tempted to smack them. Not nice but true. I do realize there isn’t much separation between my actions and their attitude if I do smack them.

The bible has much to say about arrogance and humility. It’s a bit like choosing the high road or the low road. It is pretty plain to me from the following passages how God feels about a prideful person.

The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Prov 16:5

I know I have had to repent on more than one occasion because of a prideful attitude. I don’t want God to resist me. Instead I want to take a hard look at myself and to do my best to walk in the light. Let’s face it, sometimes it’s downright hard to “live in the world” and not be “of the world.”

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

A prideful attitude will keep God far from me. Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Ps 138:6

Have you heard of the old turtle who wanted to spend the winter in Florida, but he knew he could never walk that far. He convinced a couple of geese to help him, each taking one end of a piece of rope, while he clamped his viselike jaws in the center.

The flight went fine until someone on the ground looked up in admiration and asked, “Who in the world thought of that?”

Unable to resist the chance to take credit, the turtle opened his mouth to shout, “I did—”

We have monitors to measure our blood pressure, our blood sugar and all sorts of other things. We also have the bible to measure our pride.

I can’t tell you how many times I have asked “Where does all this dust come from?” “Or how does this house get so dusty with only two people living in it?”

Recently, Russell mentioned in a lesson of man being formed from the dust of the ground and (don’t ask me why) but this popped into my mind — If we are dust, then Satan is Endust.  For those who may not know, Endust is a dusting aid which is sprayed on a dustcloth or dustmop, rather than directly on the furniture. Its purpose is to eliminate dust.

Satan-the devil, wants to break the bonds of communion between God and man. He is an enemy of all that is righteous. He wants to End-us-(t) and eliminate us spiritually. This has been his goal from the beginning when he told Eve, “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  ”For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Gen 3:4-5

Consider the following from Nelson’s Bible Dictionary. Satan’s attributes, impressive as they are, are not limitless. His power is subject to God’s restrictions (Job 1:12; Luke 4:6; 2 Thess 2:7-8). The reins of God on his activities are illustrated by Satan’s request to God for permission to afflict Job (Job 1:7-12).

Satan uses temptation and trials to makes us slaves to sin. Satan is permitted to afflict God’s people (Luke 13:16; 1 Thess 2:18; Heb 2:14). But he is never permitted to win an ultimate victory over them (John 14:30-31; 16:33).

Strength for a Christian’s victory over sin has also been provided through the death of Christ. We have assurance that “the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet” (Rom 16:20). But such personal victory depends on our will to offer resistance to Satan’s temptations (Eph 4:25-27; 1 Peter 5:8-9). To help Christians win this battle against Satan, God has provided the power of Christ’s blood (Rev 12:11), the continuing prayer of Christ in heaven for believers (Heb 7:25), the leading of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16), and various weapons for spiritual warfare (Eph 6:13-18).

While Satan wants to End-Dust we can take comfort from these passages. Jesus tells the following to his disciples and it is relevant for us today. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. John 14:30-31

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Hard to imagine this post came about from the mention of dust. I’m always asking God for guidance and it comes in all kinds of different ways.

Eccl 12:7…and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

How does one adequately describe darkness? I am not referring to being in a room without lights;  or in the stillness of a moonless night.  I am thinking of the darkness that over takes our lives at times, seemingly for no apparent reason and usually without warning.

I am usually very ‘up’ yet lately I have been feeling gloomy and I’m really not sure why. I think it may be weather related. We haven’t had any sunshine to speak of for days, and as silly as it may sound it affects my mood. (We actually have some today)

I fight it and fight it and then I start having a war in my head. I honestly struggle when this weight of (I’ll l call it darkness, because that’s what if feels like) comes over me. I remind myself that I can choose my attitude and the answer comes back basically that I’m choosing the rotten one, defiantly daring the ‘up’ me to a battle.(I know this sounds crazy!)

Most people, including my husband don’t even know when I’m going through this. He may suspect something isn’t quite right as may those who are really close to me, but I dislike this darkness so much that I try really, really hard to keep it hidden.

I call out to God, silently of course, because the calling out in my head is very loud. I want to cry about everything and I don’t, instead I stuff it down, down, down, until the lump in my throat becomes unbearable, then I steal away to another room, let the tears spill out and reappear as if nothing has happened. I ask God repeatedly “why am I feeling like this” and “what is wrong with me”? God loves me and I love him, my marriage is good, my health is good, I have an awesome family, both physical and spiritual, and I don’t have financial stress. I can practically see heads nodding in disbelief, right along with mine…how can I be down when I have so much to be thankful for?

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast. Ps 22:14

Thanks for sharing my burden today, as always I desire your prayers. I know also “This too shall pass.”

Rom 5:1-5 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us — set us right with him, make us fit for him — we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand — out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary — we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! THE MESSAGE

Rom 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. NIV

There have been periods of my life where I have not been confident. I spent many years being completely insecure, and without any sense of worth. I can tell you; it’s not a good place to be mentally or spiritually. The abuse which took place when I was a child, I’m certain is where many of these negative feelings stemmed from.

Occasionally I find those feelings trying to creep in and take a seat with my confidence, to make me the victim rather than one who is victorious. I remind myself that the confidence I now have comes from belonging to Christ. Too often Satan would have me believe a lie that I do not and can not possess confidence in Christ. Scripture destroys Satan’s lies. We can go to God in prayer with confidence through Christ.  Heb 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

I am also reminded of Rom 8:12-17 So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?”  God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. (from The Message)

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

If like me, you occasionally find your confidence wavering, or find your confidence in man or in the world I hope you will remember these scriptures. Man will disappoint us and we do not belong to the world.

Prov 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. Neither of these sounds pleasant at all.

Hope you have a confident weekend.

This article is from our bulletin this past Sunday, Mothers Day, it was written by Russell Hill our minister. If you know Russell, you know he has a heart that is on fire for the Lord. He loves us and always encourages us. We are truly blessed to have him. I have read The Shack twice and loved it and I love Russell’s thoughts here. Enjoy…

If you have read The Shack, you’ll remember what “Papa” was like in the beginning. The main character, Mack, had a horrific event in his life that caused him to be bitter towards “Papa” a.k.a. God. Like so many of us that go through tragedy, Mack was holding “Papa” responsible. As the book unfolds, Mack is brought into the presence of the trinity and taken through a healing process. When Mack first meets “Papa”, God is VERY different than our traditional thinking. God is portrayed as a woman. I’ll have to confess as I read The Shack, I struggled with the way God was portrayed. I picture God as a mighty warrior that makes John Wayne look like a sissy, not a tender compassionate mother figure.

If I remember correctly, when Mack first meets “Papa”, he also struggled with God being a woman. “Papa” simply replied back to Mack, I am like this today because this is what you need me to be.

As Mack’s journey continues and healing takes place, his love for Papa grows deep and wide. One morning when Mack meets with “Papa”, he finds God standing next to him as a dignified older man. Before Mack can ask why he appeared differently, “Papa” gently said, “because today you’re going to need a father.” Let those words sink in – “because today you’re going to need a father.”

Let me share with you a thought that seems very inconsistent, “God never changes yet God is always changing.”

It is true God never changes. He says that numerous times. (Mal. 3:6 and Heb. 5:16-18) And yet God is always changing!

 He meets us where we are with what we need. Sometimes we need a warrior to fight for us and other times we need a healer to mend us. Sometimes we need a teacher to instruct us and other times we need a friend to cry on. Sometimes we need a father to discipline us and other times we need a mother to comfort us. God knows what we need and says to us “today you’re going to need a _________” (you fill in the blank!)

A.W. Tozer wrote, an infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.

And in that giving He changes himself into whatever role is most needed at that moment to redeem us even if it means changing himself to flesh!

Father, thank you that you are both unchanging and ever changing. As we express our love today for our mothers, would you help us to praise you for the words in Isaiah, “that you will carry us in your arms and dandle us on your knees as a mother does her children.” Amen.

Faithfully Yours,

Russell

A little over a week ago I installed an upgrade from my Norton subscription, from Norton 360 Premier v.3 to Norton 360 Premier v.4. Since that time I have not been able to download pictures from my camera, which is a Canon PowerShot A630.

I am not a computer guru. I joke that I know just enough to be dangerous. After checking all that I knew to check with no results, I uninstalled and reinstalled Zoom Browser EX from the CD that came with my camera. That didn’t solve the problem. I get a message which reads “cannot detect camera” when I try to download my pictures. My thoughts lean toward the possibility my drivers for the camera software have either been blocked or disappeared, although I’m not completely sold on that thought simply because when I try to use my camera to either take a picture or view ones I’ve already taken, there is a flashing green light. Being the creature that I am, I read directions.  I checked my camera book and the flashing green light indicates the camera is either trying to download or transfer data. I’m now wondering if my camera needs some repair.

So there you have it…is it the camera, or are the drivers missing? If it is missing drivers I need help on where to find them (safely) for downloading them. If it’s the camera, should I repair it or purchase a new one. I know sometimes repairs can be more than the value. If I need a new one, what are your recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

I see a lot of Attitude at times from all ages. One of the worst is from Judge Judy. Yes, we watch her sometime. Go ahead and get the groaning out of the way.  She comments that her courtroom is her playpen and she is the only one there allowed to have attitude. My personal opinion is that she goes too far, especially in making people look bad.

Paul writes in Philippians Chapter 2 that our attitude should be the attitude of Christ — If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

We are to have –
1. A compassionate and humble spirit.
2. Be united in love
3. We are to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
5. In humility we are to consider others better than our selves and look also to their interest.
6. Be examples to the world and have diligence in the affairs of salvation.

Paul goes on to say — Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

I love this chapter; here Paul calls them dear friends and tells them to continue in their obedience, even in his absence and to continue working out their salvation with fear and trembling. In part that means be aware of enemies, difficulties and challenges, be alert, and spend time in prayer. It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

God will give us the ability to do the things mentioned, so that we may become blameless and pure children of God who will shine like stars in the universe.

There is a lot of instruction and encouragement in this one chapter and I have certainly not covered it in detail; I am deeply moved and encouraged by it though.