by Laura Courtney

One morning about five years ago, almost one year after my husband and I were married, I was making the bed. To set the scene, we were living in a very small “cabin” his parents owned that was quite cramped. As I was shuffling along the side of the bed squished between the mattress and a large dresser, I jammed my foot very roughly into something much harder than my delicate toe. I proceeded to make a loud grunting noise and angrily looked to see what on earth was so obnoxiously in my way.

 

It was my Bible. My big, hard-covered, “obnoxiously in my way” Bible.

Sometimes that might be how we look at it. A big book, full of lots of rules, that gets in the way. But in this “obnoxious book”, we read

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

 

Everything in the Bible is given to us. To teach us, correct us, and make us better people. So that we may be wise and ready for anything that may come. You’ve heard people say they wish there was a manual for life… it sounds to me like that is just what God gave us.

 

Dear God, thank you for your Word. For the hope, peace, comfort, and promises it contains. Help us to not see it as a hindrance or something that gets in our way, but to see it for what it is… your guiding answers for all our questions.

Savenit Polo (Administrator, Batey 35 School)

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (Matthew 6:26-32)

 

I live in the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean country that proclaimed its independence in 1844, but which over the years has been struggling to eradicate the deficiencies that affect it.

 

Like the Dominican Republic, many countries suffer the scourge of poverty, malnutrition and social inequality. Despite the situation, it is normal to appreciate a smile on the faces of its inhabitants, so that is proof that God, the Creator, takes care of his children.

 

Matthew 6: 26-32 gives us encouragement and reminds us that we can trust that our Heavenly Father cares for each one in any part of the world. His Word also helps us understand that we should not worry too much in this world.

 

As humans, we try to discover how God is going to work on our behalf. We despair and even lose faith, believing that God has moved away from us. He gives us a promise in his word saying “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

 

Today I invite you to place your worries in the hands of God.

 

Dear Lord, help me depend on you at all times.

by Mary Reigart

 

Certain pictures and scriptures about Jesus flash into my mind…

 

He was playful. There is a scene in the movie, ”Passion of the Christ”—one of the few that did not make me close my eyes. It was a scene between Jesus and Mary. They were splashing each other with water, laughing, teasing. It was a wonderful demonstration of a mother/son relationship. So often I think of Jesus as a baby at Christmas or in his thirties during his ministry. But I love to imagine him as a son, a sibling, a friend. Fully God and fully Man. Only our God.

 

He was responsible. So many of my contemporaries are struggling with care for aging parents. I marvel when I think of Christ on the cross, very near his death, talking to John about caring for the same mother who had cared for him. “She is your mother.“ (John 19:27) He honored his mother from his first miracle at the wedding in Canaan to the cross. Do you honor your parents?

 

Does he still feel the pain? I try not to, but my mind wanders to the cross. Pain at its worst, bullying at its best. I am reminded of an old song by Ray Boltz. “Does he still feel the pain every time I fail?” Or do we continue to doubt him like Thomas? Or deny him like Peter? I never want to hurt him but I have to wonder…

 

He so knows what we need. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) My life would be so different if I could just remember that He is God and I am not. And that we are to pray rather than worry. I repeat this scripture, use it as a password and let go, surrender until I read the prayer chain or my phone beeps.

 

The last thing on my mind. Jesus prays to the Father, to forgive those who had done this to Him. Can you imagine? Who do you need to forgive? Is there anyone for whom you keep a scorecard of wrongs? Forgiveness is for us and yet we can hold on so tightly. Scripture is clear.

by Mike Enslen This spring marks my sixth year as a youth baseball coach. As a former player and lifelong fan of the game, the role of coach fits me. I love teaching the fundamentals and complexities of baseball and seeing players progress through each season. But I found early on that my role on the field is more than just showing the kids how to field, hit and pitch. The most important lessons I try to teach them on the field include how to communicate properly with their teammates, be disciplined, show respect to coaches, umpires and other players, and recover from a missed play or strikeout. I also like to explain to them how the game is much more fun when you understand how to win with integrity, or more importantly, lose with integrity.

 

I only have these kids on my team for a few short months, which does not leave much time to make an impact. But the truth is, after the season ends I am still “coach” to this whole group of kids that I’ve worked with over the years, and I need to remain a positive example to them. They should see the lessons I have taught them being lived out in my life, no matter when or where I may cross paths with them. If I’ve done my job right, they will not just be better ballplayers and learn important life lessons, but they will see the teachings of Jesus Christ being lived out in my life!

 

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

 

This idea of “training up” is not reserved for coaches (or teachers, or church leaders, or parents…). We all have an opportunity to impact others in our daily walk. Who are you coaching in YOUR life? Maybe you’re impacting someone and you don’t even know it. It’s not easy to be “on” 100% of the time, not knowing what someone will hear you say or see you do. But what a gift we can give to others, especially those who look to us for direction, that when they look at us they see Jesus’ love and encouragement staring back at them.

 

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the opportunity to be an example for others and I pray that you would guide what I say and do as I live a life for You. Amen.

Ephesians 2:1-10

 

A few years ago, after much negotiating, I purchased a 1931 Model A Ford coupe. It spent some 15 years in a warehouse covered up by a canvas tarp. The motor was seized up and would need to be replaced. The Lord had led me to a recently rebuilt motor some months before this. I really enjoyed this “Do It Yourself” project. I bought tools and several books and went to work.

 

After many days of tugging, prying, fussing and smiling, the day of truth came. Old motor out, rebuilt motor in; now, would it run?

One of the best sounds I can remember was the sound of that motor coming to life. The life for which it was created. I might hasten to add that this sound was only topped by the sounds of that first cry for each of our four daughters.

 

I tell you this story to reflect on my life in Christ. For many years I was hiding my life and the gifts the Lord has given me under a “canvas”. When I came out from under that “canvas” and began using these gifts that God has given me, I found a new purpose in life: the life that God has intended me to live for Him. I have tried to share this story with all who will listen. The Old is gone and the New is before me and I am living it in the Risen Christ. May God bless you as you share your story with all the Lord brings into your circle of friendship.

 

Lord, it is my prayer that each one that reads this will be encouraged to share his or her testimony with others. Amen.

by Deb Seibert

Within this past year, Jeff and I have encountered a few God-given times where He has proved this to be true. An edifying situation was shared by our daughter-in-law. Her unsaved father was diagnosed with cancer and when he was asked by a pastor what he knew about Jesus, he replied that he really didn’t know much but he felt “something was different” when Jeff prayed to God. In our hearts we thanked God, realizing people really can see Jesus in our lives. The second situation was convicting. We were babysitting grandchildren in their home and I was attempting to clean a light fixture, needing Jeff’s help, but we both displayed impatience with one another. About 20 minutes later, our five year-old granddaughter said, “I really don’t think you should treat each other that way!” It was a great teaching time to share that she was absolutely right, we should be showing love, just as Jesus did.

 

People are watching you! But the important question is, are you watching Jesus? If our eyes are truly fixed on Him, we will be reading His word daily, praying, and allowing His Spirit to lead us (Romans 8:14, “Those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God.”) Jesus is our example to follow: He fixed His eyes on His Father, He memorized God’s Word, He was led by the Spirit, and He did only what His Father told Him to do. This is how Jesus obtained victory. If we have Jesus in our hearts, we should be showing the world this same victory!

 

Speaking of victory, I love the story in John 18:4-6, where Judas and the mob show up at the garden with weapons to detain Jesus. He didn’t run or flee, he STEPPED FORWARD. He didn’t ask them what they wanted or why they were there, but He asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I AM HE” Jesus said. And when Jesus said, “I AM HE,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Jesus used His own weapon, “I AM” (Jehovah) or “I AM” (God). Why did they fall? It was the power of His words; He is always the victor! And by His help we can be victors too. We have the same power that rose Jesus from the dead living in us (Romans 8:11) and we have the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) to put on daily. He supplies everything we need—He is everything we need!

 

People certainly watched Jesus and, if you are a Christian, they are watching you, too! What is the world seeing in your life?

Dear Jesus, we know that Your love is the greatest gift of all. And we know that this is a gift that must go forward. You have put us in the world at just this time, at just this place, to share You and Your love. Yes, Lord, our lives should reflect to others that we know You. But we also ask Your Spirit to lead us with Your words to share Your great love with others. Thank you, Lord!