dW 02.06.08

 

A friend sent this Our Daily Bread entry to me this morning. I enjoyed it and wanted to forward it on for your edification as well. -Kyle

 

You, being dead in your trespasses, . . . He has made alive together with Him. —Colossians 2:13

 

On February 6, 1958, a chartered plane carrying most of the members of the English football (soccer) club Manchester United crashed on takeoff from Munich, Germany. With so many of their star players lost, some despaired over prospects for the club’s survival. Yet today it is one of the best-known teams in the world. Fittingly, the man who rebuilt the team, Matt Busby, survived the crash himself.

 

Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus’ arrest and subsequent crucifixion caused many of His followers to despair. The disciples themselves had lost hope. But their despondency evaporated on that first Easter morning when they found that the stone sealing the tomb had been moved aside (John 20:1). Jesus had risen!

 

Jesus soon appeared to Mary Magdalene (vv.11-16) and then to His disciples, who had gathered behind locked doors (v.19). His visit brought a remarkable change in them. As one version renders it, they were “overjoyed” (v.20 NIV).

 

Perhaps your world has crashed around you. It may be a deeply personal loss, a tragedy in your family, or some other great trial. Jesus’ resurrection proved that He is greater than the greatest obstacles. He can rebuild your life—as He did with His disciples—starting today.  — C. P. Hia

 

He rose! And with Him hope arose, and life and light. Men said, “Not Christ, but death, died yesternight.” And joy and truth and all things virtuous rose when He rose. —Anon.

 

God can turn any difficulty into an opportunity.

 

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/02/06/devotion.aspx

 

dW 02.04.09

 

scripture

 

Philippians 1:21

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

 

quote

 

Jesus wants full access to all areas of your life. Don’t tell Him that He cannot go into that room. “Oh, Jesus let’s stay in the living room. You don’t want to see what’s in my bedroom. Don’t go into my office.” If it is like that, then you need to clean house! Nothing needs to be hidden from Him because He already knows. Furthermore, He already died and rose again so that He can erase those wrongs and hurts within your life. Do not fear accusation from Jesus! Open up your arms and let His forgiveness embrace you.

Pastor Martin Lewis, (paraphrase from today’s sermon during college hour)

 

thoughts

 

I am asked to attend College Hour at the university a certain amount during each semester. On Wednesdays I take a long lunch to attend the service. I enjoy the variety within the service. At times it is soft and mellow, and at times it is loud and boisterous. I am learning that worship, which is not just singing but preaching also, does not just require our presence. Worship is a participatory exercise that takes advantage of all our senses. Today we raised our hands, we shouted during the music, gave the preacher an amen when we felt it, and we turned to our neighbors to hug one another. And I thought, “Boy, if this doesn’t light your fire, then your logs have got to be wet”.

dW 02.02.09

 

scripture

 

John 10:7-10

Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

 

En Espanol

 

quote

 

Jesus came to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.

-unknown