Lost Sensitivity

Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in, true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:19-24

The newspapers have been full, as well as the radio programs and Golden Globe awards ceremony about the loss of sensitivity to others by the people in power. It is true that this is not a new phenomenon and has been going on since the beginning of time. We are inherently evil by nature. These verses tell us that Jesus taught us to get rid of everything connected with our old, evil way of life.  “Get rid of it, it is rotten through and through,” says Eugene Peterson (The Message) in the verses in Ephesians 4. "Then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life.”
 

Since it is not natural to us, we need to read Jesus’ words, contemplate, learn and change. Obviously, in our world today, this does not always happen.

 

Dear Lord, please help us to get your word out and discipline ourselves. Guide us in our lives to be examples, to teach our young and to follow Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Sandra Hilsabeck

Volunteer, Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ" Colossians 3:23-24

Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone?  I have in the last year told myself I needed to make changes and some of those may be out of my comfort zone. I don’t really have a problem speaking to someone I don’t know, but I do struggle with the actual conversation content with one on one. I have always been better speaking to a group or giving presentations than talking one on one with someone, especially if I don’t know them. I guess I like being prepared, I like knowing where I am going by address, door and even steps familiar. I like knowing a time and not being late when I arrive, sometimes probably too early for some people. I am great at recognizing faces, but horrible at remembering names which probably adds to my discomfort. I like knowing the task and the expectations at the end. So here I go volunteering. There is an excitement that I want to volunteer, but I don’t want to make mistakes or feel out of place when volunteering or what if those I am volunteering for don’t like me. I would have thought by this time in my life I would be past those thoughts, but must admit it is still there. 

But here is what I found: acceptance, friendship and enjoyment.  I volunteered to help one individual that has added such enjoyment in talking with the individual, learning new things, and acceptance in the fact that at first I really didn’t know what was expected of me or how to complete the task. I volunteered in another location; I found patience, friendship and willingness to help me learn. The increasing hope that helps me put faces with names; by adding the frequency of seeing them.

Sometimes things are not as we see them but as we perceive them and until closer review we are missing out in so much more in our lives. Even one step to helping others surprisingly adds to your own life.

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven thank you for the many opportunities we have available to help others. Guide us in your chosen path to those we may otherwise skip or look beyond. Help us seek those tasks that we sometimes expect others to complete. Give us the strength, courage, confidence to step forward and use those given skills you have provided us with to do your good work. Bless those that have been before us and are now teaching and guiding us in those good works. Open our eyes to see the acceptance, friendship, patience and love in others that we so often judge to avoid. Thank you for the many blessings from above. Amen.

Lori Hood

Abiding in Prayer

Do everything for the glory of God.   1 Corinthians 10:31

Over the Christmas holidays I reread a book by Jan Karon, “Shepherds  Abiding”.  In it a prayer that Father Tim says regularly really spoke to me, “Lord, make me a blessing to someone today”.  During the preparation for Christmas and throughout Christmas week, I wondered if I had ever thought that.  I was certainly engaged in the many activities that make for a family Christmas, but did I really hope to be a blessing to someone or was I just going through the motions?  Certainly I felt blessed by the gift of Jesus, the joy of the season and the rituals in church and family, but did I try to be a blessing to anyone?

At that point, I decided to adopt that prayer to start each day of 2018. The blessings I have received I hope to extend to those around me, remembering that I have the power to do so through Jesus Christ. 

Prayer:  Dear Lord, let me be a channel of God’s blessings to those around me, and share joy with the many others I meet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Carolyn Brandle    

Hope

The scriptures are prayers from Psalms.

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord from my youth.  Psalm 71:5

And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7

 

Recently, Kimberly Arms Shirk came to Eastridge's Book Group and talked about the book she wrote-"Remote Fears & Silver Linings." Kim was severely burned and nearly killed by a electrical line when she was reporting a story. She survived and went through many surgeries and treatments. She has a list of Silver Linings at the end of her book. The first one is: "Believe. Belief brings hope and hope brings life." The dictionary says that Believe is to have religious conviction and Belief is confidence and trust. Through her book she expressed her belief and conviction and expressed hope in God. She talked about praying and answered prayers and her hope in God. 
After reading this book, I thought, have I always placed my hope in God when life takes me to dark times?

Ask yourself the same question!

Prayer:Read the 2 scriptures at the beginning of the devotion and hold them in your heart.

Susan Taylor

   

Peace for today

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 

Commitment or Resolution

For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18

As a child I remember New Year’s Eve as a very special family time. My parents would first let us stay up until midnight; it was a true time of celebration. It always felt like it was the beginning of a wondrous time- that continued from the Christmas celebration. I don’t remember all the activities that we did but it was definitely family time! We used the same noise makers for several years. One was a dancing pineapple that spun around in circles and played music (long before all the moving/animated toys of today); a banana riding a tricycle moving toy and my Chinese twirling drum with tiny bells that would hit the drums. My father would make us each a special drink to cheer in the New Year,  Seven-up with a little cherry flavoring, or coke with a little chocolate. They were served in Mom’s special event glasses and a straw was always included to top it off as an official cheer beverage. 

Now as the New Year’s Eve’s passing much more rapidly than in my childhood, I can’t say I have enjoyed them as much as I did in my childhood. In the last few years I have wondered how to bring the excitement and hope back into the event. I had found over the years that making new year resolutions was not much of an accomplishment because so many years I didn’t complete them. Did I not complete them because I didn’t really find it as important as I had, or was it because I chose the many common ones that others choose each year such as going on a diet, exercise more just to make a resolution?  I decided not to make resolutions for a few years.  

I now find that at the end of each year and beginning of the New Year I don’t make resolutions as I did, but I recommit myself to follow the path the Lord has set before me. I remind myself to be more thankful for the many blessings each day. This may include just the fact that He made a beautiful sky like a painting for me to see. The time I get to spend with family and friends. I opened my life to include new adventures for me such as writing these devotions which is something I had never done before. I was given the opportunity to volunteer in the church and other places to build new friendships. I find I am more committed to follow through not just through the New Year but throughout my lifetime. Each day I find myself with more blessings in recommitting myself to listen for His path or maybe His resolutions.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Open my eyes that I may see, Open my ears that I may hear, Open my senses that I may feel your glory. Open my heart that I may find the many blessings that you have prepared for me that I may miss. Thank you for each second, minute, hour and year that I am blessed to enjoy those around me and the life around me that you have provided. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Lori Hood

 

 

God's Plan

Commit to the Lord whatever you do and will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

I wish I would have applied the wisdom of today's verse when I was younger. It would have saved me from making some incredibly poor choices and when faced with adversity, handled it with more grace. Unfortunately we often tend to give in to our own wants which leads us down the wrong path. As humans our desires dominate our thoughts, so we often do not trust that God already has our path mapped out for us. I've often even tried to make deals with God, when I should have been kneeling in prayer and asking for God's wisdom and my obedience. Give everything over to God and then you will prosper.

 

Have a blessed day!

 

Becky Rankin