Colorado Springs Trip :)

Colorado Springs Trip :)

Wednesday :)

  Compiled by Jeff Lawton: 

 We all understand the importance of water for survival. In fact, next to air, water is the most important substance for life.

 

The Bible teaches Jesus is God incarnate and He was also human. He experienced the same feelings and temptations that we encounter each day. However, He never succumbed to even one temptation.

 

In John 4:4-8, we read how the Savior became tired and stopped to rest beside the well of Jacob. While His disciples were buying food in a nearby town, a Samaritan woman arrived at the well to draw water. Jesus, being thirsty, asked her for a drink of the well’s water. Immediately, she protested and reminded him that she was a Samaritan, and He was a Jew.

 

Jews believed the Samaritans were unclean. Another fact to consider is that this woman was at the well alone at high noon. More than likely, she also was considered unclean by her own people and came to the well at a time when no one else would see her.

 

We know her story. She had been married many times and was in need of a Savior, and Jesus met her need. He told her:

 

Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:13-14).

 

Christ confronted the deepest need of this woman and offered her a chance to begin life anew. The more you drink from the world’s water, the worse your thirst will become.

 

Are you restless and discontent? Just as He offered living water to the woman at the well, He offers it to you. When you drink of Him, you will thirst no more.

 

    Revelations 7:17

         

           17 ...‘he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’

It's Tuesday :) Jesus has a message for you!

 Compiled by Jeff Lawton: 

     In the Middle East, the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep is special. Sheep know their shepherd’s voice, and they follow him when he calls. If a stranger comes along, the sheep shrink back.

 

It is no surprise that during World War I, when a group of Turkish soldiers decided to steal a flock of sheep from a hillside near Jerusalem, they had to face the fact that the shepherd was the only one who could control the sheep. But even he knew he could not recapture his flock single handedly against all those soldiers.

 

He did the only thing he could; he put his hand to his mouth and gave his own particular call that he used each day to gather his sheep. When the sheep heard the familiar sound, they stopped, turned, and came back to their shepherd.

 

The same is true with us—the body of Christ. Those who are children of God will hear His voice through His Word. Jesus says in John 10:27-28, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

 

The way to know whether you are one of His sheep is in how you respond to His voice and His Word. Do you recognize the voice of Jesus? He knows you better than you know yourself.

 

Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). Jesus is the good shepherd who gave His life for you. However, He longs for you to draw closer to Him. Can you hear His voice? Do you know His special call to you? Be still, listen, and pray, and you will be blessed by the Savior’s intimate care.

 

    Psalms 100:3

         

              3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!  He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

It's Monday!

 Compiled by Jeff Lawton: 

       Many Americans will never forget the newscast from Washington, D.C., after an Air Florida plane crashed into the Potomac River in 1982. Millions heard the reports of a courageous young man saving others as he lost his own life.

 

Each time the helicopter sent the lifeline his way, he would pass it to someone else. No doubt he knew he could not hold on any longer as he passed the line to the last person. This man’s death, as a result of rescuing others instead of saving himself, was heroic—the result of a tragic accident.

 

Jesus’ sacrifice for others was no accident. He said, “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15). He came from heaven so He could die for His sheep—every person who calls upon His name.

 

It was not by chance that Jesus came to earth, took on human form, and gave His life so we might be saved. He says:

 

No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again (John 10:18).

 

Give thanks today for Jesus’ perfect sacrifice so the children of God would be rescued from sin and death and may be given eternal life.

 

    1 Peter 5:4

        

         4 When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

It's Thursday!

Compiled by Jeff Lawton:

      A few years ago, there were a number of scientific writings dealing with the nova experience (from the Latin word novus or “new”). The nova phenomenon occurs when a medium-sized star suddenly gets brighter and hotter for a period of about a week to two weeks. Then it becomes darker and cooler. Each year, scientists observe about 14 of these nova experiences.

 

Based on this research, astronomers are now concerned that the previously held theory—that our sun could maintain its present heat or energy output level for at least eight million years—is no longer true. Scientists reached this conclusion because they believed that half of the sun’s hydrogen energy has been used up.

 

When other stars were observed to “nova out” as soon as half of their hydrogen was exhausted, it became popular to believe that the same could happen to our sun. Should a nova happen, within 40 days, the earth would freeze and disappear into the solar system like a small ball of foil.

 

Can the sun suddenly cease from warming us and from providing the energy we trust and seek each day? The answer is yes! In Revelation, we read that in the final days the earth will be destroyed. There will be a new earth and a new heaven. And there will be no need for a sun because we will have the Lord Jesus Christ. He will be our source of light, which will be much brighter and warmer than the sun.

 

Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 8:12), and we do not have to wait until the end to walk in His light. Today, He is the one who brings light to the murky areas of our lives. No darkness is powerful enough to eliminate His light. When you step into the light of His love, your pathway will be lit with heaven’s hope.

 

   John 8:12

         

          12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Luke 9:16-17

Compiled by: Jeff Lawton 

After Jesus fed the multitude, a crowd gathered and greedily sought His provision. They were both curious and physically hungry. The Savior knew the intent of their hearts. He also knew they had not learned the lesson He had taught the day before as He fed the multitude of people. It was there that He first proclaimed, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35; 6:48).

 

Instead of focusing on Christ and the spiritual bread He had to offer, their eyes were set on material provision. Instead of focusing on the glory of God, they were anxious to have their stomachs filled.

 

Many times, we have the same attitude. We tell ourselves, “As long as God meets my needs, then I will give Him a pat on the back and tell Him that He is all right.” In some circles, this is the total depth of Christianity, and it is exactly why there is a lack of sincerity in many churches today.

 

Satan loves to water down the Gospel message so that we begin to view it as weak and not worth our commitment. However, God demands nothing less than our complete obedience.

 

He is the bread of life. This means that He satisfies us—He fills us with His Word so that we are no longer hungry or discontent. He wants to elevate our vision and teach us to focus on things that are far more important than food and earthly possessions.

 

The bread Jesus offers not only will satisfy your physical hunger, but also it will satisfy your soul hunger, your emotional hunger, and your intellectual hunger. When you give your life to Him and seek His heavenly food, you will be fed with food that does not perish—and every hunger you have will be perfectly satisfied.

 

   Luke 9:16-17

           

           16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. ...  17 They all ate and were satisfied."

Daily inspiration: really knowing Jesus

 Compiled by Jeff Lawton: 

Today, more than ever, believers have a responsibility to know what they believe and why they believe it. They are being called to sort through subtle deception, which often comes under the guise of Christianity.

 

In this day of half-truths, it is important to know what Jesus had to say about Himself. When we focus on the truth God provides through His Word, we will be well-equipped to discern the lies of the world.

Whatever need you have, the "I Am" sayings of Jesus will encourage your heart.

 

In John 6, He says, "I am the bread of life." In John 8, He says, "I am the light of the world." In John 10, He says, "I am the door." In John 11, He tells us that He is "the resurrection and the life." In John 14, He says He is the "the way and the truth and the life," and in John 15, He says He is "the true vine."

 

In each of these statements, Jesus reveals something that we need to know about His character. His words to us also reveal certain truths we need for personal spiritual growth.

 

Do you have a heart that longs to know God? Jesus is the One who will meet your need. Do you struggle with disappointment and frustration? The presence of Christ in your life will fill you up to overflowing with contentment and hope.

 

Whatever your need, turn it over to Jesus. You will be amazed by His ability to feed and to provide for you.

 

   John 6:35

       

          35 “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

Happy Monday!

Compiled by Jeff Lawton: 

Have you ever known someone who would call you on the telephone, talk what seemed like a thousand words a minute, and then, when he finished telling you what he needed to say, would hang up? Even before you had a chance to say a word, you heard a click.

 

Sadly, this is how many people treat God. They don’t stay on the line long enough to hear from Him. They pray to Him in a flurry of words, expressing needs and desires, but they miss the most important part of prayer: worship and listening for God’s still, small voice.

 

Prayer is a two-way form of communication. One of the reasons many avoid spending silent time in prayer is because they are afraid to hear what God has to say to them. They are sure that if they listen, He will say something that they don’t want to hear.

 

Someone has called American Christianity “decaffeinated Christianity.” If you think about it, decaffeinated Christianity won’t keep you awake at night. It won’t disturb you. It won’t motivate you, and it certainly won’t change you!

 

God is a gentleman. He will never force you to listen for His voice. He will never coerce you into meditating on His Word or taking time to pray. However, He will continue to draw you to Himself. Sometimes this is pleasant; other times it is not.

 

Allowing us to experience disappointment and frustration is one of the ways God gets our attention. If you feel as though you have been running away from God and prayer, ask yourself, “Isn’t it time I stop running and avoiding the Lord?” Great things come to us when we stop rushing and begin seeking God with a humble, obedient heart.

 

   Proverbs 15:8

            

          8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

Happy Friday!!

 Compiled by Jeff Lawton:

There is no power over temptation nor victory over sin without spending time with God in prayer. James Montgomery, who was a great man of prayer, wrote, “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath. The Christian’s native air; his watchword at the gates of death; he enters heaven with prayer.”

 

Prayer should be our first option rather than the final effort. When trouble approaches, we need to run to God in prayer. If you are weary and feel heavy-laden, take time to pray. When life is joyful, take time to praise God for His goodness through prayer.

 

Moses prayed, and water flowed from a rock. Joshua prayed, and the sun stood still. Hannah prayed, and God gave her a son.

 

David prayed, and Goliath fell. Elijah prayed, and fire rained down from heaven. Daniel prayed, and God closed the lions’ mouths. Jesus prayed, and 5,000 people were fed and satisfied with a little boy’s lunch.

 

When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, the demons shook with terror. Heaven’s boundless power and strength are ours when we pray and align our will with His perfect plan.

 

Are you discouraged and despondent? Pray. Do you feel defeated by sin? Pray. Does it seem as if your life and personal relationships are falling apart? Your greatest needs can be met through prayer.

 

God is not challenged by your sin or difficult circumstances. Prayer is the avenue He uses to restore your soul and to prepare you to live the life He has given you. Therefore, pray, knowing that when you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.

 

   James 4:8, 10

        

               8 Come near to God and he will come near to you... 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.