UNDER ATTACK

 

Under Attack

   

Jorden Zuniga- As I write this devotion, I have dealt with some rather impatient and not-so-friendly people inside and outside of the church who didn't particularly like me engaging with the church or talking about Jesus. I encountered people who passive-aggressively hinted that they didn't want me there and didn't like me talking about Jesus. I felt discouragement, animosity, and even competition when I tried to talk about theological topics.

However, as I considered how to deal with this opposition and the cost of following Jesus, I remembered that Jesus warned how the world would hate us because it hated Him long before it hated us. People will hate those who preach the truth because they prefer the comfort of a lie over the truth.

The world — in its sinful rebellion, pride, and selfish ambition — hates Christ and anyone who exposes its sin and proclaims Christ is the only way to heaven. As such, we should expect persecution, animosity, and hatred from those outside the church, carnal Christians, and wolves in sheep's clothing who only want to use the gospel for their selfish and covetous purposes.

   If you are under attack because of your love for Jesus or your passion for bringing the gospel in a solid and biblical way, don't be surprised. You are facing spiritual warfare. Christ foretold these persecutions and sorrows, but be encouraged. Christ has already overcome the world."  

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”  John 15:18 NIV

Let's pray-

   Father, some folks have dealt with impatient and not-so-friendly people who didn't particularly like their engaging with the church or talking about Jesus. They may have encountered folks with passive-aggressively hinting that they didn't want them to talk about Jesus. We also may have felt discouragement, animosity and even competition when we tried to talk about theological topics.

   However, as we consider how to deal with this opposition and the cost of following Jesus, help us remember that Jesus warned us how the world would hate us because it hated Him long before it hated us. People will hate those who preach the truth because they prefer the comfort of a lie over the truth.

   The world — in it's sinful rebellion, pride, and selfish ambition — hates Christ and anyone who exposes its sin and proclaims Christ is the only way to heaven. As such, we are to expect persecution, animosity, and hatred from those outside the church, carnal Christians, and wolves in sheep's clothing who only want to use the gospel for their selfish and covetous purposes.

   When we're under attack because of loving You, or of our passion for bringing the gospel in a solid and bibilical way, we won't be surprised, as we are facing spiritual warfare. Remind us that Christ has already overcome the world! 

   We ask in Jeus' name for Your protection and direction in living our lives to honor You. Amen

#90 Testimony- Quote from Prison to Praise,  Merlin Carothers, (pp, 105,106)

   "There is a ladder of praise and I believe that everyone without exception can begin to praise God right now in whatever situation he may find himself.

   For our praise to reach the perfection God wants for us, it needs to be free of any thoughts of reward. Praise is not another way of bargaining with the Lord. We don't say,' Now we've praised You in the middle of this mess, so get us out of it!'

   Praising God with a pure heart means we must let God cleanse our hearts from impure motives and hidden designs. We have to experience dying to self so that we can live again in Christ in newness of mind and spirit.

   Dying to self is a progressive journey, and I have come to believe it is traveled only through praise. God is calling us to praise Him, and the highest form of praise is the one Paul exhorts us to give in Hebrews 13:15: 'By (Christ) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.'

   The sacrifice of praise is offered when all is darkness around us. It is offered of a heavy heart, unto God because He is God and Father and Lord. As we begin to praise Him, on whatever step of the ladder we may be, His Holy Spirit begins to fill our beings more and more.

   To continually praise Him means a steady decrease of self and an increase of the presence of Christ within us until with Peter we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."    

   
 
1486-1490 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1486- Is. 33:13 "Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are 

          near, acknowledge my might."

1487- Is. 55:9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways

          higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

1488- Jer. 1:17b "Speak unto them all that I command thee."

1489- Ps. 119:36 "Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetosness." 

1490- Pro. 4:2 "For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law."

 #90 Hymn- Revive Us Again

 

The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL   (pg. 147)

 

    This is the testimony of Scottish doctor, W. P Mackay, author of "Revive Us Again." "My dear mother . . . had been a godly, pious woman, quite often telling me of the Savior, and many times I had been a witness to her wrestling in prayer for my soul's salvation. . ."

   After He had lived a wicked life, and as a doctor he witnessed a man who asked for the "Book" that his landlady had, to be given him as he lay dying. 

   He took the Book and could not believe his eyes. It was the Bible his mother had given to him when he left his parents' home, and which later, when short of money, sold for a small amount. His name was still in it, written in his mother's hand . . . Be it suifficient to say that the regained possession of his Bible was the cause of his conversion!

 Some encouraging words-

   If we pray as Jesus commands us to pray, we obligate ourselves to first know what God's will is through our study of the Scriptures; and then to do it! Before we begin to pray or even think of doing it, the holiness and glory of God Himself must be paramount in our hearts.

Church Notes: 

   God, being who He is, cannot cease to be what He is, and being what He is, He cannot act out of character with Himself. All that He is must accord with all that He does. From the beginning, belief in the perfection of God brought sweet assurance to the believing man and taught him to sing. Only as we have complete assurance that He is faithful, may we live in peace and look forward with assurance to the life to come.

   Above all we must believe that God sees us perfect in His Son, while He disciplines and chasens and purges us, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

Upcoming posts:

21st-  THE RODEO GIRL- Theresa Pierce

28th-  A NEW BEGINNING- Brandie Muncaster

7/5th- BLESSED BY THE BEST- Falicia Dawson

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

DEATH VALLEY

 Death Valley

Lilka Raphael-

Most people can appreciate a sunny day. Severe storms? Not so much. Yet the storm of the century in Death Valley National Park precipitated an incredible transformation. A deluge of rain fell unexpectedly, depositing more than a year’s rainfall in a single day. Roads flooded, trails became impassable, and the park closed for weeks.

Two months later, the hottest place on earth was still wet. Wildflowers bloomed out of season. The typically dry Badwater Basin became home to a shallow lake. The change in the landscape was so profound that park rangers reported they hadn’t seen anything like it in over eighteen years.

As uncomfortable as our “death valleys” are, they can also birth new things. Yet, instead of changing the landscape around us, God uses the low points in our lives to change us. We may feel we are dying, but what we feel and what is true are not necessarily the same.

God brings beauty out of barren places. A job loss is devastating until it opens the door to a new, rewarding career. Classes are overwhelming until we graduate. Childbirth is brutal until the baby arrives, and the labor pains become a vague memory.

Life forces us to experience things, but we do not have to fear them. With Jesus as our Counselor, Comforter, and Advocate, our dry places can eventually suit God’s purpose.

Even when we bring hot situations upon ourselves, God is merciful. Moses was a murderer, but God chose him to liberate the Israelites from Egypt. Abraham took Sara’s maid, trying to fulfill God’s plan hastily, yet he received the promised son from his once barren wife.

Like these unlikely heroes, our mistakes don’t define us either. The fear of failure should never hold us hostage. We can live with confidence when we focus on our faith and embrace the new things our Father does in and through us.

God brings dead things to life. Think of some dead areas you need to turn over to God. Then, watch what He will do.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

Psalm 23:4 NKJV

Let's pray-

  Chelsey DeMatteis- "Father, thank you for covering me and carrying me through the darkest of times. You are faithful to settle and steady the storms in your timing, but when it feels tumultuous, you are with me. You are my refuge and my safe place. Help me see the ways you are carrying me; remind me of the ways you were faithful before. In the waves of grief and weakness, protect me from the enemy and his lies. Hold me tightly, Father, as I take refuge within your loving embrace. In Jesus' name, amen." 

#89 Testimony- Jesus

   On the last night, when giving His great promise about the Holy Spirit, He lays emphasis on this point: "If ye love me, keep my commandments; and I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter "(John 14:15-16).

   Obedience is essential as a preparation for the reception of the Sprit. This thought is often repeated by Jesus; "He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me; and he that loves me shall be loved of my father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him" (John 14:21). 

   This is also seen in John 14:23: "He who loves me will keep my words, and my father will love him, and we will come unto him and dwell with him." Also see John 15: "If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (15:7); "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love (15:10); Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you" (15:14). (Andrew Murray in his book- PRAYER LIFE, pg.65)

1481-1485 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1481- Ez. 5:5 "Thus saith the Lord God; this is Jerusalem: I have set it in the 

                         midst of the nations and countries round about her."

1482- Ezra 6:7a "Let the work of this house of God alone."

1483- Jer. 2:2b "Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee."

1484- Is. 2:17b "The LORD alone shall be exalted in that day."

1485- Ps. 9:14b "I will rejoice in thy salvation.

 #89 Hymn-   Jesus Paid It All   

The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL   

   Elvina Hall's mind wandered, as her pastor was praying a lengthy prayer, at the Monument Street Methodist Church in Baltimore. She began doodling on the flyleaf of the hymnal, and scribbled some words down.

   Elvina's poem she wrote fell into the hands of John T. Grape, a coal merchant and the church organist at her church. As it happened, the church was being renovated, and the small organ had been taken to Grape's house for safekeeping. There he composed the music to "Jesus Paid It all."

 Some encouraging words-

   Nothing that concerns us is a matter of indifference to God. Our problems are His problems. Our cares and worries are borne about in His heart. We must never lose heart, knowing that the God, whose hand orchestrates the symphany of world history,  shows us His loving affection, and comforts us in our misery and burdens.

Church Notes: 

 In studying what the World's Culture is, we find that God isn't in their picture at all.  

 The World's Culture teaching is:

 #1 "Do whatever you want" It is the self-promoting attitude. (God's put boundaries up against such beliefs for our protection as Christians.) 

 #2 "Be whatever you want." Society has become confused about who is male or female:  (God's order of creation from Genisis 1!)

 #3 "Love whoever you want!" What/who we identify with, takes our thoughts captive and brings us into relationship. (Our hearts need Jesus!)

 Affirm and celebrate God! Life is sacred for we are in the image of God. We're to defend the volnerable and troubled people, showing them that God is well-Able to heal and deliver them if they want deliverance. (Our part is to choose God's help!)

 

Upcoming posts:

6/14th- UNDER ATTACK- Jordan Zuniga

21st-     THE RODIO GIRL- Theresa Pierce

28th-    A NEW BEGINNING- Brandie Muncaster

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

 

BE PREPARED

 BE PREPARED

Kevin Spencer-

"Long ago, deep in the last century, I was a Boy Scout. This was back when being a Boy Scout meant learning something useful. Studying practical skills like walking into the woods with just a pocketknife and not starving or dying of hypothermia. It also meant embodying the Boy Scout motto of "Be Prepared," which basically meant learning how to not find yourself in the position of walking into the woods with just a pocketknife to survive.

I loved my time as a Boy Scout. During those years, every summer, my parents would ship me off for two weeks to the Western North Carolina Boy Scout Camp at Raven Knob, about fifteen miles west of Mt Airy, NC. This was where most scouts worked on merit badges, usually testing for five to ten badges each session. On one summer visit to Raven Knob, my third, I was going for one of the most coveted badges: camping.

There wasn't time in just two weeks to teach all a scout needed to know about camping to obtain the badge. A scout was expected to know how to survive in the woods before he got to Raven Knob. Because back then, to pass the Camping Merit Badge requirements, they simply handed you a topographical map and a compass, told you where on the map to make camp, had you shoulder a pack, and told you to report back in three days. And off you went. No GPS, no cell phone, and no alert necklace … you were on your own.

My pack was checked by counselors and passed muster before I departed. I think they wanted to ensure I remembered to pack food and didn't forget my tent. One of the most necessary items in my pack was my well-worn copy of the Boy Scout Fieldbook. (All these years later, it’s still one of the best outdoor books I've ever read.) I had read it cover to cover, and I knew if I got stuck on something, the Fieldbook would bail me out. And boy, did it. I referred to it over and over when setting up my camp. Eventually, most of this would be second nature, but for this trip I didn't yet have enough experience. I did have the Fieldbook, and that proved to be enough. I earned my Camping Merit Badge.

Surviving in this fallen world is much more terrifying than stepping off into the woods on a solo camping trip. Fortunately, our loving Father has provided us with our own "Fieldbook" to sustain us—a step-by-step survival guide. He has given us His glorious Word, voice, and loving instruction—all to help us weather this world. God implores us to immerse ourselves in the Bible, to meditate on what it says, and to plant His Word in our hearts.

It isn’t always easy. Satan attacks the Word and my ingesting of it every chance he gets. But I have to constantly remind myself—and this might help you as well—that when the Great King of all the Universe gives us His survival guide, it's probably an excellent idea to read it.

Are you prepared?"

"I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."
Psalm 119:16 NIV

Let's pray-

   Father, we're encouraged to study practical skills, like when walking into the woods, to provide the basic supplies. In our past, we've had some training as scouts, and some have even earned badges.

   What was given was just a map and a compass and we were told where to make camp. No GPS, no cell phone and no alert necklace that are available today!

   Our surviving in this fallen world is much more terrifying than stepping off into the woods on a solo camping trip! Our loving heavenly Father has provided us with our own "Fieldbook" to sustain us, a step-by-step survival guide, His Word, the Bible. He desires to plant His Word in our hearts so we can come against Satan's attacks. It is an excellent idea to read it!

 
#87 Testimony- Paul and Silas  Power In Praise book, p.117-119

   Saul of Tarsus became Paul the apostle after a remarkable conversion experience on the road to Damascus. He experienced his share of what looked like mishaps in spreading the gospel.

   Once when Paul and Silas came to Philippi, they were accused of corrupting the city and were stripped and beaten with whips until the blood ran from their bare backs. Then they were put in the inner dungeon of the prison with their feet clamped in stocks (see Acts 16:20-24).

   But Paul and Silas didn't think that Satan had won a victory or that God had deserted them. They were convinced that God had called them to preach in Philippi, and that He was actively working in everything to bring about His perfect plan for them. So they didn't whine or complain or cry out for the Lord for help. They sat there in the dungeon with the blood stiffened on their sore backs, unable to stretch their aching legs, and they were praying and singing hymns of praise to God.

   Suddenly, at midnight, there was a great earthquake, the prison doors flew open, and the chains fell off every prisoner. The jailer was horrified, thinking they had all escaped, and drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul called out, assuring him that all the prisoners were there, and the jailer came and threw himself down before their feet, "What must I do to be saved?" he begged.

   God had a perfect plan for the city of Philippi. He sent Paul and Silas to be His witnesses there, and they had faith to believe that God was working out His plan, even if He used circumstances they could not have anticipated!

1471-1475 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1471- Is. 44:23a "Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it."

1472- Job 13:15a "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him."

1473- Jer. 29:10b "I will visit you, and perform my good word towards you."

1474- Jer. 34:4a "Yet hear the word of the LORD."

1475- Pro. 17:3b "The LORD trieth the hearts."

 #87 Hymn- Does Jesus Care?

 

The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL   (p. 253)

   Rev. Frank Graeff, a Methodist minister wrote this hymn. He had a special way with children, who were drawn to his simple faith and perpetual smile. When a series of heartbreaks shattered his spirits, and he found himself in the unfamiliar valley of deep depression and despondency, his gloom became as great as the bliss he had previously enjoyed. At length, he collapsed into the Everlasting Arms and found himself singing again. Out of his experience, Frank wrote "Does Jesus Care?" with its series of commonly asked questions.

 Some instructive words-

   "With the chaos of adulthood, we often miss the mark. Jesus said we should have a childlike faith. How different would life be if we only rested in faith? What if we did not question every obstacle or try to fix every problem ourselves? If only we would rest in God’s love for us. If only we could sit with Jesus for a while and go to Him as a little child. After all, he is our Father." Gretchen Martin

Church Notes: 

   Life changes are difficult if we face them on our own. Jesus was our Example, He turned to the Father for help in all He did. We are promised that we can do all things through Christ, if we ask Him for help. God's Word is where we'll find power to accomplish what we know to be His will for us. His Holy Spirit within us as believers, is what makes the difference, as He is the Life Changer!

Upcoming posts:

6/7-   CASTING ALL YOUR WORRIES- Diane Ohlson

14th- UNDER ATTACK- Jordan Zuniga

19th- THE RODIO GIRL- Theresa Pierce

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DOOR

 

 

 Karen Huffaker-

A popular local restaurant has a cute little red door at the front entrance. A standard-size door is available to all, but the small red one is for children. They delight in entering through a special passage.

But some adults want to enter there too. It is interesting to watch them bend over and try to pass through this door to prove they can. However, this door is not intended for adults.

Many doors are available to us. Doors represent choices for jobs, colleges, spouses, friends, investments, places, hobbies, ministries, and salvation. Many, however, are not meant for us to enter just because we can. God does not intend for us to enter them all.

God opens some doors. We step through them with Him in faith. As we put one foot in front of the other, God makes a way, makes opportunities available, and clears a path for us. We pray for confirmation along the way so that we keep moving in the right direction. The impossible becomes possible because God’s way is best. He makes mountains move and parts the sea.

Yet God closes other doors. I’m glad He does. They are just not meant for me. I don’t want to force my way through a door when something might backfire, create problems, add burdens, and cause me to miss His favor and blessings. I pray for wisdom, guidance, understanding, and decisions that align with His plan. I pray that He will close the doors tightly to anything that might lead me down the wrong path.

Choose to go with God through life. Doing so is the best door to enter. Ask God to help you be alert and sensitive to His Spirit’s leading so you can experience all He has intended for you.

What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open.
Revelation 3:7 NLT

Let's pray-

   Father, the example of the small door for children in this restaurant, and that some adults attempt to go through it like the children do, is interesting to watch, we're sure.
   Many doors are available to us, such as jobs, colleges, spouses, friends, investments, places, hobbies, ministries and salvation. As You do not intend for us to just enter them all, we're to step through some doors that You make available and clear a path for us. We will look for confirmation along the way so we keep moving in the right direction. The impossible becomes possible if You're directing us, as You make mountains move and You part the sea!

   We pray for wisdom, guidance, understanding and decisions that align with Your plan for us. We'll trust You'll close doors tightly to anything that might lead us down the wrong path.

   Help us choose to go with You through life. Doing so is the best door to enter! As we ask You to help us be alert and sensitive to Your Spirit’s leading, we can experience all that You intend for us.

   We pray for this in Jesus' name for our good, and so He'll get the glory! Amen.

 
#88 Testimony- George Muller- page 138 from  The Autobiography of George Muller,  

    "It often astonishes me that I did not see the importance of meditation upon Scripture earlier in my Christian life. As the outward man is not fit for work for any length of time unless he eats, so it is with the inner man. 

   What is the food for the inner man? Not prayer, but the Word of God — not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe. No, we must consider what we read, ponder over it and apply it to our hearts. 

   What a difference there is when the soul is refreshed in fellowship with God early in the morning! Without spiritual preparation, the service, the trials, and the temptations of the day can be overwhelming."

1476-1480 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1476- Micah 7:19a "He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us."

1477- Is. 58:12b "The repairer of the breach, The restorer of the paths to dwell in."

1478- Is. 60:1 "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is 

          risen upon thee."

1479- Ez. 28:26b "They shall know that I am the LORD their God."

1480- Jer. 2:9a "Wherefore I will yet be pleased with you, saith the LORD."

 #88 Hymn-   I Gave My Life for Thee 

The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL   (pg. 141)

 

   At the art museum at Busseldorf that Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf had a life-altering experience with Christ. Housed in the museum at Wittenberg, he saw

Domenico Feti's painting, entitled Ecce Homo ("Behold the Man") It was a portrait of the thorn-crowned Christ gazing at the viewer. Beneath the painting were the words, "I have done this for you: what have you done for me?" Zindendorf said to himself, 'I have loved Him for a long itme, but I have never actually done anything for Him. From now on I will do whatever He leads me to do."

   As a result of that decision, Zinzendorf became one ot the most influential leaders in Christian history, initiating the great Moravian missions movement which gave rise to global Protestant missions. 

   

   Many years later, Another Chistian visited the Dusseldorf at museum, Frances Havergal, about 17, was tired and sat down opposite the same painting. As she studied the picture and read the accompanying inscription, a few words of a hymn came to mind. Frances jotted them down. Several months later, Frances showed it to her father who was so moved that he wrote a tune for the words for, "I Gave My Life for Thee."

 Some encouraging words-

   "We should worship regularly. Our worship should include praise for God, prayers for each other and those in need, fellowship with other Christians, tithing and extra giving when needed, and teaching or preaching of the Word. How each of us fits that into our lives is a personal decision."Carl Schleede

Church Notes: 

It is both the forgiveness and power of the Holy Spirit that are the vital factors in Christian initiation. The Power of the Holy Spirit enables us to mature in holiness.

Upcoming posts:

 6/7-   CAST YOUR WORRIES- Diane Ohlson

14th- WHEN DARKNESS CLOSES IN- Martin Wiles

21st-  UNDER ATTACK- Jordan Zunigou

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library