Saturday, June 30, 2018

The Touch of God


   Max Lucado- In Scripture Matthew 8:2 is symbolic of the ultimate outcast: infected by a condition he did not seek, rejected by those he knew, avoided by people he did not know, condemned to a future he could not bear. 

   And in the memory of each outcast must have been the day he was forced to face the truth: life would never be the same. (Google image, Jesus touching a man with leprosy).

Thursday, June 28, 2018

#66 Train Your People for Witnessing & Soul-Winning


Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Witnessing is the responsibility of every Christian. God expects each to witness both by life and by lips. Witnessing is primarily to Christ, but also to the Father and to Bible truth.

   In Old Testament times God gave this responsibility to Israel. " 'You are my witnesses,' says the LORD 'that I am God' " (Isa. 43:12). Today our witness primarily focuses on Jesus our Savior.
(Google image, 2 men talking).

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

#65 Help Your People Discover & Develop their Spiritual Gifts



   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Every natural ability God gives us is a trust which we are responsible to use. We must be good stewards or God may withdraw the ability.

   If we wisely use our abilities and experiences for God's glory, He often gives additional experience and abilities to use. (Google image, Common working people)

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Constant Communion











Lee Forbes-
The superficiality that's in the church today
Is driven by the way we live and how we fail to pray
That God will give us guidance in all things we say and do
And trust that He will never fail but always bring us through (Google image, How to Hear God's voice).

For few of us will take the time to seek the Lord in prayer
When He has never failed to tell us just how much He cares
To ask Him for His wisdom from the breaking of the sun
To give us all that's needed til our day of work is done

The Work to which He's called us to that we might never fail
But by His grace pursue the course His leading does entail
The course of heaven's choosing that will build God's Kingdom here
Within the hearts of all who see the gospel that they hear

That comes from lips that know Him from the scriptures they have read
Who tasted of that precious Wine and eaten of the Bread
Who've bowed to wash the feet of those who've they've made claim to be
Their brothers and their sisters in this Godly family

But most of us neglect the time God asks of us each day
That special time we need with Him to hear what He will say
Both through His Holy Scriptures or through thoughts that come from Him
That make of us a light for God to guide the steps of them

Who now wander in darkness knowing not where they should turn
To find the true reality of all they need to learn
Of how the great Creator longs to have them one with Him
And how His blood removes their sin and makes them whole again

A wholeness that they may not see but others surely will
As they portray the life of one who's had the Spirit fill
The hollowness within them like no earthly thing can do
Because of what they see and hear portrayed in me and you

When we begin our morning with the Lord in earnest prayer
And keep Him ever with us in communion everywhere
Our faithful true Companion often speaking one to One
In joy to know He's with us til our day is fully done

And resting in His promise come the morning we will see
Another opportunity to be what we must be
A channel of His goodness as our Saviour was before
Through oneness with God's Spirit that the world in looking for

Hebrews 6:1-6; John 13:13-17; 1 John 2:7-17

Constant Communion  By Lee Forbes







Let's pray-

    Father, forgive us for our superficiality in our churches! We acknowledge that we are driven by the way we live.
   Our failure to pray for Your guidance in what we say and do is what brings us to be this way.
    You never fail to show us how much You care. When we ask for Your help from the breaking of the morning sun, You will give us all that we'll need for our day's work.
   We confess that we sometimes neglect to take the time for You to speak to us. This special time is to hear from You through Your Word and the thoughts You give.
   When our day begins in earnest prayer, You enable us to stay in communion with You everywhere, all day long.
   We ask for Your Spirit to urge us to seek You early in the day. We may not be able to spend an extended time, but help us to at least acknowledge our need for Your Presence to go with us.
   In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
   
  
Today's Bible verses-


       Eph. 5:15-18 (NIV) "Be very careful, then, how you 
       livenot as unwise but as wise, (16) making the 
       most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 
       (17) Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what 
       the Lord's will is. (18) Do not get drunk on wine, which 
       leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

       2 Corinthians 5:7  “Live by faith, not by sight.”


        Psalm 56:3-4 “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in 
        you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in
        God, so why should I be afraid?” 

       (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV) “Godly sorrow brings 
       repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no 
       regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 

       Psalm 5:3 "In the morning, O Lord, I will direct my 
       song and my prayer unto You and will look up."


Today's quote-

Gwen Smith "God does not call us to a safe faith. He does not promise that we will have a clear view of all that lies ahead. He does not promise us simplicity. Instead, God invites us to embrace a vibrant faith that trusts Him. A faith that is alive and energized, in spite of the unsteady unknowns. His arms are not too short to save and His ears are not dull to hear. He is powerful, capable, compassionate, merciful, holy, just, and faithful. (From Help For a Heart That Worries email).

~ Arlene PellicaneYou can make things right before God and with others.  It begins with humility, godly sorrow and repentance.
   Repentance is preceded by sorrow.  When we sin, we ought to feel distress.  We can pray “Lord make me sensitive and aware when I sin against You.” These kinds of prayers can help us avoid many collisions caused by sin, leading to a heart full of regret."


Today's guest post link-

Know God More

 

Pauline Hylton- Imagine a co-worker saying her best friend lives just down the street.

   “What is she like?” you ask.
“I don’t know, I never talk to her.”
You are perplexed. “But I thought you said she was your best friend in the world? How can she be your best friend if you never talk to her?”
   “We talked once three years ago. I decided she would be my best friend, and I haven’t forgotten her. We had a great time that day.” She chuckles and then walks away.

Inconceivable, yet we can do the same thing with the Lord if we make a profession of faith but never talk to Him.


Today's question-

            Why should we stay full of the Holy Spirit?

     Our natural ways tend to be sinful. As Christians, we need to stay filled with God's Spirit in order to have control of what we say, do and think. Our old habits may hound us at times, so we may be tempted to let them control us again. 
   God doesn't want us to beat ourselves up for failures, but to allow Him to help us walk in His love. Christ was beaten in our stead, so we're to seek His help to overcome what we face without fear of failing. We are encouraged to read the Bible daily, and to pray in the Spirit for guidance and boldness to live a victorious life.



List of recent sermons of CFC ministersCFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!


Upcoming posts-

       #65 Help Your People Discover & Develop Their Spiritual Gifts
26th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

       #66 Train Your People for Witnessing & Soul-Winning
28th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

          The Touch of God
30th- Saturday's post by Max Lucado

       #67 Leading a Person to Christ
7/3rd- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel


Bouquet of flowers

















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

   



Healing Thoughts and Prayers
Jean's published book Paper back $7.95
(Be sure to "look inside" to see contents
through the 2nd devotion)

Thursday, June 21, 2018

#64 The Stewardship of Life & Possessions


Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: THE STEWARDSHIP OF LIFE. The youth of your church are your sacred responsibility. How many young people from your church will God call into Christian service?

   Are you equipping each of them for useful Christian living? Do you have a personal Timothy whom you are preparing for the Lord's service? (Google image, Young people)

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

#63 Teach the Stewardship of Time and Possessions



Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: The Stewardship of time. Life and time are a special trust and stewardship given to us by God. Time is a portion of eternity God lent to us. 

   Every hour we spend meaninglessly is potential blessing to Christ's kingdom unrealized and potential eternal reward lost forever. (Google image, What is the value of time?)

Saturday, June 16, 2018

The Power of the Word


Photo courtesy of pixabay.

Richard Spillman-  
       Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) "For the word of God is living
       and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,
       it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints
       and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes
       of the heart."
   "A number of years ago in Palo Alto, California, this verse was put to the test when Pastor Ray Stedman used it to change his community.
   The zoning board held a hearing on a proposal to add a liquor store to a strip mall located between a church and a high school. (Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

Thursday, June 14, 2018

#62 Guide in Establishing Regular Daily Prayer Times.

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: 2a. Guide in establishing regular daily prayer times. Each one's circumstances vary, so general prayer principles need to be taught and then each person helped to adapt these to his or her own need. 

   Even children and youth need regular payer habits. How well do you know the prayer habits of your people? (Google image, Man praying)

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

#61 Prepare Your People for Prayer Ministry



   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Prayer is a form of ministry Christ desires for every believer. We are saved to pray for others. Prayer is the basis for whatever other ministry one has.

   Prayer can be the most important ministry in most Christians' lives. One of your greatest responsibilities is to help your people become a praying people, and to help them make their intercession effective for Christ. (Google image, Silhouette of people praying)

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Pushing Red Buttons

Photo courtesy of pixabay.

    Sarah Rollandini- I stood in front of

the public showers at the state campground waiting for my nine-year-old son.

   When West finally stepped out twenty minutes later, I asked him what had taken so long. (Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

Thursday, June 7, 2018

#60 Prepare Your People to Pray


   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: The reason God calls some to be prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers is explained in Ephesians 4:11-12. God gives these leaders "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."

   This building up is done in two ways—by nourishing the spiritual life of believers and by adding new believers to the body of Christ. The Hebrews writer adds, "May the God of peace . . . equip you with everything good for doing his will" (Heb. 13:20-21). (Google image, Foolishness of modern preaching)

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

#59 Do You Love the World as God Does?


Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Ezra wept over the sins of his people (Ezra 10:1). Nehemiah mourned for some days over Jerusalem's need (Neh. 1:4). Daniel mourned and fasted for three weeks (Dan. 10:2-3).

   Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 13:34). Paul was in heart anguish for unsaved Jews (Rom. 9:2-4). He wept night and day for three years as he evangelized Ephesus (Acts 20:31). (Google image, Jesus wept).

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Three Graduations - Grief, Greatness, Glory

Ron Hutchcraft- "Three graduations in 24 hours
One scheduled, two a surprise. 
And tons of different emotions.
   That was the story for us, two years ago this week.
      On that Sunday night, Karen and I were in our high school football stadium, watching our grandson graduate with highest honors. His valedictory speech was articulate and full of his love for Christ. It doesn't get much better than that! (Ron's image used).