JOINED BY JESUS

 JOINED BY JESUS

   XOCHITL DIXON- "Andy Goldsworthy's Grand Rapids Arch sits on the side of a road as if striding alongside travelers. The artist created the eighteen-foot-tall, free-standing arch with thirty-six blocks of Scottish sandstone without using mortar or pins.

   The ascending angled stones, each one different and cut to fit together, depend on pressure created by a wedge-shaped keystone—the top center stone—to remain perfectly intact. The keystone is essential to holding the structure together, much like a cornerstone.

   The sculpture reminded me of how Jesus serves as "the chief cornerstone" of His diverse church (Ephesians 2:20). The gentiles—all non-Jewish people—were once "excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world" (v.12). 

   Jesus made "the two groups one" and "destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. He created one new humanity, and in one body [reconciled] both of them to God through the cross," giving them all "access to the Father by one Spirit.  

   Christ builds us up as a church in which He lives by His Spirit. He sculpts each unique person, connects us to Him and to each other through Him, and walks with us. The church is joined by Jesus.

Let's pray-

    Father, Andy Goldsworthy's Grand Rapids Arch sits on the side of a road as if striding alongside travelers. The artist created the eighteen-foot-tall, free-standing arch with thirty-six blocks of Scottish sandstone without using mortar or pins.   

   The sculpture reminds of how Jesus serves as the chief cornerstone of His diverse church. The Gentiles—all non-Jewish people—were once excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without You in the world.

   Jesus made the two groups one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. He created one new humanity, and in one body [reconciled] both of them to You through the cross, giving them all access to You by one Spirit.
   Christ builds us up as a church in which we live by Your Spirit. He sculpts each unique person, connects us to Him and to each other through Him, and walks with us. The church is joined by Jesus. We give thanks in and for Jesus' honor. Amen

My weekly advice from the book,  Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo by Elaine W. Miller:

(p. 10) "I remember fighting the daily parenting battle. Picking up toys, putting children to bed, then turning around to find more toys and kids not in their beds. Life can be exhausting, on a good day. In tears, I called a friend who advised, 'When you feel you can't take any more, just burst out laughing.' I did. Laughing worked! Soon, everyone started laughing and life was bright again."

#134 Testimony- A friend

   "God is a great Provider. He always comes through when we are in need! Not only for my husband and me, but for our adult children. He provides from unexpected places when funds are short. He cares SO much for us!"

1816-1820 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- 

 

1816-  Jer. 7:32a "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD."

1817-  Ps. 138:3 "In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and 

           strengthenest me with strength in my soul."

1818- Ecc. 2:12a "And I turned myself to behold."

1819- Jer. 2:29a "Wherefore will ye plead with me?"

1820- Ez. 5:8a "Behold, I, even I, am against thee."

 #134 Hymn- Behold the Glories of the Lamb 

   Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. 

 Some encouraging words-

   When you come to something God wants to say to you, don't rush forward to ensure you fulfill your reading plan. You are here to meet with God in the morning: to set the course of your day, to cleanse your heart and to purify the double mindedness of your mind, to receive any instructions and fresh words from God for you and others on this particular day, and to put your head back and ask the question of God: "What do You want me to do today?"

Church Notes:   I AIM TO BE THAT MAN!

We're to desire tasks that are trustworthy.

What we are aspiring to do will demand accountability.

We're to seek noble tasks that include work! Show up the next day!

Character-building for the King of kings.

Intentionally serving the Lord God in whatever our work is.

Not all men are called to serve.

When shaken, what comes out of the mouth? Character matters!

May our mature men work through opportunities of the tasks at hand.

We're to grow deeper in faith before leadership is given.

Upcoming posts:

4/25- A HOME YET TO COME- Jody Potgeter

5/1-   GOD DID IT! -Jim Cymbala

9th-   BE CAREFUL! - Alyson Kieda

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 

NO MORE DEBT

 

  Jennifer Benson Schuldt- "A doctor decided to retire after treating cancer patients for nearly thirty years. While working with a billing company to resolve his clinic's finances, he opted to forgive $650,000 of debt people still owed him. (Image of doctor)

   'I've always been rather uncomfortable with sick patients not only having to worry about their own health," the physician explained in a related interview, '[but also] their families, and their jobs, [and] money. That's always tugged at me.'

   Even if we've never been deep in financial debt, all of us have experienced something similar in a spiritual sense. The Bible likens sin to 'debts' (Matt. 6:12). It also says there's no way for us to repay what we owe God.

   We can't donate money to charity, serve others, or work out a deal with Him to cover what we owe. Jesus is our only hope. Through His death and resurrection, Christ 

'canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross' (Col. 2:14).

   Accepting Jesus' sacrifice for the wrong things we've done means waking up to a new day, completely free from the burden of sin. May God's mercy and forgiveness shine into the world as He helps us lovingly address people and circumstances in our lives. Dear Jesus, thank You for paying the price for my sin."

 

   

My weekly advice from the book,  Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo by Elaine W. Miller:  (p. 2)

  "Instead of why me?, perhaps we should ask, what now? If this is God's plan set apart for His purpose, how then shall we live the remaining years, months, days and hours of our lives to know and fulfill that purpose?

   Being angry at God, bitter at the world, wallowing in self sorrow, worrying about the future does no one any good, especially the cancer patient."

1811-1815 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- 
 

1811- Is. 34:1a "Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people."

1812- Jer. 32:19a "Great is counsel, and mighty in work: for  thine eyes 

           are open upon all the sons of men."

1813- Jer. 49: 27a "I will kindle a fire."

1814- Jer. 5:19a "Now it came to pass."

1815- Job 23:5 "I would know the words which he would answer me, and 

          understand what he would say unto me."

 

#133 Testimony-  A friend

   "About 20 years ago, I'd been a believer for around 10 years, but I was lacking female friends. I wasn't that close with my non-believing friends as they couldn't relate to my transformative life. I had my husband, but I didn't feel close to anyone in the large church we were attending. 

   The Lord then led us to a new church closer to home and we felt welcomed, but I still hadn't connected with any women. One day, a woman called me and invited me to a casual gathering of ladies for a potluck meal and fellowship. I cried on the phone, feeling so grateful that the Lord had heard the cry of my heart! 

   I have developed a strong relationship, a spiritual friendship, with several of these women, and I am truly blessed. We study the Word together, pray, edify and encourage each other, and have fun too. Especially since becoming a widow five years ago, their help, support, and compassion has been a Godsend. I am richly blessed by God!" 

 #133 Hymn-  I Surrender All

    

   "Judson Wheeler Van De Venter was born on a farm in Monroe Country, Michigan, in 1855. Judson grew up interested in art and music. He was converted to Christ at age 17.

After graduating from college in Hillsdale, Michigan, Judson became an art teacher and then supervisor of art at the high school in Sharon, Penn. In 1885, he toured Europe, visiting art galleries and Museums and studying painting. He was also a musician, having studied in numerous singing schools.

   Falling to his knees, he said, "Lord, if you want me to give my full time to Thy work, I'll do it, I surrender all to Thee." For the next several years he traveled extensively through the United States, England, and Scotland, assisting in evangelistic work, leading the singing for Wilber Chapman and other evangelists, and winning men and women to Christ. 

   Billy Graham, later wrote: "One of the evangelists who influenced my early preaching was also a hymnist who wrote 'I Surender All,' the Rev.J. W. Van De Venter."

The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL   (p. 239)

 Some encouraging words-

     "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38). 

He also promises that "Whatever things you ask when you pray; believe that you receive them, and you will have them" (Mark 11:24).

   Jesus invites us to come to Him and to put our faith in Him for this precious gift of faith.

   Rich Carmicheal- "Is it not time for us to surrender ourselves completely to Him and His purposes, to put aside anything that may be hindering the outpouring of the Spirit, and to pray fervently and expectantly for the Lord to fill us with rivers of living water?

   O Lord, fill us to overflowing with Your Spirit that we may live fully for Your glory and share your love and life with those around us!"

Upcoming posts:

 4/18-   JOINED BY JESUS - XOCHITL DIXON

25th-    A HOME YET TO COME- Jody Potgeter

5/2nd-  GOD DID IT! - Jim Cymbala

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 

GOD BLESSES WHEN YOU UNITE IN PRAYER

 

 GOD BLESSES WHEN YOU UNITE IN PRAYER

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Perhaps we should distinguish between being united in prayer and being in united prayer.

When a call for prayer is issued, people can join in praying for the same need or request wherever they are. All whose hearts cry to God are thus united in prayer. 

Thank God, we can unite with others in prayer whatever our circumstances. Here are examples of how this has been done:

1. Make the Lord's Day a time of prayer. Even if circumstances prevent us from joining in public worship, we can and should be uniting with God's people by our prayer on the Lord's day.

His day should always, as far as humanly possible, be a day when extra time is set apart for prayer.

Those imprisoned for Christ's sake, though very alone, have reported being specially blessed as they prayed on the Lord's Day, knowing that millions of God's children were praying around the world.

(Rev. 1:9-10 tells us of John's experience on the Lord's day)

2. Make available a prayer list or prayer requests to as many Christians as possible. Then all can join in daily prayer or prayer at set times for the needs listed.

During World War II, Christians throughout South Africa stopped wherever they were, in streets or stores, for a moment of silent prayer at noon.

3. Make prayer chains. A congregation can organize one or more prayer chains among its members. Each person in a prayer chain can inform the next person on the list. Thus in a short time the church can all be uniting in prayer for the same urgent request. Most prayer chains are done entirely by phone.

4. Pray around the clock. People can pledge to pray for half an hour or an hour and be assigned particular times of prayer so that prayer continues for an urgent need all night or even twenty-four hours around the clock.

It is reported that the Moravian Pentecost that God gave in a prayer meeting at Herrnhut in 1731 resulted in unbroken payer day and night for a hundred years and was part of the key to God's tremendous blessing upon the Moravians as they scattered the message of Christ around the world.
 

Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana  (With Jean's impressions added)

Mighty Prevailing Prayer

#75 God Blesses When You Unite in Prayer 

by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 124 -126) Zondervan

 

 

Let's pray-

    Father, help us distinguish between being united in prayer and being in united prayer.  When a call for prayer is issued, help us join in praying for the need or request wherever they are. May our hearts unite with them in prayer.

   Even if circumstances prevent us from joining in public worship, help us unite with You and Your people by prayer, especially on the Lord's day, or when we've set aside extra time for prayer. Help us also make a prayer list of our friends and loved ones, and then pray for them daily.

   When specific needs come up, help us to pray for Your involvement!

   We ask this in the name of Jesus, that You will be glorified! Amen. 

My weekly advice from the book,  Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo by Elaine W. Miller: (p.3)  

"In the early days of dealing with my diagnosis, I wrote in my journal, 'Why me? Because God trusts me to glorify Him in this.'  No other explanation made sense. God was honoring me with His trust that through my cancer I and others would see Jesus, be encouraged, receive hope, and learn to live and love more like Jesus."

 

#132 Quote-   A. W. Tozer From The Root of The Righteous

   "Undoubtedly the redemption in Christ Jesus has sufficient moral power to enable us to live in a state of purity and love where our whole life will be a prayer. Individual acts of prayer that spring out of that kind of total living will have about them a wondrous 

power not known to the careless or the worldly Christian."

1806-1810 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- 
 

1806- Ez. 11:19a "And I will give them one heart."

1807- Ez. 21:7c "Behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass', saith the Lord God."

1808- Is. 41:2a  "Who raised up the righteous man."

1809- Pro. 11:31a "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth."

1810- Pro. 30:12a "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes."

 #132 Hymn-  Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 

   Helen Howarth Lemmel was born in England in 1863, into the home of a Wesleyan minister who immigrated to America, when Helen was a child. She loved music, and her parents provided the best vocal teachers they could find. Eventually Helen returned to Europe to study vocal music in Germany. In time, she married a wealthy European, but he left her when she became blind, and Helen struggled with multiple heartaches during midlife.

   At age 55, Helen heard a statement that deeply impressed her: "So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face and you will find that the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness."

   "I stood still," Helen later said, "and singing in my soul and spirit was the chorus, with not one conscious moment of putting word to word to make rhyme, or note to note to make melody. The verses were written the same week, after the usual manner of composition, but nonetheless dictated by the Holy Spirit."

   Helen had no way of writing the hymns down, so she called a friend at all hours and he'd rush down and record them before she forgot the words. "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" was among them.

  Helen Lemmel, who wrote nearly 500 hymns during her lifetime, died in Seattle in 1961, thirteen days before her 98th birthday."

   The information about this song, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL   (pg. 283)

 Some encouraging words-

   "Do you wish you had a new house to call home? Give thanks for how God is your True Shelter and thank Him for providing the home you currently have. You can trust the character of God with contentment and pray for growth and change. And when you do, the way you speak of your right-now circumstances begins to change."

(Taken from pg.146 of THE WAY of the WILD FLOWER, GOSPEL MEDITATIONS  TO UNBURDEN YOUR ANXIOUS SOUL   By Ruth Ghou Simons 

 (Great book, Jean highly recommends it!)

Church Notes:    WE HAVE A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

As senior citizens, God has plans for this age.

Younger generations do not know what we do.

Times of rest, yes, but we're to continue to embrace changes, trusting God to help.

We're not to have a critical spirit or to worry.

We'll need to down size so we can still be bearing fruit for the Kingdom.

We're to put into action our desire to obey God, and to do His will.

Some temptations are just our personal distractions.

As Jesus had a mind to go to Jerusalem, we must have a mind to do God's will.

Our job is to obey our calling and endure hardships.

God puts in our hearts our individual destinations.

We're not to lose track of where we're going, but follow through with what He directs.

3 Steps to Focus on Jesus and the Resurrection 

Karen Girl Friday- (1.) Insert your name in John 3:16 (read it out loud). For God so loved ____________, that He gave his only Son, that if I believe in him, I will not perish but have eternal life. (ESV) 

 (2.) Remember all of God’s benefits and bless the Lord (Psalm 103:1-5). Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not ALL his benefits, who forgives ALL MY iniquity, who heals ALL MY diseases, who REDEEMS MY LIFE from the pit, who CROWNS ME with steadfast love and mercy, who SATISFIES ME with good so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Emphasis mine, ESV)

“And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come see the place where he lay.’” Matthew 28: 2, 5, 6 (ESV)

(3.) Proclaim your redemption story.

My name is ____________ and this is my redemption story. I was lost, now I’m found. I was blind, but now I see. Jesus rescued me from myself, other gods, sin, spiritual death, and the enemy.

The blood of Christ covers me. God saved me. I’m redeemed. The heavenly Father gave me eternal and everlasting life. I’m a new creation. I walk in freedom and victory over the power of darkness.

Abundant life is mine. Jesus is mine. The Holy Spirit lives in me. There’s an empty tomb and a risen Savior center stage in my story. Because Jesus is alive and well, it is well with my soul.

Jesus Rose From the Dead: What This Means:

• The triune God canceled our eternal punishment and death. The resurrection gave us everlasting life.
• Jesus’ blood canceled our sin debt. The resurrection gave us grace.
• God canceled our former life. The resurrection gave us new life.
• Our Father canceled the enemy’s bondage. The resurrection gave us freedom.

Upcoming posts:

4/11-   NO MORE DEBT- Jennifer Shuldt

18th-   JOINED BY JESUS- XOCHITL  Dixon

28th-  A HOME YET TO COME- Judy Potgeter

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 

ONWARD AND UPWARD

 

 ONWARD AND UPWARD        

By Diana Derringer  

"Our family loves to visit Yellowstone National Park. We always watch the Old Faithful geyser erupt. Several times a day, Old Faithful moves onward and upward.

This wonder of nature reminds us of the importance of our own faithfulness.

Onward and upward means to keep moving forward.

We work toward:

• Improvement
• Progress
• Success

      Onward and upward often means steady rather than sudden growth.

Old Faithful begins with a sputter but then grows higher and higher. We don’t have to start fast either. However, we do want to keep going and growing.

      Onward and upward encourages us not to give up.

We all face difficulties and disappointments. Yet, we advance one step at a time. Failure teaches us what does not work. To reach our goals, we keep on keeping on.

      This challenge applies to every age and circumstance.

• Youth graduating from school
• Adults seeking the right job
• Retirees beginning a new stage in life

As long as we live, we have meaning and purpose. May we always seek to find and fulfill them to the best of our abilities.

     Our greatest advancement occurs when we step from this life into the next.

If we follow Jesus’ plan for our lives, we find the best now and through eternity. Let’s keep moving onward and upward.

“In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13 NIV).

Thanks to Joy S. Taylor for the suggestion.

The post Onward and Upward appeared first on Diana Derringer.

 My weekly advice from the book,  Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo by Elaine W. Miller: (pg/2)

   "Instead of "why me," perhaps we should ask, what now? If this [cancer] is God's plan set apart for His purpose, how then shall we live the remaining years, months, days, and hours of our lives to know and fulfill that purpose? Being angry at God, bitter at the world, wallowing in self sorrow, worrying about the future does no one any good, especially the cancer patient."        

    

Let's pray- 

   Father, help us keep moving forward by the improvements we make, the progress and the success we achieve in our personal spiritual lives. In the process, we're encouraged to not give up, but face difficulties and disappointments, regardless of any failures along the way that didn't work.

   This challenge applies to every age and circumstance; for the youth graduating from school, adults seeking the right job or retirees beginning a new stage in life. As long as we live, help our lives have meaning and purpose. May we seek You daily, to find and fulfill Your will for us, and how to use our abilities best.

   The greatest advancement happens when we step from this life into eternity. Jesus has a plan for our individual lives, to find the best now and then. Help us keep moving onward and upward in Jesus' name. Amen.

#131 Testimony- Billy Graham's digital resource on prayer

 
1801-1805 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- 
 

1801- Matt. 26:13a "This gospel shall be preached in the whole world."

1802- Pro. 25:21 "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he 

          be thirsty, give him water to drink."

1803- Zech, 13:9b "They shall call on my name, and I will hear them." 

1804- Jer. 26:5a "Hearken to the words of my servants the prophets."

1805- Jer. 5:5b "They have known the way of the LORD."

 #131 Hymn-  There Is a Balm In Gilead

 

   The first Africans on American shores arrived in chains. Their hellish voyage aboard slave ships was only the beginning of their sorrows. The oppression of bondage, the whips and shackles, their loss of dignity. . . . it all combined to kill both body and spirit.

   But the souls of the slaves found release through singing, and a unique form of music evolved called the "Negro Spiritual." Often the slaves were allowed to sing while working. If, for example, they were hauling a fallen tree, they would combine muscles and voices, using the musical rhythms for a 'heave-ho" effect. With swaying bodies, they would stand, eyes half-closed, singing, "Go Down, Moses," "Roll, Jordan, Roll," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," and the classic "There Is a Balm in Gilead" based on Jeremiah 8:22.

 Some encouraging words-

"The God who created you is the same God who is a covenant-keeping and promise-filling God. Just as the Lord showed Himself faithful to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He is more than able to bring about His plan for your life You can trust Him to keep His Word to you." (Quote from pg. 69 of THE STUDY BIBLE FOR WOMEN).

Church Notes:      FAN THE FLAME

We're to be worshippers, filled with the Holy Ghost!

God's plan is for spontaneous worship with personal songs of His goodness.

We're to praise Him, regardless of what's taking place, trusting Him to guide us.

We have purpose, as we're to be God's hands.

Tears change everything when we're given prophetic words that encourage us with new energy and vision.

The Word of the Lord gives us breakthrough! 

God wants to break the chains that hold us back from doing His will.

There may be generational chains that have bound us. He can liberate us from them!

The end result is a breaking out into new territory to advance Christ's Kingdom!

The changes begin within our bellies. 

We're to get out of our settled places and take the first step and obey what the Lord directs.

   There are moments in history when the people of God are called to more than quiet faith. Moments when heaven is inviting us to rise, stand firm, and advance into the promises God has already declared.

Upcoming posts:

4/4-    GOD BLESSES WHEN YOU UNITE IN PRAYER- Wesley L. Duewel

11th-  NO MORE DEBT- Jennifer Benson Schuldt

18th-  JOINED BY JESUS- XOCHITL Dixon

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