December 30th, 2009 by Anonymous
When I read Matthew 6:25-26, I picture an old man who each day takes a break from his duties to sit on a park bench and toss pieces of bread to pigeons. The pigeons learn that the old man will be there each day to supply their food, so each day they gather to eat from his hand. Then at the end of each feeding, the old man stands and walks away. His break is over, and the day’s more important duties beckon, leaving the birds to go their separate ways, to spend the rest of the day taking care of themselves.
Then I picture our heavenly Father and His children. Like the old man in the park, He delights in the opportunity to meet needs, in knowing that the hungry know He is their reliable source for nourishment. But unlike the old man in the park, God does not rise to walk away. He stays all day, dispensing His never-ending supply of the Bread of Life. He stays because there is nothing more important awaiting Him.
Worry is a sign that we have wandered away from the man on the park bench—from God—that we have strayed from Him and that it is time to return to the One who has promised to meet all of our needs. When worry sets in, we need to picture God sitting on His throne, outstretched hand offering exactly what we need, waiting for us to return. We know where to find Him, because He is always there waiting for us.
Devotional Prayer: God, thank You for continually supplying my needs even when I may not be aware it’s You.
Categories: Worry |
December 23rd, 2009 by Adam Boyd
Recently I took Jacob, my 4 year old, and Bella, my 2 year old, to get the flu shot. We arrived at Kaiser in San Dimas and found a long line and took our place at the end. Jacob has received the flu shot a few times now and had a hunch about what was going to happen. He asked me, "Am I going to get a shot?" I tried to ignore him, but he persisted. Finally, I answered him, "We'll see."
Categories: Family Life |
December 16th, 2009 by Nicole Arias
A few weeks ago I went to Seattle, Washington on business. I left on a Wednesday and when I arrived it was the evening. My husband Gustavo had his group with Pastor John that night and called me when he got home. He asked me if I had my Bible because he wanted me to read the text of the new message starting on Sunday that was from Joshua. I told him that I didn’t have my Bible, but I knew that every hotel room has a Bible. So, I decided to start reading before I went to sleep. I took out the Bible from the drawer and opened it to Joshua. Even though the Bible looked like it had never been opened, it seemed thicker towards the New Testament. I then opened the Bible to Ezekiel 45–46 and there in the middle was a bunch of cash. I thought it was strange. I told my husband what I found, and he could not believe it. I counted it up and found that there was $220. As I counted, I wondered who it belonged to and if I should turn it in to the hotel. I knew the areas of Seattle and Bellevue had plenty of money, and this hotel was in the middle of those areas. I figured whoever left this wanted to show that God does exist, and I was the right person to find it since I would know what to do with it. As I thought about it, I realized that it belonged to God, and that the only way to return it was to pass it along to somehow who really needed it.
Categories: Testimonies |
December 9th, 2009 by Adam Boyd
Our God is more concerned with justice for his children than he is for his own peace and quiet.
Categories: Prayer |
December 2nd, 2009 by JoAnn Johnson
Like the kids, God's instructions for life are pretty straightforward. The kids were asked to wait and they would receive another marshmallow. Simply put, God's instructions for me are to love Him and love others (Luke 10:27). Simple enough, right? Wrong!
Categories: Faith |
November 25th, 2009 by Adam Boyd
If the way I love my kids is the way God loves me, than I am in trouble. My love is finite, imperfect, and not always in control of my actions. But God's love is not that way.
Categories: Family Life |