Ephesians 2:21 May 31, 2013

Marge Hauser

Ephesians 2:21

In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

It is hard to separate this verse from yesterday's devotion (Ephesians 2:19,20) as well as tomorrow's (Ephesians 2:22). The meaning of the three verses together is clear and so important.

It seems to me the key word in this verse is "together". The Lord is in this place building us up to be His people together in this church and in this community. The Lord is in this place guiding the hands and minds of skilled workers to together build a new Fellowship Hall that will glorify Him. The Lord is in this place showing us how to love each other and work together honoring our differences and serving Him in the world.

To be a "Holy" place, we cannot build and grow in our faith without His presence. Christ is the one who holds the whole building together to make it grow into a sacred place.

Prayer. Thank you God, for being our Chief Engineer, our church always be your Holy Temple.

Ephesians 2:19,20 May 29, 2013

Joe Errickson Ephesians 2:19,20

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.

Talk about great expectations! We are citizens with the saints of the almighty God. Our faith links us with the apostles and the cornerstone, Christ himself. When I think of sainthood, Frances of Assisi comes to mind. While praying in the Church of San Damiano, the Icon of Christ Crucified came alive and three times said, "Frances, Frances, go and repair My house which, as you can see, is in ruins. Frances led efforts to physically and spiritually rebuild several ruined churches in the area of Assisi. He apparently wanted to cover all the bases just in case there was a misunderstanding. Frances's favorite abode is said to have been a small chapel, St Mary of the Angels, just outside of Assisi. It was a church in physical ruin that he rebuilt, stone by stone, with a number of friends who caught the vision to repair Christ's house. Beyond the physical rebuilding of the church, Frances wanted to repair the mission of the church to be more inclusive of outcasts, the sick, the impoverished, the uneducated, the poor; those for whom life's circumstances had made them society's forgotten invisibles. Frances was indeed a good citizen saint, spending his life in dedication to helping those in such difficult circumstances.

As we contemplate the sacrifice Christ gave on our behalf, let us ask Christ to call us by name, and instruct us in our missions , that we might be worthy citizen saints building for the sake of God's household.

Prayer: Loving father, thank-youfor the assurance through Christ that we are citizens of your household. Open our eyes and ears to the forgotten invisibles in our midst. As we continue building upon the vision of our founders, help us remain faithful to your calling. Give us -willing and grateful hearts to respond to the expectations and challenges before us, through Christ our Lord. Amen

*edited for timeliness

Ephesians 2:15 May 28, 2013

Mike Busby
Ephesians 2:15

"He abolished the Jewish Law with its commandments and rules, in order to create out of the two races one new people in unison with himself, in this way making peace."

In the year 200 AD when "Paul" wrote the letter to the Ephesians, Christianity was in its formative years, so to speak. "Paul's" task was to expand the boundaries of Christianity beyond the confines of being a form of Judaism and spread the idea that Christ died for all men. Christians are members of a third race distinct from Jews or Gentiles (Eph 4:17) They share in a new humanity which achieves what the old humanity failed to gain:*The likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph 4:24)

You know what hour it is ... salvation is nearer than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. (Romans 13:11-12}

* Understanding the New Testment Fourth edition Howard Clark Kee

Ephesians 1:18 May 25, 2013

Sue Howell Ephesians 1:18

"... that you may know what is the hope of his calling."

This verse is just a small section of Paul's prayer for the Christians at Ephesus with a very powerful message. I like this Modern English Translation from J. B. Philips, "and this is my prayer. That God, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ and the all-glorious Father, will give you spiritual wisdom and the insight to know more of him: that you may receive that inner illumination of the spirit which will make you realize how great is the hope to which he is calling you - the magnificence and splendor of the inheritance promised to Christians - and how tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God."

Our God is an awesome God. We must be open to his bidding so he can work through us thereby accomplishing his will for mankind here on earth.

Prayer: Dear God, we pray for your strength and guidance in all that we do. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:3 May 23, 2013

Mitzi Sipp
Ecclesiastes 3:3

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a tme to break down, and a time to build up.

Solomon's wisdom tells us that God's timing is perfect and that faith in Him is the only sound basis for living. This can be seen as a gift from God.

With such good news as this, "There is a right time for everything." We can learn the secret to peace, strength, hope, and comfort! So, let us accept, appreciate, and discover this perfect timing.

Good and gracious God, may you continue to bless us as we progress with our building plans. Help our faith to be strengthened day by day.

Ecclesiates 9:4 May 21, 2013

Carol Wood
Ecclesiastes 9:4

"But whoever is joined with all living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion."

Sadly, it is often when we come face to face with extreme difficulty in our lives, the death or illness of a loved one, a car accident, or a personal or community catastrophe, that we realize the great and wonderful gift of life itself. We often take for granted our own living selves and the wonder of new life, of promise, of hope. For those of us who are Christians, we are also, by God's grace, gifted with an enduring faith.

These blessings should combine to bolster our sense of hope, though so often it seems that in the face of adversity, our hope wanes. Let us, during this time of Lent, remember the great gift of life God has granted us, and the abiding love of God for us, and the companion gift we have as believers, holding on to hope for our own lives and for our world. May we be encouraged, encourage one another, and be agents of hope in God's wondrous world.

Prayer; In thankfulness for our lives and our faith, dear God, help us to be a people of hope, and empower us as ambassadors of that hope in our homes, our communities, our places of work, and our world. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 5/19/13

Mitzi Sipp
Ecclesiastes 1:9 (MSG)

"There is nothing new on this earth. Year after year, it is the same old thing." 

In Solomon's opinion, life is empty and meaningless. Nothing is worthwhile; everything is futile. The ultimate emptiness of all this world has to offer; "Smoke, smoke, nothing but smoke."

Ironically, this message was spoken almost 3000 years ago, but the insights and application are relevant in our century. Although the tone of Ecclesiastes is a negative and pessimistic one, Solomon's remarks relating to the futility of life are for a purpose; filled with practical wisdom to lead people to seek true happiness in God alone. Solomon does not seek to destroy hope, nut to direct our hopes to the only one who can truly fulfill them!

In other words, fear God (hold Him in awe), obey His commands, and enjoy Him forever. This is the entire duty of man.

Lord, help me to test my faith, to find true and lasting meaning in serving you alone.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 May 17, 2013

Marie Carlisle
Ecclesiastes 1:9

"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be, and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."

The Book of Ecclesiastes begins by identifying its author as "The Teacher, son of David, King of Jerusalem." This is thought by many scholars to be Solomon, who, most likely, wrote this book in later life. The words of this particular verse reflect his overall message that we must fear God and expect divine judgment in the final days. Solomon seems to be striving to get his readers to be aware of the continuous cycle of life here on earth.

To paraphrase with a familiar expression, the more things change, the more they stay the same. While we at Westminster are moving into what is, for us, a time of "newness" - that is, our search for a new pastor, as well as a new focus on service to our church family and community, what is, in reality, NEW about this at all? Since it was chartered in 1955, this church has seen the arrival and departure of several ministers and has had to face periods of re-evaluation, re-dedication, and renewal along the way. As is evidenced by the strength of our church in the present day, the new challenges in the past were well met and overcome with much success.

Indeed, there is really nothing "new" going on: we are simply experiencing a part of that continuous cycle of Christian life here on earth as it is reflected in the microcosm that is Westminster Presbyterian Church. It is not unique either to us or to our generation. And, as it has done in the past - and most certainly will do in the future- the Westminster family will prevail and prosper through it.

Father, teach us not only thy will, but also how to do it Teach us the best way of doing the best thing, lest we spoil the end by unworthy means. AMEN

Deuteronomy 24:5 May 16, 2013

Alfred Shropshire
Deuteronomy 24:5

"When a man is newly married... he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer his wife whom he has taken,"

What a great idea! It may be a bit impractical, but great nevertheless. This idea of exempting a newly married man from military duty was not geared toward extending the familial line by not putting the new groom in any situation, which might cost him his life. Rather, it was to form the basis for a happy and rewarding relationship with his new bride.

Today's worldly situations would argue against such a proposal. The cost of living alone makes it almost impossible to exempt one's self, let alone one's mate, from being a wage earner in order to make ends meet. However, to "cheer" one's mate, and family, should be an everyday occurrence, practiced without prejudice.

The Winter 2010 issue of Record, the publication of the American Bible Society, contains an article on the plight of women, particularly widows, in India today. There are over 359 million women in India. In rural areas, "widows are subjected to many Hindu cultural practices and beliefs of the past that have not evolved along with the Indian society. Women have to contend with huge injustices, and are prone to suffer even worst injustices if they are among the poor majority of Indian society... . Focusing on empowering women and girls is the most effective way to fight poverty, religious extremism and inequalities in [Indian] society."

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul gives sound advice, which still applies today. It's as new as it ever was. Paul says that believers should "... treat older women as you would your own mother. Show the same respect to younger women that you would to your sister." 1 Timothy 5:2 (CEV)

Father: The Golden Rule never goes out of style. Forgive us for not practicing it consistently. Amen

Colossians 2:6 May 15, 2013

Barbara Elliott Colossians 2:6

"As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you -were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Apostle Paul speaks eloquently of our need to live in Christ -being rooted and built up in him. His reference to the root -the essential source of nourishment in a vine - was quite natural since the grapevine is a national symbol for the Jewish people. Just as a vine cannot grow without a continuous flow of nutrition from its root, we too as Christians cannot hope to flourish without a steady flow of nourishment from our Father. Christ, the Master Teacher, lived his life in faithful devotion to God, demonstrating this truth daily. He walked in God's word - studying, preaching and teaching God's message to hungry and thirsty people. He exercised a continuous prayer life, fully tapping into the source of his strength. Christ kept fit through regular worship with those in his community, and he practiced his faith through loving service to others. His obedience to the Father and deeds of grace to the people were offered freely in joyous thanksgiving to God. Therefore, let us strive to follow Christ's perfect example, living in thankful obedience, deeply rooted in Christ who taught us how to be securely built up and established in faith.

Prayer: Lord, open our hearts this day to receive the daily nourishment that only you can provide. Build up our lives in faithful and joyful devotion for Jesus' sake. AMEN

Acts 2:13 May 10, 2013

Louann Fisher
Acts 2:13

"But others were mocking and saying, "They are full of sweet [new] wine."

The ". . . devout men from every nation under heaven" in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost had differing responses to the new event. Some were perplexed, thoughtful, asking one another what it meant to be hearing the Holy Spirit speak through Galileans, but in their own various languages. Others were flippant, passing it off as drunkenness. Peter, moved by the mockers, explained what was happening. His sermon pierced many hearts adding three thousand to the church that day.

I tend to be intimidated by mockers. However, observing Peter's response to them, I am encouraged to speak up. Who knows? My telling of the mighty acts of God might pierce a heart, adding a new soul to the church.

During this new season at Westminster, let us be mindful that this is God's timing. Each of us indwelt by the Holy Spirit can speak the mighty acts of God. Responses will be different, but no matter. God, himself, will bring understanding, will pierce hearts, and add to His body, the church.

Acts 17:2 May 11, 2013

Brad Barris
Acts 17:2 (NIV)

"All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas."

Never before, have I witnessed the "spin" of truth and fiction as is presently seen and heard within our political and religious arenas. There appears to be three (3) sides to every story What each side is proclaiming and what actually happened.

Battle lines are drawn even within our various denominations as we continually search for insight, to separate truth from fiction and right from wrong. Everyone has their own ideas and proclaims their right to have them.

In this sense, we are no different than the Athenians to whom Paul was preaching the new message in this biblical reference.

God is the same yesterday today and forever the beginning and the end. The new message He brings, has always been and always will be.. . in our lives.

God, grant us the discernment between truth and fiction as we journey in Your name delivering the

"New" message Amen

Acts 17:19 May 12, 2013

Susan Davis
Acts 17:19

"May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?"

The apostle, Paul, had arrived in Athens to proclaim the truths of the gospel to all who would listen. The Athenians were a people known for their intelligence and culture, the city filled with magnificent sanctuaries and temples that represented the people's national glory and worship of heathen deities. As Paul looked upon the beauty of the architecture, statues, and paintings of the city of Athens, he must have felt some pity for the people who were ignorant of the true God. Although Paul felt very much alone in this great city of intellect and art, he was determined not to stand idly by, but to preach Jesus to them, as the Son of God.

Do we ever catch ourselves getting so caught up in the "business" of 21st century life, with all of its intellectual stimulation and materialism, that we forget where our focus needs be? We must always be open and receptive to the Word of God, whether it is during the course of a busy day or during a quiet time of reflection and prayer. If we allow ourselves to open our minds and hearts and resist the distractions and temptations around us, we WILL hear the voice of God.

With the love of God in our hearts and souls, we will never feel alone or unsure of the truth. Acts 17, verse 19 reminds us that we must not stand idly by, but must share the Word of the Lord with all those who will listen. In a world filled with uncertainty, suffering, and hopelessness, it is our duty as Christians to reach out to the peoples and proclaim what we know to be true.

Heavenly Father, we give thanks to you for the opportunity to spread the Good News to the people. Pray that we will always be open and receptive to the love of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen

Acts 20:32 May 13, 2013

Joan Brock
Acts 20:32

And now, I commit you to God and to the -word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

During Paul's third missionary journey, he calls together the elders of the Ephesian church to tell them goodbye. He knows that he will never see them again and he is giving them one last pep talk before he leaves them. He has loved them, prayed for them, taught them, nurtured them and now he is turning them over to the faithful care and keeping of God and His gracious word.

Everything we do must be bathed in that kind of commitment to God so that we attune ourselves to the gentle stirrings of the Spirit within and around us. We do this through prayer and by studying and obeying the word of God. When we begin to find nourishment in Christ through prayer and the Word, we grow into what He wants us to be. We discover the assurance and guarantee of the great gift of eternal life and know the peace of God.

Father God, stir in us a hunger and thirst for your Holy Spirit. May we listen for your still small voice in every moment of our lives so that we can be your light and shine brightly for you. Amen

Acts 24:15 May 14, 2013

SueTarpley
Acts 24:15 

"I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." NRSV

Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem. He was accused of being a ringleader, causing unrest among the people and bringing another religion into the Jewish temple. Acts 24 is a recap of Paul's trial, the testimony of angry Jews who objected to his ministry to the Jews and Gentiles and Paul's rebuttal.

Acts 24:15 is part of Paul's defense. His statement is a matter of theology. The topic of the resurrection of the dead is Paul's legal-defense strategy to appeal to his accusers. In verse 15, he says that he hopes (believes/has faith) in the resurrection of the dead, that everyone will be judged, good and bad. This belief is the same religion, the same theology, and the same hope, held by his accusers. It is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. In other words, their accusation must be false.

Now for the rest of the story... Paul's introduction of the resurrection issue, our final examination before God and the eternal destiny that will result, acknowledged that he believed that everyone would face judgment. However, it is what Paul "left out" in an effort to save himself that is our everlasting hope. The resurrection of Jesus is our proof of coming judgment but it brings with it the amazing promise of eternal salvation that is our resurrection hope. What great news! It is up to us to live this "Good News" and share it with people we meet.

Prayer; Dear God, We rejoice in the hope of eternal salvation given to us through the resurrection of Jesus. Give us hope and faith to share the Good News with our accusers. Amen.

2 Peter 3:13, May 9, 2013

Bob Walther
2 Peter 3:13

"But in keeping with His promise, we are looking to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness."

This new heaven and new earth will be a place that God has prepared for the people that will remain for eternity, a place without sin where God will live with His people forever.

In Isaiah 65:17, we are told, "Behold, I will create a new heaven and a new Earth. The former things will not be remembered."

In Isaiah 66:22, we are told, "As the new heaven and the new earth that I make will endure before me, 'declares the Lord.' "So your name and descendants endure."

Isaiah's promises are confirmed in Revelation 21: 1-2; "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no linger any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God."

We have many questions for God to answer. When will this take place? What will the new world look like? Will it really last for ever? And there are so many more. We cannot seem to corner God.

One thing we can be certain of. In order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must "change and become like children." (Matt 18:3). A little child is certain of its presence and lives a perfectly innocent delightful and healthy life.

We do not need to understand every thing about God's ways. We just need to have faith in his son, Jesus Christ.

We thank you God for your son and the words he left us. Let our faith in Christ, who died for us on the cross for our sins, sustain us as we live for the future life we are told to expect. Amen.

2 Corinthians 10:15 May 8, 2013

Ken Davis
2 Corinthians 10:15 

"Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand," (NIV)

Paul desired that the faith of the church would grow and that, in turn, they would support his ministry spreading the gospel. In sitting with this passage and reading various commentaries for context, I began to draw an analogy of the church as a tree nursery. (With apologies to John Hendrickson for what will be my obvious ignorance of nursery operations, let me explain.)

In American history, we are told of John Chapman - "Johnny Appleseed". The image that many people have of Johnny Appleseed is of a man walking through the countryside randomly dropping apple seeds, hoping that they would sprout and produce fruit. On the contrary, he established nurseries, not orchards, to grow seedling trees, not apples. I can imagine him carefully selecting and purchasing the land, erecting fences to protect the nursery from livestock, and planting seeds in rich soil.

Once established, he would leave the nursery in the care of a neighbor who then sold the trees on shares. He would return every year or two to tend the nursery. Thus, he was able to branch-out (pardon the pun) to other areas and was responsible for introducing apple trees to many parts of the Midwest.

The "nursery" that is Westminster Presbyterian Church was established almost 60 years ago. Several of the charter "trees" are still growing here. The first "seedling" that was baptized is still here. Some of us have been "grafted" onto native "rootstock." Many of us are "transplants." Whichever category you claim, remember that a nursery propagates trees and nurtures them until they have grown to a usable size. That includes the establishment of a healthy root system. Without a healthy root system, the tree will not grow and bear fruit. In the case of the church, the root system is faith.

By the way, did you know that Johnny Appleseed was also a missionary? He would tell stories to children and spread the Gospel to adults, including many Native Americans, which were converted.

Prayer: Lord, grant that we will establish our faith-roots. From that faith, planted in your rich soil, may our nursery continue to distribute the seedlings of Good News throughout our community and our world. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:17 May 7, 2013

Connie Barris 
2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creation; the old has gone, the new has come..."

It is a new year; the old has gone. New Year's resolutions are often broken before they ever begin. Let me see, I hope to lose weight (again), be more organized (again), and well; you get the picture, don't you? Already, my year holds doubts and fears. I am filled with feelings of inadequacy.

Many of us live in what I call "Moses Moments". I pray for God's guidance, but just as Moses had fears of doubt when he led the people out of Israel, I too become insecure and frightened.

But God told Moses, "I will be with you."

It would have been nice if the story of Moses went like this, "And Moses led his people safely out of Israel to the land of milk and honey and they lived happily ever after..." But we know it was a forty-year ordeal.

While our sanctification process might be a long painstaking process, praise God our salvation is not. Salvation reminds us that our old self is gone and we are now a NEW creation. Done. Period. Sealed at the Cross-, regardless of our Moses Moments.

Having a Moses Moment just reminds us of who we are and who HE is...

Praise Him!

2 Corinthians 5:1 May 6, 2013

Alfred Shrophire 2 Corinthians 5:1

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Paul has been speaking of his reason for Joy in his Sufferings. He had just said that the greater the Suffering in this present world, the greater will be the Glory in Eternity. Paul's mind is on the future. He now says with certainty that when our life here on earth is ended (our tabernacle is dissolved), God will have a house in Heaven for believers to live in; a house made by God himself that will last forever.

*All through American history, there have been many attempts to create "ideal" communities. The Shaker attempted to live simple and peaceful lives. The Mormons moved west in order to find a place where they could structure their community as they pleased. In the nineteenth century, the transcendentalists formed the Brook Farm community to see if their ideas could shape their life together. All of these experiments had Utopian impulses. None of these succeeded on their original terms.

*When we speak of the Christian community, we are talking about another Utopian model. Here we mean the body of Christ. And that makes all the difference. As members of the "Body of Christ" community, we can have our differences with one another, yet remained fixed on Christ as the source and content of our hope, and our hope in Christ as the basis of Christian unity here on earth.

On that basis, we can join with Paul in knowing that there is a community waiting for us in Heaven when our tabernacle on earth dissolves.

*Prayer. God our Father, to know you is perfect joy, and to serve you is perfect freedom. But, sometimes we struggle with this, because we think that if things are hard or lead us to struggle, they must not be related to love or joy. Help us to realize that even if we suffer and service is hard, you love us more than we can imagine. Amen

2 Corinthians 3:6 May 5, 2013

Brad Barris 2 Corinthians 3:6

"He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

In golf, we call it a "mulligan". In everyday life we ask for a "do over". Our school's teachers make us, "do it again", until we get it right.

How come we're not perfect? I remember expecting perfection when I invited the Lord into my life. I thought a magic wand would be waved over my head and all human imperfection would disappear forever. Through life, I quickly learned that I couldn't come close to keeping the "letter of the law".

The law became a mirror for me to peer into and see the imperfections of my life just like the view I get in the

bathroom mirror every morning.

I'm glad God looks inside and grants me a "do over"every day because as I see it I'll never be an

"American Idol".

Lord, thank you for sending Your Son for my sake because I realize I can't make it on my own....Amen

2 Chronicles 6:33 May 4, 2013

Cheryl Jenkins 2 Chronicles 6:33

. . . all people of the earth may know thy name . . . and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

At the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, Solomon prays to God that he remember the 'foreigners' who will be attracted to and inspired by the work and power of this magnificent temple. Solomon asks God to hear and honor their (foreigners) prayers "So that people all over the world will know who you are and what you are like." He also prays that they will recognize that this is not the work of people, but God's work, thereby encouraging them to live as we are called to live as God's people. Chronicles takes a worldview and Solomon acknowledges God's supreme sovereignty and all the world is part of his plan. God welcomes us all and gives Christians a great responsibility in not just telling the world about God's love and omnipotence, but to show it in our actions to all. He does not make a difference in us as to race, culture, or geographic location. He wants us all to join hi sharing the good news.

One commentary on this verse states that the temple of Solomon's time typifies the human nature of Christ, and where God dwells in us. Through Christ, we are reconciled with God and have communion with him. I believe, as a Christian, the world is watching us and we have a duty to show, more than tell, others what our belief means to all people of the world. In other places in the Bible, we are called to go out unto the world to share what Christ has done for us all. We have a responsibility to not only pray and care for those who live with us and in our communities, but for all people everywhere. Given the state of things today, I especially believe that more than ever, we should embrace people from everywhere and show them all the love and great blessings that God has put in our lives through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ. There is no one correct way to do this. It can be from contributing through such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, or going to help an orphanage in Kenya, or even, on a personal note for our family, adopting children who need a family anywhere there is a need. No one place where we choose to show our love and faith is better than another. The important thing is that we do it.

May God assist us in outreach to others for his glory and magnification.

2 Chronicles 20:5 May 3, 2013

Jennifer Jones
2 Chronicles 20:5

" And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,"

Jehoshaphat had made some changes in the land of Judah when he became King after his father's (Asa) death. He got rid of pagan shrines and redid the courts with written laws that were taught to the people. He strengthened himself against Israel, yet some time later, he arranged for his son to marry the daughter of the King of Israel (Ahad). Next thing you know Ahad wants Jehoshaphat to help him fight against another King and Jehoshaphat did. However, this was only after considerable prayer. During the battle King Ahad was killed as had been foretold. Jehoshaphat then returned to Judah. (I Kings 22 and II Kings 3:4-27 gives us more information about this.) Later there were rumored invasion by other Kings. Again there was prayer. What did Jehoshaphat do when he had a problem-he went to the Lord in prayer.

Today, when there are problems or changes do we first go to the lord in prayer? In recent weeks I have been reexamining my interactions as a Christian in this community and congregation. Have I stood up and spoken for the teachings found in the Bible? Do I pray often enough and sincerely enough? In December a new member of this congregation wrote a letter to the editor concerning FCA. Here is a quote from the letter our new Paul wrote, "Those who think that Christians should "privatize" their prayer life by restricting it to church facilities may have their own exclusionary agenda, sad to say. In any case, they will be very disappointed. St. Paul encourages us to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and when we are restricted by law from leading public prayer in a government-sponsored setting, such as a high school football game, nothing can stop us from individually praying to our Lord any time or place we feel moved to do so."

Let us pray, our heavenly father guide us in the manner and pace of our prayers that we may model for others what being a child of God means to us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

2 Chronicles 2:9 May 2, 2013

Alfred Shropshire

2 Chronicles 2:9

Even to prepare me timber in abundance; for the house lam about to build shall be wonderful great.

Solomon requested King Hiram of Tyre to send him large quantities of cedar, cypress, and juniper logs from Lebanon. In return, Solomon would provide King Hiram with wheat, barley, wine, and olive oil. As a result, as many cedar logs as needed were provided for the temple. The completed Temple was built of great stones, cedar beams and boards, overlaid within with gold. According to Halley's Bible Book, "The gold and silver, and other material, used in building the Temple, is variously estimated to equal, in our money, from 2 to 5 billions of dollars; no doubt, the most costly and resplendent building on earth at the time." Even in all its splendor, the Temple was masked by God's glory. At the dedication service, the Temple "-was suddenly filled with a cloud shining with the dazzling light of the Lord's presence, and they could not continue the service of worship." (II Chronicles 5:14)

The glory and splendor of Solomon's Temple was short-lived, as it was plundered within 5 years after Solomon's death. The Temple did stand for 375 years and was destroyed by Babylon in 586 B.C.

While our buildings are not intended to be on a scale of the Temple of Solomon, they are intended to serve the same purpose as his; to glorify God as we do his work in our community and wherever we may go.

Prayer. Lord, may your name be magnified and your glory proclaimed as we become your presence and do your work here in our community. Amen.

edited for timliness

2 Chronicles 2:6 May 1, 2013

Elizabeth Busby 2 Chronicles 2:6

But who can ever build Him a worthy home? Not even the highest heaven would be beautiful enough! And who am I to be allowed to build a temple for God? But it will be a place to worship Him.

Can He build it? Yes He can! Can we build it? Why? We can't contain God. Do we need a building in which to worship? Do you need a building? We have one. It is very nice, well maintained and cared for. What's the point, if we can worship anywhere, anytime ~ but do we?  I need a place and time set aside each week to worship. It helps me feel connected to God and other believers. And it is nice to have a comfortable, inviting place to do this. I feel God's presence there, but He doesn't live there. He lives in us; we are His temple. We go to 'the building' to renew and go out refreshed. I hope that God's temple is renewed each time you enter His building.

Lord, Help us to realize WE are Your temple. The building is a place to worship You.