Which report do you believe?

Well it's winter again here in Pennsylvania and that means bad weather - or maybe bad reports! A few weeks back, we were told by the weather experts to prepare for snow and ice. As a result, events were cancelled and many stayed in for the day. While we waited for the snow that never came we realized again that weather forecasting is not an exact science.

Once again, snow and ice are predicted for tonight and Wednesday. How much will we get? When will it start? Will I be able to make it to Turkey Hill for bread and milk?

A few years ago before a storm , we were literally out of bread and milk and I was going to run down to the Sheetz near my house anyway. When I got to the counter the clerk looked at me with a smirk and I told him I wasn't panicking about not being able to get out, he just looked at me and smiled as if to say - sure buddy I believe you!

So whose report will you believe before a storm? 4 to 6 inches? A light dusting? The jet stream will keep the storm south of us? Who knows? This time of year reminds me of a song we used to sing:

"Whose report will you believe?"

"We shall believe the report of the Lord!" 2X
"His report says I am healed!"

"His report says I am free!"

"His report says victory!"

When God told the Israelites it was time to take the Promised Land, spies were sent in to scout out the territory. Most came back bringing a report of large cities that could not be conquered easily. But Caleb and Aaron said "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Numbers 12:30). The people believed the evil report and were afraid and didn't reach all that God had for them!

First John 5:5 tells us :

"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."

In a time where weathermen and other forecasters aren't always accurate, let's keep our focus on the God who cares for us and overcomes the world! Believe His report and live!!

What's on your ipod?

Often today, when people share information about themselves, one of the things on their list of things about themselves is "what's on my ipod" (translated - what are you listening to?) What you are listening to shows a lot about who you are and what type of "voices" can influence you!

Romans 12:2 encourages us to “... not CONFORM any longer to the pattern of this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind.” God can transform us by:

• Time spent with Him in prayer
• Time spent reading the Bible

Often it can be a challenge in our lives to find time to read the Bible or to spend personal time with God. A new and exciting way to spend time with God is through podcasts. Listening while driving or working around the house can begin that process of "renewing " our minds. Pop the headphones to scripture or a teacher of the Word and connect with what God has for you! Many are available if you have iTunes and from many church web sites. Connect with God and He will transform your mind!

Here are a few to check out:

Assemblies of God podcast list

Dino Rizzo – Healing Place Church, Baton Rouge, LA

Greg Surratt – Seacoast Church, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Brian Houston – Hillsong Church, Sydney, Australia

Stovall Weems – Celebration Church, Jacksonville, FL

Steve Kelly – Wave Church, VA Beach

Rick Bezet – New Life Church, Conway, AR

Daily Audio Bible

Greg Laurie – Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, CA

Check out iTunes under podcasts for more ...if you need help to subscribe, leave a comment here!!

Feed your heart and your soul and be transformed!!!

What are you listening to? If you listen to others post a comment and share it!

“Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.”

This quote comes from a famous President on his first day in office. Presidents taking office have faced many challenges, but this one faced a crisis the world had never seen. After a time of financial prosperity, the bottom fell out. Many people had lost vast sums of money , their jobs, and their homes.

Franklin Roosevelt said these words on March 4, 1933. In today's world it rings with irony as we face financial uncertainty. His challenge to the nation to stop hoping to ministered to them, but to minister to "our fellow man" was a great call to action then and it is a call to action now as well. These words could be spoken by our new President on Tuesday or by a pastor in a church on a Sunday.

Service to our fellow woman and man is central to the Jesus' teaching. Jesus lived out the meaning of servant hood. At the Last Supper, Jesus took the position of servant and washed His disciples feet. Humbling Himself as the lowliest servant calls us the do the same.

President Roosevelt issued a challenge to a nation at a crossroads in 1933 , just as we stand in a place of uncertainty in 2009. Our new president is calling people to serve, but we should not need a government official to remind us that , when all worldly things are stripped away that the greatest thing we can do is serve our fellow man, following Jesus Christ's example.

Quote source: www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,745290,00.html

Who is carrying your back pack?

I always make a point to carry my children's backpacks when I pick them up at the end of their school day. I want to help them after their busy day because I want them to not be burdened by the work that they are bringing home with them. They have to do the homework themselves, but I want to help them and support them in their efforts and help them be the best they can be.

Just like a parent who wants to help her child carry a heavy load, God the Father wants to carry our burden.

1 Peter 5:6-7 reminds us to cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us. It doesn't get any simpler then that. God cares for us and wants to help us.

In uncertain times, God can be our rock and safe haven in a storm. God stands before us and wants us to hand Him our "backpack" full of our cares and concerns. Just as my children still must handle the work inside the backpack, we must still deal with the concerns and issues in our "back packs" , but we do not have to deal with those things on our own.

I know tomorrow I will pick up my kids and carry their backpacks to the car, and when I do I will be reminded of the Lord Jesus standing there with me that He cares for me and wants to assist me to fulfill the plans that He has for me. It takes me first being willing to give up my "backpack" and trust in the Lord of all Creation!

1 Peter 5:6-7 (New International Version)
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.

Work in Progress

Success often comes after a string of failures. Many great people have experienced failures in life, but have not been stopped by those failures.

Take this list taken from the life of a famous American...

• Lost job, Defeated in election for state legislature


• Failed in business


• Sweetheart died


• Defeated in election for Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives


• Defeated for nomination for Congress


• elected to Congress, not renominated after one term


• Rejected for the job of land officer


• Defeated for U.S. Senate


• Defeated for nomination for Vice President


• Again defeated for U.S. Senate


• Elected President

click here to read more about Lincoln's "failures"

In between the failures of his life, Abraham Lincoln still kept working to overcome the setbacks he exerienced in his life and learned from each. His experiences molded and made him into the leader he would become when our nation needed him most.

Paul encourages us in the book of Philippians chapter 1 verse 6 :

"that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"

Part of growing is failure. Often God puts challenges in our path to see how we react and to test our resiliancy to face what life has for us. No real achievement in life have taken place without some level of failure.

Remember

1. God's great love for us. Luke 15:8

He gave the most important thing, His son Jesus, to us . If He was willing to do that how much more does He want to bless us!!

2. God's is working in you!

God desires your relationship with Him to go beyond just a salvation experience. When we understand God is contiually working in us, then we can move forward with confidence.

3. God doesn't see failure when He looks at you!

God looks at your heart, not your outside or what you have or don't have!

Take a lesson from Lincoln and let God show you things when you experience what you think is failure and in 2009, let Him work in you and grow in new and exciting ways!

Click here for an article on Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow's faith in action!

Keeping Christmas All Year

Recently , our Pastor completed a Christmas series entitled "From Humbug to Hallelujah". Using clips from "A Christmas Carol" Pastor challenged us all to look at our past , present , and future just like old Mr. Scrooge in the story was forced to on that Christmas night. The new year has arrived and the holidays are over, but can we truly keep the spirit of Christmas alive in our hearts and actions all year long?

My favorite part of "A Christmas Carol" is when Scrooge awakes that Christmas morning and throws open the window and asks a boy in the street what day it is and the has the young man go buy the Goose to share for Christmas dinner. I love to see the change in Scrooge as he realizes what Christmas and life are truly about.

The challenge is ..can we keep the "spirit" of Christmas alive in our hearts throughout 2009 and behind???

Here is a poem I read today with my daughter as we took a break from putting away gifts and playing with new toys..it reads:

The Joy of Giving

John Greenleaf Whittier

Somehow, not only for Christmas

But all the long year through,

The joy that you give to others

Is the joy that comes back to you;

And the more you send a blessing

The poor and lonely and sad,

The more of your heart's possessing

Returns to make you glad.

After reading this poem together, I asked her what the true gift we can give to others is, and she responded "Love"...