July 1, 2009

Micah 7:7 As for me, I look to the Lord for his help.    John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.   INDEPENDENCE DAY – JULY 4, 2009      The day of July 4 is celebrated in the United States to commemorate the adoption in 1776 of the Declaration of Independence**   What does that mean to us? It not only means a much needed day off from work, lots of Bar B Q and watermelon and fireworks…. it means that we live in a spectacular country with blessed freedom!  God designed for me to be born at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama in the United States for a reason! We should never take for granted that we are citizens of this beautiful nation…. ”The Land of the Free.”       According to The American Heritage Dictionary….   Independent is defined as being free from the influence, guidance, or control of others; self reliant.   Dependent is defined as relying on the aid of another for support.   Both of these “state of mind” concepts have been abused in our society. So many people depend on others for their so-called happiness. Friends and family members are our gifts from God, but we must not put our whole mind, soul, and heart in reliance on any of these people. The responsibility of being totally dependent on any human is too great for the imperfect human creation. People will disappoint us. People will leave us. People will hurt us. People will take advantage of us. People will lie to us. People are flawed and often unforgiving. The only perfect person to walk this earth came as Jesus Christ, the Son of God.    On the flip-side, some lean on the side of being too independent. This person claims that he doesn’t need anyone–he take care of himself. He has too much pride to ask for help. He wants to do it all himself. He lives in a secluded universe where love is not welcome. These individuals are truly crying for help by their cold existance. If you think they are only independent of human support, they are miles away from asking the Savior to assist in their daily agenda!   Christ gives us both the joy of being dependent on Him for every need on this earth as well as the independence of FREE WILL to make our own choices. He loves us more than anyone could ever love us. He loves us so much that He gave it ALL up at the CROSS so that we could live in true freedom (if we take it)!    His blueprint for our lives allows us to discover the freedom and joy of being the person He designed us to be, simply by surrendering…you know, holding up the white flag…it is a sign of strength, not weakness!  He wants us to cast our cares on Him; He can handle it! He’s in the business of multi-tasking–it’s His specialty! Without Him we are not free!   True freedom is knowing that the love of Jesus doesn’t carry an ounce of condition! Don’t be strapped in the shackles that Satan so shrewdly offers. Embrace TRUE FREEDOM in Christ…but don’t forget it wasn’t FREE for HIM!   Remember to be grateful to all the men and women who have fought and/or continue to fight for our freedom in the USA! Again, freedom isn’t free! It has a sacrificial pricetag!     DON’T BE STRAPPED IN THE SHACKLES OF SATAN’S DECEPTION…. EMBRACE TRUE FREEDOM IN CHRIST…. BUT DON’T FORGET….FREEDOM WASN’T FREE FOR HIM…. SUSIE MC Join us at Church of the Highlands tonight as we celebrate our beautiful freedom through worship, fellowship, and fireworks! The evening kicks off at 7 pm

Verse and Message (Week of June 21-27, 2009) June 25, 2009

 

Psalm 46:10a (NIV)
“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Proverbs 4:23b (The Message)
Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

 

Last week I suggested in my message how I think we must take the time to stop and smell the roses. We can be so focused in obtaining a particular goal or reaching a certain destination that we develop tunnel vision and miss out on the numerous blessings around us. This mindset may cause us to miss the beautiful journey God has designed for us to embrace. 

 

It’s important to maintain balance. At times we may go overboard and follow the other extreme. In this day and age, we can get so busy in the rush of life, that we forget the MAIN FOCUS. We allow both desirable and undesirable distractions in addition to time consumers to cause us to lose direction. Ultimately we become stressed out to the point of exhaustion and frustration. Consequently, His purposes for us are hindered or delayed initially due to the countless distractions we encounter.

  

Merriam-Webster Online defines a distraction as something that causes one to turn aside or to direct (as one’s attention) to a different object or in different directions at the same time. To stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives is second meaning.

 

I wanted to share a portion of a message that I read in Be Still and Know That I am God. It’s a book compiled of an assortment of writings by a handful of Christian authors on how to obtain a deeper meditative prayer life.

 

Watchman Nee wrote the following in order to volunteer that we need to be mindful to add “Be Still” time to our daily schedule. Check out his writing……

 

“Wearing Down God’s People.”

Satan has, in fact, a plan against the saints of the Most High, which is to wear them out. What is meant by this phrase, “wear out”? It has in it the idea of reducing this minute, then reducing a little further the next minute. Reduce a little today, reduce a little tomorrow. Thus, the wearing out is almost imperceptible; nevertheless, it is reducing. The wearing down is scarcely an activity of which one is conscious, yet the end result is that there is nothing left. He will take away your prayer life little by little and cause you to trust God less and less and yourself more and more, a little at a time. He will make you feel somewhat cleverer than before. Step by step, you are misled to rely more on your own gift, and step by step, your heart is enticed away from the Lord. Now, were Satan to strike the children of God with great force at one time, they would know exactly how to resist the enemy since they would immediately recognize his work. He uses the method of gradualism to wear down the people of God.

 

I am convinced that the devil’s subtle tactics to throw more and more distractions into our day is an issue that we must all be aware. The best solution for this is that we might consider and take hold of scheduling “be still time” in our daily agenda. How can we give to others or pursue His purposes if we are running on empty never taking a minute to refill our tank? We will become very weary when we lose our focus and allow every distraction to hijack our time and energy. 

 

Friends, if we want to live life on purpose and be fresh each day for His gifts and opportunities, we must give Him our first fruits. When we put Him first and rest in Him, it’s amazing the things we are able to accomplish. He is truly the Source of renewed strength and refreshment!

 

Discern Divine Distractions 

  

Drop Draining Distractions

Be Still So That You Can Be Filled

Fine Tune Your Focus On Your Forever Friend

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of June 14-20, 2009) June 18, 2009

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it!     Many of you are aware that I am a seasoned runner. However, since October of 2006 when I completed the Chicago Marathon, I have been dealing with a nagging injury. I have done everything to remedy my problem. I have prayed and prayed and prayed, and I have had others pray. I have been to five orthopedic surgeons, and I have had three MRI’s in addition to an assortment of other tests including the basic X-Ray at least six times. I have had chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, and I have rested …boy have I rested. In fact, I haven’t run normal in so long, it’s difficult to get motivated to run again.   Monday night I had an extremely pleasant and vivid dream. I was running a marathon….and I was smiling. I didn’t have pain, and I was having a blast. I was talking to people, and I was enjoying the scenery.     There is a significant contrast in the marathon I dreamed about the other night and the marathon experience I endured in Chicago. During the Chicago Marathon I was so focused on getting to the finish line that the entire race was a blur. I was so intent on a personal record, tunnel vision is an understatement. I did finish with a personal record of 3:31:16…but was it worth it? Within a couple of weeks following the race, I developed a chronic calf issue. (Refer to opening paragraph).    I have been asking WHY WHY WHY…WHY can’t I be healed God? And, He has revealed His answer in numerous ways the past 2.5 years. I became addicted to running, and looking back, I realize that running was my God. Truthfully, it wasn’t enjoyable anymore, because I missed the point of the activity…ie…to have fun and stay in shape.  Monday night in my dream…..God revealed something else to me. He wants me to embrace the beauty and benefits of the journey. I have had extreme ”destination-itis.” When something is taken away from us, such as running or another hobby or activity, it might mean that we need to stop and smell the roses, and enjoy other attractions along the road.   I have stopped searching for a solution to my injury. I am content with knowing that God is completely aware of my leg problem. He will heal me…in fact, I may already be healed..I just haven’t had a chance to run lately to test it. I have been enjoying other attractions…finally.   Sometimes we are so focused on a mate, a career, having a child, buying a house, graduating from school, etc…..that we bypass the attractions (good distractions) along the way. Life is a marathon……it’s not a 5K sprint. Life is meant to be taken “one day at a time.” We need to stop striving…and just be. We won’t be able to recognize the blessings that are falling in our lap if we are too intent to conquer what IT is that we think we need.   By the way, when I crossed the finish line in the marathon that I ran in my dream…..my finish time was 3:40 ….the most difficult qualifying time for women to enter into the Boston Marathon. The funny thing…..I never even looked at my watch during my dream marathon…I was having too much fun! I wasn’t preoccupied with the destination..I was delighting in the moment!   When we accept Christ as our Personal Savior, we are automatically qualified for the prize…..and we don’t have to strive to reach the finish line…..we just receive Him…live a life for Him….share His love along the mile markers of life….and rejoice and be glad in His beautiful unfolding plan for us! He doesn’t want our life to be a blur…He wants us to live on purpose, and relish the steps along the way. We will reach our destination, when it’s time. Remember that today matters. The prize awaits, but don’t hurry through life….you just might miss something great!     DON’T DWELL ON THE DESTINATION! BE JOYFUL THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY!    LIFE IS GOOD…SO DON’T MISS IT! SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of June 7-13, 2009) June 11, 2009

   
 

Revelation 22:10 The Angel continued, “Don’t seal the words of the prophecy of this book; don’t put it away on the shelf. Time is just about up. Let evildoers do their worst and the dirty-minded go all out in pollution, but let the righteous maintain a straight course and the holy continue on in holiness.”   One of the things I look forward to when I get to heaven is not having to deal with maintenance. Everything …I mean everything needs consistent maintenance.   Websters defines maintain as follows: To preserve from failure or decline.   Proper maintenance means that we “sustain” something. Everything we do requires maintenance. We maintain our cars. We maintain our yards. We maintain our homes. We maintain our wardrobe. We maintain our health. We maintain our jobs. We maintain our finances. But, I think the most significant maintenance required would be proper maintenance in relationships.   If both people in a relationship do not work together in maintaining that relationship…..at best it becomes work, at worst it disintegrates. I am referring to all relationships whether it is a marriage relationship, a relationship with a parent, sibling, or other blood relative; a courting or dating relationship, a co-worker relationship, as well as a variety of levels of friendships that we have whether they are categorized as reason, season, or lifetime friendships. However, on top of the list of relationships, our relationship to the Lord should take precedence.   When we don’t maintain our vehicles….they break down. When we don’t maintain our yards, the neighborhood association puts a warning letter in your mailbox or your neighbors get upset…or you cannot see the forest for the trees…ha. When we don’t maintain our homes, dust increases and even certain hazards could occur if electrical issues are not maintained. When we don’t maintain our health, we are really rolling the dice. When we don’t maintain our jobs, we risk losing our job. When we don’t maintain our relationships, we take a chance of losing those relationships.   It’s a beautiful thing that whether we maintain our relationship with the Lord or not, He never drops the ball….He always carries out His part of the bargain…which is 100% GRACE…and that indeed was a bargain for us….it allowed us true freedom…..but it cost Him EVERYTHING. That’s why I think it’s crucial that we place His relationship as the #1 priority, and we maintain that relationship with effective two-way communication (prayer ..and that means listening to Him as well). The Bible is the most important guide for maintenance in our lives. The Word tells us how to maintain our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…and it also provides an abundance of assistance in maintaining our earthly relationships.   We need to focus more on maintenance while we are on this journey. The rewards are great. Then…..when we get to heaven….we can be confident that everything will be perfect ALL THE TIME…no maintenance required! That maintenance was handled at the CROSS!     Maintenance is required or else things get messy! We have a Master of Maintenance Who is ready to clean things up! We ALL need more help in the maintenance department! SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of May 31-June 6, 2009) June 3, 2009

 

Daniel 3:25

“Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

2 Corinthians 12:10

Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

There are some people who appear to be so “with it” and have it all together. I have often wondered if those individuals encounter the same challenges and trials that I go through.   A lot of times, those “with it” folks are good actors “on stage.” Truthfully, they might be struggling through each day minute by minute. Someone may put on the “I have it together” mask, because they don’t want anyone to know what is really going on. 

 

However, some people who seem to have it together….actually do.  I am convinced these are the individuals that roll with the punches.  They are confident that God is present in their lives, and they believe and trust in a positive outcome to any given the situation.  They display a faith so strong….that mountains appear to crumble, and they live with their glass half full instead of half empty–recognizing the LIGHT in each circumstance that they encounter.

 

It requires a lot of faith not to get rattled when flaming arrows are aimed in our midst. We need to understand how many of those arrows have bypassed us, because the Lord has caught the arrows before they hit the intended target…ie…US.  No telling how many fires He has extinguished before we could even smell the smoke. 

 

The Lord will allow us to experience difficult seasons….but He never leaves us to fend for ourselves. In addition, He is not surprised at any detail that takes place.  His desire is to bring glory from the tribulations we face whether the fire we are going through is a consequence to sin, or possibly a stage of preparation for a tougher battle ahead. Sometimes He might even allow us an opportunity to experience an undesirable event in order to help someone else in similar rough spot in the future. 

 

An exceptional example that God is 100% faithful is found in Daniel. Take a look at the fourth person Who was dancing in the blazing furnace that Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego had to undergo.  When the Lord permits His children to go through the furnace experiences, “He keeps His eyes on the clock and His hand on the thermostat” (Daily Splashes of Joy – Barbara Johnson). 

 

He will provide the strength necessary to prevail! We are in His grip, therefore, He won’t allow us more than we can handle!  Although we may initially be terrified when unwelcome flames appear in our lives, we can count on seeing a familiar face walking through the fire with us. 

 

Don’t panic when the HEAT IS ON! 

 

Look to the FIRE EXTINGUISHER dancing with you!

His GRACE is SUFFICIENT!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of May 24-30, 2009) May 27, 2009

2 Corinthians 3:2-3

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.  You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 

  

Each day we talk about so many different things. Topics of conversation may range from current events, sports related happenings, family issues, work or school details, politics, hobbies and interests, health concerns, spiritual topics, etc. Most of our conversations include basic chit chat, but we tend to stick to topics that appeal to the people who are a part of the conversation. Typically, whatever we talk about becomes a part of us; essentially this is how the world may define us. 

 

One area that we may be apprehensive in discussing at times would fall under our faith and belief system. Some settings and social circles don’t offer a natural or comfortable atmosphere for sharing our faith. What I have come to realize is that if Jesus is truly the Lord of our lives, it is our calling to share our faith, no matter who is present in a conversation and no matter where we are. It’s easy to discuss Jesus with those in our small group or Sunday School class. However, we are called to express our faith in word and action in our work setting, on the tennis court, at a football game, in the grocery store, at the doctor’s office, or even in an elevator. I believe it was Billy Hornsby (Pastor Chris‘ father-in-law) that said “Let your vocation be your ministry location.” I love that statement!

   

That doesn’t mean that the words that we share need to take on the platform of a “preachy” lecture–it simply means we might talk about our faith as we would talk about anything else in our lives that is comfortable to discuss.  The more we share our experiences of what the Lord has done for us, the more comfortable it becomes to reveal those details even to complete strangers. 

 

I used to worry about stepping on someone’s toes when I would share my faith. As I grew in my faith, I realized that the key to being an effective witness was to reveal what God has done in my own life. As my pastor has declared many times, “No one can argue with a changed life.” We can talk about Jesus until we are blue in the face, but making it personal attracts interest and curiosity.

 

As Christians, we are letters for Christ. People judge us by our words and our actions. Actions may indicate that we are “good people”…but true confession of our testimonies and experiences prove Who we live for! Therefore, we shouldn’t be afraid to speak up.

 

Don’t worry about forcing your faith on someone……Jesus Christ will speak through you. There is no reason to try to control what you think another should believe. Pray that they would see Jesus in you and be attracted to that beautiful Light. It’s easy to talk about something we are passionate about…that’s all we are asked to do!    

 

SPEAK UP…..

WORDS OF GODLY WISDOM FLOW EASY FROM A SINCERE HEART!

DON’T LECTURE, DON’T PREACH, DON’T ANNOUNCE…

JUST SHARE HIS LOVE AND JOY!!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of May 17-23, 2009) May 20, 2009

 
 

Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.     Have you ever known someone who only calls when they need something? Maybe this person needs advice for a difficult time he/she may be experiencing; maybe it’s a friend who is struggling financially and needs a monetary favor; or maybe it’s someone who wants your friendship only because you are close to a person that he/she wants to be friends with…..whatever the case, it’s interesting that when you want to share something with this person about your life–he/she is not available. In the end, you feel drained and used.   For the most part, I think we are all guilty of being self-centered at times. However, there is Someone Who is the clear opposite of self-centered–He is centered around us, and He desires for us to be “Christ-Centered.”   I wanted to share a brief thought I read a couple of weeks ago.  I found it on the blog of Truth In Love Ministries. It was a real eye-opener for me. The message that grabbed my attention was inspired by Brad Tollison and posted by Mark Shaw of Truth In Love Ministries on April 29. Source: http://histruthinlove.wordpress.com/ —– The least read book in the U.S.A. is NOT the Bible – it’s your car’s instruction manual. Very few people read that book. Crisp, fresh, unmarked, and clean is how you’ll find this manual in most cars.   But guess when people do read it? When their car breaks down!   Don’t we do the same thing with our Bibles? When do we read the Word? When we are in trouble and need answers. That’s when we pray the most, too!   Let’s prepare for trouble ahead by reading the Word of God and by praying to Him daily.   You know your car will NOT last forever. You also know that in a fallen world cursed by man’s sin, you are going to experience some hardships in this life. Prepare for it. —–  Thank you Mark for sharing that with your readers. I was also moved by that thought-provoking contribution to your blog.     So, how do you think our Lord feels when we call on Him only in a time of crisis? Have you ever blown Him off when you felt you had everything under control? Why do you bother asking His advice when you are going to do what you want to do when you want to do it anyway? We want Him at our beck and call….but do we make time for conversation with Him?   He is forever faithful–we can always count on Him. He desires for us to pray with focus, passion, and sincerity…even when we are not experiencing a trial. He wants us to cry out to Him, and study His Word, but He also desires to be more than our Life Saver…He wants to be best friends…He wants to be intimate with us.   He will provide discernment when making decisions, provision when in need, protection, security, healing, and His unconditional love…..but He also just wants to hang out with us. He doesn’t like to be used or taken advantage of either…..   SEEK HIM SINCERELY… DRAW NEAR TO HIM… LISTEN TO HIM…    LET HIM BE YOUR BEST FRIEND… HE LOVES TO BE LOVED TOO…. SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of May 10-16, 2009) May 11, 2009

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day with their Mommies!

 

Lately, my heart has been heavy for some friends who have been dealing with some unresolved pain of the past. I discovered an archived verse and message that I had written in 2005 that specifically highlights this area. With the recent LIFE retreat weekend still fresh in my spirit, I thought that the following message may encourage some of you. God wants all of us to be free from the past so we can live in His fullness today! 

 

Ephesians 1:11

Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago.

Philippians 3:13

No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

 

One of my favorite movies which is also a Broadway production is The Lion King.

The Lion King was one of the first movies my son ever viewed as a young toddler. It is a very touching and powerful story about the love between a lion ruler, Mufasa, and his young cub, Simba growing up to become the heir of his father’s kingdom. 

 

After being framed for the death of his father in an accident designed by Simba’s evil Uncle Scar, Simba was deceived by his uncle and persuaded to run away from his home out of fear, guilt, and shame. 

 

Several years later, Rafiki, a wise monkey  , discovered Simba, and made it a point to knock some sense into him so that Simba would return to his throne at Pride Rock. Rafiki knew Simba’s father, and told Simba that his father was still alive. Rafiki led Simba to a pond where Simba saw his reflection in the water. Simba stated, “That’s not my father, that’s just my reflection.”  Rafiki pressed Simba to look closer encouraging, “You see, he lives in you.” Simba heard his father’s voice, “Simba, you have forgotten who you are! Remember who you are!” Seconds later, as Simba revealed he was afraid to face his past, Rafiki sympathized that sometimes the past can hurt…….but then declared, “You run from it, or you learn from it.”  These events motivated Simba to return to his kingdom and claim his inheritance as the Lion King. 

 

As Christians, we are given the fullness of God the Father and Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit upon Salvation. We can try to run away when we have feelings of fear, guilt, or shame. However, as Christians, we won’t get very far, because the Holy Spirit will awaken us and shine through us with His reflection…..but it is up to us to come back to Him. 

 

We have an inheritance that is ours by the Grace of the Father. He wants us to claim the GIFT HE has given us. The “Scar” in our lives (the Enemy) and the scars of our past cannot hinder the amazing grace that is ours, because of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. We can either run from our past or learn from our past. After all, every single detail of our past is what makes us who we are today. We must not forget who we are IN CHRIST, because He indeed lives in us! 

 

“Through true guilt, the Holy Spirit seeks to draw us closer to God.  Through false, incriminating guilt, Satan seeks to separate us from God.” (Jim Henry, One Minute Bible) 

 

Our Father wants us to share in the rich and abundant life He offers through Jesus. We must remember who we are in Him, learn from the past, and claim the inheritance that is ours through our FATHER, the PERFECT KING!

 

HUKUNA MATATA (No Worries) when we remember who we are IN THE KING!   

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of May 3-9, 2009) May 5, 2009

 

Galatians 6:2 Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another. A popular comedy sitcom known as “Cheers” aired for eleven seasons from 1982 to 1993. Honestly, I didn’t watch the show that often, but I will never forget the theme song of the show. The sitcom and the theme song were about real life and the comfort level we desire to obtain in relationships. Check out the lyrics to ”Cheers” theme song:   “Where Everybody Knows Your Name“ By Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo   Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn’t you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same You wanna be where everybody knows Your name. You wanna go where people know, people are all the same, You wanna go where everybody knows your name.   The reason the show and the theme song were so popular was because “real life” was reflected. I guess that’s why the current ”reality television” era appears to be such a hit.   This past weekend, I was thinking about real life and real people as I was serving as an intercessor at the LIFE retreat at Church of the Highlands. LIFE stands for “Living In Freedom Everyday.”   I won’t get into the lengthy details of the retreat, but I would highly recommend anyone who hasn’t participated to join a LIFE group and attend the wrap-up retreat. You don’t have to be a member of Highlands to participate.   I have been a participant of two previous LIFE retreats, and this past weekend was my second time to serve on the LIFE retreat team. I must say that this experience was the most moving of all I had been a part of…including my time as a participant.   This time, before each individual segment, there were powerful testimonies shared by LIFE leaders and team members. I don’t think I was alone in recognizing not only a profound presence of the Holy Spirit, but also the capacity to relate to each testimony presented. No one can argue with a changed life. The testimonies were real–everyone could connect or relate to one or more of them.   The subject matter of the sitcom “Cheers” translates how we all have issues and so many times, we connect with someone who has been through or who is going through something we have experienced. It also mirrored a comfort level when someone knows your name and wants to be there for you when you are going through a difficult time.   God designed us to be in relationship with Him and with others. Everyone who has participated in the LIFE program at Highlands understands the incredible impact that will occur when we are vulnerable enough to be open and connect with God and others.   We all have issues. My pastor says that if you don’t think you have issues, then that’s your issue..ha. The only way to grow and learn through our experiences is to be able to reach up to God and reach out to others. Life tends to throw some curve balls, so it’s nice to have a team of brothers and sisters in Christ to support us, love us, and pray with us.    If you are struggling through something whether it is financial, physical, relational, or spiritual, I encourage you to seek God and reach out to others. That place starts with a heart of humility and transparency.   God will direct you to someone you can trust to share what is on your heart. Knowing that others have been there and are cheering for you provides a supernatural peace.   “God intends for us to weave our lives together.” (Rick Warren) Be courageous and reach out to others who God has placed in your path. The heart of fellowship builds reciprocal relationships that help and encourage all who take the risk.   Cheers to the gift of fellowship with the Lord and others! Share your heart…. You never know what impact your testimony will have on another! God created us to be in loving relationships! SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of April 26-May 2, 2009) April 29, 2009

 

John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.”      I worked at The Sheraton Civic Center Hotel (now known as Sheraton Birmingham) from April 1992 through February 1996. It’s amazing the things you learn being employed in the hotel industry.    I recall one time when the hotel was overbooked for a large conference.  Several guests were very upset to find out that upon their arrival (late in the evening I might add), they did not have a room. The part that was most disturbing was that the guests had booked their room months in advance to be “guaranteed for late arrival.”  To “guarantee” a reservation one must provide a credit card number to hold the room.  If the person did not reserve his room with a credit card, the possibility of not having a room might possibly occur, especially, in the event of a “sell-out” situation.    Interestingly, there were two sets of rules. If one called to reserve a room and made the choice to guarantee with a credit card, the following stipulation also applied:    If the guest failed to cancel the reservation and did not show up (for whatever reason), the guest was penalized with one night’s charge for the room plus occupancy tax – which would be conveniently applied to his credit card.    Can you imagine the reaction of the aforementioned guests as they had flown into Birmingham, paid for a cab or rental car, arrived at the hotel late in the evening, exhausted from travel, only to be discover that their “guaranteed room” was really not guaranteed?   Apparently, the “guaranteed late arrival” was not the perfect system.   When Jesus shared with His disciples of His impending death, He had a special guarantee for them.  Jesus promised a custom-made home in Heaven when it was their time to leave this life. Until then, His Holy Spirit was guaranteed to dwell in them….the Holy Spirit was the credit card that wouldn’t expire.   This promise was not just for the disciples who walked with Him more than 2000 years ago.  This guarantee belongs to anyone who accepts Jesus as Savior!  Once our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev 21:27), our reservation is secure.  We don’t have to worry about checking in–our reservation is sealed. And, until then, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit as a deposit.    Because of the CROSS and the PERFECT SACRIFICE of JESUS CHRIST, our reservation was guaranteed and pre-paid!  Nothing in our world will ever compare to what HE has waiting for us.    So remember, when you’re feeling discouraged with what the world has to offer…..your perfect world awaits you!  Jesus is the only perfect system!    We are not supposed to be comfortable now……..if we are completely fulfilled with the “here and now” we might  need to consider an inventory of the heart.   GOD HAS A GUARANTEE…. THE LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT IN HIS HOTEL…. HEAVEN AWAITS US…. OUR RESERVATION IS ETERNALLY SECURE…. HE HAS GIVEN US THE KEY….JESUS CHRIST! SUSIE MC