Monday's Message: People Need the Lord

People Need the Lord

       The two young men who wrote the song “People Need the Lord,” Greg Nelson and Phil McHugh, give this story—

       We were trying to write a song one day. We spent most of the morning talking about ideas. We decided, about lunch time, to go to a restaurant near my office in Nashville. After we were seated, a waitress came to our table.

       As she approached us and smiled, it seemed that her eyes were so empty. She was trying to convey a cheery attitude, but her face seemed to say something else. She took our order and walked away.

       Phil and I looked at each other and one of us said to the other, She needs the Lord.

       We then began looking around the restaurant at all of the people there. They, too, seemed to have an emptiness in their faces. We sensed a real heaviness in our hearts as we watched them. Suddenly we realized that all of those people need the Lord. Just as quickly we both thought, We need to write that—people need the Lord.

       We finished our meal and went back to my office and sat down to write what was in our hearts. The pictures from the restaurant that remained in our minds, coupled with the realization that millions of people around the world are also groping for some ray of light, gave rise to this.

—Lindsay Terry

 

++++++++++

People Need The Lord

Every day they pass me by, I can see it in their eye;

Empty people filled with care, headed who knows where.

On they go through private pain, living fear to fear.

Laughter hides the silent cries only Jesus hears.

Chorus:

People need the Lord. People need the Lord.

At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door.

People need the Lord. People need the Lord.

Family Friday: A Tribute to Family

A Tribute To Family

I don't know when it started,
Or how it all began.
But God created families,
As only our Lord can.
He was teaching what it means,
To love, honor, and obey.
He wanted a strong bond,
That we don't see too much today.
He wanted someone to hold us,
And show respect for others.
He wanted someone who'd be gentle,
So he created mothers.
He wanted someone strong,
A support filled with love,

So he created fathers,
Sent from heaven up above.
Brothers and sisters came next,
With that, an instant friend,
Someone to look up to,
Someone on whom to depend.
When he put them all together,
He was pleased with what he'd done.
He had created a family,
Mother, father, daughter, son.
But look at the family,
Created by only two,
How many we've become,
And all because of you.
We have a lot to be thankful for,
The memories through the years.
The many times together,
Full of laughter, full of tears.
I don't know where we'd be today,
If it weren't for the two of you.
To show us strength, support, and love,
Like only the two of you can do.

Teen Tuesday: Church Attendance

Church Attendance

Written by Nicholas Moragne

            Many have accepted the philosophy for themselves of attending church when convenient.  Although many believe this way, does that justify missing a church service? One of the most commonly asked questions in our day and age is “Why do we attend church?”  Church attendance is not just a “good suggestion,” it is God’s will for all believers. (Hebrews 10:25)

            The word “church” is commonly defined as a building used to worship God, but the definition goes much deeper than this. In the Bible, the word “church” comes from the Greek word “ecclesia”, which means a called out assembly. From this fact, we can conclude that the church is made up of the body of believers. (Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 5:22-32; 1 Peter 2:9)

            A question that may arise is, “What is the difference between a church function and a church service?” When attending a church function, there are many elements that are lacking such as: baptism, the Lord’s supper, and an offering. When we attend a church service these elements are all present at one time. (Titus 1:3; Ephesians 4:11) Attending church is very important, because God has a message from the man of God and if we don’t show up we are hindering God from speaking to us.

            There are many reasons why we should attend church and one of them is being able to express our love for Christ. One way we can show Christ that we love Him is by obeying Him. The Bible states in 1 John 5:3, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” People obey authority figures out of fear or punishment, but God wants us to obey Him because we love Him.

            Another reason why we should go to church is that it keeps us accountable. There will be many times in our life where we will want to stray away from the things of God, but this is where a preacher, or a youth pastor plays a vital role, because they are able to point us in the right direction. It may be things we don’t want to hear, but correction is necessary for essential growth in Christ. The Bible states in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

            In conclusion, we have determined church is vitally important in our walk with God. The church is the place where we receive spiritual nourishment to help us throughout the week. God, the creator of the universe died for us, the least we can do is show up for church.

           

Monday's Message: Jesus Paid it All

Jesus Paid It All

(Source)

 

       This hymn was written by Mrs. Hall during her pastor’s lengthy prayer, while she sat in the choir loft! The words were originally scribbled on the flyleaf of a hymnal.

       She bravely handed the words to her pastor. The wise pastor, instead of scolding her, put it to music, using another member’s music also given to him.

       The pastor had noticed that the melody and the words fitted perfectly.

 

       ++++++++++

Jesus Paid it All

      

(1) I hear the Savior say,

"Thy strength indeed is small!

Child of weakness watch and pray,

Find in me thine all in all."

      

CHORUS:

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain-

He washed it white as snow.

      

(2) For nothing good have I

Whereby Thy grace to claim-

I will wash my garment white

In the blood of Calvary's Lamb.

      

(3) And when before the throne

I stand in Him complete,

"Jesus died my soul to save,"

My lips shall still repeat.

Family Friday: Answering Tough Questions

Answering Tough Questions

                Children love to ask questions!  If you have been around children for any length of time, you have experienced their love of questions.  Sometimes their questions are cute or even laughable, but some of their questions are just hard to answer.  Questions will come up about topics that may embarrass or puzzle you, especially as your children grow older.  These are a few tips to help you cope with those tough questions that are coming!

·          Give simple answers.  The key to the answer sometimes lies in the age and maturity of the one asking the question.  When your child asks a question, answer only what they have asked; this may keep you from starting a discussion that your child is not mature enough to have.

·         Do not lie.  If you do not know the answer, do not make something up.  Making up an answer may satisfy a younger child for a little while, but eventually he will find out that you lied.  That may lead him to question whether you tell him the truth at other times.

·         Take him seriously.  Children do not like to be laughed at, even if the question is amusing.  Do not ignore questions, but do not feel obligated to answer every one.  When children ask questions about our personal life or other areas that really are not any of their business, it is okay to say, “You don’t need to know that right now.”

·         Postpone the answer if you need to do so.  Questions do not have to be answered immediately.  Sometimes you are not in the right place to have a discussion, sometimes there is not enough time and sometimes you need time to think about the question.  Let your child know that you heard his question and plan on answering it at a certain time.  This may not be what he wants to hear, but it will give him security to know that you hear his questions.

·         Take time to pray about answering certain questions.  God can give you the exact words and thoughts you need to explain and handle tough questions, but you need to ask Him for wisdom.  Also, pray for your children to understand the answer to the question.

Life is full of surprises.  Children are full of questions.  If you know some tough questions are coming soon, practice answering them by using some of these tips.  If your children are anything like mine, then your life will never be dull!

Thoughtful Thursday: Joan's Story

Written by Joan Boritzki-Bettinger

After just losing our second child to miscarriage since getting married May 30, 2015, God has given us a powerful strength and peace within that we have never experienced before. It feels like a deep well and the Comforter keeps drawing from it and putting the cup to our lips to drink. While we are sad and know some hard days are still to come, we are trusting in God because His plan for us has far surpassed any hope or dream we ever had for ourselves.
My heart spilled out this poem last night when sleep would not come...

That precious life You loaned us, 

For just a short sweet while 

Brought our hearts such happiness and filled us with a smile. 

You heard us daily pray for baby's 

Body mind and soul

You heard us say "we dedicate this child to You, Lord".

Then You'd hear us laugh and talk and dream of one day meeting 

That miracle You loaned us,

For just a short sweet while.

We thought that we were ready,

This little child to have 

But in Your will was planned for us 

A slightly different path.

So You gave us strength to stand 

And bravely bear this trial 

And promised that Your best for us has not yet been revealed.

So thank You, Lord, for loving us and we know all the while

We'll meet You and that precious life

In just a short sweet while.

Trust is something that has never come easy for me. As a matter of fact, I'm a suspicious person by nature. But God, in His great love, is teaching me that love conquers all. And gaining back my trust began with Him. He is the great Teacher and the Changer of lives. He proves Himself over and over again, so trust in Him, lean on Him and love Him. 

God bless you and draw you close to Him.

Love,

Joan

We Pray Wednesday: A Teenager's Prayer

Written by Jolene Sloan

A specific time in my life that I remember praying earnestly for something and seeing God provide was when I was just a teenager.  God used this instance to show me that, even as a 16-year-old, I could reach the throne of grace through the simple act of prayer and fasting.

My youth director, Bro. Robert A. Ross, had taken a missions trip to the country of Ukraine with a group of teenagers from my youth department the previous summer.  As I listened to his stories and the stories of those who went on the trip, I had a strong yearning to be on that plane the next time he went!  I talked to him about my desire to go, and he recommended that I write letters to pastors asking for their help to sponsor me.  You see, I was a bus kid who lived with her grandmother, and my grandmother's income was not even enough to provide our basic needs most of the time.  She got a lot of outside financial help from compassionate people, and the Lord worked many miracles to keep food on the table of this dear lady who was rearing several of her grandchildren.  We just did not have extra money for something as “unnecessary” as an overseas trip.

I was a hard-worker and did as much as I could on my own to chip away at the price of the airplane ticket.  However, as the weeks passed and the departure date grew closer, I came to realize that everything I had done just would not be enough to get me on that mission’s trip.  I had never tried fasting for something before, and I knew that this was as good as a time as any to try it out.  With my grandmother’s permission, I began fasting and used meal times to go to my bedroom to pour out my heart to the Lord about my desire to go to Ukraine that upcoming summer of 1995.

God worked a miracle and provided me with just the amount of money that I needed to buy that airplane ticket.  The money came in the form of an unexpected check for my grandmother that she unselfishly gave me.  But, more than that check, God provided me with an opportunity to see Him answer the prayers of a 16-year-old who wanted to serve Him with all of her heart.  Looking back, I am thankful that I was driven to my knees to see God provide, because that was just the tool I needed a few years later when God actually sent me to Ukraine as a missionary’s wife!  I needed to learn the power of prayer and fasting, and I needed to know that God truly does care about our needs and desires.  

{This is a picture of me holding my daughter, surrounding by some Ukrainian friends I met on my first trip to Ukraine. 

This is 14 years after that trip in 1995!}

How thankful I am that God answers the prayers of adults, teenagers, and children too!

1 John 5:14-15 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."