When God wants you to get His message, He often sends it in various ways. We are in this series Fearless. The scriptures in my devotional time this morning spoke directly to this. The first was from Psalm 121:1-2: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Jim Coleman, one of the pastors on staff with Dr. Robert Schuler, wrote on that passage:
When we're bombarded or buried with all of our problems, challenges, financial losses, daily pressures, health concerns - the list goes on and on and on - look up! We have a big God. His love, His joy, His mercy is looming in front of you right now. Stop whatever you're doing. Take your focus off your problems. Look up to God - YOU'VE ARRIVED! Your destination, God, is with you always!
I don’t know about you, but I need reminders like that. We have a very Big, Great God. Sometime I allow the situation to blind me of God. Yet, God is always there, if I simply look up.
Then to reinforce His message to me, God sent it again in the Upper Room Scripture of Wednesday, August 18: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2) In order to do that, I have to spend time in God’s Word and Presence each day.
The challenges and fears of this world come at each of us regularly. God has given us a pattern for life that is designed to help us face these challenges. That pattern includes weekly worship with the Body of Christ, personal time in prayer and Bible study, and acts of service in Jesus name. As I worship Christ and spend time with Christ, I am able to lift my eyes to the hills in the confidence that my help does come from the Lord.
Our Children’s Ministry Team has begun a new ministry to help parents and grandparents look up. They have established a Parent’s Book Club and Discussion Blog. The Discussion Blog began this week. It is not too late to pick up a copy of George Barna’s Revolutionary Parenting. You can purchase a copy for $14.00 in the Child Enrichment Center Office or you can order on line at http://tiny.cc/revolutionaryparenting. As you read the book, go on line and join in the on-line discussion. Here is the link to the online discussion Blog: www.kidsrevolutionatgmv.blogspot.com
Some of us are presently participating in a month of prayer for the children. If you picked up a prayer card for a child or teacher, don’t forget to write the child a Prayer Note. Return the Prayer Note to the office, so they can be delivered to the children by the end of the month.
Children’s Choirs and Bible Study begin today. And it’s not too late to join in one the adult studies on Wednesday. Come on out and experience a mid-week recharge.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
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