Emergency Telephone Numbers

God, in His loving and kind way has given us His Word, which has the blueprint to live a life that is pleasing to Him. It is as it proclaims in Psalm 119:105 a guide for our lives, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Here is a fun way to remember how much the Lord cares for us in and through His gracious Word.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

These are more effective than 911

When -

You are sad, phone John 14

You have sinned, phone Psalm 51

You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91

People have failed you, phone Psalm 27

It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139

Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11

You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23

You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34

You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13

You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18

You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39

You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30

It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90

You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30

You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121

You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87

You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1

Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31

You are depressive, phone Psalm 27

Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37

You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13

It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15

You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126

You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19

You want to carry fruit, phone John 15

Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17

With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55

To get along with other people, phone Romans 12

ALTERNATE NUMBERS For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47

For security, call Psalm 121:3

For assurance, call Mark 8:35

For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18

ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY. NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY. ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY. FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH

Bloom Where You Are Planted!

One of the most frustrating times in one’s journey can be when they are trying to figure out what God’s will is for their life. Have you been there? You’ve tried one opportunity after the other, some with more success than others, but yet there still seems to be that elusive “dream” that is seemingly forever beyond your grip. You look around, you are 40 plus years old and everyone around you seems to have it all together. They seem to have found “it”. You don’t have many talents, or so you think, and you wonder how God could possibly use you to do anything of significance for Him. You are not alone, Moses thought that, Mary the mother of Jesus thought that and God used them to change the world for His glory.

Maybe you don’t struggle with feelings of inadequacy, you instead realize that you have been blessed with many gifts but you can’t seem to narrow them down. The opportunities to use your gifts in your area of passion seem to evade you year after year. You’ve prayed, you’ve contacted the movers and shakers in your field of interest, but you remain frustrated because nothing ever seems to pan out. “Why doesn’t the Lord just open up the door for me to do what I dream about every waking moment?” you ask yourself. Here again, you are not alone. The why questions seem to bleed through the pages of scripture as men and women both find themselves in situations that do not fit where they think they should be or what they think they should be doing. From Habakkuk to Esther, God has put his people in places and situations that may not fit their time table or ideal, but are perfectly fit in God’s mind “for such a time as this!”

Micah 6:8 states it simply, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.!” How are you feeling about life right now? Where do you think the future will bring you or hold for you? Let’s make a conscience choice each day to follow the words of Micah 6:8 and as many have found throughout history, God will take that seed and turn your situation into a beautiful and fruitful garden that will bless this world and the next for His honor and glory. So, don’t fret about tomorrow. Plan, and dream, but don’t fret and bloom where you are planted now!

Pastor MJ

“Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No,"!”

“Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No,"!” James 5:12

Buying our first home was one of the most exciting and at the same time, one of the most exhausting times of our lives. Probably the single most exhausting activity was the closing. I’ve never signed my name more times and in more places than during those couple of hours.

Long gone are the days of a handshake sealing a deal between two men; the days when a man’s word held such strength that a paper contract was not even necessary. It’s hard to imagine in today’s world sealing a deal by a man’s word and a handshake. Our culture is filled with contracts for everything from purchases to marriages; from music to “intellectual property”. It would border on foolishness in our day not to have a written contract for any major deal. Sad, but true, but a man’s word, many times is not his bond.

Have you ever had a friend who you trusted so completely that when he or she spoke it was as good as done; someone with whom the actual completion of a task was just a formality because if they spoke it you could release it as “tco’d” (taken care of)? There are not many things that I hold more precious than that kind of trust.

On a greater level, however, is the comfort in this, that the Lord is trustworthy and faithful. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” And 1 Kings 8:56 states, “Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.” There is nothing that God has spoken that will not come to pass. From the greatest promise to the most minute event, if God has spoken it, it will come to pass.

That, my friend, should be our greatest comfort and our greatest fear. It should be our greatest deterrent to sin and our most powerful key to live freely in extravagant grace.

Today, as we read and meditate on God’s Word, take a moment and praise God for each and every Word that proceeds from His mouth. And along with that cry out to Him for endurance to obey every command by the power of His Spirit.

Blessings,

MJ

Why?

Why? That is a question that as you read this is being asked by thousands of people across the globe and many perhaps sitting not too far from you. Why are all of these natural disasters happening all over the world? Why did my son die in a helicopter drill in Iraq? Why did he have to leave me after all of these years? Why did I get laid off? Why didn’t God stop that drunk driver before he hit my baby? Why do I have cancer? Why?

We’ve all asked why. During my journey with the Lord, however, very few times has He given me a reason why. Most of the time there is seeming silence. I find comfort in God’s Word where we see “the reason” for individuals’ journey through the pain. We see Joseph’s journey though abandonment in order to set the stage for the movement of God’s children to Egypt. Then there’s Esther’s journey through pain “for such a time as this!” Later we see Daniel’s journey to and through the lion’s den so that God’s power might be shown. Then we see our Lord Jesus’ journey to the cross to provide our salvation. But even though I see the end result of other’s pain and suffering, in the midst of mine, when I cannot see the end in sight, I still have the urge to ask why.

As a matter of fact, I just asked that question recently. Father God didn’t reach down and say, “because…”, rather He said ever so gently, “I Am”.

When Habakkuk saw the injustice and violence all around him he cried out and said, How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. (Habakkuk 1:2,3 NIV) After asking the question why, Father told Him, "Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (Habakkuk 1:5 NIV)

My friend, as you are seeking to hear or see the “because”, do not be discouraged as the seeming silence is deafening, rather, ask Father to help you set your discouragement aside and rest in the powerful truth that “I AM” is right by your side in the midst of whatever circumstances that you find yourself in.

Blessings,
MJ