Shalom, welcome to June 15^th


><//>--------------------Thought for the Day

In Christ, we have three things: fellowship, faith, and service. Fellowship is wonderful, but its wonder lasts just so long. Then some gossip, disillusionment, and boredom may come in. Worry and fear come back at times and we find that fellowship is not the whole story. Then we realize that we need faith. When we’re alone, with nobody to pat us on the back, we must turn to God for help. 

Can I say: “Thy will be done” – and mean it? 


><//>--------------------Meditation for the Day

“Glory, Glory Dawns”

I AM planning for you. Wonderful are My Ways beyond your knowledge.

   Oh! Realize My Bounty and My Goodness more and more. The wonder of being let be Me! The beauty of a guided life!

   These will enter your consciousness more and more and bring you ever more and more Joy.

   You are very very nearly at the point when you will ask what you will and it shall be done unto you.

   You have entered upon a wonderful era – your lives are planned and blessed by me as never before.

   Your are overcoming. You are counting all things but loss if you can win Me. And the promises to him that overcomes are truly wonderful, and will always be fulfilled.


><//>--------------------Prayer for the Day

Father, we pray that we may earn the rewards of Your power and peace. We pray that we may develop the intuition to be led by Your Spirit. Amen.


A Disciple's Reflections:  A Rebellious Generation – Let us Submit

Rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.
– 1 Samuel 15:23

Beloved, allow me to share on a very important concern for those of us who would desire to walk in the company of the Lord.  I share with you my own learning spiritual experience

We live in an extremely rebellious generation. Many feel it is their right to sit in judgment on those in authority over them. We believers are no exception. We critique the choir and criticize the sermon. We would be far better off if we entered into the worship experience and let the Word of God sit in judgment on us.

Rebelling against God leads to nothing but trouble. As our commanding general, the Lord says, "Get into ranks and follow Me. I will not lead you into temptation, and I will deliver you from evil." But we sometimes say, "No, I don’t want to follow today." So we fall out of the ranks, do our own thing, and get shot. Then we blame God for not protecting us.

I share this not as one who judges, precious one, but as one with many wounds.

We are also tempted to rebel against human authority. We have two biblical responsibilities in regard to God-ordained authority figures: pray for them and submit to them. The only time God permits us to disobey earthly leaders is when they require us to do something morally wrong before God or if they attempt to operate outside the realm of their authority.

Study the following passages of Scripture to further understand our response to authority: civil government (Romans 13:1-5; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-16); parents (Ephesians 6:1-3); husband (1 Peter 3:1, 2); employer (1 Peter 2:18-21); church leaders (Hebrews 13:17).

There is such a temptation for me to speak critically of our President when I should simply be praying for Him.  Whether his presidency has a positive and negative effect on our lives is irrelevant.  He is God's anointed and that's all that matters.  He will answer to God for his service and his life – he in no way need answer to me.

I have learned that being submissive does not mean we will always agree with those who have been placed in authority, but it does mean that we will not interfere with their work in the Lord.  There are times when we may have to speak a word of correction should the Lord burden our heart to do so, but in the end if we must depart another's company for the sake of peace then this is what one must do.  Perhaps if a few innocent priests of the Catholic Church fulfilled their duties in the Lord regarding the purity of the church then the difficulty they find themselves in today would never have happened.

Being submissive to God-ordained authority, including in the home, demonstrates faith. As we submit to God’s line of authority, we are choosing to believe that God will protect us and bless us, and that all will go well with us, no matter how it may appear at the moment. Let us ask God to forgive us for those times we have not been submissive, and declare our trust in Him to work through His established lines of authority, and to suffer in faith with the wrongs they might display.

Our Prayer:  Lord, Forgive us for areas of our lives where we tend to rebel against authority. Help us demonstrate our faith in You through submission. Amen.


Wouldn't It Be Great

"Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."
 – Romans 13:7 (NIV)

Wouldn't it be great if everyone followed this advice? Unfortunately, most choose the cafeteria plan; you know picking and choosing what "debts" to pay. It seems contrary to human nature to always give to others ALL that is due. Sure, it's easy to determine a financial debt and the terms of repayment, but many take for granted the other "notes" that are due. Just look at the number of people who "cheat" on their taxes each year, or the many who have forgotten the meaning of respect and honor for their parents, teachers, pastors, employers, co-workers or friends. And we cannot forget that there are those who would choose to take something rather than paying for it. This moral decay is brought to us courtesy of the self-centered relative rationale that surrounds this current "me" generation (hey, if I can gain from it then it's okay, right?).

The scriptures exhort us to love one another, EVEN as the Lord loves the church. And this is a greater love than most are capable of possessing outside a personal relationship with the Lord. Just look at racism, or the "religious" wars that plague the world today, or the violent crime statistics, or the corruption in government and in politicians, or any of a multitude of things which we dislike or disagree. Love for our fellowman is sorely needed these days. A love that could cause ALL "debts" to be paid. Imagine a world like that! Peace, comfort, joy, and happiness would abound...sounds a lot like heaven, doesn't it? Today may we be willing to pay all that we owe, except the continuing debt of love for one another.

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."
 –  Romans 13:8 (NIV)


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Please have a blessed day, be hopeful, be encouraged, and know you are not alone.

“God Calling” compiled by A. J. Russell.
“Twenty-Four Hours A Day” Hazelton – adapted.
Greg Candelaria writes Those Who Keep It.
Neil Anderson writes A Rebellious Generation
Barry Gray writes A Disciple’s Reflections.