Today’s Reading:
“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in a boat with the hired men and followed him.” – Mark 1:16-20 (NIV, bolded mine)
“I will, I will,” Jacob called when I said that I was going to make cookies! He jumped out of the chair, while leaving his favorite movie, and ran into the kitchen. Jacob is four years old, and he is more than willing to do just about anything! Before we had all of the stuff gathered to make the cookies, he was already asking to help beat the cookie batter. Not only is he willing to help with the wonderful things, he’ll also help with the “not-so-wonderful” things.
Can we play a game later? I have to clean up the house…“I will help!”
I have to let the dog inside. “I will, I will!”
I have vacuum up the floor. “I will, I will!”
I need to take the trash outside. “I will, I will!”
Often, Jacob’s excitement overwhelms me. I just can’t seem to get to the part where he can help fast enough! I have always loved this story of Jesus calling the disciples, especially the part where He says, “I will make you fishers of men.” That’s the part where we get the song…”I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men…I will make you fishers of men, if you follow me.” I loved to sing that song anytime when my dad, brother, and I would go fishing in our lake…but today, and as the New Year approaches, I saw something different in this small piece of Scripture – I saw the willingness of the new disciples to leave everything and follow Jesus.
I’m never sure whether my campus minister is joking around when he says, “I want to quit my job, and go serve Jesus,” but in reality, that’s exactly what these men did. Something about Jesus caught their eye, and they left everything for it…and they didn’t take all day to do it or make up their minds and contemplate the meaning of life. Jesus called them, and “at once they left their nets and followed him!”
Just as Jacob is willing to do the wonderful things as well as the not-so-wonderful, these men were willing to leave their comfort zone (their job – it’s what they knew best – fishing) and follow Jesus. You don’t have to be an expert. (Jacob is certainly not an expert at baking cookies, nor vacuuming.) You just have to be willing.
Are you willing to go all out to serve Jesus in 2010? Can’t say it was always easy for these men to give up everything, but in the end…it was worth it!
God doesn’t ask for the experts…He only asks that you be willing. Will you respond like Jacob, and following ‘at once’ like the disciples? “I WILL, I WILL!!!”
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Voluntarily Locked Out???
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 (NIV)
The very first day I pulled into the parking lot of Missouri State University, I was sure that I was going to be great at college. I had come from church that morning, and I was ready to go!!! I decided that I didn’t want to go into the band camp week in my nice dress clothes, so I slipped on some jeans in the car. I went into the temporary dorm, where I would make my home for the next couple days before I could move into my permanent dorm, and registered. I decided to go upstairs to the room to dump my first load of stuff, my purse, laptop, and umbrella. (It hadn’t been raining, so I have no idea why I had one with me!)
As I headed up the stairs, I started to panic. I couldn’t find my car keys! I dumped out my purse all over the bed…I searched through my laptop case, hoping I had stashed them inside, but they were nowhere to be found! I seriously freaked out!!! Here I was, a college freshman, locked out of my car! I was locked out of the only thing that was familiar to me!
Have you ever felt that way? As Christians, I think we need to feel this way more often than not – we need to voluntarily lock ourselves out of what’s familiar and GO! I was forced to talk to unfamiliar people to see how I could get my car unlocked when Mom, with the spare key, was 246 miles away, and I had band within an hour!!!
Jesus tells us in Acts, that we are to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, as well as ‘to the ends of the earth.’ Jerusalem, for His disciples, was a familiar place. That’s where they all grew up. It’s what they know. However, He calls them to go to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth to spread this message that they have! That’s not exactly familiar to them! Remember, most of these people are traveling on foot. To be called to go that far out of their comfort zone is a huge step.
I was forced out of my comfort zone! I had to get to know people and trust them quickly to help me get my clothes, my flute, and, of course, my keys, out of my car! I had never met any of these people ever in my entire life! I was locked out of what was familiar…Jesus asks us to go outside of what is familiar and share His message to the world!
Will you stay in what’s familiar, or will you voluntarily go out of your comfort zone to share His grace?
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
The very first day I pulled into the parking lot of Missouri State University, I was sure that I was going to be great at college. I had come from church that morning, and I was ready to go!!! I decided that I didn’t want to go into the band camp week in my nice dress clothes, so I slipped on some jeans in the car. I went into the temporary dorm, where I would make my home for the next couple days before I could move into my permanent dorm, and registered. I decided to go upstairs to the room to dump my first load of stuff, my purse, laptop, and umbrella. (It hadn’t been raining, so I have no idea why I had one with me!)
As I headed up the stairs, I started to panic. I couldn’t find my car keys! I dumped out my purse all over the bed…I searched through my laptop case, hoping I had stashed them inside, but they were nowhere to be found! I seriously freaked out!!! Here I was, a college freshman, locked out of my car! I was locked out of the only thing that was familiar to me!
Have you ever felt that way? As Christians, I think we need to feel this way more often than not – we need to voluntarily lock ourselves out of what’s familiar and GO! I was forced to talk to unfamiliar people to see how I could get my car unlocked when Mom, with the spare key, was 246 miles away, and I had band within an hour!!!
Jesus tells us in Acts, that we are to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, as well as ‘to the ends of the earth.’ Jerusalem, for His disciples, was a familiar place. That’s where they all grew up. It’s what they know. However, He calls them to go to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth to spread this message that they have! That’s not exactly familiar to them! Remember, most of these people are traveling on foot. To be called to go that far out of their comfort zone is a huge step.
I was forced out of my comfort zone! I had to get to know people and trust them quickly to help me get my clothes, my flute, and, of course, my keys, out of my car! I had never met any of these people ever in my entire life! I was locked out of what was familiar…Jesus asks us to go outside of what is familiar and share His message to the world!
Will you stay in what’s familiar, or will you voluntarily go out of your comfort zone to share His grace?
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Beautiful Mistake
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
HELLO!!!!
On Saturday, my family loaded up the van and left on vacation! We were going all the way down to Alabama, so it ended up being a two day trip. On Sunday, we loaded up the hotel room and left again. When we were almost there, after hours of driving, Mom missed the turn to take us straight there!!! Instead we had to go about TEN MILES up the road and take a different way that would take us longer to get there! Nothin' like makin' a mistake that would take us out of our way!!!
After missing the turn, we went across a bridge after bridge....which soon became a very long bridge...we were going over many rivers! We could see over the tops of the trees. It was a beautiful sight! The clouds were perfect in the sky and it was a breath-taking view! When we came to a river, we could see the way the river twisted throughout the land! There were FIVE rivers we went across, each with their own spectacular view!!! If Mom wouldn't have made a mistake, we wouldn't have had the blessing of seeing the magnificent view!
Sometimes, i feel like i make one mistake after another which leads into life being hard! Sometimes, I feel like nothing can go right in my life! And every so often, I feel like nothing can come out good! But God can take the times that I am feeling rough on the edges and feeling like nothing is going right, and use them to make me stronger in Him and help me realize that something beautiful can come out of those hard times when nothing is going my way!
I am confident that there are times in your life when you feel like nothing is going right and that God is "out to gete you!" But...Remember that God only has the best in mind for His children...and you never know what God might show you along the way! Look for the beauty in life as you cross the bridges along the way! (Even if it is from a wrong turn!) ~
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
HELLO!!!!
On Saturday, my family loaded up the van and left on vacation! We were going all the way down to Alabama, so it ended up being a two day trip. On Sunday, we loaded up the hotel room and left again. When we were almost there, after hours of driving, Mom missed the turn to take us straight there!!! Instead we had to go about TEN MILES up the road and take a different way that would take us longer to get there! Nothin' like makin' a mistake that would take us out of our way!!!
After missing the turn, we went across a bridge after bridge....which soon became a very long bridge...we were going over many rivers! We could see over the tops of the trees. It was a beautiful sight! The clouds were perfect in the sky and it was a breath-taking view! When we came to a river, we could see the way the river twisted throughout the land! There were FIVE rivers we went across, each with their own spectacular view!!! If Mom wouldn't have made a mistake, we wouldn't have had the blessing of seeing the magnificent view!
Sometimes, i feel like i make one mistake after another which leads into life being hard! Sometimes, I feel like nothing can go right in my life! And every so often, I feel like nothing can come out good! But God can take the times that I am feeling rough on the edges and feeling like nothing is going right, and use them to make me stronger in Him and help me realize that something beautiful can come out of those hard times when nothing is going my way!
I am confident that there are times in your life when you feel like nothing is going right and that God is "out to gete you!" But...Remember that God only has the best in mind for His children...and you never know what God might show you along the way! Look for the beauty in life as you cross the bridges along the way! (Even if it is from a wrong turn!) ~
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Part of the Master's Plan
1 Chronicles 29:1-9.
“Then King David said to the whole assembly: ‘My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God. With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God – gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities. Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?’
“Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, to give you a clue as to what is going on here…THIS IS A HUGE POINT IN ISRAELITE HISTORY!!!!! David has wanted to build a temple so that the people would have a place to worship God. Up until this point, the Israelite people have been moving around and the Ark of the Covenant has not had a stable, set place for it to rest. And after wanting to build the temple that God was to rest upon, he was told that he would not be the one to do it! Solomon would be the one to do the building. So, instead of building…David had collected all of the materials necessary to build it. And he dedicated them all to the building of the Temple and made them holy unto the Lord.
Now…we have all these things to build the temple –all the materials…so who are we going to put
in charge of keeping all this stuff!?!?! If you remember in the Scripture, it was a weird name—Jehiel the Gershonite!
So, how did HE get chosen? We really don’t know much about this Jehiel. His name is only mentioned in a line of lineage and here in this story. He is a Gershonite, which means that he is a part of the Levites-which are a people provided for by the Israelites. So…he is an ordinary guy – not much claim to fame! He may have had some experience, but really…he was probably chosen just because he was willing. He was willing to take a risk and do something that is a hard job knowing that God would be there with him.
We are chosen too! We are ordinary people…we aren’t the president! We have normal clothes and we work in normal places with other ordinary people. HOWEVER…we have been called to share the good news of Jesus Christ! You may have some experience. But are you willing to take a risk, even if you don’t know what you are doing? Are you willing to use the gifts and talents that God has given you to share the news of Jesus – who went around teaching others about the kingdom of God, who never sinned, who always had His mind toward God, who was willing to do whatever the Father asked of Him even if it meant dying on a cross for the wrong He never committed! Are you willing to share the news that on that third day, Jesus rose from the grave alive more than ever! And that He is coming back!
I live out in the country. This time of year, I see a lot of turtles crossing the road. Actually, I don’t really see them moving. They always seem to hide in their shell. I did see one turtle a long time ago that was actually moving around!!! AND…even when I passed him driving, he didn’t hide! I was very excited, though that was only one turtle out of how many that I passed??? I was curious on why turtles are always in their shell when I pass them on the highway. And it is because they are scared or sleeping!!!
Are you a turtle? Are you one who likes to hide in your shell? You may be saying, “Well, Samantha, I am not a turtle, so therefore I don’t have a shell!” But, then I would reply, “Yes, you do.” What is your shell? Where do you make yourself comfortable? Is it in the pew at church? (because I find those things very uncomfortable!) Is it inside your home? Is it behind your desk at work? Is it in your bed?
Won’t you take a risk and get out of your shell? Don’t be ashamed of who God made you to be! God wants you to help Him share the gospel! But to do that, you’ll need to get out of your shell. God doesn’t call us to stay in our shells; a turtle that stays in its shell isn’t accomplishing much. It might be a little uncomfortable at first, but I guarantee that you will be able to make a difference in this world. And most importantly, don’t be ashamed of the gospel! There is no reason to be. It truly is the power of God that can save the people of this world!
The one turtle that I saw not hiding in its shell took a risk! Are you willing to take a risk and share the gospel today? Don’t worry…God will be there every moment!
Why did the turtle cross the road? We may never know…but he was willing to take the risk!
When David told Solomon the news that he would be building the temple, he said “Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” (1 Chronicles 28:10) That’s the call.
We are called not to build a temple, but to build the kingdom of God! We are all different and we all have different roles. Charles Swindoll said, “You are you. There will never be another You. And You are important!” Who you are has never lived before, and will NEVER live again! No matter how different we are, we are all looking toward one thing…the return of Jesus Christ and His kingdom. You are part of His plan! YOU are part of the Master’s plan to build the kingdom of God here on earth!
“Then King David said to the whole assembly: ‘My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God. With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God – gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities. Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?’
“Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, to give you a clue as to what is going on here…THIS IS A HUGE POINT IN ISRAELITE HISTORY!!!!! David has wanted to build a temple so that the people would have a place to worship God. Up until this point, the Israelite people have been moving around and the Ark of the Covenant has not had a stable, set place for it to rest. And after wanting to build the temple that God was to rest upon, he was told that he would not be the one to do it! Solomon would be the one to do the building. So, instead of building…David had collected all of the materials necessary to build it. And he dedicated them all to the building of the Temple and made them holy unto the Lord.
Now…we have all these things to build the temple –all the materials…so who are we going to put
in charge of keeping all this stuff!?!?! If you remember in the Scripture, it was a weird name—Jehiel the Gershonite!
So, how did HE get chosen? We really don’t know much about this Jehiel. His name is only mentioned in a line of lineage and here in this story. He is a Gershonite, which means that he is a part of the Levites-which are a people provided for by the Israelites. So…he is an ordinary guy – not much claim to fame! He may have had some experience, but really…he was probably chosen just because he was willing. He was willing to take a risk and do something that is a hard job knowing that God would be there with him.
We are chosen too! We are ordinary people…we aren’t the president! We have normal clothes and we work in normal places with other ordinary people. HOWEVER…we have been called to share the good news of Jesus Christ! You may have some experience. But are you willing to take a risk, even if you don’t know what you are doing? Are you willing to use the gifts and talents that God has given you to share the news of Jesus – who went around teaching others about the kingdom of God, who never sinned, who always had His mind toward God, who was willing to do whatever the Father asked of Him even if it meant dying on a cross for the wrong He never committed! Are you willing to share the news that on that third day, Jesus rose from the grave alive more than ever! And that He is coming back!
I live out in the country. This time of year, I see a lot of turtles crossing the road. Actually, I don’t really see them moving. They always seem to hide in their shell. I did see one turtle a long time ago that was actually moving around!!! AND…even when I passed him driving, he didn’t hide! I was very excited, though that was only one turtle out of how many that I passed??? I was curious on why turtles are always in their shell when I pass them on the highway. And it is because they are scared or sleeping!!!
Are you a turtle? Are you one who likes to hide in your shell? You may be saying, “Well, Samantha, I am not a turtle, so therefore I don’t have a shell!” But, then I would reply, “Yes, you do.” What is your shell? Where do you make yourself comfortable? Is it in the pew at church? (because I find those things very uncomfortable!) Is it inside your home? Is it behind your desk at work? Is it in your bed?
Won’t you take a risk and get out of your shell? Don’t be ashamed of who God made you to be! God wants you to help Him share the gospel! But to do that, you’ll need to get out of your shell. God doesn’t call us to stay in our shells; a turtle that stays in its shell isn’t accomplishing much. It might be a little uncomfortable at first, but I guarantee that you will be able to make a difference in this world. And most importantly, don’t be ashamed of the gospel! There is no reason to be. It truly is the power of God that can save the people of this world!
The one turtle that I saw not hiding in its shell took a risk! Are you willing to take a risk and share the gospel today? Don’t worry…God will be there every moment!
Why did the turtle cross the road? We may never know…but he was willing to take the risk!
When David told Solomon the news that he would be building the temple, he said “Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” (1 Chronicles 28:10) That’s the call.
We are called not to build a temple, but to build the kingdom of God! We are all different and we all have different roles. Charles Swindoll said, “You are you. There will never be another You. And You are important!” Who you are has never lived before, and will NEVER live again! No matter how different we are, we are all looking toward one thing…the return of Jesus Christ and His kingdom. You are part of His plan! YOU are part of the Master’s plan to build the kingdom of God here on earth!
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Bonding Power of .....
Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
HELLO!!!
Have you ever heard the phrase, “We’re Twinkies!”? I hadn’t heard it until last night – and I am still not sure if anyone else actually says it other than my crazy friend! :D Apparently, it is said when two people have something in common! Whether it be the same clothes or liking the same thing…we’re Twinkies~ Last night…we were Twinkies because we have the same screen saver set on our computers! Can’t you see it! My friend and I dressed in Twinkie costumes on the side of the road! Or on the side of a bus – like an ad! Anyway…we had something in common – therefore…”we’re Twinkies!!!!”
My sister and I got some time with the house to ourselves last week. We did all sorts of fun things – grocery shopping, making a menu, reading at Dairy Queen, going to dance pictures…a lot of things!!! One day, we were randomly talking and she said that her stomach hurt. I asked her why and she said that it was because she had chewed gum. Now, this may seem really strange to all you readers, but I completely understood!!! Apparently, we are the only ones on the universe with this “thing” but when we chew gum, it makes our stomach hurt! Anytime, we tell anyone that, they think we are crazy! We determined that it was a “sister thing!”
We, as Christians, have a bond too! It may not be the same screensaver or stomach aches when we chew gum…Actually, it is a lot more important! We all have the love of Jesus! The love of God that surpasses all understanding! The love that gives us peace lives in each Christian all over the world.
The apostle Paul tells us to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Powerful words! Webster’s Dictionary defines unity as this: the state of being one, or united; oneness; something complete in itself; the quality of being one in spirit! Peace is the uniting force behind it all! Jesus Christ is the uniting force!
Jesus will unite all the people everywhere! We, as Christians, need to unite to tell the world about Jesus! We are like a box of Twinkies! We all have something in common – Jesus, but until we get out of our box, we do no good! So, jump out! And UNITE through the bonding power of JESUS CHRIST!!!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
HELLO!!!
Have you ever heard the phrase, “We’re Twinkies!”? I hadn’t heard it until last night – and I am still not sure if anyone else actually says it other than my crazy friend! :D Apparently, it is said when two people have something in common! Whether it be the same clothes or liking the same thing…we’re Twinkies~ Last night…we were Twinkies because we have the same screen saver set on our computers! Can’t you see it! My friend and I dressed in Twinkie costumes on the side of the road! Or on the side of a bus – like an ad! Anyway…we had something in common – therefore…”we’re Twinkies!!!!”
My sister and I got some time with the house to ourselves last week. We did all sorts of fun things – grocery shopping, making a menu, reading at Dairy Queen, going to dance pictures…a lot of things!!! One day, we were randomly talking and she said that her stomach hurt. I asked her why and she said that it was because she had chewed gum. Now, this may seem really strange to all you readers, but I completely understood!!! Apparently, we are the only ones on the universe with this “thing” but when we chew gum, it makes our stomach hurt! Anytime, we tell anyone that, they think we are crazy! We determined that it was a “sister thing!”
We, as Christians, have a bond too! It may not be the same screensaver or stomach aches when we chew gum…Actually, it is a lot more important! We all have the love of Jesus! The love of God that surpasses all understanding! The love that gives us peace lives in each Christian all over the world.
The apostle Paul tells us to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Powerful words! Webster’s Dictionary defines unity as this: the state of being one, or united; oneness; something complete in itself; the quality of being one in spirit! Peace is the uniting force behind it all! Jesus Christ is the uniting force!
Jesus will unite all the people everywhere! We, as Christians, need to unite to tell the world about Jesus! We are like a box of Twinkies! We all have something in common – Jesus, but until we get out of our box, we do no good! So, jump out! And UNITE through the bonding power of JESUS CHRIST!!!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Early Out Days ~
Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Good Morning!!!
When I was still in high school, early out days were the BEST! Instead of the usual 2:53pm bell, it would ring at 1pm or 11:30am!!! The teachers knew not to plan too much on early out days. The mood was just different. It was happier…like all in the world was right because we woke up to an early out day. Students were excited for what might happen…it was almost as good as getting a snow day! The days when you would wake up and you couldn’t hold the excitement in because you knew the roads would be covered in snow and ice and that they would call off school!!! I wish that same mood was around every day. Early out days were NOT ordinary days!
How did you feel when you woke up this morning? Did you feel excited? Did you feel like jumping for joy that God woke you for another day? Or did you feel lousy like it is just another ordinary day?
If God has a purpose for everything, He has a purpose for bringing the sun this morning! That alone should make us excited!! Psalm 118 tells us to rejoice in the day!!! Rejoice that God woke you this morning and that the Lord has created this day! He created a day for us to be excited for what might come! He creates an extraordinary day everyday!
We should wake up knowing that we have an extraordinary day ahead of us and that should make us energized for whatever life puts in our path! May you find the extraordinary in what seems to be an ordinary day ahead of you! May you be blessed by what you find!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Good Morning!!!
When I was still in high school, early out days were the BEST! Instead of the usual 2:53pm bell, it would ring at 1pm or 11:30am!!! The teachers knew not to plan too much on early out days. The mood was just different. It was happier…like all in the world was right because we woke up to an early out day. Students were excited for what might happen…it was almost as good as getting a snow day! The days when you would wake up and you couldn’t hold the excitement in because you knew the roads would be covered in snow and ice and that they would call off school!!! I wish that same mood was around every day. Early out days were NOT ordinary days!
How did you feel when you woke up this morning? Did you feel excited? Did you feel like jumping for joy that God woke you for another day? Or did you feel lousy like it is just another ordinary day?
If God has a purpose for everything, He has a purpose for bringing the sun this morning! That alone should make us excited!! Psalm 118 tells us to rejoice in the day!!! Rejoice that God woke you this morning and that the Lord has created this day! He created a day for us to be excited for what might come! He creates an extraordinary day everyday!
We should wake up knowing that we have an extraordinary day ahead of us and that should make us energized for whatever life puts in our path! May you find the extraordinary in what seems to be an ordinary day ahead of you! May you be blessed by what you find!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Not Too Difficult!!!
Deuteronomy 30:11 (NIV)
“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.”
Hello!
Last night, Jacob, my four year-old brother, wanted a bowl of cereal. Then, he wanted to eat it in the living room – sure, he’s eaten in the living room before! After he was finished, Grandma asked him to bring it back into the kitchen. Boy, did we have a fit! He didn’t want to do it…any part of it! He pushed the bowl and spilt the remaining milk and cereal all over the coffee table! I told him no Nintendo DS unless he cleaned up the mess. A simple request! (It wasn’t a huge mess!)
Grandma sat and talked him through it! “Jacob, bring me your bowl so you can get your DS back.” Jacob went and got his bowl – still throwing a HUGE fit! He only brought it so far and was so reluctant to do it at all! “Jacob, take the wash-rag and do ‘this’ a few times and bring it back.” Well, he FINALLY did it and he got his DS back.
God had just given the Israelites A LOT of laws and regulations! God provided a way for the Israelites to worship Him in everything – even the ordinary things! It may seem crazy to us in the 21st century, but God means the best for His children. Sometimes, what God commands seems crazy. Sometimes, it seems hard. I don’t know if I would have survived trying to remember all of the different sacrifices! And sometimes, God asks something of you that you really don’t want to do.
Jacob thought that the job was too hard for him. “I can’t know how to do it!” he yelled! He didn’t want to know how to do it because then he would have to do it! This Scripture in Deuteronomy reminds us that God will never ask something of you that is too hard that you can’t handle it! God will never ask you to do something that you can’t do! You may have to learn something new!
So the next time God asks you to do something, have the confidence to know that God will be there every step! He would never ask you to do something that is too hard or impossible! He promises…It is NOT TOO DIFFICULT!!!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.”
Hello!
Last night, Jacob, my four year-old brother, wanted a bowl of cereal. Then, he wanted to eat it in the living room – sure, he’s eaten in the living room before! After he was finished, Grandma asked him to bring it back into the kitchen. Boy, did we have a fit! He didn’t want to do it…any part of it! He pushed the bowl and spilt the remaining milk and cereal all over the coffee table! I told him no Nintendo DS unless he cleaned up the mess. A simple request! (It wasn’t a huge mess!)
Grandma sat and talked him through it! “Jacob, bring me your bowl so you can get your DS back.” Jacob went and got his bowl – still throwing a HUGE fit! He only brought it so far and was so reluctant to do it at all! “Jacob, take the wash-rag and do ‘this’ a few times and bring it back.” Well, he FINALLY did it and he got his DS back.
God had just given the Israelites A LOT of laws and regulations! God provided a way for the Israelites to worship Him in everything – even the ordinary things! It may seem crazy to us in the 21st century, but God means the best for His children. Sometimes, what God commands seems crazy. Sometimes, it seems hard. I don’t know if I would have survived trying to remember all of the different sacrifices! And sometimes, God asks something of you that you really don’t want to do.
Jacob thought that the job was too hard for him. “I can’t know how to do it!” he yelled! He didn’t want to know how to do it because then he would have to do it! This Scripture in Deuteronomy reminds us that God will never ask something of you that is too hard that you can’t handle it! God will never ask you to do something that you can’t do! You may have to learn something new!
So the next time God asks you to do something, have the confidence to know that God will be there every step! He would never ask you to do something that is too hard or impossible! He promises…It is NOT TOO DIFFICULT!!!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Go CONDITIONER!!!!
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Hello!
Contrary to what my profile picture shows, I have very curly hair. Short, curly hair! I try hard to take care of it. I am careful not to drown it in too many chemicals and gels. I shampoo it with a special shampoo for curly hair. And, I even take the time to use conditioner!
So, I did a little research on why I should use conditioner. I think I should know why I use it! Here are some of the reasons I found:
Keeps hair healthy.
Makes hair smooth.
Keeps hair moisturized.
Allows hair to shine.
Needless to say, I never forget to use conditioner! But, I wonder how many of us forget to use our conditioners in our spiritual lives. The conditioners that make our lives healthy and running smoothly (even on the bumpiest parts of the road). The conditioners that keep our hearts soft and allows our lives to shine!
Just as we want our hair to shine, we also want our lives to shine. And we should allow them to shine in praise of our Glorious Creator God! We should remember the light that is within us when we have Jesus in our lives and we should rekindle the flame everyday! Create it into the torch that it should be! We can do this by praying, reading the Word of God, worshiping, spending time with other Christians, fasting, giving, and being in mission!!!
No matter what you choose to do to renew and condition your life, you will be blessed! Others will see the light that you give to the world, and they will give thanks to God! And those who don’t know about our Savior Jesus Christ will ask…and you can give the reason for the hope you have. (1 Peter 3:15)
So break out the Bible and your smile…and let the light flow forth! Just as you would never miss a step in the shower – don’t forget to use the conditioners in your life to SHINE for God!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Hello!
Contrary to what my profile picture shows, I have very curly hair. Short, curly hair! I try hard to take care of it. I am careful not to drown it in too many chemicals and gels. I shampoo it with a special shampoo for curly hair. And, I even take the time to use conditioner!
So, I did a little research on why I should use conditioner. I think I should know why I use it! Here are some of the reasons I found:
Keeps hair healthy.
Makes hair smooth.
Keeps hair moisturized.
Allows hair to shine.
Needless to say, I never forget to use conditioner! But, I wonder how many of us forget to use our conditioners in our spiritual lives. The conditioners that make our lives healthy and running smoothly (even on the bumpiest parts of the road). The conditioners that keep our hearts soft and allows our lives to shine!
Just as we want our hair to shine, we also want our lives to shine. And we should allow them to shine in praise of our Glorious Creator God! We should remember the light that is within us when we have Jesus in our lives and we should rekindle the flame everyday! Create it into the torch that it should be! We can do this by praying, reading the Word of God, worshiping, spending time with other Christians, fasting, giving, and being in mission!!!
No matter what you choose to do to renew and condition your life, you will be blessed! Others will see the light that you give to the world, and they will give thanks to God! And those who don’t know about our Savior Jesus Christ will ask…and you can give the reason for the hope you have. (1 Peter 3:15)
So break out the Bible and your smile…and let the light flow forth! Just as you would never miss a step in the shower – don’t forget to use the conditioners in your life to SHINE for God!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
See With Your Own Eyes...
Deuteronomy 10:21, 11:7 (NIV)
“He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes…But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the Lord has done.”
Hello!
Have you ever seen something beautiful? So beautiful, that it was breath-taking!? Some people look out my window in the fall and feel like the view is breath-taking. Some people have the chance to look out upon the Grand Canyon and experience the awe and wonder of God’s creation. Maybe it was holding your child for the first time. Or maybe it was sitting in that chair as a wedding of your child was taking place. Perhaps it was a special someone. Or perhaps it was the ending to a good movie. What have you seen?
What about with God? Have you seen what He has done and what He is doing? Have you ever felt the love of God embrace you? Have you ever experienced one of His miracles? Have you ever felt the relief that comes when you experience Jesus? Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit filling your heart?
My friend, look around you and see the beauty of the earth – it was all created by God. The God who loves YOU!!! Look and find the miracles that He is causing! Feel the beauty of your sin being completely washed away. See the people around you who are being set free by the love of God! You can see it with your own eyes!!! See the great things the Lord has done!
And once you see the beauty of it all (creation and life)…go tell someone about it! Tell them about the love of God and the wonderful things that He can do in their life. Tell how you have been released from your sin and captivity into a new life! Tell them how they can experience the love of God!
Father God, I ask you to fill our sight with a breath-taking view of your awesome wonders. I ask that you will remind us of what you have done for us—You delivered us from our own captivity by doing something beautiful on the cross. I ask that you would encourage us to tell someone about Your love so that they, too, may know of your wonders. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
“He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes…But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the Lord has done.”
Hello!
Have you ever seen something beautiful? So beautiful, that it was breath-taking!? Some people look out my window in the fall and feel like the view is breath-taking. Some people have the chance to look out upon the Grand Canyon and experience the awe and wonder of God’s creation. Maybe it was holding your child for the first time. Or maybe it was sitting in that chair as a wedding of your child was taking place. Perhaps it was a special someone. Or perhaps it was the ending to a good movie. What have you seen?
What about with God? Have you seen what He has done and what He is doing? Have you ever felt the love of God embrace you? Have you ever experienced one of His miracles? Have you ever felt the relief that comes when you experience Jesus? Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit filling your heart?
My friend, look around you and see the beauty of the earth – it was all created by God. The God who loves YOU!!! Look and find the miracles that He is causing! Feel the beauty of your sin being completely washed away. See the people around you who are being set free by the love of God! You can see it with your own eyes!!! See the great things the Lord has done!
And once you see the beauty of it all (creation and life)…go tell someone about it! Tell them about the love of God and the wonderful things that He can do in their life. Tell how you have been released from your sin and captivity into a new life! Tell them how they can experience the love of God!
Father God, I ask you to fill our sight with a breath-taking view of your awesome wonders. I ask that you will remind us of what you have done for us—You delivered us from our own captivity by doing something beautiful on the cross. I ask that you would encourage us to tell someone about Your love so that they, too, may know of your wonders. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
On Dad's Shoulders
Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Good Morning!!!
When I was little, Dad would give me piggy-back rides! But, I would convince him to let me up on his shoulders. So I would sit on his shoulders and wrap one arm around his head (usually so he couldn’t see) and then touch the ceiling with the other. I always liked the feeling of being tall. (In case you don’t know me…I am short – really short!!!) I was able to touch the ceiling – something I would have never been able to do without Dad’s help!
As Father’s day weekend has been approaching, I think of how much I have enjoyed growing up in my father’s house. I think of the times when he and I were both young enough to do piggy-back rides around the house. I think of the times that Dad, my brother, and I would wrestle on the living room floor (for fun). I think of the chocolate chip cookies that Dad makes every year around Christmas—that happened to be a secret family recipe that is on the back of every package of chocolate chips!!!
This Father’s day weekend, I encourage you, not only to remember your earthly fathers, but also your Heavenly Father. Remember the good times you have had! Remember the things that you have been able to do with God’s help!
When we accept Christ into our lives, He raises us up! He raises us out of the pit of self destruction into a new life. A new life where we can sit on our Father’s shoulders! And once we are on Dad’s shoulders, we, too, can reach for things above! We can set our minds to reach for the ceiling! Reach for the impossible…because on God’s shoulders—nothing is out of reach! The impossible can be possible and accomplished!
Set your mind to reach for the sky! Because on Dad’s shoulders—nothing is impossible!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Good Morning!!!
When I was little, Dad would give me piggy-back rides! But, I would convince him to let me up on his shoulders. So I would sit on his shoulders and wrap one arm around his head (usually so he couldn’t see) and then touch the ceiling with the other. I always liked the feeling of being tall. (In case you don’t know me…I am short – really short!!!) I was able to touch the ceiling – something I would have never been able to do without Dad’s help!
As Father’s day weekend has been approaching, I think of how much I have enjoyed growing up in my father’s house. I think of the times when he and I were both young enough to do piggy-back rides around the house. I think of the times that Dad, my brother, and I would wrestle on the living room floor (for fun). I think of the chocolate chip cookies that Dad makes every year around Christmas—that happened to be a secret family recipe that is on the back of every package of chocolate chips!!!
This Father’s day weekend, I encourage you, not only to remember your earthly fathers, but also your Heavenly Father. Remember the good times you have had! Remember the things that you have been able to do with God’s help!
When we accept Christ into our lives, He raises us up! He raises us out of the pit of self destruction into a new life. A new life where we can sit on our Father’s shoulders! And once we are on Dad’s shoulders, we, too, can reach for things above! We can set our minds to reach for the ceiling! Reach for the impossible…because on God’s shoulders—nothing is out of reach! The impossible can be possible and accomplished!
Set your mind to reach for the sky! Because on Dad’s shoulders—nothing is impossible!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Running on Empty?
Isaiah 40: 29-31 (NIV)
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Happy Tuesday!
Yesterday, I pulled out of my driveway and realized that I needed fuel. Just as I pulled out, weird things started happening. My car was NOT acting right. The steering wheel locked up and different lights started flashing on my dashboard. For a moment, it scared me. I had to drive all the way into Bowling Green for Morgan’s stage rehearsals, and we did not have time for my car to act up! Luckily, I made it all the way into town without too many problems. I was relieved when I pulled up to the gas pump! I excitedly filled my tank with as much fuel as it could hold! And after it had plenty of fuel to run on, my car didn’t act up at all!
Sometimes, I wonder if we don’t do the same as Christians. Do you try running on low fuel? Are you low on the fuel that keeps you running throughout the week, or even just today? God can fill us up with fuel to keep us going! Fuel that will keep you going on to perfection each and every moment. NO CHARGE!!!
Just as my car wasn’t acting right with the proper amount of fuel, we don’t act right without our fuel either. Without being fueled by God, we sin – more than usual! We don’t have our conscience kicking in when we are doing something wrong. We don’t have the hope to know that we will make it through the next phase in our lives. We feel alone, like we are stranded somewhere without our cell phone! Sometimes, we get scared!
Though I was short on time, I decided to stop and get fuel. We need to do the same thing with our relationship with God. We need to fuel it! We need to take a break in our busy week and honor the Sabbath. Go to church and be in fellowship with other Christians. We need to spend time everyday in prayer and in the Word of God.
And when you have plenty of fuel, get out and share the Gospel. Share the good news, because that too will top off your tank! Be excited to fill your tank with the fuel of God. Don’t run on empty today, but be filled with the strength and love of God!!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Happy Tuesday!
Yesterday, I pulled out of my driveway and realized that I needed fuel. Just as I pulled out, weird things started happening. My car was NOT acting right. The steering wheel locked up and different lights started flashing on my dashboard. For a moment, it scared me. I had to drive all the way into Bowling Green for Morgan’s stage rehearsals, and we did not have time for my car to act up! Luckily, I made it all the way into town without too many problems. I was relieved when I pulled up to the gas pump! I excitedly filled my tank with as much fuel as it could hold! And after it had plenty of fuel to run on, my car didn’t act up at all!
Sometimes, I wonder if we don’t do the same as Christians. Do you try running on low fuel? Are you low on the fuel that keeps you running throughout the week, or even just today? God can fill us up with fuel to keep us going! Fuel that will keep you going on to perfection each and every moment. NO CHARGE!!!
Just as my car wasn’t acting right with the proper amount of fuel, we don’t act right without our fuel either. Without being fueled by God, we sin – more than usual! We don’t have our conscience kicking in when we are doing something wrong. We don’t have the hope to know that we will make it through the next phase in our lives. We feel alone, like we are stranded somewhere without our cell phone! Sometimes, we get scared!
Though I was short on time, I decided to stop and get fuel. We need to do the same thing with our relationship with God. We need to fuel it! We need to take a break in our busy week and honor the Sabbath. Go to church and be in fellowship with other Christians. We need to spend time everyday in prayer and in the Word of God.
And when you have plenty of fuel, get out and share the Gospel. Share the good news, because that too will top off your tank! Be excited to fill your tank with the fuel of God. Don’t run on empty today, but be filled with the strength and love of God!!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
WHY DID TURTLE CROSS THE ROAD?
WHY DID THE TURTLE CROSS THE ROAD?
Romans 1: 16 (NIV)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
I live out in the country. This time of year, I see a lot of turtles crossing the road. Actually, I don’t really see them moving. They always seem to hide in their shell. I did see one turtle a long time ago that was actually moving around!!! AND…even when I passed him driving, he didn’t hide! I was very excited, though that was only one turtle out of how many that I passed??? I was curious on why turtles are always in their shell when I pass them on the highway. And it is because they are scared or sleeping!!!
Are you a turtle? Are you one who likes to hide in your shell? You may be saying, “Well, Samantha, I am not a turtle, so therefore I don’t have a shell!” But, then I would reply, “Yes, you do.” What is your shell? Where do you make yourself comfortable? Is it in the pew at church? (because I find those things very uncomfortable!) Is it inside your home? Is it behind your desk at work? Is it in your bed?
Won’t you take a risk and get out of your shell? Don’t be ashamed of who God made you to be! God wants you to help Him share the gospel! But to do that, you’ll need to get out of your shell. It might be a little uncomfortable at first, but I guarantee that you will be able to make a difference in this world. And most importantly, don’t be ashamed of the gospel! There is no reason to be. It truly is the power of God that can save the people of this world!
The one turtle that I saw not hiding in its shell took a risk! Are you willing to take a risk and share the gospel today? Don’t worry…God will be there every moment!
Why did the turtle cross the road? We may never know…but he was willing to take the risk!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Romans 1: 16 (NIV)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
I live out in the country. This time of year, I see a lot of turtles crossing the road. Actually, I don’t really see them moving. They always seem to hide in their shell. I did see one turtle a long time ago that was actually moving around!!! AND…even when I passed him driving, he didn’t hide! I was very excited, though that was only one turtle out of how many that I passed??? I was curious on why turtles are always in their shell when I pass them on the highway. And it is because they are scared or sleeping!!!
Are you a turtle? Are you one who likes to hide in your shell? You may be saying, “Well, Samantha, I am not a turtle, so therefore I don’t have a shell!” But, then I would reply, “Yes, you do.” What is your shell? Where do you make yourself comfortable? Is it in the pew at church? (because I find those things very uncomfortable!) Is it inside your home? Is it behind your desk at work? Is it in your bed?
Won’t you take a risk and get out of your shell? Don’t be ashamed of who God made you to be! God wants you to help Him share the gospel! But to do that, you’ll need to get out of your shell. It might be a little uncomfortable at first, but I guarantee that you will be able to make a difference in this world. And most importantly, don’t be ashamed of the gospel! There is no reason to be. It truly is the power of God that can save the people of this world!
The one turtle that I saw not hiding in its shell took a risk! Are you willing to take a risk and share the gospel today? Don’t worry…God will be there every moment!
Why did the turtle cross the road? We may never know…but he was willing to take the risk!
________________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Road Home
The Road Home
Hebrews 12: 2 (NIV)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and was sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Good morning!
For those of you who live in the St. Louis, MO, area, you remember the storm that we had last night—Well, I was driving in it! Let me tell you what happened:
All I wanted to do was get home. It was dark. I was alone in my car (me and God). The rain was beating all around me. And the rain NEVER stopped. Sometimes, the rain would not rain as hard as before. The roads were slippery at times. The rain definitely covered the road – and at times, I wasn’t sure where the lines were—especially, with the few spots where the fog would start rising off the road. When someone passed me, their lights seemed brighter than ever, but because my windshield is dirty on the inside, it made it hard to see. The frogs were jumping all over the road looking for safety from the storm. There was debris on the road. There were fallen trees just missing my path. I had to drive REALLY SLOW!!! I have never driven 30mph on highway 79—When the speed limit is 60mph! Sometimes, I would get behind someone who thought they needed to drive extra slow—though, I usually got angry at these people and very annoyed….they kept me going at a good pace so that I wouldn’t get hurt and go off the road! When I finally got home, I was relieved! It felt like I had just accomplished something amazing!
Then I realized that this is kind of what the road of life is like! Sometimes, we feel very alone. The world is always beating down on us. And the world never stops. Sometimes, life gets to be a little easier…but sometimes, life is just hard—and it seems as if it will never stop and things keep coming down!!! At times, life can be a little slippery—those are the times that you really don’t know what to choose! You have to be careful or who knows what will happen. Life can make you lose your way. And sometimes, you have to realize that you don’t always know the way. Sometimes, God hasn’t blown the fog away for you to see where you are going—sometimes, you have to take risks! Sometimes, people try to help out…give more light to the situation! BUT, if we aren’t open to advice…we won’t be able to receive some of the best help in the world! Sometimes, we need to clean the inside of us too…not just the outside!
Life can be a little tough with debris showing up! Leftover issues that were never resolved before can create debris in your life…but remember that it can show back up anytime another storm blows into town! Take care of the leftover debris in your life—so your life won’t get covered underneath it. Every so often, trees fall in our way…and sometimes, we need a little help moving them. Sometimes, it seems like people get in our way! BUT…the one thing I remembered the entire way home—that you should remember in life, is to keep your focus.
If I would have lost my focus, I would have been off the road easily. I would have driven right into the back end of someone else who was taking a little more precaution. If I would have lost my focus…things would have been a lot harder. Now…my focus was getting home safely…but I think we need to have the same focus when it comes to Jesus. Hebrews says to “fix your eyes on Jesus.” Fix your eyes on the prize! Focus your eyes on Jesus, and though, things will get in your way, you too can make it home safely!
___________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Hebrews 12: 2 (NIV)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and was sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Good morning!
For those of you who live in the St. Louis, MO, area, you remember the storm that we had last night—Well, I was driving in it! Let me tell you what happened:
All I wanted to do was get home. It was dark. I was alone in my car (me and God). The rain was beating all around me. And the rain NEVER stopped. Sometimes, the rain would not rain as hard as before. The roads were slippery at times. The rain definitely covered the road – and at times, I wasn’t sure where the lines were—especially, with the few spots where the fog would start rising off the road. When someone passed me, their lights seemed brighter than ever, but because my windshield is dirty on the inside, it made it hard to see. The frogs were jumping all over the road looking for safety from the storm. There was debris on the road. There were fallen trees just missing my path. I had to drive REALLY SLOW!!! I have never driven 30mph on highway 79—When the speed limit is 60mph! Sometimes, I would get behind someone who thought they needed to drive extra slow—though, I usually got angry at these people and very annoyed….they kept me going at a good pace so that I wouldn’t get hurt and go off the road! When I finally got home, I was relieved! It felt like I had just accomplished something amazing!
Then I realized that this is kind of what the road of life is like! Sometimes, we feel very alone. The world is always beating down on us. And the world never stops. Sometimes, life gets to be a little easier…but sometimes, life is just hard—and it seems as if it will never stop and things keep coming down!!! At times, life can be a little slippery—those are the times that you really don’t know what to choose! You have to be careful or who knows what will happen. Life can make you lose your way. And sometimes, you have to realize that you don’t always know the way. Sometimes, God hasn’t blown the fog away for you to see where you are going—sometimes, you have to take risks! Sometimes, people try to help out…give more light to the situation! BUT, if we aren’t open to advice…we won’t be able to receive some of the best help in the world! Sometimes, we need to clean the inside of us too…not just the outside!
Life can be a little tough with debris showing up! Leftover issues that were never resolved before can create debris in your life…but remember that it can show back up anytime another storm blows into town! Take care of the leftover debris in your life—so your life won’t get covered underneath it. Every so often, trees fall in our way…and sometimes, we need a little help moving them. Sometimes, it seems like people get in our way! BUT…the one thing I remembered the entire way home—that you should remember in life, is to keep your focus.
If I would have lost my focus, I would have been off the road easily. I would have driven right into the back end of someone else who was taking a little more precaution. If I would have lost my focus…things would have been a lot harder. Now…my focus was getting home safely…but I think we need to have the same focus when it comes to Jesus. Hebrews says to “fix your eyes on Jesus.” Fix your eyes on the prize! Focus your eyes on Jesus, and though, things will get in your way, you too can make it home safely!
___________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Are YOU Picky???
Habakkuk 1:5 (NIV)
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.
GOOD MORNING!!!
Are you picky? Do you like to pick and choose your food and how you like it? Are you picky when it comes to what you are going to wear for a certain day? Are you picky?
My brother, Jacob, seems to be the pickiest four year-old EVER!!! You cannot simply make him a peanut-butter sandwich…you have to make him two peanut-butter folded! (Where you take one piece of bread and spread peanut-butter and then fold it…and do it again.) THEN…he asks for the crust to be taken off. If you try to give him the end piece (crust piece), then he won’t eat it! Most likely, he will throw it on the floor!!! AND…who makes it…he asks for who he wants, so you can’t get out of making it for him!!! When he eats, he likes to watch TV, but not just any show…his show! If you don’t do it, he will throw a tantrum!!! Does he sound like a person you want to be around?!?!
We do the same thing! We pick and choose who we want to be around. We pick and choose what we want to do in life. Sometimes, I wonder if we don’t pick our call and what we want God to do about anything and everything that we are going through! BUT…do you realize that by being picky, you give up the one thing that you committed to do when you said that you would follow Jesus?! You have forgotten how to follow. You may know all about the Jesus part, but you have to remember that Jesus is in the lead. You go where Jesus goes and you do what Jesus did. You let Him take control of your life. (Remember how it was when you were in control?)
Being a graduated high school student, I have been asked many times—“So what are YOUR plans for your life? Where are you going to college?” This Scripture reminded Habakkuk that God is God. That God is in control and that God is only up for the best. This Scripture reminds me that I shouldn’t be picky! If I always told God exactly what I want and when I want it, I may never see the great things He gives me. I may never see the opportunities to share the Gospel with a neighbor while I take out the garbage. I may never see how important it was for me to go through that time of pain, so that I could help someone else along in their life’s pains!
Quit being picky. Let God lead the way…He knows it best. And watch and be utterly amazed at what He can do in your life!
___________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
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.
GOOD MORNING!!!
Are you picky? Do you like to pick and choose your food and how you like it? Are you picky when it comes to what you are going to wear for a certain day? Are you picky?
My brother, Jacob, seems to be the pickiest four year-old EVER!!! You cannot simply make him a peanut-butter sandwich…you have to make him two peanut-butter folded! (Where you take one piece of bread and spread peanut-butter and then fold it…and do it again.) THEN…he asks for the crust to be taken off. If you try to give him the end piece (crust piece), then he won’t eat it! Most likely, he will throw it on the floor!!! AND…who makes it…he asks for who he wants, so you can’t get out of making it for him!!! When he eats, he likes to watch TV, but not just any show…his show! If you don’t do it, he will throw a tantrum!!! Does he sound like a person you want to be around?!?!
We do the same thing! We pick and choose who we want to be around. We pick and choose what we want to do in life. Sometimes, I wonder if we don’t pick our call and what we want God to do about anything and everything that we are going through! BUT…do you realize that by being picky, you give up the one thing that you committed to do when you said that you would follow Jesus?! You have forgotten how to follow. You may know all about the Jesus part, but you have to remember that Jesus is in the lead. You go where Jesus goes and you do what Jesus did. You let Him take control of your life. (Remember how it was when you were in control?)
Being a graduated high school student, I have been asked many times—“So what are YOUR plans for your life? Where are you going to college?” This Scripture reminded Habakkuk that God is God. That God is in control and that God is only up for the best. This Scripture reminds me that I shouldn’t be picky! If I always told God exactly what I want and when I want it, I may never see the great things He gives me. I may never see the opportunities to share the Gospel with a neighbor while I take out the garbage. I may never see how important it was for me to go through that time of pain, so that I could help someone else along in their life’s pains!
Quit being picky. Let God lead the way…He knows it best. And watch and be utterly amazed at what He can do in your life!
___________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Hole heart? Or Whole heart?
Romans 1:9-10a (NIV)
God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times…
Jacob, my little brother who is four, has just started getting himself dressed. Yesterday, he put on a shirt and said, “The girls are gonna check out this shirt on me!” I have no idea where he got that phrase, but it made me smile! BUT…When I heard him putting on his socks, I heard a profound phrase – “Sammie, this one has a hole in it! I need a whole sock!”
Do you have a hole in your heart? When was the last time you spent time with God? Is your heart whole? Where do you put all of your heart? Is it in your work, your children or grandchildren, or maybe your fun? Where do you put all of your time? Effort? Money? Where do you put your whole heart?
Webster’s Dictionary defines ‘whole’ in this way: in sound health; not diseased or injured; not broken or damaged; containing all of the elements, or parts; entire; complete; not divided up; in a single unit; in all aspects of one’s being including the physical, mental, social, etc. Webster has 19 lines to define this one word! What part of this definition, does your own heart need? Pray and ask God to create in you a whole heart…and to fill any holes there maybe.
Do you serve God with a hole in your heart? Because He needs you to serve Him with a WHOLE heart! A heart with a hole won’t fit right, just as a sock with a hole doesn’t work well. God needs YOU to be spreading the gospel of Jesus! Paul served the Lord with his whole heart…and he served by preaching the Gospel and relying completely on God for everything! And YOU can do that too! You can serve God with a whole heart! I encourage you to look into your life, and see where you can serve God, with a whole heart, TODAY!
---------------------------------------
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times…
Jacob, my little brother who is four, has just started getting himself dressed. Yesterday, he put on a shirt and said, “The girls are gonna check out this shirt on me!” I have no idea where he got that phrase, but it made me smile! BUT…When I heard him putting on his socks, I heard a profound phrase – “Sammie, this one has a hole in it! I need a whole sock!”
Do you have a hole in your heart? When was the last time you spent time with God? Is your heart whole? Where do you put all of your heart? Is it in your work, your children or grandchildren, or maybe your fun? Where do you put all of your time? Effort? Money? Where do you put your whole heart?
Webster’s Dictionary defines ‘whole’ in this way: in sound health; not diseased or injured; not broken or damaged; containing all of the elements, or parts; entire; complete; not divided up; in a single unit; in all aspects of one’s being including the physical, mental, social, etc. Webster has 19 lines to define this one word! What part of this definition, does your own heart need? Pray and ask God to create in you a whole heart…and to fill any holes there maybe.
Do you serve God with a hole in your heart? Because He needs you to serve Him with a WHOLE heart! A heart with a hole won’t fit right, just as a sock with a hole doesn’t work well. God needs YOU to be spreading the gospel of Jesus! Paul served the Lord with his whole heart…and he served by preaching the Gospel and relying completely on God for everything! And YOU can do that too! You can serve God with a whole heart! I encourage you to look into your life, and see where you can serve God, with a whole heart, TODAY!
---------------------------------------
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tithing Your Heart_Sermon for Lent
Deuteronomy 26: 1-11
When you have entered the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it, take some of the first fruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name and say to the priest in office at the time, "I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come to the land the LORD swore to our forefathers to give us." The priest shall take the basket from your hands and set it down in front of the altar of the LORD your God. Then you shall declare before the LORD your God: "My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor. Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the first fruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me." Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him. And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.
If I were to summarize this sermon into a few words…I would say it is about how to tithe (back in the WAY old days). A ‘tithe’ is ten-percent of one’s income of produce paid as a contribution to support a church according to Webster’s Dictionary. But today, I don’t want to teach or persuade you to give money to the church. Today, I want to show you how to enrich this Lenten time and tithe your heart.
When we read the first verse, “When you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance…” I immediately started thinking about how we could be so important to receive an inheritance from God. Usually when we hear about inheriting something, we think of “who died?” I read half of a book once…. ‘Yes, only half,’ but it stated out with this man jumping off the balcony and dying. As the book goes on, all of the children (old, grown children) fight over who should get what rather than what the will says. It isn’t such a strange book as it sounds, but God offers to us as individuals an inheritance and so we take it. Back in the Bible days, an inheritance was passed down by birthright. The oldest male received the bigger slab of land and other property. Now-a-days, it is whoever the owner is that decides. I think that God takes this side and gives each of us the ability to be called “God’s Son” or “God’s Daughter.”
And we are to take possession of this land! I began to wonder what our land is. What has God given to us freely without charging us or taxing us? For me, it is my family, my friends, my musical talents, and a wonderful skill of making sermons too short!
After finding and settling into the inheritance that we have, God tells us to ‘take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord God is giving you’…so to take something that has made you YOU!...And ‘put them in a basket.’ Have you ever tried planting a garden? Doesn’t have to be a big one. I know my dad did when I was little. I would help him drag out the long hose and water the seeds and then…poof! There was a sprout! And I kept watering it and making sure that it had everything a tomato plant could possibly need…and one day, I went out and found one little green tomato hanging on the vine all by itself! I was so proud of myself…now I can’t keep anything green in my house because I was not blessed with a green thumb! I don’t know how happy I would have been in I was told, that once it got all big and red and pretty, that I needed to put it into a basket and take it to church. Though, I would have been thrilled to show off the tomato to anyone who would listen, but God says to keep it in a basket so that only God knows what you are offering to Him.
“You reap what you sow” is a common phrase that usually is used in a negative way, but if you have worked hard, you will receive what you put into it. To be able to give God a part of that harvest is a wonderful thing. Relating it to our own lives, taking something that you have created through what God gave you in the first place and giving it to God can be HARD!!!
We are in a time of Lent. Lent is a time for renewal and self-examination. I have been thinking lately about my heart. God gave me my heart. When we talk about giving our heart to God, we talk about giving ALL of it. Earlier in Deuteronomy, in chapter six, it says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart”…not just 10%!!! I could probably relate my heart to my house—there are some really clean parts and some places where I would never bring company. There are also parts of my heart that I would not want to show God. The parts where there is anger or resentment or pride or any sin! Why would I want to show my perfect God my dirtiness? But God says to place the offering before the alter and to declare… “Read Vs. 5-7”
Often in the Old Testament, when anything is being done around God, there is a remembrance of who you are… “my father was a wondering Aramean”…and where you came from. I am an heir of God. Being His Daughter, I receive the promised land…I have been redeemed from my sins so that I may live freely in the world. I, as these persons in the Scripture, cried out to God and the Lord saw us and heard us…He brought us out of our Egypt of sin, misery and toil and brought us to good things.
Lent is a time of self examination and renewal. Some of you all here today may have attended an Ash Wednesday service. If you have, you know that in the pastor marks your forehead with ashes. Being marked with ashes at the beginning of Lent indicates our realization of the need for deeper conversion of our lives during lent, or a season of renewal.
Being a time of renewal, you hear of people “giving up” things. I have heard from many different sources that to change an old “bad” habit, you must consciously be aware of doing the thing you want to change and spend six weeks correcting the habit. By the end of that time, your habit should have changed enough that the “habit” is gone. Isn’t amazing that God gives us six weeks in Lent to come closer to Him before the crucifixion and resurrection!
Some people give up watching TV or eating sweets, or drinking soda. In fact, every year since I can remember…it’s been such a long time…my friend has given up soda for lent. One year, as lent drew nearer and nearer, one friend was getting…angry! On fat Tuesday, he told me, “Lent already!! But that means for six weeks I won’t get the bubbling sensation going down the back of my throat and the amazing burps it produces!” We’ll give him a break for that one…he is a GUY! I never understood why he gave up soda if he didn’t want to do it in the first place!
Crazy enough..the entire lunch table gave up soda for lent that year. About two days into it, one girl, started getting really BAD headaches! We came to find out that she was VERY addicted to soda and drank four to five Mountain Dews a day! I and the others tried to remind her of why we give up things, but she decided that she was too addicted to it and she tried to just do one a day. I didn’t tell you this story to make you feel bad or to tattle-tale on my friend. I told it because I wanted to tell you we are HUMAN!!! Maybe you didn’t know that! And sometimes we forget why we have this time of lent. Why people give up, or sacrifice good things? (or some not-so-good things)
As I was reading through some Sunday school material this week, I came upon a very true, but simple definition of a sacrifice. It doesn’t come from Mr. Webster, but it says: “A sacrifice is giving up something you love for someone you love more.”
Remembering that you can very well love a sin, a true sacrifice is to give it up for someone you love more…call Him God, Jesus, Savior, Prince of Peace, whatever…
As you examine your heart in this time of lent, sacrifice you heart. Let God clean it of anything un-pure and let Him change YOU to be more like His Son who made the ultimate sacrifice for YOU!!!!
And lastly, but not least, the Scripture says to rejoice! Rejoice in all the good things that God has given you and your household! Be joyful when you are able to give your heart to God…for Him to take it and mold it into something beautiful!
___________________________
© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
All rights reservedArticles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
When you have entered the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it, take some of the first fruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name and say to the priest in office at the time, "I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come to the land the LORD swore to our forefathers to give us." The priest shall take the basket from your hands and set it down in front of the altar of the LORD your God. Then you shall declare before the LORD your God: "My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor. Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the first fruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me." Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him. And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.
If I were to summarize this sermon into a few words…I would say it is about how to tithe (back in the WAY old days). A ‘tithe’ is ten-percent of one’s income of produce paid as a contribution to support a church according to Webster’s Dictionary. But today, I don’t want to teach or persuade you to give money to the church. Today, I want to show you how to enrich this Lenten time and tithe your heart.
When we read the first verse, “When you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance…” I immediately started thinking about how we could be so important to receive an inheritance from God. Usually when we hear about inheriting something, we think of “who died?” I read half of a book once…. ‘Yes, only half,’ but it stated out with this man jumping off the balcony and dying. As the book goes on, all of the children (old, grown children) fight over who should get what rather than what the will says. It isn’t such a strange book as it sounds, but God offers to us as individuals an inheritance and so we take it. Back in the Bible days, an inheritance was passed down by birthright. The oldest male received the bigger slab of land and other property. Now-a-days, it is whoever the owner is that decides. I think that God takes this side and gives each of us the ability to be called “God’s Son” or “God’s Daughter.”
And we are to take possession of this land! I began to wonder what our land is. What has God given to us freely without charging us or taxing us? For me, it is my family, my friends, my musical talents, and a wonderful skill of making sermons too short!
After finding and settling into the inheritance that we have, God tells us to ‘take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord God is giving you’…so to take something that has made you YOU!...And ‘put them in a basket.’ Have you ever tried planting a garden? Doesn’t have to be a big one. I know my dad did when I was little. I would help him drag out the long hose and water the seeds and then…poof! There was a sprout! And I kept watering it and making sure that it had everything a tomato plant could possibly need…and one day, I went out and found one little green tomato hanging on the vine all by itself! I was so proud of myself…now I can’t keep anything green in my house because I was not blessed with a green thumb! I don’t know how happy I would have been in I was told, that once it got all big and red and pretty, that I needed to put it into a basket and take it to church. Though, I would have been thrilled to show off the tomato to anyone who would listen, but God says to keep it in a basket so that only God knows what you are offering to Him.
“You reap what you sow” is a common phrase that usually is used in a negative way, but if you have worked hard, you will receive what you put into it. To be able to give God a part of that harvest is a wonderful thing. Relating it to our own lives, taking something that you have created through what God gave you in the first place and giving it to God can be HARD!!!
We are in a time of Lent. Lent is a time for renewal and self-examination. I have been thinking lately about my heart. God gave me my heart. When we talk about giving our heart to God, we talk about giving ALL of it. Earlier in Deuteronomy, in chapter six, it says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart”…not just 10%!!! I could probably relate my heart to my house—there are some really clean parts and some places where I would never bring company. There are also parts of my heart that I would not want to show God. The parts where there is anger or resentment or pride or any sin! Why would I want to show my perfect God my dirtiness? But God says to place the offering before the alter and to declare… “Read Vs. 5-7”
Often in the Old Testament, when anything is being done around God, there is a remembrance of who you are… “my father was a wondering Aramean”…and where you came from. I am an heir of God. Being His Daughter, I receive the promised land…I have been redeemed from my sins so that I may live freely in the world. I, as these persons in the Scripture, cried out to God and the Lord saw us and heard us…He brought us out of our Egypt of sin, misery and toil and brought us to good things.
Lent is a time of self examination and renewal. Some of you all here today may have attended an Ash Wednesday service. If you have, you know that in the pastor marks your forehead with ashes. Being marked with ashes at the beginning of Lent indicates our realization of the need for deeper conversion of our lives during lent, or a season of renewal.
Being a time of renewal, you hear of people “giving up” things. I have heard from many different sources that to change an old “bad” habit, you must consciously be aware of doing the thing you want to change and spend six weeks correcting the habit. By the end of that time, your habit should have changed enough that the “habit” is gone. Isn’t amazing that God gives us six weeks in Lent to come closer to Him before the crucifixion and resurrection!
Some people give up watching TV or eating sweets, or drinking soda. In fact, every year since I can remember…it’s been such a long time…my friend has given up soda for lent. One year, as lent drew nearer and nearer, one friend was getting…angry! On fat Tuesday, he told me, “Lent already!! But that means for six weeks I won’t get the bubbling sensation going down the back of my throat and the amazing burps it produces!” We’ll give him a break for that one…he is a GUY! I never understood why he gave up soda if he didn’t want to do it in the first place!
Crazy enough..the entire lunch table gave up soda for lent that year. About two days into it, one girl, started getting really BAD headaches! We came to find out that she was VERY addicted to soda and drank four to five Mountain Dews a day! I and the others tried to remind her of why we give up things, but she decided that she was too addicted to it and she tried to just do one a day. I didn’t tell you this story to make you feel bad or to tattle-tale on my friend. I told it because I wanted to tell you we are HUMAN!!! Maybe you didn’t know that! And sometimes we forget why we have this time of lent. Why people give up, or sacrifice good things? (or some not-so-good things)
As I was reading through some Sunday school material this week, I came upon a very true, but simple definition of a sacrifice. It doesn’t come from Mr. Webster, but it says: “A sacrifice is giving up something you love for someone you love more.”
Remembering that you can very well love a sin, a true sacrifice is to give it up for someone you love more…call Him God, Jesus, Savior, Prince of Peace, whatever…
As you examine your heart in this time of lent, sacrifice you heart. Let God clean it of anything un-pure and let Him change YOU to be more like His Son who made the ultimate sacrifice for YOU!!!!
And lastly, but not least, the Scripture says to rejoice! Rejoice in all the good things that God has given you and your household! Be joyful when you are able to give your heart to God…for Him to take it and mold it into something beautiful!
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© Copyright 2009, Samantha Fomera
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