“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.
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Saturday, December 5, 2009
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.
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