by: Jessica Finney
John 4:28-29 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way in the city, and said to the men, Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?
I have read this verses several times but you know how God will show you sometimes different things each time.
What I have heard she went to the well at a different time then everyone else, probably because she was living with someone that wasn't her husband. (Believe it or not, there was a time that not everything went in society, people had morals.) But when she came to believe in Jesus she didn't hesitate.
She went and told the people in the city. She didn't worry about her past and what people might think. She couldn't hold on to the exciting news that she just found in Jesus. What would have happened if she would have kept it to herself?
John 4:42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world."
She wouldn't have brought others to the saving knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Why don't we share the good news, more often? We may not have had several husbands or maybe we haven't lived with someone before we were married to them but we have all sinned. We all have a story about how Jesus turned our life around so why don't we share it? This week lets try to shine Jesus to those around us and not hold it back.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for saving me. Help me to remember what you have done for me and help me to learn how to share Your love with others that they may come to know You. Give us the words to speak and the courage to speak up when we need to. In Jesus name, Amen
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Saturday, May 9, 2015
A Growing Church
by: Jessica Finney
Acts 2:46-47 "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
As I sit and write this blog, I couldn't help but think about the part in these verses that says one accord. Do you see how much could happen if we all went in one accord. We could be helping the kingdom bringing others to Christ. Too often people in the church are too busy arguing about what color they should paint a classroom, which makes them forget what church is really about. With us arguing and bickering of the stupidest things, this makes people wonder why they even want to go to church. This is the devils playground because it gets us off the focus of bringing others to Christ. Too often people get so caught up in their denomination, that they can't work together with other churches because they don't believe the same way. Don't get me wrong, you don't want to stray from the Bible but some of the different denominations beliefs are similar, as long as they believe in God you have to ask Jesus into your heart and to know that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, and know that Jesus died for those sins, then what does it matter. I don't believe until we get to heaven we will know on some of the things who was right and who was wrong but all I need to know is that I am a born again believer going to heaven. It is time that we unite together to bring this country back to Him.
Life can get in the way and take away our gladness but if we keep our focus on God, then we can be glad in him. God isn't wanting a big dramatic account from us, He wants us to have the simplicity to see His works. I never thought I would see the day that I would like to watch the birds. Everyone that knows me knows that I never have cared for them and what seems like they don't care for me. People at work keep their windows down, the couple times I did it a bird flew in and pooped in my car so you can see why I haven't been fond of them. But this year, we have a nest of Cardinals and House Finches in our little trees. I have been fascinated with just sitting, watching and listening to them. If we just stop and smell the roses it can really help put our life in prospective and see what God wants us to do. In everything I do, I need to keep remembering to praise God no matter what.
I need others to see Christ in me or how else will they come to know Him? Too often people in churches are just wanting their way all of the time and you have those few that are backstabbers. I am sure we have all been hurt by people in the church. It is time we try to unite together to bring others to Christ, instead of trying to figure out how we can run the church. It is time God runs the church. As I say church, I am not talking about a building, I am talking about His people.
Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to unite as Christians to bring more people to you. Help us to forget our differences and be united. Help us to forgive the ones that have back-stabbed us. Get us back to more simple life that we can focus more on You. Help us to remember to praise You no matter what is going on in our lives. Thank you so much for all You do for us. In Jesus name, Amen
Acts 2:46-47 "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
As I sit and write this blog, I couldn't help but think about the part in these verses that says one accord. Do you see how much could happen if we all went in one accord. We could be helping the kingdom bringing others to Christ. Too often people in the church are too busy arguing about what color they should paint a classroom, which makes them forget what church is really about. With us arguing and bickering of the stupidest things, this makes people wonder why they even want to go to church. This is the devils playground because it gets us off the focus of bringing others to Christ. Too often people get so caught up in their denomination, that they can't work together with other churches because they don't believe the same way. Don't get me wrong, you don't want to stray from the Bible but some of the different denominations beliefs are similar, as long as they believe in God you have to ask Jesus into your heart and to know that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, and know that Jesus died for those sins, then what does it matter. I don't believe until we get to heaven we will know on some of the things who was right and who was wrong but all I need to know is that I am a born again believer going to heaven. It is time that we unite together to bring this country back to Him.
Life can get in the way and take away our gladness but if we keep our focus on God, then we can be glad in him. God isn't wanting a big dramatic account from us, He wants us to have the simplicity to see His works. I never thought I would see the day that I would like to watch the birds. Everyone that knows me knows that I never have cared for them and what seems like they don't care for me. People at work keep their windows down, the couple times I did it a bird flew in and pooped in my car so you can see why I haven't been fond of them. But this year, we have a nest of Cardinals and House Finches in our little trees. I have been fascinated with just sitting, watching and listening to them. If we just stop and smell the roses it can really help put our life in prospective and see what God wants us to do. In everything I do, I need to keep remembering to praise God no matter what.
I need others to see Christ in me or how else will they come to know Him? Too often people in churches are just wanting their way all of the time and you have those few that are backstabbers. I am sure we have all been hurt by people in the church. It is time we try to unite together to bring others to Christ, instead of trying to figure out how we can run the church. It is time God runs the church. As I say church, I am not talking about a building, I am talking about His people.
Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to unite as Christians to bring more people to you. Help us to forget our differences and be united. Help us to forgive the ones that have back-stabbed us. Get us back to more simple life that we can focus more on You. Help us to remember to praise You no matter what is going on in our lives. Thank you so much for all You do for us. In Jesus name, Amen
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Son Shine
by Jessica Finney
Have you noticed how much better you feel when it is the first part of spring? The sun is shining and you can go outside with a lighter coat on. Doesn't this bring an extra spring to your step? It does mine. I don't know about you but I get a little depressed in the winter time. I miss the sun shining on me. I miss the green grass and the pretty flowers.
Although, you are probably thinking why would she put Son shine when all I am talking about is sunshine. It is simple. If we go any length of time away from the Son (Jesus), we will get down because we are trying to rely on our own abilities. Which will eventually wear us out. If we stop reading the Bible or praying on regular basis, we miss that closeness. We sometimes can feel there is something wrong but do not want to admit it is because we walked away farther. God doesn't move from us but we move from Him once we stop that interaction time.
It is very important to keep building our relationship with God because like people in our lives if we do not interact with them, we don't have a relationship with them. How can we get to know them, without talking to them and get this "listen to them"? Have you had those few people that talk so much that they don't listen? Some people are so consumed with themselves that they couldn't care less what you are saying all they want to talk about is themselves. Well, it is time that we start listening to God and that requires reading our Bible and praying to Him on a regular basis.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18
Have you noticed how much better you feel when it is the first part of spring? The sun is shining and you can go outside with a lighter coat on. Doesn't this bring an extra spring to your step? It does mine. I don't know about you but I get a little depressed in the winter time. I miss the sun shining on me. I miss the green grass and the pretty flowers.
Although, you are probably thinking why would she put Son shine when all I am talking about is sunshine. It is simple. If we go any length of time away from the Son (Jesus), we will get down because we are trying to rely on our own abilities. Which will eventually wear us out. If we stop reading the Bible or praying on regular basis, we miss that closeness. We sometimes can feel there is something wrong but do not want to admit it is because we walked away farther. God doesn't move from us but we move from Him once we stop that interaction time.
It is very important to keep building our relationship with God because like people in our lives if we do not interact with them, we don't have a relationship with them. How can we get to know them, without talking to them and get this "listen to them"? Have you had those few people that talk so much that they don't listen? Some people are so consumed with themselves that they couldn't care less what you are saying all they want to talk about is themselves. Well, it is time that we start listening to God and that requires reading our Bible and praying to Him on a regular basis.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today to help us grow closer to You and to always have the Son Shine. Help us to listen to what you want us to do so we can bring others to you. We want a close relationship with you. Help us to not miss the many blessings You want in our lives. We can do nothing without you. In Jesus name, amen
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Jesus' Compassion for us
John 11:35 Jesus wept
Such a small verse but oh the power of it. Right before this, his friend Lazarus had died. He knew He was going to raise Him from the dead. He had no reason to weep because he died but He wept because he felt compassion on the ones around Him.
This gives me so much hope. When I am sad, God understands that emotion. I believe with all of my heart that He doesn't like to see us sad. He would love to see us happy all the days of our lives.
Although life isn't full of roses and all sweet things, we can still find joy in the Lord. He promises to always be with us. When I truly put my faith in Him, I can have joy even through a trial. Is it easy, no but with God all things are possible. Only trust Him to give us the peace we need. He will take care of ALL of our problems.
There is no greater feeling then to feel like God has His arms wrapped around us and He won't let go. He gives us the strength we need all we have to do is ask.
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your compassion on us. Thank you for understanding when we are sad. Thank you for allowing us to come to you and to find peace in You. Help our unbelief that we might be better lights for you. Show us how to have joy in our trials. Let our trials bring others to You. Please bless us and enlarge our territories, keep Your hand upon us and keep us from evil. You granted this to Jabez so I am praying for you to grant it to us as well. In Jesus name, Amen
Such a small verse but oh the power of it. Right before this, his friend Lazarus had died. He knew He was going to raise Him from the dead. He had no reason to weep because he died but He wept because he felt compassion on the ones around Him.
This gives me so much hope. When I am sad, God understands that emotion. I believe with all of my heart that He doesn't like to see us sad. He would love to see us happy all the days of our lives.
Although life isn't full of roses and all sweet things, we can still find joy in the Lord. He promises to always be with us. When I truly put my faith in Him, I can have joy even through a trial. Is it easy, no but with God all things are possible. Only trust Him to give us the peace we need. He will take care of ALL of our problems.
There is no greater feeling then to feel like God has His arms wrapped around us and He won't let go. He gives us the strength we need all we have to do is ask.
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your compassion on us. Thank you for understanding when we are sad. Thank you for allowing us to come to you and to find peace in You. Help our unbelief that we might be better lights for you. Show us how to have joy in our trials. Let our trials bring others to You. Please bless us and enlarge our territories, keep Your hand upon us and keep us from evil. You granted this to Jabez so I am praying for you to grant it to us as well. In Jesus name, Amen
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Humble
By: Jessica Finney
I know it has been awhile since I have done a devotional but I was waiting for the right words. I have went back and forth on what God wanted me to say. I first thought about love because of Valentine's day, to remind people that it isn't all about the love of a significant other. It is all about God's love. I thought about talking about how our bodies are the temple of God, even had it all wrote out. I may share that one another time but right now I felt lead in a different direction.
Psalms 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not our own mouth. A stranger, and not your own lips.
It talks about how another man should praise us. How often have we told someone that we did something just for a pat on the back? We should not ask for people to praise us or that is our reward. God wants us to do things for Him not for man to see but to serve Him better. It never gains us anything to to have man's approval. Although that is exactly what the devil is trying to get us to do. I don't know about you but I want my treasures to come from heaven. Not on earth. I want others to see that God lives in me and that requires being humble and not wanting to be seen.
There are a lot of jobs in the church that go unnoticed and people don't even realize how they get done. You know why? Because they are not out there asking for praise, they get the job done and don't expect a thank you. Maybe in your church it is the one that cleans your church, decorates the church, whatever it might be why don't we thank them this week so that the praise is coming from us and to know they are appreciated for being humble.
Dear Heavenly Father, We want to thank you for the ones that serve you without bragging about what they do. Help us to learn from them and to show others that we are different then this world. Let us put our treasures in heaven and not of this world. In Jesus name, amen.
I know it has been awhile since I have done a devotional but I was waiting for the right words. I have went back and forth on what God wanted me to say. I first thought about love because of Valentine's day, to remind people that it isn't all about the love of a significant other. It is all about God's love. I thought about talking about how our bodies are the temple of God, even had it all wrote out. I may share that one another time but right now I felt lead in a different direction.
Psalms 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not our own mouth. A stranger, and not your own lips.
It talks about how another man should praise us. How often have we told someone that we did something just for a pat on the back? We should not ask for people to praise us or that is our reward. God wants us to do things for Him not for man to see but to serve Him better. It never gains us anything to to have man's approval. Although that is exactly what the devil is trying to get us to do. I don't know about you but I want my treasures to come from heaven. Not on earth. I want others to see that God lives in me and that requires being humble and not wanting to be seen.
There are a lot of jobs in the church that go unnoticed and people don't even realize how they get done. You know why? Because they are not out there asking for praise, they get the job done and don't expect a thank you. Maybe in your church it is the one that cleans your church, decorates the church, whatever it might be why don't we thank them this week so that the praise is coming from us and to know they are appreciated for being humble.
Dear Heavenly Father, We want to thank you for the ones that serve you without bragging about what they do. Help us to learn from them and to show others that we are different then this world. Let us put our treasures in heaven and not of this world. In Jesus name, amen.
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