Seek God and Not an Experience

by Helen Lescheid

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).

“I have prayed the prayer to receive Jesus,” my friend said to me. “But I didn’t feel any different, so I guess nothing happened.”

I know what she meant. After I prayed to receive Jesus, I felt no different either. Except that now I wanted to read the Bible. As I did so, day after day, I met Jesus in a most remarkable way. Joy and peace flooded my heart. But feelings are not reliable and soon I experienced the whole gamut of emotions including fear and doubt. I had to learn to walk by faith and not by feelings.

In so many ways Jesus let me know that He was with me. By reading His Word, I began to see who I really am—a beloved child of God in whom He delights. Even though my emotions were in turmoil, God had not left me. For he promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

If we seek an experience—an emotional high—rather than God, we will become disappointed. We might even say, “I’ve tried God and it didn’t work.” The Bible says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you,” declares the LORD”.

How do we seek God with all our hearts? By looking in places where He might be found: reading the Bible, going to church, attending  Bible study, going for a quiet nature hike, listening to beautiful music and talking to Him. When God becomes central, all sorts of experiences happen. Life becomes full and exciting.

Thank you Father, that You want us to know You. You’re not playing hide-and-seek. You created us for fellowship with Yourself. Help me to trust You more. Amen.

Prayer:

Dear Lord. Thank You for Your constant flow of kindness, mercy and grace; even though I do not deserve Your favour, or even seek You. Forgive me when I forget that You are with me to bless, guide, rebuke and train me in Your service. Please help me to see the hallmarks of Your presence around me every day. Teach me how to work with You because I know that You are always at work. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Words of Blessing

By Idelette McVicker “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) My eldest will be going into Grade one this year. For nearly six years we have been speaking into her young life and heart. Sometimes I am encouraged by the fruit; sometimes humanly disheartened. I am reminded and challenged to speak words that belong to a category of blessing. They are words of acceptance, affection, appreciation, approval and attention. In the same way, we can use our words “and our looks” to curse. These words are: degrading, derisive, derogatory, destructive, displeasing and disapproving. There is so much power in our tongue. We can shape and build lives with words that strengthen and give life. Or we can choose to hurt and harden the hearts of those around us. Today let’s ask God that the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in His sight. Prayer: Father, please help me to use my words to build up, strengthen, encourage and ultimately bless. Help me not to break down what You are intending to shape in the lives of those around me. Amen.

Win the Argument Yet Lose

by Alec Niemi

“Pick your fights.” “Don’t sweat over the little things.” “Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war.”

People seem to love to debate. (Others would call it argue!) There are times when one thinks they’ve won an argument but still wind up the loser in the end. The loss comes from not watching the tongue.

“I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” Psalm 39:1

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”Proverbs 12:18

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21

“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” Proverbs 21:32

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” James 1:26

“But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
James 3:8

My prayer for us this week:

“Heavenly Father, we flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on You out of a pure heart. We will not have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because we know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. In Jesus name amen.” 2 Timothy 2:22-26

Yoga for you

Detachment is not indifference. it is the prerequisite for effective involvement. Often what we think is best for others is distorted by our attachments to our opinions. We want others to be happy in the way we think they should be happy. It is only when we want nothing for ourselves that we are able to see clearly into others needs and understand how to serve them. Mahatma Ghandi

Khadene Lalla

Yoga for you

Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they’re meant to be.

Khadene Lalla

Realize

Read quietly then send it back on its journey

To realize
The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.

To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.

To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.

To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to
A premature baby.

To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize
The value of one second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member:

LOSE ONE.

The origin of this letter is unknown,

Remember....

Hold on tight to the ones you love!