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Morning Devotional...




If I've learned anything about going to church, it's that there are plenty of reasons not to go.

I've visited enough churches all over the world to know that human nature is the same in Kuala Lumpur as it is in Kalamazoo. Since there are no perfect churches, see if you share my thoughts when I say:

1. I don't go to church expecting to see a group of people consistently reflecting the attitudes and values of Christ.

I've seen enough of myself in church sanctuaries, meeting halls, and boardrooms to know that we all are at varying degrees of spiritual growth or regression. Some of us are like noisy newborns. Others are showing signs of spiritual senility. Most are somewhere in between, trying to figure out why we are acting like mere men and women rather than mature members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:3).

All of this would be disillusioning to me if I didn't find that the New Testament depicts the first-century church in the same condition of imperfection (Revelation 2-3).


2. I don't go to church expecting to hear music that will lift everyone to the same level of worship.

In theory, church music is a shared language of the soul rooted in the theology and anthems of heaven (Colossians 3:16; Revelation 5:11-14; Isaiah 51:11). In reality, however, the songs of the church are the down-to-earth sounds of changing generations that are united by Christ but divided by preferences as varied as bluegrass, country, or Bach. Because music is an art that resonates differently in all of us, we can't all feel the same way about our songs of worship.

The idea of "worship wars" is probably a contradiction in terms. But from the first century until now, the music of the church has been an opportunity for the Lord's people to show whether they are submitted to the Spirit of Christ and to one another in the process (Ephesians 5:18-21).


3. I don't go to church expecting to see men and women consistently giving one another the mutual honor and consideration they deserve.

The curse of Genesis 3 describes our reality. Just as we still work to get weeds out of our yards, and just as we do what we can to reduce the pain of childbirth, so our challenge is to see the misuse of gender-based power and influence as a problem to be solved rather than as a right to be defended (Genesis 3:16-19).

We need to remember that the One who calls us together gave women more love and respect than they received in their own culture, not less (John 4:25-27).


4. I don't go to church to feel morally superior to those who wouldn't be caught dead in a house of worship.

The apostle Paul thought of himself as "the chief of sinners" years after he "saw the light" on the road to Damascus. Long after he discovered that there is no life outside of Christ, he urged those who joined him to remember where they had come from. He reminded them what they were still made of (Galatians 5:16-17), and how far they all had to go (Philippians 3:12-13).

The self-righteousness of church people was a concern, but no surprise, to the authors of the Bible. They wrote with transparency not only about the failures of the church (1 Corinthians 11:17), but also about its tendency to be morally proud (Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:3-5).


5. I don't go to church looking for a perfect sermon with no errors in content or delivery.

I've walked with enough pastors along the way to know that no matter how thoroughly they prepare their messages, they almost always fall short of their own expectations, let alone the needs of their people. Many wake up Monday morning knowing they're being measured by memories of the past and compared with the pastor of a bigger church on the other side of town.

The shortcomings we see in our church leaders can be a reminder to us that a pastor's performance is not nearly as important as the perfection of the Savior and His Word that together we are called to honor.

Because unrealistic expectations are a formula for disillusionment, I'm convinced that we do far better when our motives are more in keeping with the original purpose of the church.


Why I want to go to church:

1. I want go to church not because I'm good, but because I'm not. I need to meet with others who realize that we all are like addicts in need of reminders that life is not found in another drink, another television program, or another hour at work. Life is found by seeing every circumstance as an opportunity to discover that God's ways are better than our own.

2. I want to go to church to be counter-cultural in the best sense of the word. Because everyone is important in the eyes of Christ, there is no better place to go to reverse the short-sighted values of a materialistic culture. There is no place on the face of the earth that gives us more reason to affirm the value of every person than a body of people "called out" by the Lord of the universe to regard everyone as someone for whom Christ died (James 2:1-9).

3. I want to go to church to confess with others the life-changing truth that meeting together is not just about us. From the beginning, the church was established to be a place where the words of God are contemplated, where the Spirit of God is heard, where the goodness of God is confessed, and where the wisdom, power, and love of God are praised.


Father in heaven, thank You for the countless ways You have used men and women of Your church to enrich our faith. Forgive us for focusing only on our disappointments. Renew in us a willingness to hear Your servant who, for our good, wrote, "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Pat, thank you for that beautiful devotional. I so well states many of the things I've felt for a long time and was at a loss for words.

I had a good visit with the doctor and he's stretched my time out to two months between visits this time.

Love to all

Ruth Ann

Pat, excellent devotional.  Thank you for all your hard work.

Today (the 4th) is my husbands and mine 20th anniversary.  So nice to be able to spend part of it at church since we had a church wedding.  Kind of like coming full circle!

I'm still on cloud nine about my eye surgery!  I don't know if I've ever been as excited about anything as much as this.

Hope  everyone has a great day, I know I am going to!

Samantha

Our Sins

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"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).

As Christ hung on the cross, the Jewish leaders felt that He was guilty of blasphemy-a mere man, claiming to be God. In short, they felt that He was dying for His own sins. Their tragic misconceptions, however, were predicted centuries before, as recorded in the treasured 53rd chapter of Isaiah. "We hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. . . . we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted" (vv.3-4).

But not so! God did not punish Him for His sins, but for ours. "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities" (v.5). "For the transgression of my people was He stricken"  (v.8 ).

The penalty for sin has always been death, and even though "He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him" (vv.9-10). He was the perfect "offering for sin" (v.10) and "He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (v.12). Justice has been served! "He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many" (v.11).

Furthermore, through His death, even our griefs have been borne and our sorrows carried (v.4). In addition to all this, our peace has been gained through His chastisement and our healing has been accomplished with His stripes (v.5).

Such considerations can drive us only to the most complete prostration of wonder and amazement. Necessitated because "all we like sheep have gone astray," God's justice has been satisfied, because Christ, in love, has taken upon Himself "the iniquity of us all." As in the hymn: "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all."

Marilyn, I don't know who wrote that, but it is excellent indeed!  And Pat - Mr. de Han has said it so well!  Thanks for sharing thaat.

Al that was written by John D. Morris Ph.D of the Institue for Creation Research. It is quoted from the Days of Praise daily devotional. That is where I get most of the deovtions that I post, once in awhile I post one for the Daily Word.

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  Daily Word — Wednesday, May 04, 2005
 
Friendly Universe

I am thankful to be living in God's friendly universe!
The story of creation in the book of Genesis contains great insight about our relationship with the universe, the home that we share with the rest of creation. We take heart, knowing that following each step of the creation process, God "saw that it was good."
In this wondrous world, we can celebrate the warmth of spring and the colors of fall, the flowers of summer and the snows of winter. Wherever we may be, we are part of God's friendly universe, and we can see beyond any appearance that it is good.
The universe invites us to be part of its constant unfolding and development, to take care of our surroundings, and to rejoice in being part of creation. We live in God's welcoming, friendly universe, and for this we are truly thankful!

"The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it."
--Psalm 24:1   [/b]

Good morning, everyone!  God bless you today!

May 4, 2005

CAPSTONE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES               
by the grace of God, brings you           

ABIDING  --  ABIDING  --  ABIDING  --  ABIDING  --  ABIDING
(John 14:4-10)

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For full enjoyment print out to read.  Look up any Scripture referenced but not provided.
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TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.  Revelation 12:7

TODAY'S TOUGH QUESTION:
Michael is referred to as "archangel."  How many archangels are there?

The word "archangel" appears in scripture only two times. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Jude 9. Both times "archangel" is applied to Michael. You will notice as you read these two verses that in each Michael is referred to as "the" archangel, not "an" archangel.  The prefix "arch" means "first," so it would seem there could not be two first angels. I think the only reasonable conclusion in Michael is the only archangel.

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Got a "Tough Question" you would like answered?  Submit it at: http://www.capstone-ministries.org
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TODAY'S MIRACLE:
An angel appeared to Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of James when they went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body with spices. see Mark 16:1-5

TODAY'S EXAMPLE OF GOD'S LOVE:
God provides angels to protect us and help us through difficult times.

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There is nothing that cannot be accomplished with prayer, except that which is outside God's will.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TODAY'S PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we adore you; we praise your name. You alone are King of all. We bow down to you. We offer you our love because You first loved us. Thank you Father. Father we confess that we are but sinners, and ask that You help us turn from those sins. Make us who you would have us be. Make us more like Jesus. Father, we thank you for all of your protection. We thank you for always being with us, and for sometimes sending angels to protect us and care for us.  What a loving God you are! Father God, we pray for your protection for those who are suffering, and for those in harm's way. Please send angels to help them. Father, just as you cared for me and protected me even before I acknowledged you, do the same for the lost, and ready their hearts to receive the good news of Jesus Christ.  We pray all in His precious name. Amen.

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++++ WANT TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND  ++++
++++ SISTERS, OR SUBMIT A PRAYER REQUEST YOURSELF? ++++
++++ SEE THEIR PRAYER REQUESTS AND SUBMIT YOUR OWN ++++
++++ AT OUR WEB SITE:                              ++++   
        http://www.capstone-ministries.org 
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You are deeply loved, fully pleasing, totally forgiven, absolutely accepted, and complete in Christ.

TODAY, GO AND
do everything in the knowledge that God is with you and protecting you, and has a perfect plan for your life.



BASK IN THE LOVE OF CHRIST
AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Wayne
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Copyright © 2000 through 2005   Wayne C. Weeks

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May 4   

Preaching: A Genuine Gift

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to
you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you
had become dear to us. 
--1 Thessalonians 2:8

Let me shock you at this point. A naturally bright person can carry
on religious activity without a special gift from God. Filling
church pulpits every week are some who are using only natural
abilities and special training. Some are known as Bible expositors,
for it is possible to read and study commentaries and then repeat
what has been learned about the Scriptures. Yes, it may shock you,
but it is true that anyone able to talk fluently can learn to use
religious phrases and can become recognized as a preacher.

But if any person is determined to preach so that his work and
ministry will abide in the day of the judgment fire, then he must
preach, teach and exhort with the kind of love and concern that
comes only through a genuine gift of the Holy Spirit--something
beyond his own capabilities.  Tragedy in the Church: The Missing
Gifts, 21-22.

"Lord, grant me that gift as I wait before You again this morning.
I certainly want to preach with eternal benefit, and recognize that
only in the power--and love--of the Holy Spirit will that happen.
Amen."

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Margit and I went to Germany for 10 days and had 9 days hot sunny weather and only one day's rain!
Wow it was good!!!!

Welcome Home, Chris.

I sent an email to you about Jerry passing away and it was returned.

Is your email ok now?

Pat,, yes  we blocked all mail while away or we would have come home to hundreds of e- mails.
Jerry is missed but safe.

Hello everyone here at C.P.

I'm wishing you all a good day.  I've missed posting for a few days, - now I'll go and read what all you have been doing.

we are well here - just busy.

HELLO FRIENDS ...

Well ... I am here & soon will be ETTA SUE !!  I just wanted to say that your VISIT was WONDERFUL so if you want to here more go into where the pictures are posted and LOOK FOR SOMETHING CALLED * NEW FRIENDSHIPS * there we ( ETTA SUE & I ) will be posting pictures and more about our visit ... so see you there !!

1. Marilyn - that's an excellent little devotional - thank you!

2. Chris - Thank you for your little devotional also.  Whenever I preach I first pray, "Father, bless Your Word to US.  Deal with Your people through me, Lord, but bless it all to US, not merely them.  Oh be our preacher today.

Hi all!

Chris and M., I was wondering where ya'll were . . .

It was crazy at work today, -- I actually had to work.

On my way to get the kids now!! 

Take care

karmat

First of all....here is a clickable to see pictures of Karen and I and our stories of our hours together.

Next I was going to put a clickable for Jerry's newspaper obit but I didn't think it worked.  But today I found it worked when I put it in emails so here it is.

Wonderful time spent these last few hours.  I needed it.  Thank you, Karen, and thanks to your lovely family.

Now to get in the living room and watch my TV programs.  I left Tuesday with 15 shows to watch...now many more.  I need to veg out in front of the TV so I can get caught up!

I think the girls missed me...at least, Ali.  She has been very vocal since I got home.  Really missed me...or the treats...or the fresh water from the faucet.  Okay, it was me!

Pat, I will be back later for you know what!

reka we both bought groceries at the grocery Outlet. Then we went to the Far East Restauant for Chinese food. Bible Study tonight soooooooooooo



C~U~ Manana

Happy Anniversary Samantha

A few short lines   Our Norton anti virus was acting up and I was not able to do what ever needed done so a call was placed to Sue a couple of days ago and after she finished work this evening  she came over had dinner with us and repaired Norton.  Now the computer is doing a fine job.

Thanks Sue

Just checking in to see everyone and there posts, so many good things going on.. God Bless you all, Alma

You're welcome Mom.  Thanks for dinner.

Chris, Margit - I too had wondered what had happened to you.  I missed your posts.  I'm glad you had a good vacation.

Happy Anniversary Samantha.

Just got caught up on emails and such, and now am heading to bed.  Night everyone.

It's that time again.  Time for a NEM for Thursday. 

Click here.