June 3 - Flying By Faith

Flying By Faith

In his book, Freedom in Christ, Dr. Neil Anderson, tells about a young pilot that had just passed the point of no return when the weather changed for the worse.  Visibility dropped to a matter of feet as fog descended to the earth.  Putting total trust in the cockpit instruments was a new experience to him, for the ink was still wet on the certificate verifying that he was qualified for instrument flying.

The landing worried him the most.  His destination was a crowded metropolitan airport with which he wasn’t familiar.  In a few minutes, he would be in radio contact with the tower.  Until then, he was alone with his thoughts.  His instructor had practically forced him to memorize the rulebook.  He didn’t care for it at the time, but now he was thankful.

           

Finally he heard the voice of the air traffic controller, “I’m going to put you on a holding pattern,” the controller radioed.  “Great!” thought the pilot.  However, he knew that his safe landing was in the hands of this person.  He had to draw upon his previous instructions and training, and trust the voice of an air traffic controller he couldn’t see.  Aware that this was no time for pride, he informed the controller, “This is not a seasoned pro up here.  I would appreciate any help you could give me.”    “You’ve got it!” he heard back.

For the next 45 minutes, the controller gently guided the pilot through the blinding fog.  As course and altitude corrections came periodically, the young pilot realized the controller was guiding him around obstacles and away from potential collisions.  With the words of the rulebook firmly placed in his mind, and with the gentle voice of the controller, he landed safely at last.

In the midst of challenges, we can always hold onto God’s promises to guide us through difficult times.  Here are eleven guarantees you can always keep:

1. 1.    God’s presence – “I will never leave you” Hebrews 13:5
   2.    God’s protection – “I am your shield” (Genesis 15:1)
   3.    God’s power – “I will strengthen you” (Isaiah 41:10)
   4.    God’s provision – “ I will help you”  (Isaiah 41:10)
   5.    God’s purposes – “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil” (Jeremiah 20:11)
   6.    God’s rest – “Come unto Me…and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
   7.    God’s cleansing – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
   8.    God’s goodness – “No good thing will He withhold from you” (Psalm 84:11)
   9.    God’s faithfulness – “The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake”    (1 Samuel 12:22)
   10.  God’s guidance – “He will guide the humble” (Psalm 25:9)
   11.  God’s flight plan -  “All things work together for good to them that love God”        (Romans 8:28)

 

The next time you face trials and turbulence, remember the Holy Spirit is there to guide you, and God’s Word is there to reassure you no matter what storm comes your way.          

Consider reading the Word today:

 

Terry Risser

Copyright 2014   - Terry Risser

June 2 - Kids of the Kingdom

Kids of the Kingdom

I remember it like it was yesterday.  Our sixth grade assignment was simple:

“If you could name any age that you would like to be, what would it be and why?”  For my 12-year old mind, it seemed straight forward enough.  I wrote, “I’d like to be 23.  The reason…I’d be finished with school, and I wouldn’t have to do anymore goofy homework papers.”  Somehow, God had a great sense of humor as I didn’t finish school until I was 27.  But then again, 8^th grade was four of the happiest years of my life.

If you were to ask me that same question today, I’d have to say, “The best age is where I am right now.”  I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  Hopefully, you’d say the same thing.  The truth is, life is what you make it and if you choose to make your present age the best ever, it can be.  Notwithstanding the hardships, responsibilities, and concerns, as one person said, “It’s the sails and rudders that determine your destiny, not the wind.”

But if I were to get a second choice, I’d probably say a kid.  Now we should never minimize the challenges of childhood versus the agonies of adulthood.  Who, after all, wants to experience growing pains, gockiness 101, P.E. class, persistent peer pressure, and navigating the maze of early kid-dom.  But there were certain benefits that you must admit were appealing.  In an article called, “To Be A Kid Again,” the author reminds us that she wants to go back in time when:

                        -Decisions were made by going “eeny-meeny-miney-mo.”

                        -Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming “Do over!”

                        -Being old referred to everyone over 20.

                        -It was magic when dad would “remove” his thumb.

                        -Oly-oly-oxen-free made perfect sense.

                        -Ice cream was considered a basic food group.

                        -And…abilities were discovered because of a “double-dog-dare.”

           

When you really think about it, it wasn’t such a bad deal.  Robert Fulgam proclaimed, “Life’s greatest lessons are learned as a kid.” Things such as sharing, putting things back where you found them, and playing have taken you a long way.  Not to mention making the most of those endless summers.

But Jesus had the greatest insight when He said that the deepest spiritual growth comes when you become a kid again.  Now He wasn’t talking about hopping in the sandbox, skipping rope or breaking out the Lego’s.  No, He was talking about a heart condition.  Kids trust…kids depend…kids love with an unconditional heart.  It’s only when we grow up that life drains those things quicker than a Jiffy-Lube oil change…

Matthew 18 reveals Jesus’ sentiments on true greatness. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a little child and had him stand among them.  And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  When it comes to God’s kingdom, to be a kid again isn’t such a bad thing.  And just in case you need the push…I double-dog-dare you!      

Terry Risser

Consider reading the Word today:

Copyright - 2014

June 1 - Communion in the Christian Community

Communion in the Christian Community

For Centuries, two practices have become a customary part of the Christian life, both having been instituted in the early church by Jesus Himself.  The first is Baptism, and is referenced throughout the New Testament as the immediate step that follows a person’s confession of faith in Jesus Christ.  In Baptism, a person descends and ascends in the water to represent their identification with Christ’s death and resurrection (Matthew 3:13, Acts 2:38).  The second is Communion, which we will experience together this morning.  It was exemplified through the Last Supper as Jesus gave directives to the church at large (Luke 22:19-21; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).  As we partake of the bread and cup this morning, there are several things our Lord Jesus wants to speak to our hearts:

Remembrance – Communion is a time of thankfulness and joy. The broken

bread reminds us that Jesus’ body was broken so we might have life in our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11), so we might turn from our sins (Acts 3:26), so we might have the instruction and comfort of the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-29; 16:5-15; 16:22-24), and so we need not fear the grave (Hosea 13:14).  His blood was shed so we could be forgiven of our sins (Ephesians 1:7), cleansed from unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9), justified before God the Father (Romans 5:6-11), and redeemed back to His family (Hebrews 13:12).

Restitution – Paul, by the Holy Spirit wrote, “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28).  Communion is a time for each of us to review our relationships with Christ and others.  Note any areas that need to be submitted to the Lordship of Christ.  Resolve any problems between you and Jesus.  Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in your self-examination.

Refreshment – The Gospel of Luke records the first Communion (chapter 22). It was an intimate time between the disciples and Jesus – and it can be for you, too.  Come to the table with your heart open and yielded to the Lord.  As you seek Jesus, lay aside the demands and pressures of the world.  You are there just to be with Him, open to His Spirit, ready to hear and respond.  There may be something in your life that He intends to heal or something that He is calling you to die to, so that He can fill you with His abundant life.           

Responsibility  -  In 2 Corinthians 5:15, Paul says that Jesus died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.  Since partaking of communion proclaims the Lord’s death (1 Corinthians 11:23-29), is there any more fitting proof than the everyday witness of our lives?  He committed Himself to us so we could fully commit ourselves to Him – so God’s promises can become our personal possession, our hope and strength in times of trouble, and our joy at all times.

Terry Risser

Consider reading the Word today:

Copyright – Terry Risser 2014