Author Archives: famtree2014

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January 5, 2014

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Love & Works, Money & Wealth

For the Least of These

Then the good people will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you alone and away from home and invite you into our house? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?”

Then the King will answer, “I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.” [Matthew 25:37-40 (NCV)]

Hunger, poverty, disease, war, homelessness: these problems are so daunting, so overwhelming, that it is easy to step back and say there is nothing we can do. I recently met a young man who decided there was something he could do. After seeing extreme poverty in his work as an engineer, he founded a charity that helps the hungry mothers and children who live in garbage dumps in Zambia, Sierra Leone and India. His organization, completely staffed by volunteers, now provides these people with food, clean water and the hope of a future.

Last week, I also learned of a teacher in one of our nation’s cities who was shocked to learn that several of his students went hungry on the weekends. The breakfast and lunches provided by the school during the week were the only meals on which they could depend. He started a group that now provides food bags on Fridays that help these children get through the weekend without going hungry.

These men did more than throw their money at a problem; they put their compassion to work. Although they’ve not solved the larger issues of poverty, they have made a major difference in the lives of some of God’s children. They didn’t let the fact that they couldn’t do it all keep them from doing something.

Dear Lord, there is so much need in our troubled world. Is there something I can do to make life better for the least of your children? Help me to identify the task and give me the strength and skill to accomplish your work.

Then they will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?” And he will answer, “I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.” [Matthew 25:44-45 (NCV)]

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January 4, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Prayer

Mom’s Advice

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper — it only leads to harm. [Psalm 37:8 (NLT)]

Our mothers used to tell us to count to ten before responding in anger; that’s still good advice. In those moments when our patience is strained, when we’re exasperated, or when we’re particularly irritated or vexed, we could also try saying, “Come, Lord Jesus” or “Patience, please, dear Lord.” So, while we’re counting to ten, let’s be sure to count on God at the same time.

 

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January 3, 2014

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Bible Stories, Faith & Hope, Miracles

Miracles

Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour. [Matthew 8:13 (NLT)]

The centurion had to go to Jesus before his servant was healed, the leper had to kneel before Jesus before being made clean, the paralytic was brought to Jesus before he could walk, the bleeding woman had to reach out and touch His cloak before being healed, and the blind men had to call out to Him before regaining their sight. What did all of these people have in common? They believed in Jesus and their belief led them to go to Him. If they had believed and not gone to Jesus or if they had gone to Jesus and not believed, a miracle wouldn’t have occurred. They did the work before Jesus performed the miracle. Of course, not every illness will be miraculously healed nor every problem miraculously solved, but there can never be a miracle in our lives if we don’t go to the Lord and believe!

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” [Matthew 9:29 (NLT)]

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January 2, 2014

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Holidays & Holy Days, Holy Spirit, Salvation: A New You

It’s a New Year – Here’s to a New You

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. [Romans 12:1-2 (MSG)]

New Year’s morning, I opened my email to be greeted by an ad from my favorite clothing store telling me, “It’s a New Year – Here’s to a New You!” There was a beautiful model attired in the latest fashion color. If only a “new” self could be gotten by a little on-line shopping, plastic surgery, a change of jobs, a different hairstyle, a new house, or other external changes, but it can’t! Romans 12 tells us that make-overs certainly are possible. The transformation, however, is internal not external. The acceptance of Christ and the presence of His Holy Spirit in our lives will make us new, not from the outside in, but from the inside out!

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January 1, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holidays & Holy Days, Love & Works

New Year’s Resolution (New Year’s Day 2014)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [Colossians 3:12 (NIV)]

This day and every day –

I will think of someone to love and for whom to pray;
I will tell someone what it is I like, appreciate or admire about them;
I will practice random acts of kindness;
I will set aside quiet time for Bible study and prayer;
I will resist the urge to disparage, gossip, or complain;
I will express my gratitude to God and other people;
I will intentionally look for the extraordinary in the ordinary;
I will live each day as if it is my last.

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December 31, 2013

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Holidays & Holy Days, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Thanks & Praise

New Year’s Eve – What Do You see in Your Rearview Mirror?

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. … Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord. [Psalm 107:1,43 (NLT)]

New Year’s Eve is a time we often contemplate the past year, frequently with regrets and sorrow. We ponder the many “would have’s”, “should have’s” and “could have’s” in our lives. We may have lost a loved one, suffered ill health or financial difficulty, or struggled with personal challenges.

As we enter this new year, let’s look back on the joys of 2013. Reflect on the many ways you saw the hand of God at work, the times you heard his voice or felt his embrace, the moments you knew He was guiding or even supporting you. Today, let us look at the past year with grateful hearts for the many blessings and joy God sent to us. May the rear view mirror of our minds only reflect God’s kindness and love.

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. [Psalm 103:1-2 (NLT)]