July 23, 2016

“But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—“I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:13-18

“Why can we not be content with the secret gift of the happiness that G-d offers us, without consulting the rest of the world? Why do we insist, rather, on a happiness that is approved by the magazines and TV? Perhaps because we do not believe in a happiness that is given to us for nothing. We do not think we can be happy with a happiness that has no price tag on it.” Thomas Merton (The Pocket Thomas Merton, p. 58)

Too many people are losing heart in our world today. Too many are losing heart because they are looking in all the wrong places for meaning and sustenance and substance. We see our outer natures wasting away, wrinkles appearing, dark spots forming, love handles expanding, and we freak out. Our youth is disappearing right in front of our eyes, and so we will do anything to prevent it, slow it down, if not reverse it. We will spend lots of money trying to recapture what has already been lost, and it will be all for naught. And if that is what we are basing our whole understanding of ourselves, then we are in for a terrible reality check.

No matter how many TV programs or magazines give us “10 Easy Steps to a Slimmer more Beautiful You”, most of us will never get past step 2. And then we will think life has pooped upon us once again. Merton says, “Why can we not be content with the secret gift of the happiness that G-d offers us…?” That secret gift is the love of G-d that is unconditional and unending. When you tap into that love, you soon realize that you are perfect just as you are, because G-d loves you just as you are.

Pastor Dave

July 22, 2016 – The Christian “App” Devotions
Daily Bible Inspirations iOS | Android (The World Map of Christian Apps: 48 tools every Christian should know about; by Jeffrey Kranz)

“As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Daily Bible Inspirations serves up Bible verses and inspiring images once a day on your phone or tablet. The verses are organized by an ordained pastor, and the images are easy to share on social media.

From their app page: This is the perfect app for you if you are a busy parent, a grandparent, a new Christian, a student, or anyone that wants to reconnect with God on a daily basis but may not always have time for daily devotions. All verses are personally curated by an ordained pastor with a PhD in Theology. (So they’re never pulled from a cold, impersonal database by a computer.)

We all need easy access to the word of G-d and the teachings of Jesus each and every day. That is why some of the Apps I have shared with you are so important. They put the word of G-d in your hands no matter where you and your phone or tablet or other device goes throughout your day.

As I listen to the descriptions of the victims of the “murders” in Nice, France, I have learned that 10 of those killed were children, and 20 people are still in comas. There are no words for the horror that the families who were there, let alone those who lost loved ones, experienced in those few minutes of terror. It is for situations like this that we download apps like “Daily Bible Inspirations”. We can, in just a few seconds, upload words of scripture to help bring us hope, to help form our prayers, and to bring us peace when surrounded by despair. Again, this is a good App to have on your device.

Pastor Dave