Planting of the Lord

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1:3

During my morning quiet time, the Lord directed my attention to some large pine trees outside. The entire landscape is changing with spring upon us. The grass lush green, the azalea's deep coral, the Japanese walnut full of purple flowers. All bringing forth new life as expected with spring.

Pine trees on the other hand are evergreens, so there really is no expectation with this particular tree. However, I gazed upward and noticed numerous new structural growths appearing. Silent internal growth was manifesting in the natural with tender shoots all facing heaven.

It occurred to me as Christians there is an expectation as well. We are to represent Christ, and live a life that brings honor to our King. We desire beautiful growth as seen in spring with new life. Yet, we are to be as the evergreens; steadfast, flourishing, showing abundant life. To experience structural Christian growth, takes time and costs much. It requires time in the presence of the King. Spending time in the Word of God, prayer and pressing in for more from the Lord. It is during our quiet time with the Father that our internal structure develops, matures and eventually sends forth new structural growth. Yes, as seasoned women of God we can still grow, we maintain the evergreen status and still send forth new shoots.

As a Christian of many years, I have longed for a sweet spirit. I know several mighty women of God, who have a sweet spirit in the Lord; it is evident the moment they speak. This spirit is heard in their voice, it's on their countenance and seen in the way they carry themselves. These women are anointed of God. It didn't just happen; rather it is a direct result of time spent with the Lord. The scripture tells us we shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in our season. As evergreens do not wither, so are we to continually bring forth good fruit. The way to strengthen your walk and produce more fruit is to spend time with the King.

There is no substitute in Christian growth to spending time with the Lord. You gain more spiritual insight, clarity of scripture, and a deeper spiritual sensitivity if we drink from the "rivers of water" as the Psalmist states. Our rivers of water, the word of God, the Holy Spirit and access to the throne room through prayer.

I am continuing to press in for a sweet spirit. This would be structural change in my spirit. I'm certainly not where I want to be. However, I have seen changes in my attitude and my love for others, all natural manifestations of what's taking place internally.

Father, I thank you for changing my spirit to be more like you. I ask you to search my inner man and where flesh needs to be removed bring this to my mind. I long to be more like you, change me and sustain me as I wait on you.

Geri Hoggard

Remember How You Got There

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Psalms 77:11-12 (NIV)

Have you ever been riding in the car with a group of people and got to the destination having no idea how you got there. I seem to get too distracted by the conversation in the car to pay attention to which roads we took to get us there, usually only the driver knows how to get back home. Life can be very similar.

When driving, you have to be alert, paying attention, and watchful for danger. The Christian life is so similar; we need to be alert, and paying attention to those around us. If we are always focused on our own life, no one will ever feel the love of Christ from our lives. So many people in this world are hurting, and desperate for someone to just take notice of them.

You also have to keep watch for danger, keeping yourself and everyone in and out of the vehicle safe. 1Peter 5:8 says, Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (NIV) In the Christian walk danger is in every turn, if we are not cautious we could be headed down a dangerous path.

We must also follow the road signs when driving, if we do not, we will either wreck or be lost. God is ready and willing to show us which direction is his will in our life. However we have to follow his signs, by reading the Bible and spending time alone with him. Pray for peace in your heart for right decisions and pray that the Spirit will let you know of any changes that need to be made in your life.

Remembering what God has done in the past is essential. We are human and we forget entirely to quickly. Take the Israelites for example, they cried out to God asking to set them free from captivity, and he did. They walked on the dry ground of the red sea with the walls of its water surrounding them. They ate the manna and quail from heaven. They followed God in a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. Yet, as soon as Moses went up on the mountain with God, they got tired of waiting and constructed a golden calf to worship instead of the God whom they had experienced such rescue, provision, and guidance with.

Look back on your life and remember all that God has done in your life. Keep a journal or do something special to be used as a reminder of the great God we have. If we live each day with the perspective of remembering what God has done, we will not fail to shine and be a light to all the hurting in the world.

Thank you Father for all you have done in our lives. You never cease to amaze us! Help us to pay attention, stay alert, and remember where we have come from.

Sarah Hostetler

Forgiveness

And be kind to one another,tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Asking someone for forgiveness, when you know you are wrong, is a hard thing to do. We have all had times in our lives when we know, without a shadow of a doubt, we messed up and the only way to true restoration is to ask for forgiveness.

When we come to Christ with a child like, humble heart, asking Him to forgive us of our sins, Christ never turns His back, pouts, or gives us the silent treatment in return. He does not hold a grudge for what we did to Him on Calvary. He simply prayed for each of us “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” Matthew 23:34. He graciously forgives us and restores us with His loving tender mercy.

Today as you walk with Christ how will you respond to those who may need to be forgiven? Will you turn your back, give the silent treatment, or will you, like Christ, graciously be kind and tender-hearted toward those who have offended you?

On the flip side, you may be having one of those days where nothing is going right and you are constantly saying or doing the wrong thing. Forgiveness needs to come your way and you pray to the Father for those whom you have offended, to be gracious, kind and merciful toward you.

A kind, tender-hearted person that forgives as Christ forgave is a person that reflects Christ to others. Show off Christ today by reflecting His heart to others and forgive as He forgave.

Heavenly Father, I pray that my heart will be a reflection of you today. Help me to graciously forgive those who may offend me today and in return may those I offend graciously forgive me. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Marty Girardier

Walk Free

So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever, and I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. Psalm 119:44-45

The rule had been the same for his sisters; no dating in high school. There were many conversations and attempted rule breaking debates. His parents remained firm. Now, at eighteen, a high school graduate and freshman on a college campus, the rule no longer applied. Freedom to date! After looking over the field of single young ladies, a special one had been chosen. Thanksgiving break meant separation after only three weeks of dating. The mother of this young man chuckled as she told the story of her conversation with this young son before he returned to college. He admitted, after detailing the wonderful points of dating, he now had more rules and responsibilities and much less freedom. There was a new sense of understanding the responsibilities in a dating relationship, and the purpose of the rule really did reflected the heart of his parents.

It is human nature to be caught up in the bondage of following the letters of the law. When there are boundaries, it is easy to respond to the limitations and complain about the opportunities that are withheld. Satan is ready to accuse and shower feelings of guilt and unworthiness. The truth of the Word of God becomes a book of rules and restrictions.

David experienced the joys of obedience to God and the consequences of sin in his life. Through these experiences, he came to understand the heart of God. The rules and commandments David was exposed to were not there to inhibit or restrain, they were there to protect and provide a path of freedom to be what God created him to be. In Psalm 119:30 David says I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgements I have laid before me. He understood there are less consequences and regrets in life when one purposely chooses the way of truth. In verse 35 he says he delights in walking in God's commandments.

The dating rule was designed to allow a period of maturity before the young son entered into dating relationships. The commandments and principles in the Bible teach us freedom from sin and the resulting oppressive guilt that surely follows. By living God's way - following His precepts, we gain strength to reject sin and freedom to fulfill God's plan for our lives. We can delight and walk in liberty, just as David did.

Lord, continue to work in our hearts. May we desire to be obedient and long to delight in your law. Thank you for your commandments and your love, and the freedom we have in You.

Janet Stutzman

God Winks

Praise the Lord! How wonderfully He showed his love for me... Psalms 31:21

Since it was getting close to Memorial Day I wanted to get the flowers planted at home, as well as at the cemetery. I knew I had bitten off more than I could chew, but I started out with enthusiasm. But my enthusiasm was in low gear by the time I had finished putting in the last of the flowers at the cemetery.

Hot and exhausted, I gathered up the sprinkling cans and started over to the water faucet. I was about half way there when I noticed a sign hanging on the handle. As I got closer I read, "Water available at the north end of the cemetery. Sorry for your inconvenience." I have no sense of direction, but it was clear; I wasn't at the "north end" of the cemetery.

With a super pail in one hand, and a sprinkling can in the other, I headed for my car. As I walked, I started to whine to the Lord about my situation. In jest I said, "Boy, it would sure be nice Lord, if someone would show up here with some water."

As I was about to put the pail and sprinkling can in the car, a van drove up. A man got out with two sprinkling cans and a big smile. He looked at me and said, "Here I am at your service!" I stood there speechless. Since I wasn't responding the man said cheerfully, "Well, where do you want me to put this water?" With tears in my eyes I choked out the words, "Up on my son Todd's grave would be wonderful. Thank you."

Today I was watching Joyce Meyer's "Enjoying Everyday Life" program. Joyce called these moments "Winks from God." I certainly felt that God had shown His love for me and had given me a wink and a smile that day.

Help us Father to recognize the "winks" you send our way each day. Amen

Clean Heart

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Taking snapshots of our family, friends and relatives, mentally and physically, are memorable. When we recall how someone reacted to a surprise, a joke, or unexpected news it can sometimes bring a smile to our face when we think how they responded. Whether we were able to capture an actual physical photo or not, we have a mental picture that captured that moment in time.

When you give your heart to Christ everything that you do or think is exposed for Him to see. Negative words, jealousy, pride, rage, anger, private sessions on the computer are all snapshots of what God's sees. There are no closed doors when it comes to the matter of the heart. He sees and hears it all.

Meditating upon God's word each day helps our hearts turn toward God so that our eyes are open to seeing our hearts as He sees them. When we take the time to confess our sins to the Lord our hearts are cleansed and the snapshot of God's love and forgiveness brings a smile to our face. We are restored, refreshed, renewed and acceptable in His sight.

Open the doors of your heart today and bring a smile to the Lord's face by giving Him a picture of a clean heart ready to serve and honor Him.

Heavenly Father, cleanse my heart today. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Marty Girardier

Season of Spring

Yes, our natural lives will fade as grass does when it becomes all brown and dry. All our greatness is like a flower that droops and falls; But the Word of the Lord will last forever. And His message is the Good News that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:24-25 (LNT)

The season of spring is here! The fragrance of the freshly mowed lawn, the eye catching rainbow of blooming flowers and the sweet sounds of birds singing, while making their nests, has arrived. Spring naturally lifts our soul and puts a smile on our face as we smell, look and hear our surroundings.

Reading God's word, the Good News, can do the same thing for our soul. God's word is fresh, eye catching and sweet, just like the season of spring. The Good News empowers you to constantly grow like the green grass, have the beauty of a tall standing flower and the sweet song of a bird inside of you.

In a few months spring will fade away. The green grass will turn brown from the heat of summer, flowers will droop and birds will fly away from the nests. But God's word lasts forever. It constantly refreshes and springs forth a season of renewal that will never become brown, droopy or dry.

Purposely walk through this season of spring taking the time to read God's word each day. Allow the Good News, to penetrate your heart so that your seasons in life will always have the fragrance, sight and sound of the season of spring.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the season of spring. Renew my soul with your living word today so that I may always have the season of spring in my heart. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Marty Girardier

Good Advice

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Psalm 18:30 (NKJV)

I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided by it I might have been saved from some of my most valuable mistakes. -Edna St. Vincent Millay

Advice is never hard to find. After all, it is really asking for someone's opinion; something everyone is ready to give.

In Ruth chapter 1, Naomi is a widow and her two sons had recently died and left behind their wives. Naomi was in a foreign land and wished to return to Israel, her homeland. She encouraged her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, to remain in Moab, where they were born, and start their lives over again. Naomi thought it more likely they would find a husband if they remained in their homeland, even though it would add hardship to her life. She understood the culture and knew there were no other sons to marry them and provide for them. Her advice was very practical and she acted very selfless, only considering the needs of the daughters-in-law whom she loved.

Orpah chose to stay in Moab, but Ruth could not leave Naomi. She had learned of the one true God. Their bond was faith in God and they shared a mutual commitment. She spoke to Naomi the very familiar phrase, Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.

The story ends in chapter four with Boaz marrying Ruth, ending the tragedy and misfortune of the two women. The events in Ruth's life were a part of God's preparations for the births of David and of Jesus, the promised Messiah.

If Ruth had taken the advice of her mother-in-law and remained in Moab, one could only imagine what the results would have been. However, Ruth followed what was in her heart and chose to stay with Naomi, demonstrating her faith in the God of Israel.

Naomi's advice was not bad advice, but it was not God's plan. When seeking good advice, look for trusted friends and family who demonstrate Godly character. It is wise to listen, but know and do what God is leading. God's way is perfect, as was demonstrated in Ruth's life. His word is proven; He is our shield when we trust in Him.

Lord, draw us so close to You that we fully trust what You are doing in our lives. We need to seek Your advice as we walk through each day. Thank You that You never leave us.

Janet Stutzman

Productive Hands

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning, nor knowledge or wisdom. Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)

God's plan for each of us is to be productive and not have idle hands. God created each of us with a specific purpose and plan so that our hands would yield good fruit for His kingdom.

We all have times in our lives when our hands are unproductive. Playing games on the computer, idle talking on the phone, countless hours of watching TV are just a few of the things that we all do. But when your hands are idle, do you ever sense the Holy Spirit nudging you to visit a sick friend, or write an encouraging card to someone, or phoning a friend or relative and praying with them about their needs? If you answered "Yes", that is because the Holy Spirit is prodding your hands to be about His business.

Our hands were created in His image; therefore finding things to do that glorify Him is never a problem for the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit speaks into your spirit about doing something for Him, do it. Do it with all your might. You will find that when your hands are productively about the Father's business, there is a harvest of good fruit constantly flowing from your hands to others. They see that the hand of the living God is no longer dead and in the grave but alive and well living within you and me.

Heavenly Father, may my hands be about your business today. Help me to have productive hands that will produce good fruit for your kingdom. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Marty Girardier

Temple of God

Haven't you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that He lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you, For God has bought you with a price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God, because He owns it. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 (LNT)

To think that our body is the temple of God can be a little overwhelming. When I think of a temple, I think of a huge synagogue or a place of worship. A place that is reverent and holy with stained glass windows and endless rows of pews.

When I look at myself in the mirror, I do not see the temple of God. With my natural eyes, I see that I need to loose several pounds, I am aging and my hair roots need to be touched up again. With my natural ears and mouth when I reflect about how I have periodically spoken to my husband or children, I do not recall myself as being the temple of God.

But if I take the time to look at myself the way God sees me, which is the temple of God, my perception changes. Sitting before the Lord and worshipping Him with songs of adoration and praise along with reading His word, gives this temple of God a face lift each morning. My stained glass outlook about myself and others is now seen through the eyes of the Holy Father and not my own. The spirit that rests within me is more at peace, reverent, and holy.

Jesus Christ paid the price on the cross, just so you and I could have the Holy Spirit dwell within us for all eternity. Give God glory for the temple of worship that He has created you to be by looking at yourself through His eyes and not your own.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the dwelling of the Holy Spirit that lives within me. I pray that as your temple, I will bring you glory and honor today. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Marty Girardier

The Four Soils

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13:28 (NIV)

Spring always brings out the gardeners. The gardener pulls the old straggly weeds and plants from the soil and begins to work up the ground, hardened from winter. As the soil is turned it loosens, and the chunks of dirt turn into soft and fertile ground. A little mulch is added, the seeds are planted, and the beginning process for a healthy crop is completed.

Spring is the time of year when the parable of the four seeds may make a little more sense. Jesus spoke in parables to convey spiritual truth through a series of everyday objects and relationships. Matthew 13:3-9 tells us about the sower; the one who planted the crop. There are four varieties of soil depicted here as he sowed. The way-side is the trampled, hard-packed path through the field. There, the seed will not find root, and the birds are likely to snatch the seeds. The second category is called stony places, a shallow layer of soil on top of a rock ledge. Here, the thin crust would warm quickly and cause the seed to sprout instantly but without adequate roots or moisture. The sun will scorch this crop and it will wither away. The third group of seeds fell among the thorns which had not been removed, and the wild growth choked out the crop. The good ground represents well-plowed and prepared soil capable of producing a large crop.

These four types of soil represent different responses to God's message. Everyone is in a diverse state of readiness and understanding and each will respond differently. Some may be hardened, trampled by the world and hurt by ones who profess to believe the gospel. Others may be shallow in their faith. They may receive the message of the gospel outwardly with enthusiasm and excitement, but there is no spiritual root and their joy withers away when trials enter their life. The one who is among the thorns never really separated from his past of worldliness and materialism. The gospel is choked out in this life and it never bears the fruit of salvation. The one who received the seed in the good ground is the one who both heard and understood the word. This life bears fruit and there is evidence of true conversion.

Parables compel us to discover the truth, yet there may be those who are too hardened or apathetic to really see it. To those who are earnestly searching, the truth becomes clear. Jesus said in verse 23 that spiritual fruit will vary in size, but He left no one the option of being His follower and producing no fruit at all.

How has God's Word taken root in your life? What kind of soil are you?

Lord, We want to hear and understand Your word. We give You praise for the fruit You produce in our lives as a result of obedience to You.

Janet Stutzman

The Burning Hut

Now for a little while, you have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed and prayed for God to rescue him, but to no avail. He eventually built a little hut to sleep in and to protect him from the elements. One day after he was out looking for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened! He was angry and in disbelief. Later that day, however, he saw a ship approaching the island, coming to rescue him. With excitement he splashed out into the water to meet his rescuers and shouted out "how'd you know I was here?" They replied, "we saw your smoke signal."

It is easy to get discouraged when tragedy strikes. But never loose heart or hope. Remember this...the next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be the very thing that will rescue you!

Lord, life can be so difficult sometimes. Just when we are about to give up and quit, something worse happens, but it is that, that rescues us. Teach us to trust You in everything especially the tough times. Amen

Pastor Bruce Hamsher

Safety Net

"Come, follow me," Jesus said "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:19-2

In 2008 God impressed on my heart that I should write about how I had organized the food pantry at our church so that more people would be fed physically and spiritually. As I wrote the basic text of the book, I could sense the presence of the Lord by my side guiding each step as I recalled how it had been done for His glory.

By May 2009, I knew that the information that God gave me needed to go out so that others would be encouraged to begin or revitalize food pantry ministries. As a first time author I also knew that I would probably need to choose a self publishing company that was reliable and had a good reputation. As I was seeking God, one publishing company kept popping up, so I put out a fleece and God definitely showed me that this was the path for me.

My husband and I are not rich by any means; in fact, my husband is on Social Security disability for the rest of his life due to having had a seizure in 2005, which was a result of having had radiation to the brain in 2001. We are retired military and I am now at home as a full time care-taker for my husband.

Our savings is limited but we did have enough to publish the book. My hesitation with God was "but what if" -- my husband was to get worse, or we need home repairs or one of us was in a car accident? What would we do Lord?

That is when God took me to Matthew 4:19-20. As I read verse 20, "they left their nets and followed him;" God spoke into my spirit, the disciples nets were their lively hood, their security, and their way of living. God was saying to me, you are looking at your savings as your safety net. Place the money at my feet and allow me to be your safety net.

God was teaching me that my security rests in Him, not my savings account. He wanted to be my soul provider just like He did so long ago for the disciples that left their nets to follow Him.

In June 2009, I placed the check in the mail to the publishing company and in February 2010 the book is complete. God has proven to be a faithful, rewarding, secure safety net that can be trusted beyond any savings account.

Heavenly Father, help me to constantly look to you for my security and not my surrounding circumstance. Thank you for being my safety net.

Marty Girardier

Life Decisions and Answered Prayers

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 (NLT)

Life is full of decisions. I would say that decisions generally come in three sizes. They come in small, medium, and life-changing. Not a day goes by that we can go without making some sort of decision. We encounter small decisions like, what to wear to work and medium decisions like deciding the best spot for your next family vacation. Generally, I think we can make these decisions easily on our own. They really don't require too much thought.

So what about those life-changing decisions? Is our first thought to go to God and ask for guidance and wisdom? Or do we try to handle it on our own first? Only when we realize that we can't do it on our own do we ask God for help.

I recently experienced one of these life-changing decisions. And as if the decision itself wasn't big enough, it had to be made in a relatively short timeframe. So with the holidays about over and the new year on the horizon, I was stressed to the max! I froze. I didn't know what to do, how to feel, or what to say. I weighed the pros and cons for each direction that this decision could possibly take me. One direction was possibly an answer to a prayer that I had been praying the last couple of years. The other looked like it could be God's future provision for my family. I didn't know what to do. Then I turned to God.

The amazing part about this is that God already knew I would have to make this decision. He had been preparing me for it long before I even knew it. He placed certain people and certain tools in my life at just the right time. When He gave these things to me, I had no idea how much I would need them in the very near future.

The time clock was ticking and I had less than a month to make a really big decision. An overwhelming feeling came over me that I could not shake. I felt very inadequate and uncertain of my ability to make this decision. Then God reminded me of the gifts he had given me just three months prior. God, a new friend and a devotional Bible were right there, waiting to be utilized.

I began desperately praying that God would reveal His will to me. That's when I found out just how true God really is to his word. It was amazing how my daily readings were telling me exactly what He wanted for my life. My new friend was there to listen and to share a similar life experience with me and offer encouragement. Through all this, God clearly showed me His will for my life. He gave me a sense of peace and I knew I had made the right decision.

I am in awe of how God truly worked in my life. Sometimes my faith is so small and then God reveals himself in a very big way. I am so thankful that in all his awesomeness that he cares enough to reach out to me in my time of need.

If you are faced with a life-changing decision right now, I would encourage you to seek God. Go to him and ask for guidance and wisdom. And once you've made your decision, pray for a sense of peace. No matter what, God will love you, protect you, and provide for you. His plan is perfect and he does answer prayer.

Dear Lord, Thank you for your promises and I pray that we never forget how big and awesome you truly are. Amen.

Jeana Miller

Doubt: Don't Stop There

From that time, many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. John 6:66 (NKJV)

When I read this passage, I pictured Jesus walking the earth during my adolescent and young adult years, and wondered if I would have been one of the followers who left. I had seen God working many times in our family's life and in the lives of friends and other believers. But when faced with public scrutiny, would I believe and follow, or would I doubt and leave?

The disciples who followed Jesus knew he was the son of Joseph and Mary and was a carpenter. When Jesus began his ministry, many people were intrigued and joined the crowd who followed Him. I am sure, just like it would be in our culture, you were popular and people listened to you if you said you heard Jesus' teachings, saw the miracles, and were friends with Him.

As the Jewish leaders began to question who Jesus said He was, it became apparent that it may not be so comfortable for you if were associated with Jesus, and the disciples began to doubt who Jesus said He was. Earlier in the chapter, verse 53, Jesus told them, Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. They knew how God fed their forefathers with manna, physical bread, but their flesh died. Jesus tried to tell them this true Bread will not let man die. He explains this bread as His flesh and that His death will provide life for the world. Then Jesus complicates the conversation more by saying they had to drink His blood; they were forbidden to drink blood. Maybe for a moment they forgot the teaching in Leviticus 17:11 that says, For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your soul; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. As food and drink are offered to meet physical needs, so the flesh and blood of Christ are offered to meet spiritual needs.

Faith enters here. These disciples, followers, were offended by the thought of eating Christ's flesh and drinking His blood because it was a hard saying. In order for them to have life beyond their physical existence they had to accept Jesus' words in verse 65, No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father. Jesus was asking them to take their relationship with Him to the next level.

Easter is a season of reflection. We don't always know or understand what God is doing in our lives or why He allows trials, but in faith we can trust that He has given us His flesh and His blood to have an eternal relationship with Him. Do you feel Him drawing you to Himself? If you are struggling with doubt and disbelief, or thinking about turning your back on Jesus, remember Thomas. Jesus did not reject Thomas when he asked to touch the print of the nails on His hands and put his hand in Jesus' side. Jesus said in John 20:27, Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing. Jesus understands our doubts. He knows if we are searching for answers to strengthen our faith, or if we are being stubborn and immovable. When you doubt, don't stop there. Let your doubt deepen your faith as you continue to search for the answer. Let your faith take you to the next level in your relationship with Christ.

Lord, when we have doubts, thank you for understanding and offering your love and forgiveness. Help us to search for Your answers in our lives and trust you with all our hearts.

Janet Stutzman

A Hundred Times As Much

"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life." Mark 10:29-30 (NIV)

Some of us come from homes where we wilted instead of blossomed. Homes that sucked the life out of us and still do when we return for visits. Perhaps our parents were physically present, but for a variety of reasons, absent in their parental roles-leaving us to parent ourselves and our siblings. Just maybe we spent our painful childhoods and teenage years as outsiders, envying those from apparently healthy families. On our own. Wishing and praying that life would be different. Wishing we had a childhood.

In the midst of the daily childhood and teenage pain injected into me by my familial circumstances, I used to question God about why he allowed me to be born into my particular family. I hungered for stable parents and stable circumstances. I wanted to know how to live. Often, I begged God to father and mother me.

God answered my prayers. He has shown me how to live through Scripture, books and Christian radio, but most importantly, by providing me with a Christian family. Not only has he given me a wonderful husband and daughter, but he has sent me all sorts of fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers and children to show me how to live. Looking back throughout my life, I've noticed that at every stage, He has provided Christian mothers and fathers who have opened up their homes to me. I have places of refuge, places of rest where I can go. These are places of hospitality and love where if needed, I can head to for the holidays or anytime. I can call these saints and ask for advice and prayer knowing that I am cared for by a motherly and fatherly figure or a friend. With these, I can break down in tears, knowing that I'll receive comfort and understanding. They are generous spirits who bless me with the gift of their presence.

So when I think of Mark 10:29-30, I sit back in awe. Because I am his child, because I am following Jesus, I am promised a hundred-fold increase in family and fields and homes in this age along with persecutions. I am grateful to God for lavishing me with life-giving family members in the body of Christ with whom I can bear the persecutions when they come.

As for my biological parents, I have learned that the painful stress, chaos, and strife that swirls about them is largely due to mental illness. I now have compassion on them instead of resentment towards them. Finally, I have stopped trying to change them, have accepted them for who they are, and can appreciate the many wonderful qualities about them. I love them dearly and know they love me. I truly marvel at the goodness and grace of God because he so thoughtfully sent others along to fill in the gap-others to help my parents out in raising a healthy daughter.

Dear Father, thank you for the eternal implications of being your children and of being members of your family. We are forever grateful. Help us to grace others with the gift of our presence, just as you grace us with the gift of yours. Amen.

Marlena Graves

Walk and not Faint

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isa 40:31(KJV)

"She will need a liver transplant in order to survive!" The words lingered in my ears, arrangements are being made to transfer her to MCV in Richmond,Virginia. "Your daughter is too sick for us to care for her at this hospital".

My day had started as usual. I was at work when an urgent call came through from my husband. He informed me our twenty two year-old daughter, had over medicated herself and the meds were in her system over twelve hours. Enough time to cause serious insult to her liver.

I rushed to the emergency room to be with them. Our daughter, a beautiful--young newlywed did not realize the dose of medication she took could potentially take her life. This was not a suicide attempt, only immaturity and a desperate cry for attention. Now a race was on to get rescue drugs in her to reverse any damage. The doctors had nothing positive to say and painted a gloomy picture of what was ahead.

The next several hours were a whirlwind. In the midst of the busyness a spirit of fear took up residence in me. I was a Christian but had never faced this type of challenge. My husband was full of faith, and spoke encouraging words words of life. I however, dismissed his voice and listened to the voice of doctors; after all they are educated individuals who spoke with authority and experience.

We were not allowed to ride in the medical transport with her, so we followed behind. Several hours after our arrival and with all medical testing complete, her room was quiet.

I opened my bible, the Lord directed me to Isa 40:31. The text was familiar but lacked comfort at this moment. All the negative words spoken to us this day had taken up residence within me. I felt spiritually bankrupt. I had no physical strength and very little spiritual strength. However, I knew my church family was praying.

The scripture spoke about mounting up, running, walking and not fainting. I was far from running and I barely had will power or desire to walk. Then the words "and not faint" caught my spiritual eye. I was intrigued. The scripture started with strength and went to complete fatigue. I realized I had not fainted (given-up).

Since I had not fainted maybe I could walk (trust Him), but how? He gently reminded me just like a baby, one step at a time. Walk and talk at the same time. It is natural for us we do it all the time, yet the concept is the same spiritually. Our words bring life and our walk is the action of faith.

My daughter was resting comfortably so I took a faith walk. In the end I was on the roof of the hospital. Dawn was breaking and the sun's rays were coming through a broken cloud cover. The rays encompassed the hospital complex with the appearance of the Lords glory all around.

Faced with a life and death situation as a Christian for over twenty years, I am embarrassed to say that I caved spiritually. This experience refined my walk. We were in a battle for my daughter's life. I'm blessed to say it ended in victory. My daughter left the hospital three days later.

Our God is faithful even in our weakness. Our words are powerful, so speak words of life my sisters, walk in your authority in Christ. When life gets difficult take baby steps, but keep forward movement in the spirit. You will one day mount up and soar like an eagle.

Lord, teach us to trust Your Word, as we trust You. Amen

Geri Hoggard