Devotional 3-10-14

John 3:1-17

John 3:16   For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  (New International Version)

Sometimes, I see the 'John 3:16' written out and shown in public places, especially at sporting events.

It is a well known verse summing up God's message to the human race.  Some people want the world to know about God's love through His Son.

What a blessing it is to know of eternal life.  This is especially so with the earthly death of my youngest sister Peggy recently.  It is a warming feeling knowing of eternal life and that I will one day be with her again.  Not only Peggy, but our parents and other loved ones, along with our Lord and Savior.  What a blessing!

I, too, want you and the whole human race of this world, to know of eternal life.

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son. Thank you for your Son to follow during this life and to follow into eternal life.  Use me to show others the way to eternal life.  I ask in your Son's name.   Amen

Remember also: Matthew 9:38 (pray for the harvesters)

Kay Lewis

Devotional 2-21-13

Genesis 15:1-12,17-18

I am afraid of some things. I think most of us are afraid of some things. I don't like snakes, so I guess I am afraid of snakes.

I don't like the dark and being enclosed, so was afraid of going into caves when I was younger. I was even told I was afraid to have my photograph taken when I was a child. I was told that I would run away and in the few pictures I have of myself as a child, I am crying in them. Now, I am just afraid I will look too much like myself. (Can be a scary thing.)

Now days, I am afraid of 'home invasion', 'snipers', or being in the 'line of fire' of some irrational person. I am also afraid of getting a debilitating illness or condition.

God tells us not to be afraid. In Genesis 15:1, God tells Abram not to be afraid. "I am your shield, your very great reward".

God is with us in scary and difficult times and promises many blessings, even if the blessings are difficult to know at the time.

When I am afraid, of course I pray, and I also feel Jesus with me to see me through my fears. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Our Father, thank you for your Son. Help me to take my fears to Him and know He is always with me and I am blessed. Amen

Kay Lewis

Devotional 2-28-12

After the death of Jim Ray, a JM member, someone brought books to JM that Jim had owned and let people take any they wanted. I took several, one being 52 Hymn Story Devotions, by Lucy Neeley Adams.

Today's devotion is taken from this book, so therefore, I feel Jim is apart of this devotion. "In the Garden" is a favorite old hymn of mine, so this devotion is about this hymn.

"You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.He has been raised; he is not here." (Mark 16:6)

God so loved the world that he sent Jesus, but when he was crucified, it seemed that God's plan was defeated. Behold the risen Lord! He is alive and millions have believed since that event.

One of those believers was C. Austin Miles. Born in Lakehurst, New Jersey, in 1868, he studied to be a pharmacist but returned to an earlier interest in music. When someone asked him to write a hymn "that brings hope to the hopeless and rest for the weary," he turned in his Bible to his favorite passage-- John 20. The composer wrote: "I seemed to be a part of the scene. I became a silent witness to that dramatic moment in Mary's life, when she knelt before her Lord, and cried, "Rabboni!" I gripped my Bible close to me with muscles tense and nerves vibrating. Under the inspiration of this vision, I wrote as quickly as the words could be formed, the poem exactly as it has since appeared. That same evening I wrote the music."

I (Lucy Adams) experienced my own version of epiphany years ago. Easter morning in 1976 began beautifully. As I cooked breakfast, I turned on the radio to my favorite Christian station. The sermon by Dr. Ben Haden was entitled, "If a Man Die, Shall He Live Again?" I rejoiced as I listened to the words affirming my faith in eternal life.

The phone rang. I heard the news that my sister Margaret had died very suddenly. Shock, grief, and tears overwhelmed me. However, before I could get a flight to Virginia to be with Margaret's family, I went to church for the usual Easter celebration. I trembled in my weakness, but my faith was strong.

As I sat in the pew listening to the organ music, I glanced down at the bulletin in my lap. On the cover were two words: "He lives." Staring at those words, I was struck by another truth, and I penciled in the letter"S". The bulletin now read, "She Lives."

Death has been conquered for all believers, because Jesus lives. I knew that Margaret, too, was alive in heaven, just as I will be one day.

Lord because your tomb was temporary, life with you is eternal. Hallelujah! Amen.

I come to the garden alone
while the dew is still on the roses,
and the voice I hear
falling on my ear,
the Son of God discloses.
Refrain:And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
and He tells me I am Hisown;
and the joy we share as we tarry there,
none other has ever known.

C. Austin Miles, 1913 (John 20:11-18)

Kay Lewis

Devotional 3-12-11

HOPE

1 Peter 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Please read these words from Kathy Troccoli, Women of Faith Devotional Bible.

Jesus established hope on the Cross and forever wrote it into history. How do we know hope is alive? Because Christ is alive.

I know of no other topic that I have spent more analysis on than the issue of hope. Without our hope, without our dreams, we wither and die. I have come to fully believe it is the number one reason so many walk around as depressed believers. We have consciously and subconsciously put our hope in things of this world. All of those things eventually die---each and every one.

When they die we feel the loss.

Hope in Christ is, however, fully alive. It will never die. Think about that....a hope that can never be silenced. It's an eternal flame that will never be extinguished. It's living now, and the inheritance it establishes is reserved in the heavenly realms. Look skyward and hope again. Watch Him move on your behalf.

Let's pray: Our Heavenly father, I am ever grateful for the hope You have given me through Your Son, Jesus Christ. I need this hope to sustain me through my everyday. Where there is hope, there is peace in my life. Guide me to use this hope for Your world. Amen

Kay Lewis

Devotional 3-9-10

Lectionary Reading: Luke 15 1-3, 11-32; Luke 15:29

So he answered and said to his father,'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.' New King James Version

Those words were spoken by the "faithful' son upon the return and 'party' for the son that went away with his 'goods that falls to me' and 'wasted his possessions with prodigal living'.

I am lucky to have 3 sisters. I can see myself as the 'faithful' son, when I was much, much younger. Why should I celebrate them or with them when I don't think they deserve it? It is not right that I spent my time and energy and then one of them gets the glory. I was the one that stuck around because I was expected to do the work. Then no real thanks comes to me. HUMPF!

I did have those feelings from time to time growing up in our home with my three sisters, but I was also the one that felt they gave in to mother and daddy, when I wanted to stand up for our 'rights'. They 'always' gave in to them. HUMPF again!

It must have been hard living with me. In fact, I think at times, I had a hard time living. Am I ever glad I grew up. Or at least I think I have.

My sisters and I get along now, very well. Oh, we have our moments, but we get over them quickly and in the end we are always there to support each other.

To me the story of the lost son in Luke, conveys forgiveness, and isn't that what Easter is about? God loves us so much that he gave his only son to forgive us!

Through God's love,
Kay Lewis

Devotional 3-13-09

"Be careful little mouth what you say, be careful little mouth what you say, for the Lord up above is looking down below, so be careful little mouth what you say."

There have been times that I have said words and did actions that I would most gladly take back. However, there they were, out there for any to hear and see. I prayed to be forgiven for saying and acting in such a manner. I certainly apologized where I felt it was needed.
My father was a gentle gentleman whom I loved very much and tried to emulate. But he had a side to him, that when he felt strongly about something or was angered about something, he would let it be known in no uncertain terms. Growing up, I was the instrument of this display many times, I am certain. But, I do not remember my father having a really unkind word to or about someone.

That part I am sorry I do not emulate. I try hard but I know I have said hurtful words in anger or frustration. Then I have regretted those words. March 2nd I read on a daily calendar these words, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil...." Psalm 141:34 NIV. I pray I can abide by those words.

Prayer: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen (Psalm 19:14)

Kay Lewis

Mission Prayer and Response Focus:
March 12: Enjoy games? How about a nickel for every deck of cards you have.

Devotional 2-27-08

Psalm 119:105-108

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your judgments.

February 27 is the birthday of my father. If he were living he would be 93 years old.

God's word is a lamp to my feet and being. My father's words were also. My father and mother worshipped and studied God's word through church and the Bible and taught what they learned and knew to us girls.

My parents are who I am today. God gives us choice, and I chose to live by my parents’ example. In life I remember the words they gave me to live by everyday. Their words came from their parents and the Bible. God's word lives through us. I feel blessed to have the family I have and to be able to continue living God's word.

Prayer: My Father, thank you for Your word and my family. I pray that I will continue to read Your word on the path to righteousness. Amen

Kay Lewis