Walk in Love

2 John 4-6

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

As we enter the start of a new year, I wanted to remind myself and all of you of a simple yet powerful command that we have been given.  Love one another.  Throughout the Bible, this is a command we see over and over and over again.  It seems so simple, yet it can be so difficult. 

I will admit that there are times that I struggle to assume positive intent from people.  While I have gotten much better with the emotional intelligence and do tend to give the proper reply, I still struggle with that initial internal reaction to what someone does or says to me sometimes.  I struggle to love that person as I should. 

Do you find yourself sometimes not walking in love as we are commanded?  I just want to encourage you today to let that be a focus for you as we enter a new year.

Thursday Devotional - Seeking Immortality

Are you going to make new year’s resolutions for 2018? Often new year’s resolutions focus on things that will make us feel or look better, gain skills or accomplishments and ultimately provide what we think is a better quality of life.

Did you know Paul tells us to seek immortality???

Romans 2:6-11       God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” ⁷ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. ⁸ But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. ⁹ There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; ¹⁰ but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. ¹¹ For God does not show favoritism.

How will you and I seek glory, honor and immortality this coming year? Here are few ways:

Getting to know God better through reading the Bible

Joining a Bible study group

Doing a Bible study with our families

Praying for ourselves and others to know God better

Memorizing and meditating on Bible verses

Sacrificially serving others

Many of you already prioritize these things, knowing eternal life is the best reward!

Keep it up this coming year!

Alice 

New Year's Resolution - Certainty

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.  This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.  Hebrews 4:14-16 

This has been a year one of ups and downs.  Yes, some years are rougher than others, and this one had more challenges than I’ve had in a while.  However as I have fought and clawed through the tough times, I managed to find strength not only in myself but also in God.  It was one of those years where I looked back at some of the devotions I wrote, and had to live them out.  I had to remember not to worry and to stay awake at all times to ensure I was attune to what God was calling me to do (see May 24, 2017).  Other times it was to trust in who Jesus Christ was and not focus on what He has done for me (October 17, 2017).  More than anything, I’ve learned that I can move forward with confidence knowing that I do not have to be worried about failing.  I have certainty in Jesus that if I truly trust Him, everything will be alright. 

When we walk with Jesus, we have certainty that all things will work out for His glory.  There are times where we feel like we are losing the battle, and other times, we will feel like we did not get what we wanted.  But we must remember that we cannot lose the war if we have Jesus Christ, who give us strength to fight on and can find a way for us when we cannot see one for ourselves.  He is that shining light that we can follow, and while we may not always get what we want, He will always give us more than what we will need.  That we can sure of, and therefore, we should as Paul said, “Come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.”  Do not fear of failure or disappointment.  He will be there for you.  You can be certain of it. 

As the year comes to an end, remember that we walk by faith on the righteous pathway leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ.  You might have begun this year struggling with work, home, faith, or other areas.  However today, I want to assure you that the King of Kings is still on the throne!  When you know this deep in your heart, your fears and worries will soon disappear.  I leave you with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King the night before he was killed.  Listen to the certainty he had, and think of how this must have been words of strength to many in the equality struggle ever after his death: 

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like any man, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. 

This is what certainty in Jesus Christ sounds like.  What wall can you walk through with this certainty?  What will you do this year knowing God is with you?  My prayer is that you walk with boldness and courageousness as you head into the new year with one simple phrase; certainty.  Amen, and may you have a blessed and Happy New Year!

Thursday Devotional - Merry Christmas from the Reas

For today’s devotional, I thought I would include our Christmas picture and letter. I wanted to send a Christmas letter out last year after our adoption was final, but life was too crazy! So, this year’s letter covered a little more than a year. :) 

Merry Christmas! God blessed us with two wonderful children (James and Sarah) a little over a year ago! We got them in June of 2016 and adopted them in October last year, so the past year and a half has been full of changes, new things, and firsts!

James (5.25) is outgoing, loving, friendly, excited, active and generous. He started a music class and swim lessons this Fall. Most importantly, he accepted Jesus into his heart as his Savior this past February, and the Holy Spirit’s work in his heart is evident!

(Romans 10:9-13               ⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”)

Sarah (3.75) is reserved, strong, diligent, content, cuddly and petite. She enjoys library time with James each week, singing (even if she doesn’t know the words), and animals (especially horses). James and Sarah both enjoy playing anything and everything with each other and their cousins.

I’m still working at Thomson Reuters and keep an active CPA license. I work an early shift, switch places with Joe, and then he counsels clients afternoons and evenings most days. We both continue to enjoy leadership in Bible Study Fellowship (studying Romans this year).

Love,

Alice

Romans 5:1-3      Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Have a great Christmas!

A Place Called Joy

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”  Nehemiah 8:9-10 

So I’m watching a special about two athletes that I admired when I was younger.  They had been best of friends, but because of competition and miscommunication, they had separated for years; nearly twenty years.  However, when they got back together, it was like they had never been apart.  The closest thing I can recall like it was when I saw my oldest brother after a decade of him living in Florida.  It was like watching me ten years later, and I cherished that time we spent. 

When I think of my relationship with God, I know He is Lord over my life.  I am His humble servant, but yet, He calls me a friend.  I struggle understanding that, but my best guess on how that works is simply this.  I don’t expect anything from Him, but when I do something well, I can feel He is happy with me.  The commonality in all three stories is this place in my heart positively responds to them.  The response is called joy. 

Joy is an everlasting connection with God.  In today’s verses, the people of Jerusalem were at an assembly hearing the law of God read them.  As I read of them weeping, I can only feel that they wept reflecting on their own standing with God.  Then Nehemiah, understanding the greater purpose God had in their lives, spoke, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  He wished to emphasize that God was with them, and with it, they had reassurance and peace.  They had happiness that was both unshakable and everlasting.  This was joy.  When we gave our life to Christ, we too were given a new life filled with an opportunity to serve the one true living God.  It is not something that can be neither taken from us nor reversed.  We are to embrace it for what it is; a chance to live a better life beyond ourselves.  To do be able to do things in the name of God that many might not even understand, and then celebrate because we have the very strength that Nehemiah spoke to the people of Jerusalem of. 

There is no situation that our God cannot handle.  While we at times find ourselves too tired to carry on, He carries us forward, but only if we just are willing to hand our worries, fears, and anxieties to Him.  A song by Bebe and Cece Winans has a closing chorus saying to Jesus Christ, “You are my love and my prize possession.  Because of you I’ve got pride and joy.  Tell the world it’s love everlasting, hope everlasting, joy everlasting. I’ve got joy!”  Do not let the weight of the world tear you down.  Remember your strength in Christ.  Where is the joy you have with Christ?  How can you focus on His strength when you feel weak?  My prayer is that we look deep inside ourselves where God is connected to us, and find that place called joy.  Amen, and I pray for you and your family a most joyous and Merry Christmas! 

Tues Devo: Faithfulness in action

Luke 2:21-38 “And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (NASB)

Hello,

As I have been reading the Christmas story and it’s surrounding passages I spent some time on these 2 unique individuals. We talk about the shepherds who were told and responded with immediate gratification-but here are 2 people who waited for the Messiah – and even waited a few days past His birth. Both Simeon and Anna were followers of God who showed amazing faithfulness. Both were servants – long time servants. They just kept believing, trusting and serving. God’s promise to Simeon was fulfilled, and Anna had what looks to be an unknown blessing. There is no mention of her knowing she would see the Messiah as Simeon was told – but her faithful service was rewarded.

We don’t always like to wait – but the rewards of faithful service are immense.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Thurs Devo - Jesus who was and was and is and is to come

We were talking at dinner one night this week about how long ago Jesus came to earth as a baby. It’s hard to explain to a 5 and 3 year old how long 2000 years is!!! James voluntarily added that then Jesus became a kid, then a teenager, then an adult and now in Heaven with God! Yes!

Another new concept we talked about was that Jesus existed with God in the beginning before He came to earth as a baby. His incarnation is another hard thing to explain. We’ve worked this week on memorizing Genesis 1:1 and so we also talked through the truths from the following verses.

Genesis 1:1-2, 26 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters… ²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Matthew 1:21-23   She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

A baby didn’t grow up and save you and me. God Himself came to earth to save us! Jesus was in Heaven in the beginning, Jesus was born as a baby, Jesus is in Heaven now and Jesus will come again. As the kids and I sang last night “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!” We can rejoice, knowing Jesus will come again!

Alice

Planting A Seed

Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.  But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.  The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.  The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!  Matthew 13:18-23 

 Am I reading the word or living the word?  I ask myself this question because at times it is a struggle.  In a discussion I had over the weekend with a friend of mine, things began to be a bit heated.  I could tell she was getting frustrated.  As such, I proposed that maybe we should step back, and come back to the topic tomorrow.  However, nothing changed because she would not see eye to eye with me.  I think the reason for their frustration was that although I understood where she was coming from, she took my understanding as ‘agreement.’  Then as I explained my opposition, she grew frustrated and attacked me.  Although I appreciated learning their side of the story, I felt nothing had been gained.  Then, I thought of what God taught me about planting seeds.  It helped me to understand that we may not see the fruits of our labor right away.  We must wait for Him to make the seed grow. 

As a Christian, our goal at times may not be to literally change a life but to instead plant seeds so others can see God at work to recognize it later.  In reading the parable of the farmer planting seeds, I recognized different points of my life where I fit each seed.  In my early years, I did not understand God’s word.  At some point, I became filled with joy when reading His word.  But I was not sufficiently grounded, and thus fell off the path.  Then once I became born again, I would become worried about troubles in the world where I felt lost from God.  However, I somehow made it back to where I felt grounded in God’s word sharing it with others and living it out to those who come in contact with me.  I have watched the harvest not only in friends but also children and grandchildren.  None of this happened without trusting in God.  My wife has been a great inspiration to me reminding me to stay grounded and trust in Him.  I share this hoping that it helps some of you.  You could be at any of these stages, but if you are not producing a harvest, note that it may not be time for your harvest.  However if you trust in God, know that it will come. 

God’s time is always accurate and correct.  We may struggle believing a time for something to occur is now.  The key is to trust God regardless of what the outcome may be.  It may be something small and you won’t see the end result.  However by trusting in God, remember that “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.” (Matthew 13:31b)  Our goal is to be an instrument of God letting Him use us, and then watch as He (not us) makes the harvest.  Let us rejoice in the omnipotent power of God to turn even the smallest things into a big part of His Kingdom!  Where are your seeds planted?  How will you trust in God to let the harvest grow?  My prayer is that when things don’t seem to work out with someone, we don’t focus on the now and just remember to plant the seed.  Amen.