"Just as you don't know the path of the wind, or how [bones] develop in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you don't know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don't know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good" (Ecclesiastes 11:5-6, Holman Christian Standard Bible).

This book, Ecclesiastes, has encouraged me this week. As I've been reading it more, it's reminded me to trust God more. He is omniscient; He knows everything in the past, present, and future.  Colossians 3:23 reminds believers to work for the Lord. Our work can be done with peace and confidence in God's lead, knowing that His power is perfect in our weekness (2 Corinthians 12:19).

Today, I'm moving, and I was feeling pretty anxious earlier this week as I thought of things to do to prepare for it. It's relieving that we can rest in knowing that God can give us joy and strength as we go through whatever today. The Holy Spirit is with believers to help. I pray that we remember to trust in Him and to tell others about His work in our lives.

Freedom!

2 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."!

John 8:32 "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"!

The 4th of July, Celebration of Freedom, is a great opportunity to share where freedom can be experienced, In Jesus Christ! Who has God placed in our lives that needs Freedom? Freedom from Fear, Freedom from Worry, Freedom from Addictions, Freedom from Debt, Freedom from Sin, Freedom from Loneliness, Freedom from the Cares of This World? As we participate in July 4th Celebrations, let's share where our Freedom is Found = Jesus, with someone that is yearning to be Free!! In Jesus, Everyday can be "Happy Freedom Day"!!


Psalm 33: 1-22

Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones;
praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the LORD with the lyre;
make music to Him with a ten-stringed harp.

Sing a new song to Him;
play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.

For the word of the LORD is right,
and all His work is trustworthy.

He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the LORD's unfailing love.

The heavens were made by the word of the LORD,
and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea into a heap;
He puts the depths into storehouses.

Let the whole earth tremble before the LORD;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

For He spoke, and it came into being;
He commanded, and it came into existence.

The LORD frustrates the counsel of the nations;
He thwarts the plans of the peoples.

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of His heart from generation to generation.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD—
the people He has chosen to be His own possession!

The LORD looks down from heaven;
He observes everyone.

He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth
from His dwelling place.

He alone crafts their hearts;
He considers all their works.

A king is not saved by a large army;
a warrior will not be delivered by great strength.

The horse is a false hope for safety;
it provides no escape by its great power.

Now the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him—
those who depend on His faithful love

to deliver them from death
and to keep them alive in famine.

We wait for the LORD;
He is our help and shield.

For our hearts rejoice in Him,
because we trust in His holy name.

May Your faithful love rest on us, LORD,
for we put our hope in You."

"From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20, HCSB).

With the beauty of the summer months upon us, I am reminded of the simple truth that God reveals Himself in and through creation. As you enjoy the beauty of these warm months, share the warmth of the Lord with everyone you meet. You never know what God will use to draw people unto Himself. Let's remember that people are lost, without hope, and in need of Jesus.

May we always stay hot for Him!

God Is Faithful!

"...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has set us free..." Revelation 1:5 HCSB

Jesus is the greatest most faithful witness that we could ever model our lives after! As a follower of Jesus, He promises to teach and equip us as His disciple ( Background of Disciple The term “disciple” comes to us in English from a Latin root. Its basic meaning is “learner” or “pupil.” taken from Holman Dictionary from LifeWay's Online Bible Library @ http://www.bible.lifeway.com/)

Mt 4:19-20 The First Disciples “Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for people! Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." HCSB

How many times have you heard this statement: "If you and I were on trial for being a Christian, a follower of Jesus, would there be enough evidence to convict us?" Let's make a list of the evidence that is in our lives and the evidence that you would like for there to be in your life to be a faithful witness as we remember what God promises in Philippians 1:6 "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." HCSB

I often think about witnessing as if I am on trial because as a first-generation Christian I have had so many "trials" in this old world!! Witnesses in courtrooms are sworn to tell the truth. No speculation. No opinions. No hearsay. What "evidence" would people who know us give to support our claim that we are true and faithful reflections of Jesus? Jesus, who is called "the faithful witness" paid the ultimate price on trial for you and me...what more can we do than to testify and share with others the ways that He has ultimately, radically, and miraculously changed our lives from unfaithful to faithful until He returns...let's take as many others with us as we fill the courtroom of our lives and TESTIFY for HIM!! May all who come behind us find us faithful to "The Faithful One"! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s392HyzQ79M

Best Part of Phoenix

We were blessed to spend much of last week in Phoenix for the Southern Baptist Convention. Phoenix is a beautiful city full of wonderful people...but it is a bit hot. So many places we went had misters and it just turned the place from desert to paradise. We ate outside at Sam's Cafe underneath the misters and had a great time. I should have taken a photo but was too busy talking so thanks to Sam's...I'm using their photo.

The misters everywhere made me think a bit. They were such a breath of relief for all. That's what we should be as believers...just giving fresh sprays and blessings of the Holy Spirit for all to see and experience. As we go about our hot summer vacations, let's be misters for Jesus and spray some love all around. Who knows who might be blessed in the process?

"Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it" Isaiah 42:5, ESV

Happy Father's Day to the fatherless

just a simple reminder on this Father's Day...

"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation" Isaiah 68:5, ESV.

God is there for you on this Father's Day. You may not know who your father is, he may not have lived up to what he should have (seldom humans do), he may not even be around anymore...but whatever the case, God is there for you. His is your everlasting Father, a Father to the fatherless, a protector of widows, and the only perfect Father there ever was or will be.

Today. let's honor Fathers in the name of Jesus. And if you want to meet the one who loves you the most, He is waiting for you to call on Him.

Praying for all.

The God of Hope

Devotional from HeartCall: The Call to Prayer, published 1999 by North American Mission Board, Jaye Martin compiler and contributor

June 19

Background Passage: Romans 15:13-33

Focal Verse: Romans 15:13

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Paul’s intention as reflected in these verses and throughout his letters in the New Testament is to always be ready to share the good news of Jesus Christ and His saving power.  His desire and ability to be obedient to this task is established in the God of hope who will fill him with all peace and joy.  As I read this scripture I find great encouragement in knowing that the same God of hope will fill me with peace and joy as I serve Him.  There have been times of anxiety to even pray specifically for a lost relative or friend fearing that God would tell me to speak a word of testimony.  As I spend time with the Lord He teaches me that I can possess peace and confidence when sharing my faith with others as I surrender these encounters to God, knowing that it is Christ working through me and the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is not my efforts which bring results.  Paul’s desire to give testimony to his faith in Jesus Christ flows out of the abundance of true joy he receives as a result of his daily walk with the Lord.  What an awesome God we serve!

Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Rome and mine for you is that you will be encouraged to pray for the lost and then under the direction and power of the Holy Spirit be willing to give testimony of the peace and joy you have through Jesus Christ.

Bridget Cavey

Catonsville, MD

For information on HeartCall, go to http://namb.net/heartcall