Be Bold

Posted on Feb 14, 2013 in Lent 2013 |

 

Luke 9:1 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there.5Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ 6They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

 

Jesus told the disciples not to worry about their “baggage,” to travel light, not to care what others thought of them and to be bold.  This is a message that is easy to hear, but hard to live.

We don’t want to worry about the things that often consume our time, yet we can’t seem to get them off our minds.  We worry about our needs, wants and desires.  We worry about the people we love and their needs, wants and desires.  We carry guilt from the past and stress over the uncertainty of the future.  If we are not careful, we spend our time and energy on things that are not important to our present life.  Worrying about the past and planning for the future can stand in the way of living in the present moment.  If we are not living in the present we will miss God.  God can be remembered for His might acts. God is our hope for the future, but we find God in the present.

When the disciples left their “baggage” behind they were able to be in the present moment; to experience life just as it was.  When they were welcomed they stayed, when they were shunned they departed and left the past behind them.  They did not even carry the dust from the places they were not welcome, let alone spend time worrying about why they were not liked and accepted.  With that attitude, they received power from the Holy Spirit.  They were able to set aside their worries and desires and to experience God.  Through the Holy Spirit they were able do amazing things.  They were able to live boldly.

We can easily become caught up in our worries and our desires to be liked and accepted.  When we do, we fail to live life in the present and we fail to live life boldly.  We miss opportunities to experience God and live as faithful disciples.

In this day, leave your “baggage” behind.  Travel light.  Don’t focus on who likes the message that you bring to the world.  Be bold and powerful through the One that has called and equipped you for the journey ahead.

 

Blessings,

Pastor Mandy

 


A Call to Act this Lent

Posted on Feb 13, 2013 in Lent 2013 |

When Jesus was asked “which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

Jesus said “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first  commandment. And second is like it: ‘You shall lover your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hand all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

 

Christian Perfection is not discovered by the acts of legalism but discovered through our love and  close relationship with God.  It is only after this that we are truly able to love ourselves and others.

 

During this time of Lent, I encourage each of us to consciously live out these commandments.

1. Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Pray Daily; Search the Scriptures; Invite the Grace of God into Your Life.

2.  Love Yourself.

  • Take time for yourself. Take care of yourself.  Learn to love how God made you. Be thankful.
  • Do something you have always wanted to do.  Learn a new skill,

challenge yourself to a healthier life; physically, emotionally, spiritually.

3.  Love Your Neighbor.

  • Do an act of kindness. Smile, laugh, or share a joke. Be positive!
    • Open the door for someone; return a buggy cart for someone at the store;

send a card to a shut-in or a friend you have not seen or heard from in a

while; send a note to someone you know needs encouragement.

  • Visit or prepare a meal and invite your family and/or friends.
    • Send a card or a care-package to our college students.  Take a care package to one of our local schools for the teachers and administration.
    • Tell your spouse, children, and parents how much you love them

everyday.  Show your love with hugs, kisses, a word of encouragement

or a little note.

  • Do something extra for someone else.

 

These are only a few ideas.  I know there are a lot more.  Use your creativity and gifts to reach out to God, Yourself, and Your Neighbor.  It is through our acts of kindness, patience, and tolerance that people can see Jesus Christ in our own lives.

 

In the book The Way to Heaven: The Gospel According to John Wesley, Steve Harper states: “The call of the Christian is the call to grow.  The Wesleyan equation is this:  “Grace plus response equals growth.”  There is no point in life where we can say, ‘I have all I need [relationally with God].’”

 

Grow this Lenten Season – Rev. Jill Rhinehart

 


Living in Peace

Posted on Jul 16, 2012 in Devotions |

Yesterday’s sermon was about how we live in peace with the assurance of God’s forgiveness, the ever-present guidance of the Holy Spirit and the peace that grow out of that relationship with God and produces peace in our hearts.  This morning I was given the opportunity to share the presence of the peace of God during a part of my life that was very difficult.  I was reminded once again the power of our testimony when we are able to share life’s broken moments with someone that is experiencing their own sadness, grief and brokenness.  Our testimony is a powerful reminder of God’s love and grace, not just for someone else,but also for ourselves.  We need to remember and share our stories, so that when we encounter times of trouble we need the knowledge and assurance that God has been with us through everything, God is with us in our moments of joy and need, and God will continue to journey with us through all of life’s challenges.  To God be the glory, great things he has done!

 

Peace,

Pastor Mandy

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.


Looking Forward

Posted on May 30, 2012 in Devotions |

It is hard to make changes.  It is even harder to make changes to something that is working.  At Clarksbury we are making changes to something that is working.  We are blessed with a wonderful worshiping congregation, yet we believe that it is time to make a change.

We are changing our schedule of worship and we are incorporating new ways of worship.  We are not sure about all the details, but we believe that it is time for us to move forward in ministry in our community.  Beginning in September 2012 we will change our Sunday morning worship time and will add an additional service.  The Sunday morning worship schedule will be:

 

9:00am – Worship with the Clarksbury Choir

10:00-10:45am – Sunday School

11:00am – Worship with the Clarksbury Praise Team

 

I ask that you pray for our church during these changes.  Pray that we will face the future unafraid and will rely on the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  1 Thessalonians 5:24 reminds us that, “The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do this.”  What God has called us to do He has equipped us for and will lead us through!

 

God bless,

Pastor Mandy


Labels and Categories (from the Upper Room)

Posted on May 16, 2012 in Devotions |

Read James 1:19-27

Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

– James 1:22 (NRSV)

A foul mood is spreading across our society and the world these days. Dialogue seems to have been replaced by name-calling that is little related to truth. Broadcasters fill the air with divisive labels designed to wound. Sometimes we see the same malice in the arena of faith and religion. This kind of talk reduces difficult issues to slogans and stops us from seeing others as worthwhile individuals. However, each of us has the choice and ability to move beyond labels and categories.

What changed for me is meeting people who are different from me. I discovered that they have hopes and dreams like mine. My study of scripture revealed that all people are of sacred worth. I learned that labels and categories can be used to lie and hide the truth, to injure and wound, to create fear and manipulate people. Words that make us suspicious of anyone who is different can make people into adversaries and enemies.

We read in Hebrews 13:1-2, “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” This counsel allows no exceptions. Any label or category that diminishes the worth of another person also diminishes us. As believers in Christ, we are called to honor every individual we meet as a person of sacred worth — nothing less.

F. Richard Garland (New Hampshire, USA)

Thought for the Day

What labels limit my seeing and honoring people as God’s beloved children?

Prayer

O God, help us to love and respect one another as your children. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Forgiven and Clean (from the Upper Room)

Posted on May 14, 2012 in Devotions |

Read Psalm 103:7-18

As far as the east is from the west, so far has [the Lord] removed our transgressions from us.

– Psalm 103:12 (NIV)

The sign above the 24-hour laundry/dry cleaning storefront reads, “Decent Cleaners.” This unusual name catches my attention each time I see it. Just what is the difference between decent and exceptional, decent and excellent, or decent and extraordinary? Why would I want my clothes to be laundered just “decently”? Why shouldn’t they be extraordinarily clean or exceptionally clean? Who is satisfied with merely decent? Am I asking too much if I desire excellence?

In a spiritual sense, what level of clean can God accomplish? Psalm 51:7 says, “Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.” I think of “whiter than snow” as exceptionally white, clean from top to bottom. For clothes, it means they are clean inside and out, pockets and cuffs, hidden linings and front lapels. The Bible tells us that every sin can be forgiven, that every spot on the heart can be removed, and that no guilt can leave a permanent stain on our soul.

Our own attempts to wash away our shame or cover our sin cannot succeed. But the forgiveness God offers is exceptional, excellent, extraordinary, and thorough. I need to be cleaned of the guilt and released from the power of sin, and only God can do that. Each of us can confess our failures to God in prayer and be cleansed and forgiven.

Sharon Braner (Oklahoma, USA)

 

Thought for the Day

Only God can wash away the stain of sin.

Prayer

Dear God, when we try and fail to live sinless lives, remind us that you can and will completely forgive all our sins. Amen.


Thirst Quencher (from the Upper Room)

Posted on May 12, 2012 in Devotions |

Read John 7:37-39

Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and . . . drink.”

– John 7:37-38 (NRSV)

Years ago, I visited Ooty, a hill station in South India. The bus stopped for a while at a hairpin bend because the engine was overheated. The arduous journey had made us thirsty and hungry.

As I got off the bus and looked around, I saw water trickling from a crack in a big rock. It trickled into a bamboo pipe and collected in a wooden drum. I drank the cool, sweet water and quenched my thirst. The water was so satisfying that I decided not to eat anything that night but just fill my belly with the water that to me was as sweet as “honey from the rock” (Ps. 81:16, NIV, NRSV).

This incident reminded me of the living water that Jesus offers us. As we travel through life, we come across many hurdles and difficulties. We may be tempted to try to satisfy our spiritual thirst in many ways. But only a close relationship with God offers real, lasting satisfaction. Only God’s living water can quench our soul’s thirst.

B.Vincent Roop Singh (Banglaore, India)


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