Face to Face - Perspective for March 10, 2011

One of my favorite devotionals from the Daily Bread series, tells the story of Pastor Scotty Smith learning to personally experience the passionate love of God. When he was a young boy, Scotty lost his mother suddenly in a car accident. Because of this, he closed off his wounded heart to others, including God. Several years later he received Jesus as his Savior and began to learn the truths of Christianity. Yet his relationship with the Lord in those days was, as he described, “side by side rather than face to face. Important, but not intimate.”

Do you ever feel that way? You talk to the Lord a little bit, read His words in the Bible, but don’t sense a passionate connection with Him like that expressed by the psalmist David in Psalm 63. I have. . . and it’s not a comfortable place to be.

In his book, Objects of His Affection, Scotty suggests two ways to overcome the obstacles to intimacy. First,Live Honestly. Open up to the Lord about the pain of your losses and admit your failures. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

Secondly, Ponder and Believe the Scriptures about God’s character and His longing for you. “Your loving kindness is better than life.” (Psalm 63:3)

Building a relationship with anyone – including Jesus, takes time and effort. Decide to be His friend. . . and don’t give up. I know He won’t. In the end, the reward will be immeasurable!!

This is my perspective. . . what is yours?

Pastor Tom

Daily Perspective for March 9, 2011

There is great value in friendship and accountability. One of my friends for the last 13 years is Frank Donaruma. He is an Elder at the church. One of the things Frank has done for me for the last three years is include me on a daily devotional that he copies and sends out to a group of people who were in a small group...

This one was impressed me. Therefore, I want to send it on to you. We lose sight of the value of the small things CONSISTENTLY done in our life. At the end of the string of small things done consistently we find what is called a LEGACY. You are building one daily by the habits you keep.

Read: John 6:4-14There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many? —John 6:9

Skeptical about the usefulness of a small lunch, Andrew said to Jesus, “What are [these five loaves and two fish] among so many?” (John 6:9). Yet the little lunch in the hands of Jesus turned out to be a huge blessing. So, before you think that you donʼt have much to offer Jesus, consider this:

Edward Kimball, a Sunday school teacher in Boston, decided to visit a young man in his class to be sure he was a Christian. That day he led that man, Dwight L. Moody, to the Lord. Moody, the Billy Graham of the 19th century, had a major impact on Wilbur Chapman.

Chapman, a prominent evangelist, recruited Billy Sunday to join in his evangelistic campaigns. In turn, Sunday launched a national ministry that had great results in cities like Charlotte, North Carolina.

An organization that started as a result of Sundayʼs revival invited evangelist Mordecai Ham to Charlotte. In one of those meetings, Billy Graham received Christ as his Savior and later became the most prominent evangelist of our time.

When you think you donʼt have much to offer, remember Sunday school teacher Edward Kimball, who spent a Saturday afternoon reaching out to someone in his class. God has a special way of using routine faithfulness in the “small things” to accomplish great things! What may seem insignificant, mundane, routine, or small is often used by God to show His power over all.

God uses small things to accomplish great things for His glory. He wants to use you today!

This is my perspective. What's yours?

Brent :-)