DAILY DEVOTION, April 6, 2022

Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).

Our lives are full of noise and activities. This can become so pronounced that we lose sight of God. How often do we think of God at a noisy sporting event or a loud restaurant? Don’t misunderstand my point. There is nothing wrong with attending sporting events or eating at restaurants. Marie and I plan to attend the Springfield Cardinals opening game on Friday! The point is that we need to find time for quiet. We need to be still periodically and reflect upon the reality of God; His goodness; His mercy; His love; His forgiveness; His patience, His Son, etc. As we sit prayerfully before Him in stillness, our knowledge of God is strengthened.

Enjoy the activities of life that are filled with noise. Increase your knowledge of God in moments of quietness. Don’t allow the noise of life to rob you of quiet times with God.

Father, thank You for the reminder that I need times to be still before You. Reveal Yourself to me as I sit quietly before You. Amen. 

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12).

DAILY DEVOTION, April 5, 2022

Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8).

Where do you go for help when trouble knocks on your door? Many times we turn to God as a last resort. The Psalmist reminds us that God is our help. We should look to God as our first responder when we are in need of help. The Psalmist gives us a good reason to look to God first. He has the power to create our vast and complex universe. Do we have a problem so big that God cannot handle it?

OK, God has the power to help, but does He care? Peter reminds us to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He has the power to help, and He cares for us. I think when we need help, we should turn to God as our first responder. Don’t treat Him as an afterthought.

Father, thank You for this reminder that you are willing and able to help me when I face difficulties. Remind me to turn to You first, not last. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What a joy it will be to celebrate Easter once again. That wonderful day is just two weeks away. The resurrection of Jesus was the final step in securing our salvation. All who have true faith in His death and resurrection are assured of eternal life. 

Pastor Gee will kick off holy week with his Palm Sunday sermon. Palm crosses will be given to those who attend. 

On Tuesday, April 5th, the men will meet for their monthly breakfast at 8 AM. 

On Wednesday, April 6th, the ladies will have their monthly FCW meeting at 9:30 AM.

Pastor Gee will lead our Wednesday Bible study on leadership at 2:30.

Following services, on Palm Sunday we will enjoy a chicken and noodle dinner. Everything is provided so just bring your appetite. 

Looking ahead, on the Thursday before Easter we will observe our annual candlelight communion service at 7 PM. This is one of my favorite services of the year. 

On Good Friday we will hold our 24-hour prayer vigil. There are 6 slots still open if you haven’t signed up yet. 

On Easter Sunday I will be speaking on “The Meaning of Easter.”

The next two weeks will be busy as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Jesus’  triumph over death. Have a blessed week.

Pastor Bowman

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

DAILY DEVOTION, April 7, 2022

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14).

Jesus presents us with two ways. Both ways seem to lead to God, but only one brings the desired result. The wide path seems inviting. Many people choose that path, but it leads to destruction. I think of those on the wide path as people who believe there are many paths to God. Or those who think everyone will end up in heaven. However, only the narrow gate leads to life. Notice that the way leading to life is described as “difficult.” I recently read that about 16 Christians are killed daily. That is over five thousand annually. Others suffer all kinds of hardships. While such difficulties do not face every Christian, the possibility is always there. Christians are certainly blessed in this country. We can practice our faith without fear. May this freedom continue!

Jesus’ words certainly call into question those who say that discipleship leads to blessing after blessing in this life. Yes, there are blessings, but faithful discipleship also leads to difficulties. Being a disciple of Jesus is not always easy, but the rewards are out of this world! Enter by the narrow gate by trusting in Jesus. His way is the only way that leads t life.

Father, I reaffirm my faith in Your Son. I believe He is the only One who leads to life eternal. Keep me on the narrow path I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes:(C) first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.

DAILY DEVOTION, April 3, 2022

Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. ³³ But whoever denies  Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:32-33).

Here Jesus speaks sobering words. To confess has two meanings. It means speaking words and acting in harmony with the words spoken. We are promised that if we confess our faith in Jesus before men, Jesus will also confess us before the Father. If we have true faith in Jesus and act in harmony with the faith we profess, Jesus will acknowledge us as His own before the Father. We need to make certain our confession of faith, “I believe in Jesus,” is backed up with a lifestyle in harmony with the words.

Then comes the warning. Those who deny Jesus He will also deny before the Father. The basic idea behind “deny” is to disown. Those disowned by Jesus face an eternity removed from the love and presence of God. We deny Jesus with our words, and we also deny Him when we speak the right words without sincerity. Words we believe are always backed up by deeds.

Father, I do confess my faith in Your Son, Jesus, my Savior. I pray that I will honor Him with both my words and my deeds. Amen.