Disciple: What are these things, Lord?

Jesus: You should make my will your own, stop being enamored of yourself, and eagerly do what I ask of you.  Enthusiasm often drives you to action, but take the time to learn whether what you do is for me or for yourself.  If I am the reason, you will be quite satisfied with whatever I shall decide for you; if your motive is selfish, though, it will get in your way and burden your conscience.  Take care, then not to rely too much on what you want without consulting me.  You may find that what at first seems like the right thing to do, in the end will leave you upset and sorry.  Do not be so quick to follow every good feeling, nor so eager to avoid every bad one.

It is sometimes wise to hold yourself in check, even when you are doing good things.  An all-encompassing passion can sap your energy, offend other people, and lead to discouragement when others do not share your interest.  Sometimes you must use extreme measures to resist your enthusiasms, for you will be torn in two directions.  In every case, though, talk with me, then follow the voice of your conscience.  It will not lead you astray.  Be content with little; be happy with what is simple; and do not burble if things seem to take a different turn from what you expected.

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis– Book 3, Chapter 11.   Translated by William C. Creasy.

First step to getting in the boat is to admit that you are needing a boat.  Next,you will understand that Jesus Christ offers everyone a hand, so you can get in the boat.  Finally, you take His hand and climb into the boat.

“Peace, be still.”

The idea in the book is that we can find a greater clarity in our lives as we spend time with God.  I know you may say I don’t have time for all that I need to do.

You are right there are so many things we need to get done that our calendars are filled and our To Do lists are never ending.  The challenge that Frank Laubach makes to everyone who would want to try is to make it a game with minutes.

Don’t take out the things you are doing.  Don’t add one more thing to the list. 

Do include God in the things you do.  When you wake up begin the day with a greeting for Jesus.  “Good morning Lord.”

When you pass by someone on the street, ask God, “You are doing some things in their life and I pray that it will be received by them for their own good.”

While your at work or school take God with you everywhere you go.  Into that meeting, ask God, “Help me do the right thing and say the right words.”  During the test, ask God, “Clear my mind and help me recall all that I have studied.”

When you get home, that empty chair is a seat for your special guest, God.  Tell him of your challenges and opportunities from the day. 

During breakfast, lunch or dinner eat with a remembrance of God; for His goodness and provisions.

And as you lay down to sleep, thank God for guiding you and being with you during the day.  Ask Him to give you rest through the night.

The goal is to train yourself in a habit of taking God with you where ever you go.

Laubach says, “The results of this program begin to show clearly in a month.  they grow rich after six months, and glorious after ten years.

 I will be praying that some of you will take up Frank Laubach’s challenge.

Pastor John

Did you hear the one about the fantastic harvest the farmers in Italy are having of fresh vine ripened spaghetti?

April is also when we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Christ, which Paul says is “foolishness” to those you don’t believe (1 Corinthians 1:18). 

Easter is no joke; it is true that Jesus rose from the dead.  There are several reasons that make it more evident that you can trust in the fact of the Easter morning event:

• Eyewitness accounts by his disciples who then went on in their lives to give themselves to the spread of the truth of the resurrection around the world. 
• The Roman soldiers did not speak out to say, “No!” to the truth of the fact that the tomb they were in charge of was still the burial place of Jesus Christ.
• There were more than five hundred others who saw Jesus after His resurrection.  Two of them met Him traveling and had dinner with Jesus after Easter morning.  There is no memorial site of the tomb of Jesus as there is for every other leader of world religions.

Paul says that if Christ was not raised from the dead then, “our preaching is useless” (1 Corinthians 15:14).  BUT, the gospel preached and shared brings Hope, Joy and Love.

This month because He is alive you can give Hope, Joy and Love to those people around you.