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2010 Elder's Devotionals
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JANUARY ELDER'S DEVOTIONAL
by Connie Norwood
Some of these thoughts are borrowed from "Minute Meditations for Women".
As I have observed my grandchildren over the years, one thing stands out very vividly--their ability to live and enjoy the moment. I have become interested in how they can take the "now" and make it a present. As I get older, I'm trying to forget about what happened yesterday and what might happen tomorrow and just experience the fullness of today.
We need to give less attention to worries, mistakes, what's going wrong, things to get done, the past, the future and the undone. "Today I will only think about today. No regrets for the past or future maybes." When you do this all your focus is on the now--you can smile, laugh, pray, think, and enjoy what the moment brings. At the beach, in the mountains, cleaning house, cooking a meal and playing in the sandbox with a grandchild--that's where we can find purpose and enjoyment. Often our anxieties are about things we have no control over. About 85% of the things we worry about never happen. So why spend all that negative energy on something that probably won't occur?
We should stop and smell the roses, hear the train whistle, see the puffy clouds in the sky and enjoy life as God has given it to us. When we begin to see and experience the minute, we will begin to see the grandeur of God and His vastness. As we focus on the present we will spend less time worrying about tomorrow. Become as a little child and enjoy now.
Connie Norwood
Elders Corner for February 2010
By Ginger Greene
Love is one of the things in this world that people so often take for granted, until we don't have it. We forget to look at love as a gift. When someone gives you their love, what are they really giving?
A look at the part of themselves that most people never see.
The ability to be hurt by you.
Trust in you.
A belief that you are worthy of their love.
Seeing something in YOU that makes you more special than any other person.
Their desire to spend their time and sometimes, their life with you.
When looked at this way, there is no denying that love is a gift. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a and 13 says:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
In the midst of all the candy, card and jewelry sales, remember that there is no greater love than that of Jesus. He knows all our faults, forgives our sins and continues to love us in spite of ourselves. And if you are fortunate enough to have family and friends that are willing to put up with you even on your bad days, consider yourself doubly blessed. Take this opportunity to tell all those special people in your life that you love them. While youre at it, let Jesus know just how important he is, too.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!
Love,
Ginger
March Elder's Devotional
Submitted by Carol Skerbetz
I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7
But He would not flee. Instead He knelt to pray in the shadowy Garden under the gray-green leaves of the olive trees. And in His prayer that night Jesus gave us, for all time, the perfect pattern for the Prayer of Relinquishment: "Not what I want, but what You want."... Jesus deliberately set Himself to make His will and God's will the same.
by Carol Skerbetz
April Elders Devotional
by Diane Bowers
I have a lot of favorite scriptures. Some offer words of comfort in difficult times, while others offer understanding and remind me that Im not the first to get frustrated with every day life. Some give reasons to rejoice, or commandments to try to live up to. But my very favorite fits in with this season: the words of the angel to the women at the tomb Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, He is risen! (Luke 24:5-6)
These words represent the center of our faith, the fact of Jesus resurrection from the grave. We dont revere a long-dead philosopher or prophet; we serve a living Savior. He is who he said he was; he purchased our forgiveness and because of his sacrifice, we have the hope of eternal life. Rejoice with those at the empty tomb, not just on Easter Sunday, but throughout the year: He is not here, He is risen!
by Diane Bowers
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ELDERS DEVOTIONS FOR MAY
(NICK NARDO)
Read Matthew 6:5-13
I recently came across an old Army uniform that my uncle wore during World War II. Since I was sending it to the dry cleaners before donating it to the local museum, I went through the pockets and found a "dog tag" like item with the Lordfs Prayer imprinted on it.
I wondered if this was standard issue, was it purchased by my uncle, was it a gift from his mother or other family member.
It was in a dress jacket pocket. I wondered if he kept it at all times even in the height of battle. I wondered if it gave him a sense of safety, a sense of closeness with his God.
I also recently read a book, "Washington Crossing the Delaware." It told of a young soldier preparing to go fight in the Revolutionary War and one of the items he put in his knapsack was the "Holy Bible." Did that give the young soldier a sense of safety, a sense of closeness to his God?
Our forefathers founded this country and built it around God. They believed in God and depended on Him. They prayed to Him for guidance, leadership, and success.
The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing, we are to pray for others, our enemies, when we are afraid, need help, and yes, when we are happy to want to praise Him Who has been so kind to us.
Unfortunately, our country is changing. We no longer are allowed to pray in schools, or at public events. A proposal to take "In God We Trust" off of our money has been made, taking down signs that have to do with God or His Son Jesus. We now have holiday parties or winter balls instead of Christmas parties. Some businesses donft allow their employees to say Merry Christmas anymore because they donft want anything with Christ to offend some people.
We are acting like we donft need God in our country or our lives anymore.
Recently, a major defense contractor said "they will voluntarily stop stamping references to Bible verses on combat rifle sights made for the U.S. military." Is it bad to have a Bible verse on a rifle sight?
I wonder, what would my uncle do if he did not have the Lordfs Prayer with him in battle?
I wonder, what would that young soldier do without the Bible to soothe and comfort him when the battles were over?
I wonder, what will we do when God and Christ are no longer important to us and our country?
I wonder.
Submitted by Nick Nardo
June Elder's Devotional
Submitted by Richard Blanc
AMERICA, WHY I LOVE HER
You ask me Why I Love Her?
Well, give me time and I'll explain.
Have you seen a Kansas sunset
Have you drifted on a bayou
Down Louisiana way?
Have you watched a cold fog drifting
Over San Francisco Bay?
Have you heard a bobwhite calling
In the Carolina pines,
At the Appalachia mines?
Does the call of Niagara thrill you
When you hear her waters roar?
Do you look with awe and wonder
At her Massachusetts shore,
Where men who braved a hard new world
First stepped on Plymouth's rock?
And do you think of them when you stroll
Along a New York City dock?
Have you seen a snowflake drifting
In the Rockies, way up high?
Have you seen the sun come blazing down
From a bright Nevada sky?
Do you hail to the Columbia
As she rushes to the sea,
Or bow your head at Gettysburg
At our struggle to be free?
Have you seen the mighty Tetons? Have you watched an eagle soar?
Have you seen the Mississippi
Roll along Missouri's shore?
Have you felt a chill at Michigan
When on a winter's day
Her waters rage along the shore
In thunderous display?
Does the word "Aloha" make you warm?
Do you stare in disbelief
When you see the surf
Come roaring in at Waimea Reef?
From Alaska's cold to the Everglades,
From the Rio Grande to Maine,
My heart cries out, my pulse runs fast
At the might of her domain.
You ask me Why I Love Her?
I've a million reasons why:
My Beautiful America,
Beneath God's wide, wide sky.
~ John Mitchum ~
sumbmitted by Richard Blanc
Elder's October Devotional October Elder's Devotional
by Karen Blanc
CHANGING SEASONS
It's autumn now, God, and the days have a different flavor. The rich, full-bodied taste of summer has been replaced by the more delicate menu of paler, softer, sunlight and cooler breezes.
Thank you for the different joys that the individual seasons bring us. I'm glad of all the times I'll be sharing with you as I see something to thank you for in this new season.
And I'm so glad that, from one season to the next, you remain a constant joy! Amen.
Submitted by Karen Blanc
From: A PERSONAL PRAYER BOOK by Grace Simpson
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Elder's November Devotional
NOVEMBER ELDERS DEVOTIONAL
BY MILDRED KEEDER
WE GIVE THANKS . . .
The field is the world; the good seed is the people who belong to the Kingdom Matthew 13:38.
Thanksgiving Day is a traditional American Festival. Each year, we celebrate and give thanks to God for the Bountiful Blessings He has given us.
In 1620, 102 people landed on Plymouth Rock on the shores of New England. They sought a land where they could worship God in the Freedom of their choice.
The winter was a nightmare of hardship, sorrow, privation, and suffering. Within six months, half were dead. The survivors buried them but continued working and waiting for the first harvest. They lived on dried figs, ground nuts, and a ration of five kernels of corn per day. Finally, the harvest came, and in gratitude to God for His goodness in providing such abundance, Governor Bradford issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation.
Two hundred years later, in commemoration of the courage and faith of those first pilgrim pioneers, a banquet was held and five kernels of corn were distributed to each one attending as a reminder that in life there are values more necessary than food. Jesus has said Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every work that proceeded out of the mouth of God.
As we have the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, with our families and friends, let us give thanks to God for His abundant blessings. Yes, the Heavenly Father blessed the Pilgrims by giving them a very fruitful harvest, but during their time of hardship and hunger, they held to those things which the Five Kernels of corn at the First Thanksgiving feast represented Conscience, Courage, Faith, Work, and Thanksgiving. Without Gods blessing, and their hard work, there would have been no harvest.
We know nothing of starvation, cold and danger as the Pilgrims did. But in good times or bad times, we should hold fast to these same values Pure conscience, courage, faith in God, work and thanksgiving.
As we go into this Thanksgiving season, let each one of us reflect on this story and go forward. Praying not only for ourselves, but for our Church as you receive your Five Kernels of Corn.
PURE CONSCIENCE
COURAGE
FAITH IN GOD
WORK
THANKSGIVING
Remember, Hes always here, waiting for you with LOVE!!!!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
submitted by Mildred Keeder
December Devotional
by Jimmy Ford
I have again been blessed, given the opportunity to prepare the Elders Corner devotions for our December Newsletter. I have chosen to share emotions that are so overwhelming this time of year.
Beginning with Thanksgiving we are asked to count our many blessings. Be grateful for the things we have and share with those less fortunate.
As we count our blessings we should be extremely grateful to our Lord and Savior for a place to openly worship, a freedom that is taken for granted or should I say other countries pay dearly if caught practicing religion not approved by their leaders.
Freedom is a blessing that we should be grateful for and it should be in the forefront of our minds due to the honoring of Veterans Day, so closely celebrated behind Thanksgiving Day.
Christmas Day should be another blessing that we are grateful for. The birth of our Lord and Savior in the month of December should be a time of happiness and joy. We should be grateful for employment and experience the happiness showing gratitude to those less fortunate.
We should not confuse Gratitude with Indebtedness. They are not the same, according to their definitions: both are emotions following help. Indebtedness occurs when a person perceives they are under obligation to make some type of repayment causing the person to avoid the person who has helped them, whereas gratitude can motivate the recipient to seek out their benefactor and improve on their relationship with them.
I pray that we feel Gratitude this festive season due to the birth or our Lord and Savior and that we humbly seek him to improve and build on our relationship with him. In Christian Love,
Jimmy Ford
