What's That?
Had a conversation with my buddy William Hobbs the other night. It's always fun to talk to William, because at just past two, he's still working out this whole communication deal. You have to listen really intently, and be aware of what he's trying to tell you, and then just maybe you'll get it.
But friends, William doesn't miss a thing. He wanted to see inside the water meter Wednesday night, so naturally I had to make that happen. When he saw the dial for the meter he said "What's that?" Trying to explain what the meter was and how it works was beyond my ability. So I handed him a baseball. (My sales training kicked in- don't know the answer? Distract them!)
He looked at me, grinned his biggest William smile, and said "Ball!"
You'd think we didn't do this every week. :)
I was reading today and came across this verse.
Psalm 118:23-25 (Msg)
This is God's work.
We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it!
[24] This is the very day God acted—
let's celebrate and be festive!
[25] Salvation now, God. Salvation now!
Oh yes, God—a free and full life!
If you stop, really stop, and consider all God's blessings in your life, you'll have trouble believing it too. Take a minute and remember what it was like to be a child - full of wonder and amazement at the world God created.
Now listen...
What's that?
Another heartbeat, another testimony of God's love for you.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Friday, May 28, 2004
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Do You Have Any Identification?
As I grew from boy to man on 40 acres of undeveloped land, I enjoyed the finest in entertainment activities.
I could ride a bike, climb trees, have nuclear war with my brother (using the approved weapons of course - the dirt clod, the chinaberry or plum, and the dreaded hickory nut), shoot BB guns, play baseball and football, and just have a good time. Later on when we were older, we rode motorcycles, played church softball and basketball, and went hunting and fishing.
We have few if any pictures to look at and reflect on those times we had. We had school pictures, Easter and Christmas pictures, but none of the two of us just living.
But I do have a physical way of remembering many of the things that happened in my life through the years. They are always with me. During the time of the Vietnam war draft, they served as my identification - what made me different than any of the other 18 year old boys worried about going off to war. Of course I've added new ones since then, life goes on after all. Now every now and then I happen to rub or scrape one and I'm brought back to the day it happened - to exactly what I was doing, just how it felt, what others did to help me, and how it all turned out. What were they?
My scars.
If the draft board had come looking for me, they'd have picked me out of a crowd by my scars.
We're looking at ministry this week as we study the Purpose Driven Life, and so I picked up on Paul's reluctance to be drawn off into side issues - issues of practice, not of faith. People had come to the church in Galatia saying that faith in Christ wasn't enough. You needed a "badge" to let the world know.
Paul let them know how they could tell he followed Christ.
Galatians 6:17 (Msg)
Quite frankly, I don't want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do—the serious living of this faith. I bear in my body scars from my service to Jesus.
Scars.
Jesus had said, "They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another." But loving one another is risky business. Even in ministry, people can hurt one another so deeply it leaves scars. Someone once told me "I've never been hurt as badly or as often than at church."
Friends, I've been there and done that. I could dwell on those, keep rubbing those scars, and get nothing done. Or I could thank God that He counted me worthy to be His ambassador for Christ and stay in the game.
I won't be called on to write any New Testament books, but in the serious living of this faith, I'm with Paul. If you've been hurt, wounded, even scarred while trying to serve Christ, just count your scars as a measure of identification.
When the Master comes looking for His disciples, you'll be easy to spot.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
As I grew from boy to man on 40 acres of undeveloped land, I enjoyed the finest in entertainment activities.
I could ride a bike, climb trees, have nuclear war with my brother (using the approved weapons of course - the dirt clod, the chinaberry or plum, and the dreaded hickory nut), shoot BB guns, play baseball and football, and just have a good time. Later on when we were older, we rode motorcycles, played church softball and basketball, and went hunting and fishing.
We have few if any pictures to look at and reflect on those times we had. We had school pictures, Easter and Christmas pictures, but none of the two of us just living.
But I do have a physical way of remembering many of the things that happened in my life through the years. They are always with me. During the time of the Vietnam war draft, they served as my identification - what made me different than any of the other 18 year old boys worried about going off to war. Of course I've added new ones since then, life goes on after all. Now every now and then I happen to rub or scrape one and I'm brought back to the day it happened - to exactly what I was doing, just how it felt, what others did to help me, and how it all turned out. What were they?
My scars.
If the draft board had come looking for me, they'd have picked me out of a crowd by my scars.
We're looking at ministry this week as we study the Purpose Driven Life, and so I picked up on Paul's reluctance to be drawn off into side issues - issues of practice, not of faith. People had come to the church in Galatia saying that faith in Christ wasn't enough. You needed a "badge" to let the world know.
Paul let them know how they could tell he followed Christ.
Galatians 6:17 (Msg)
Quite frankly, I don't want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do—the serious living of this faith. I bear in my body scars from my service to Jesus.
Scars.
Jesus had said, "They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another." But loving one another is risky business. Even in ministry, people can hurt one another so deeply it leaves scars. Someone once told me "I've never been hurt as badly or as often than at church."
Friends, I've been there and done that. I could dwell on those, keep rubbing those scars, and get nothing done. Or I could thank God that He counted me worthy to be His ambassador for Christ and stay in the game.
I won't be called on to write any New Testament books, but in the serious living of this faith, I'm with Paul. If you've been hurt, wounded, even scarred while trying to serve Christ, just count your scars as a measure of identification.
When the Master comes looking for His disciples, you'll be easy to spot.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Take Over!
Weak. I'm feeling pretty weak today. Maybe I should have gotten a hint of what was ahead when as I walked down the road away from our home this morning, a dryer sheet fell out of my pant's leg. Then later, the sinus infection that plagued me the day before reacquainted itself, and a recurring kidney problem reminded me it still knew my name.
Yep, I'm feeling pretty weak.
I sort of feel like the young lady on her first solo after winning her driver's license. She came around a corner and was immediately confronted by a mass of spinning and smoking cars all across the road ahead of her. Being a Christian, she knew she had to rely on God to take care of her, so she took her hands off the wheel and said out loud, "You take it Lord!"
Never did hear how that turned out.
But since I have work to do, I did ask God to take over. To use my weakness today to teach me about Him - about His mercy and His grace. And He lead me to this passage.
2 Cor. 12:9 (Msg)
...He told me,
"My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness."
Paul had a physical problem that wouldn't go away, no matter how much he begged God to remove it. Finally, He realized that the ailment was the least of his problems. Paul understood that he couldn't let himself focus on what was wrong with him. Instead, he had to focus on what was right with God.
He just let God take over.
It's the end of the day here, and everything except the dryer sheet is still with me. But you know, it's been especially good to be with God today in the study of His Word.
What about you? Are you spending all your energies focusing on what is wrong? Why not take a minute right now and begin thanking God for all the things that are right in your life? Go as deep as you need to. But don't stop until your focus has shifted to Him. Then let Him take over.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Weak. I'm feeling pretty weak today. Maybe I should have gotten a hint of what was ahead when as I walked down the road away from our home this morning, a dryer sheet fell out of my pant's leg. Then later, the sinus infection that plagued me the day before reacquainted itself, and a recurring kidney problem reminded me it still knew my name.
Yep, I'm feeling pretty weak.
I sort of feel like the young lady on her first solo after winning her driver's license. She came around a corner and was immediately confronted by a mass of spinning and smoking cars all across the road ahead of her. Being a Christian, she knew she had to rely on God to take care of her, so she took her hands off the wheel and said out loud, "You take it Lord!"
Never did hear how that turned out.
But since I have work to do, I did ask God to take over. To use my weakness today to teach me about Him - about His mercy and His grace. And He lead me to this passage.
2 Cor. 12:9 (Msg)
...He told me,
"My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness."
Paul had a physical problem that wouldn't go away, no matter how much he begged God to remove it. Finally, He realized that the ailment was the least of his problems. Paul understood that he couldn't let himself focus on what was wrong with him. Instead, he had to focus on what was right with God.
He just let God take over.
It's the end of the day here, and everything except the dryer sheet is still with me. But you know, it's been especially good to be with God today in the study of His Word.
What about you? Are you spending all your energies focusing on what is wrong? Why not take a minute right now and begin thanking God for all the things that are right in your life? Go as deep as you need to. But don't stop until your focus has shifted to Him. Then let Him take over.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Letters that touch the heart
Just a routine visit to the post office this morning really made me think.
As I parked my car, I pulled into the space beside a pickup. In it, there was a man whose white hair and wrinkled face told of many years of toil. Getting out and passing by him, I noticed that he held some notebook papers in his hands, and the folds that creased the pages were full of blue inked script. On the dashboard lay the envelope, with the familiar APO postmark telling of a trip from a person in military service somewhere.
He looked up, and though we never exchanged a word, I could tell that if I'd have offered him the riches of Midas for that letter, it wouldn't have been enough. I made my way to the PO Box and back, and when I got back in my car, that letter was still in his hands.
What did it say?
I don't know. But one thing it did say was obvious. I'm still alive, I still remember you, and you matter enough for me to take the time to write. It reminded me of a letter, written by an aged man to people he loved as his children, telling them about the One who first loved.
1 John 5:13-15 (Msg)
My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. [14] And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. [15] And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.
Please know this - if you are a believer, then the Spirit of the Living God is alive within you.
1 John 4:16-17 (Msg)
God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. [17] This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's.
God wants to lead you away from a life of fear and into a life of love's full freedom. You may not be there yet - don't give up! Keep learning about God - keep asking Him for more of His presence in your life. It will happen.
1 John 4:18 (Msg)
There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
Do this - commit yourself to writing a letter each day to God. Call it a journal, call it a diary, whatever you want, but in it, write God your heart's desires, fears, and tell Him where you are and what you want your relationship with Him to be.
When you are that real, that open and honest with God - you'll touch His heart. Picture Him in heaven, reading your letter. Can you see the look on His face?
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Just a routine visit to the post office this morning really made me think.
As I parked my car, I pulled into the space beside a pickup. In it, there was a man whose white hair and wrinkled face told of many years of toil. Getting out and passing by him, I noticed that he held some notebook papers in his hands, and the folds that creased the pages were full of blue inked script. On the dashboard lay the envelope, with the familiar APO postmark telling of a trip from a person in military service somewhere.
He looked up, and though we never exchanged a word, I could tell that if I'd have offered him the riches of Midas for that letter, it wouldn't have been enough. I made my way to the PO Box and back, and when I got back in my car, that letter was still in his hands.
What did it say?
I don't know. But one thing it did say was obvious. I'm still alive, I still remember you, and you matter enough for me to take the time to write. It reminded me of a letter, written by an aged man to people he loved as his children, telling them about the One who first loved.
1 John 5:13-15 (Msg)
My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. [14] And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. [15] And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.
Please know this - if you are a believer, then the Spirit of the Living God is alive within you.
1 John 4:16-17 (Msg)
God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. [17] This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's.
God wants to lead you away from a life of fear and into a life of love's full freedom. You may not be there yet - don't give up! Keep learning about God - keep asking Him for more of His presence in your life. It will happen.
1 John 4:18 (Msg)
There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
Do this - commit yourself to writing a letter each day to God. Call it a journal, call it a diary, whatever you want, but in it, write God your heart's desires, fears, and tell Him where you are and what you want your relationship with Him to be.
When you are that real, that open and honest with God - you'll touch His heart. Picture Him in heaven, reading your letter. Can you see the look on His face?
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Sundae School
Have you ever tried NOT to think of something? Aggravating how it just keeps popping into your head, isn't it? Today for some reason, hot fudge sundaes popped into my head. (And yes, I'm on a diet, but I'm ALWAYS on a diet and haven't had ice cream in years.)
No matter how I tried, I found myself thinking about ice cream - vanilla ice cream - bathed in warm chocolate syrup and filling a cup to almost overflowing. My aunt and uncle used to own a Dairy Queen, so I'm no stranger to them. But in order to divert attention from the need for a sundae, I decided to see how they came to be.
What I found was that they were developed to break the law.
Around the turn of the century, "Blue Laws" were in place across much of the US. These were laws that governed what a person could not do on Sunday. They ranged from inconvenient to onerous. In some places, children's swings had to be tied up. In others, only books of a religious nature could be read. And in Virginia, soda drinks could not be consumed on the Sabbath.
One store owner grew weary of lost sales and decided to do something about it. He could serve ice cream, but not sodas, so he developed the idea of pouring hot fudge over ice cream. He was so tickled with himself and his creation, he named it the "Sunday", but changed the name when locals claimed it sacrilegious - so he changed it - to Sundae.
It reminded me again about when Jesus was confronted about Sabbath breaking.
Matthew 12:7 (Msg)
If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—'I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual'—you wouldn't be nitpicking like this.
Friends, following Jesus on the Journey is a lot less about following rules and a lot more about following Jesus closely. Just give God your heart, mind and soul, and dedicate everyday to making Him smile.
Now about that sundae......... :)
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Have you ever tried NOT to think of something? Aggravating how it just keeps popping into your head, isn't it? Today for some reason, hot fudge sundaes popped into my head. (And yes, I'm on a diet, but I'm ALWAYS on a diet and haven't had ice cream in years.)
No matter how I tried, I found myself thinking about ice cream - vanilla ice cream - bathed in warm chocolate syrup and filling a cup to almost overflowing. My aunt and uncle used to own a Dairy Queen, so I'm no stranger to them. But in order to divert attention from the need for a sundae, I decided to see how they came to be.
What I found was that they were developed to break the law.
Around the turn of the century, "Blue Laws" were in place across much of the US. These were laws that governed what a person could not do on Sunday. They ranged from inconvenient to onerous. In some places, children's swings had to be tied up. In others, only books of a religious nature could be read. And in Virginia, soda drinks could not be consumed on the Sabbath.
One store owner grew weary of lost sales and decided to do something about it. He could serve ice cream, but not sodas, so he developed the idea of pouring hot fudge over ice cream. He was so tickled with himself and his creation, he named it the "Sunday", but changed the name when locals claimed it sacrilegious - so he changed it - to Sundae.
It reminded me again about when Jesus was confronted about Sabbath breaking.
Matthew 12:7 (Msg)
If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—'I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual'—you wouldn't be nitpicking like this.
Friends, following Jesus on the Journey is a lot less about following rules and a lot more about following Jesus closely. Just give God your heart, mind and soul, and dedicate everyday to making Him smile.
Now about that sundae......... :)
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Friday, May 14, 2004
Feedback
What do you think of when you hear the word "feedback"?
If you're a musician, you immediately relate to that high pitched and annoying squeal that results from the sound recording or playing device being placed too near the speakers.
If you are in marketing, or some other discipline that involves activities and responses, you'd relate that feedback is what you need to know if you are hitting your goals.
If you're an Ebay'er, you think of the comments given by sellers and buyers after a transaction has concluded.
I recently purchased an item on Ebay, and after the sale, the buyer sent me details about the shipment and then he wrote " I leave feedback for people who leave feedback for me."
That was more like feedback in the first sense to me. It sort of annoyed me - he did - then the fact that I got annoyed - annoyed me again. It made me stop, and prayerfully consider.
Is that the way we should act? Should we return in kind what we receive, and get what we want before we give what others need? While I was stewing over his self-serving comment, a verse popped into my head.
Luke 6:35 (Msg)
"Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst."
God loves me today - even though I got up ornery.
God loves me today - even though I rushed past Him on my way to work.
God loves me today - even though I'm struggling just to glimpse what I'm supposed to be.
God loves me - just as I am, even at my worst - generously and graciously.
So what I've got to do, is to give everyone some feedback, through my everyday, walking around worship of God through my life - through my interaction with people.
God's always right, we all know that. How many times have you ever really regretted a kind act to an unkind person?
And how many times have you regretted __being__ that unkind person?
Break the feedback cycle. Stop the squeal of battered lives and broken people.
Love. Because He first loved us.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
What do you think of when you hear the word "feedback"?
If you're a musician, you immediately relate to that high pitched and annoying squeal that results from the sound recording or playing device being placed too near the speakers.
If you are in marketing, or some other discipline that involves activities and responses, you'd relate that feedback is what you need to know if you are hitting your goals.
If you're an Ebay'er, you think of the comments given by sellers and buyers after a transaction has concluded.
I recently purchased an item on Ebay, and after the sale, the buyer sent me details about the shipment and then he wrote " I leave feedback for people who leave feedback for me."
That was more like feedback in the first sense to me. It sort of annoyed me - he did - then the fact that I got annoyed - annoyed me again. It made me stop, and prayerfully consider.
Is that the way we should act? Should we return in kind what we receive, and get what we want before we give what others need? While I was stewing over his self-serving comment, a verse popped into my head.
Luke 6:35 (Msg)
"Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst."
God loves me today - even though I got up ornery.
God loves me today - even though I rushed past Him on my way to work.
God loves me today - even though I'm struggling just to glimpse what I'm supposed to be.
God loves me - just as I am, even at my worst - generously and graciously.
So what I've got to do, is to give everyone some feedback, through my everyday, walking around worship of God through my life - through my interaction with people.
God's always right, we all know that. How many times have you ever really regretted a kind act to an unkind person?
And how many times have you regretted __being__ that unkind person?
Break the feedback cycle. Stop the squeal of battered lives and broken people.
Love. Because He first loved us.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Who Knew?
If you ever went to Sunday School and didn't learn the song about the "wee little man", you missed one of the catchiest tunes ever. Funny how you can forget everything you ever learned about quadratic equations, but remember tune and verse of that song about Zacchaeus.
When I read the story, I am always amazed at what an "out of the box" effort Zacchaeus made. I mean who is the last person you'd expect to want to meet Jesus? No, I'm serious. Think of that person you know who you think would never seek out Jesus. Zacchaeus was like that. He was completely outside God's will. But God loves people like that too and hasn't given up - just like he didn't with that "wee little man".
Zacchaeus. Rich, powerful, successful, well connected, self-sufficient. But missing something, and aware of it. So aware, that when a life-changing possibility happens, he won't miss it, even if it means looking and acting foolish. A grown man, climbing a tree? But in order to see Jesus, he was willing to do whatever it took.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today."
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
People like Zacchaeus sit in their beautiful homes, surrounded by everything that they thought was their heart's desire. They make it a practice not to care what people think about them, and live in a way to let everyone know it.
But some know the truth - that it is all meaningless without a purpose for living. And so they look for one. I've been at yard sales in wealthier areas down here and seen every type of book on religion, mysticism, and spirituality for sale for a buck, stacked in a cardboard box.
I wonder if they've ever been willing to push past their preconceived notions about the claims of Jesus Christ? If they'd only listen. God's calling their name.
He'll exchange their trash for His treasures. He'll replace their doubts and fears with His Truth and courage. He'll help them understand what really matters in this life isn't money, or success, but knowing God and being loved by Him.
I can just hear Zacchaeus saying, "Who knew life could be this good?"
Jesus knew. It's why He came, and why He's still calling the lost to come home to God's love.
And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost."
Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)
Listen! He's calling your name!
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
If you ever went to Sunday School and didn't learn the song about the "wee little man", you missed one of the catchiest tunes ever. Funny how you can forget everything you ever learned about quadratic equations, but remember tune and verse of that song about Zacchaeus.
When I read the story, I am always amazed at what an "out of the box" effort Zacchaeus made. I mean who is the last person you'd expect to want to meet Jesus? No, I'm serious. Think of that person you know who you think would never seek out Jesus. Zacchaeus was like that. He was completely outside God's will. But God loves people like that too and hasn't given up - just like he didn't with that "wee little man".
Zacchaeus. Rich, powerful, successful, well connected, self-sufficient. But missing something, and aware of it. So aware, that when a life-changing possibility happens, he won't miss it, even if it means looking and acting foolish. A grown man, climbing a tree? But in order to see Jesus, he was willing to do whatever it took.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today."
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
People like Zacchaeus sit in their beautiful homes, surrounded by everything that they thought was their heart's desire. They make it a practice not to care what people think about them, and live in a way to let everyone know it.
But some know the truth - that it is all meaningless without a purpose for living. And so they look for one. I've been at yard sales in wealthier areas down here and seen every type of book on religion, mysticism, and spirituality for sale for a buck, stacked in a cardboard box.
I wonder if they've ever been willing to push past their preconceived notions about the claims of Jesus Christ? If they'd only listen. God's calling their name.
He'll exchange their trash for His treasures. He'll replace their doubts and fears with His Truth and courage. He'll help them understand what really matters in this life isn't money, or success, but knowing God and being loved by Him.
I can just hear Zacchaeus saying, "Who knew life could be this good?"
Jesus knew. It's why He came, and why He's still calling the lost to come home to God's love.
And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost."
Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)
Listen! He's calling your name!
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Whatever
Col. 3:17 (Msg)
Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
"Whatever"
Thought there was some wiggle room there, didn't you? No, if you weren't pinned to the mat by "every detail", then you were body slammed by "whatever." God really intends for His children to live ever conscious of whose they are.
That means not only restraint in speech, or in actions, but in what you hear and see.
“The ultimate freedom we have as human beings is the power to select what we will allow or require our minds to dwell upon.” Dallas Willard
We have freedom to watch, to listen, to eat and drink whatever we choose. And it's by those choices that we can evaluate just how far along the journey to Christ-like character we have come. The person who wants to please God will measure everything by what God has said. And they will fill their lives with things that remind them of a higher way.
Toward the end of his life, Albert Einstein removed the portraits of two scientists (Isaac Newton and James Maxwell) from his wall. He replaced them with portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Schweitzer. Einstein explained that it was time to replace the image of success with the image of service.
Have you reached the point where you care more about what God thinks than anyone else? What images are you placing in front of you?
1 Cor. 10:31 (GW)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God.
"Whatever"
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Col. 3:17 (Msg)
Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
"Whatever"
Thought there was some wiggle room there, didn't you? No, if you weren't pinned to the mat by "every detail", then you were body slammed by "whatever." God really intends for His children to live ever conscious of whose they are.
That means not only restraint in speech, or in actions, but in what you hear and see.
“The ultimate freedom we have as human beings is the power to select what we will allow or require our minds to dwell upon.” Dallas Willard
We have freedom to watch, to listen, to eat and drink whatever we choose. And it's by those choices that we can evaluate just how far along the journey to Christ-like character we have come. The person who wants to please God will measure everything by what God has said. And they will fill their lives with things that remind them of a higher way.
Toward the end of his life, Albert Einstein removed the portraits of two scientists (Isaac Newton and James Maxwell) from his wall. He replaced them with portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Schweitzer. Einstein explained that it was time to replace the image of success with the image of service.
Have you reached the point where you care more about what God thinks than anyone else? What images are you placing in front of you?
1 Cor. 10:31 (GW)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God.
"Whatever"
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Family Matters
To get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.Mark Twain
One boy has his eyes crossed. Another sticks out his tongue. Little girls pose demurely, a father seems to stand on tiptoes to be seen behind his daughters. It's picture time at New Hope.
Our friend Doug Fannon is collecting and taking pictures for a project we have underway here at New Hope - a pictorial directory. So he's been taking pictures for weeks now of families and individuals. He's also taken pictures of events here like baptisms and our choir and worship teams singing.
Bunny and I had a chance to look at those pictures today and we really came away with a good feeling. Five years ago this week, I met with a member of the search committee from a church in a town I had never heard of. Valparaiso.
The story she told wasn't a pretty one. Pastoral failure never is. I can remember the three of us walking back to our car in shock. But something about the church began to grab at my heart, and five years later, it still does.
Looking at those pictures, it was wonderful to see how the kids have grown. It was also great to see pictures of families that have been here forever alongside those who have more recently come. Doug said he'll take pictures as long as we need him to, and I hope we keep growing so he'll need to revise the directory several times a year.
Our study in the Purpose Driven Life (the basis for the 40 Days of Purpose) this week is all about family - God's family. If you are tracing your family tree, you look for lineage ties that bind people together through surnames. If you are looking at what holds the church family together...
Ephes. 4:16 (Msg)
He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
It's all God.
He keeps us in step by giving us His unchanging Word to guide our path.
He gives us life through His Holy Spirit's presence.
He sees that we grow by putting us together with other believers to share our heartaches and our joys.
Then just like Bunny and I did when we saw how much the New Hope kids and family have grown, God stands back and grins with a heart full of love.
Friend, your church family matters. Don't miss a moment of family time.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
To get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.Mark Twain
One boy has his eyes crossed. Another sticks out his tongue. Little girls pose demurely, a father seems to stand on tiptoes to be seen behind his daughters. It's picture time at New Hope.
Our friend Doug Fannon is collecting and taking pictures for a project we have underway here at New Hope - a pictorial directory. So he's been taking pictures for weeks now of families and individuals. He's also taken pictures of events here like baptisms and our choir and worship teams singing.
Bunny and I had a chance to look at those pictures today and we really came away with a good feeling. Five years ago this week, I met with a member of the search committee from a church in a town I had never heard of. Valparaiso.
The story she told wasn't a pretty one. Pastoral failure never is. I can remember the three of us walking back to our car in shock. But something about the church began to grab at my heart, and five years later, it still does.
Looking at those pictures, it was wonderful to see how the kids have grown. It was also great to see pictures of families that have been here forever alongside those who have more recently come. Doug said he'll take pictures as long as we need him to, and I hope we keep growing so he'll need to revise the directory several times a year.
Our study in the Purpose Driven Life (the basis for the 40 Days of Purpose) this week is all about family - God's family. If you are tracing your family tree, you look for lineage ties that bind people together through surnames. If you are looking at what holds the church family together...
Ephes. 4:16 (Msg)
He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
It's all God.
He keeps us in step by giving us His unchanging Word to guide our path.
He gives us life through His Holy Spirit's presence.
He sees that we grow by putting us together with other believers to share our heartaches and our joys.
Then just like Bunny and I did when we saw how much the New Hope kids and family have grown, God stands back and grins with a heart full of love.
Friend, your church family matters. Don't miss a moment of family time.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Friday, May 07, 2004
Train Up A Dog....
Ephes. 4:32 (Msg)
Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
If you haven't guessed by now dear reader, New Hope is a special place. It's a different place, and very special. We're not trying to raise up "church people", instead we are trying to raise up people who are comfortable "being church".
We want to connect people, and hardwire into them the idea that their church family should be the place they feel most at home.
We're turning over a page in our 40 Days of Purpose this weekend and beginning to look at the fact that we all were formed for God's family. Within the family, when you have a great experience, you share it.
So it shouldn't have been surprising that immediately after Bible Study Wednesday night, I was summoned by Katie Shermer and Michelle Poremba to see "Angel Face". She's a dog. A dachshund to be precise, and she's a cutie. But she doesn't get by on her good looks, she has talent too. The girls were having "dog night" last Wednesday, where they can bring their dogs to church to show everyone else how special they are. (This was preceded by "cat night" the week before, so please no emails from cat lovers. :)
Yes, Angel Face is quite the master thespian. When Michelle points at Angel Face and says "Bang", she plays dead. Everyone who saw her performances Wednesday night raved about her.
She's been trained well.
But she wouldn't do it for me. Too many new people, too many little hands on her.
What was neat to me though, was to see how she was treated when she failed.
She got a hug and a "That's okay." So Angel Face gave her back a big dog kiss for her effort.
I loved it! That's Christlike love in action. And it is exactly the type of love we are trying to teach our kids to give and receive. So Angel Face failed - big deal - she's still loved just for who she is.
It's the same for anyone else who will accept God's offer of forgiveness and everlasting love. It's not about our "performance", it is and always will be about God's great and abiding love for us.
Have a great and God filled weekend!
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Ephes. 4:32 (Msg)
Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
If you haven't guessed by now dear reader, New Hope is a special place. It's a different place, and very special. We're not trying to raise up "church people", instead we are trying to raise up people who are comfortable "being church".
We want to connect people, and hardwire into them the idea that their church family should be the place they feel most at home.
We're turning over a page in our 40 Days of Purpose this weekend and beginning to look at the fact that we all were formed for God's family. Within the family, when you have a great experience, you share it.
So it shouldn't have been surprising that immediately after Bible Study Wednesday night, I was summoned by Katie Shermer and Michelle Poremba to see "Angel Face". She's a dog. A dachshund to be precise, and she's a cutie. But she doesn't get by on her good looks, she has talent too. The girls were having "dog night" last Wednesday, where they can bring their dogs to church to show everyone else how special they are. (This was preceded by "cat night" the week before, so please no emails from cat lovers. :)
Yes, Angel Face is quite the master thespian. When Michelle points at Angel Face and says "Bang", she plays dead. Everyone who saw her performances Wednesday night raved about her.
She's been trained well.
But she wouldn't do it for me. Too many new people, too many little hands on her.
What was neat to me though, was to see how she was treated when she failed.
She got a hug and a "That's okay." So Angel Face gave her back a big dog kiss for her effort.
I loved it! That's Christlike love in action. And it is exactly the type of love we are trying to teach our kids to give and receive. So Angel Face failed - big deal - she's still loved just for who she is.
It's the same for anyone else who will accept God's offer of forgiveness and everlasting love. It's not about our "performance", it is and always will be about God's great and abiding love for us.
Have a great and God filled weekend!
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Juliet's World
Matthew 11:29-30 (The Message)
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. [30] Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Juliet's world is growing all the time. She came to New Hope with her mom, her brother Romeo, and little sister Celeste and immediately brightened our days. Her mom's a single mother, who does a great job teaching her kids how to grow up into wonderful adults. They are kind, respectful, and a blessing to be around. I've watched her as she "mothers" them. It explained a lot to me of how the kids are. She's kind, she's loving, and when she corrects them, it's in a way that though firm, never ever gives a hint of anything but their best at her heart.
That kind of love has produced a bright, loving young girl name Juliet who's a joy to be around. So what could be better than that?
Having her around forever!
Just recently, Juliet trusted Christ as Savior. She'll be baptized Sunday afternoon. And she's already showing the marks of a true disciple - reading her Bible, and thanking others who helped her along the journey's first steps.
As the kids come here, we love them and try to show them Who loves us all best - Jesus. We try to be good examples of His disciples, and try to lead the kids to understand just Who God is and just how much He loves them.
There's no timetable for them to become believers, just a group of people who love and pray for them to one day realize Christ's loving gift. Some take a while to grasp His outstretched hands. Others, like Juliet, begin to ask questions, and with an open heart and mind, find that in Christ, all things become new. They walk from their mother's or father's arms, into the arms of Jesus Christ.
That's Juliet's world.
It's as beautiful as a young girl's smile. As free as those "unforced rhythms of grace". And forever and ever, it's a world filled with the unchanging love of God.
It's no guilt trip, and there's nothing heavy about it - just the opposite - it's pure freedom to walk along the journey with Christ.
Is that where you are? There's room for a lot more people in Juliet's world.
Come and see..
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Matthew 11:29-30 (The Message)
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. [30] Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Juliet's world is growing all the time. She came to New Hope with her mom, her brother Romeo, and little sister Celeste and immediately brightened our days. Her mom's a single mother, who does a great job teaching her kids how to grow up into wonderful adults. They are kind, respectful, and a blessing to be around. I've watched her as she "mothers" them. It explained a lot to me of how the kids are. She's kind, she's loving, and when she corrects them, it's in a way that though firm, never ever gives a hint of anything but their best at her heart.
That kind of love has produced a bright, loving young girl name Juliet who's a joy to be around. So what could be better than that?
Having her around forever!
Just recently, Juliet trusted Christ as Savior. She'll be baptized Sunday afternoon. And she's already showing the marks of a true disciple - reading her Bible, and thanking others who helped her along the journey's first steps.
As the kids come here, we love them and try to show them Who loves us all best - Jesus. We try to be good examples of His disciples, and try to lead the kids to understand just Who God is and just how much He loves them.
There's no timetable for them to become believers, just a group of people who love and pray for them to one day realize Christ's loving gift. Some take a while to grasp His outstretched hands. Others, like Juliet, begin to ask questions, and with an open heart and mind, find that in Christ, all things become new. They walk from their mother's or father's arms, into the arms of Jesus Christ.
That's Juliet's world.
It's as beautiful as a young girl's smile. As free as those "unforced rhythms of grace". And forever and ever, it's a world filled with the unchanging love of God.
It's no guilt trip, and there's nothing heavy about it - just the opposite - it's pure freedom to walk along the journey with Christ.
Is that where you are? There's room for a lot more people in Juliet's world.
Come and see..
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Carrisa's World
Psalm 89:15-16 (Msg)
Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise,
who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.
[16] Delighted, they dance all day long; they know
who you are, what you do—they can't keep it quiet!
Carissa comes with friends to New Hope. A lot of times we'll see children come quite a bit before their parents will. Our job then is to love the kids and share Jesus with them. There are times when our folks working with them come out shell-shocked. Imagine getting a bunch of boys to calm down long enough to tell them a Bible story. Or just try getting a group of little girls to focus for an hour.. for 30 minutes... just try.
High energy? You betcha!
Harnessing all that energy and redirecting it into an understanding of God's love and an expression of it in worship is what the goal is. And there are times when it happens, and we catch a glimpse of God at work.
A couple of weeks ago, the girl's praise team combined with our choir to present a special song for worship. You should have seen it! The whole front row of the choir was filled with little girls, the whole back row with adults. Carissa took up her position on the far left-hand side.
It was a great song, that really moved people toward God - His character, His nature - His love. Most of the adults were concentrating on getting the notes just right, and had their heads in their songbooks, with occasional glances toward the director. The girls had memorized their parts, and were free to worship.
No one was more free that day than Carissa.
When they reached the chorus, her face broke into a dazzling smile, and she began to boogie! She just got carried away. I know by Who. For a few moments, Carissa stepped across into communion with the Spirit of God, and left this world behind.
You can go there too.
The password is "Thank You!". It's your entrance into the world of worship.
Psalm 100:4-5 (Msg)
Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
[5] For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
Forget about yourself, and focus on the God Who wants to meet with you. See His beauty, His grace, His love for you. You'll quickly forget about everything except pleasing Him, and rejoicing in His arms.
Just be careful... in Carissa's world, you can't help but dance.
It's good practice for heaven.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Psalm 89:15-16 (Msg)
Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise,
who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.
[16] Delighted, they dance all day long; they know
who you are, what you do—they can't keep it quiet!
Carissa comes with friends to New Hope. A lot of times we'll see children come quite a bit before their parents will. Our job then is to love the kids and share Jesus with them. There are times when our folks working with them come out shell-shocked. Imagine getting a bunch of boys to calm down long enough to tell them a Bible story. Or just try getting a group of little girls to focus for an hour.. for 30 minutes... just try.
High energy? You betcha!
Harnessing all that energy and redirecting it into an understanding of God's love and an expression of it in worship is what the goal is. And there are times when it happens, and we catch a glimpse of God at work.
A couple of weeks ago, the girl's praise team combined with our choir to present a special song for worship. You should have seen it! The whole front row of the choir was filled with little girls, the whole back row with adults. Carissa took up her position on the far left-hand side.
It was a great song, that really moved people toward God - His character, His nature - His love. Most of the adults were concentrating on getting the notes just right, and had their heads in their songbooks, with occasional glances toward the director. The girls had memorized their parts, and were free to worship.
No one was more free that day than Carissa.
When they reached the chorus, her face broke into a dazzling smile, and she began to boogie! She just got carried away. I know by Who. For a few moments, Carissa stepped across into communion with the Spirit of God, and left this world behind.
You can go there too.
The password is "Thank You!". It's your entrance into the world of worship.
Psalm 100:4-5 (Msg)
Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
[5] For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
Forget about yourself, and focus on the God Who wants to meet with you. See His beauty, His grace, His love for you. You'll quickly forget about everything except pleasing Him, and rejoicing in His arms.
Just be careful... in Carissa's world, you can't help but dance.
It's good practice for heaven.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
William's World
My friend William Hobbs walked into my office Sunday. At just past two, he is incredibly huggable, but he didn't come for one of those, he came to tell me something. So sermon preparation came to a halt, my chair swiveled around, and I gave over my attention to William's world.
And what a world it is!
For William, every event is a cause for celebration, even what he wanted to share with me Sunday. His little brow furrowed, and when he saw that I was paying attention, his pudgy little hand grabbed the fabric on his chest and he said "shirt", and grinned.
I had to grin back.
Was it a new shirt? Don't know. Was it his favorite shirt? Don't know. Does he just like shirts in general and wanted to see if he could make a convert to his revolutionary way of looking at life? Don't know.
But whatever reason he had behind his statement - it was followed by a grin - so it must be good.
Somehow I think it's always good in William's world.
What happened to the rest of us?
Romans 8:28 (GW)
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom He has called according to His plan.
Now folks, is that true or not?
Romans 8:31 (GW)
What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
And that one - are you saying that there's a someone, something, somehow type of problem in your life that's just too big for God to handle?
Romans 8:37 (GW)
The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties.
You see friends, it is true that a child's view of the world is limited. William doesn't know about war, and HIV, and poverty, or death. But he knows he's loved, and he knows he's cared for - and that's enough for him.
How about you?
I know your world is much bigger than William's, you've got a lot on your mind. But when you strip away everything except that which matters, you'll know this.
You are loved.
By God.
Now go tell.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
My friend William Hobbs walked into my office Sunday. At just past two, he is incredibly huggable, but he didn't come for one of those, he came to tell me something. So sermon preparation came to a halt, my chair swiveled around, and I gave over my attention to William's world.
And what a world it is!
For William, every event is a cause for celebration, even what he wanted to share with me Sunday. His little brow furrowed, and when he saw that I was paying attention, his pudgy little hand grabbed the fabric on his chest and he said "shirt", and grinned.
I had to grin back.
Was it a new shirt? Don't know. Was it his favorite shirt? Don't know. Does he just like shirts in general and wanted to see if he could make a convert to his revolutionary way of looking at life? Don't know.
But whatever reason he had behind his statement - it was followed by a grin - so it must be good.
Somehow I think it's always good in William's world.
What happened to the rest of us?
Romans 8:28 (GW)
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom He has called according to His plan.
Now folks, is that true or not?
Romans 8:31 (GW)
What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
And that one - are you saying that there's a someone, something, somehow type of problem in your life that's just too big for God to handle?
Romans 8:37 (GW)
The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties.
You see friends, it is true that a child's view of the world is limited. William doesn't know about war, and HIV, and poverty, or death. But he knows he's loved, and he knows he's cared for - and that's enough for him.
How about you?
I know your world is much bigger than William's, you've got a lot on your mind. But when you strip away everything except that which matters, you'll know this.
You are loved.
By God.
Now go tell.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
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