In No Time
Last week I was given a daisy in a basket by the group of littlest Girl Scouts that meet here at New Hope. They are called "daisies", and earn "petals" to place on their uniform smocks as they learn Girl Scout stuff. So I really enjoyed receiving something that will remind me of them as they take the summer off. (Is it that time already?)
I took the flower home since I have a well deserved reputation as a plant-killer, and turned it over to Bunny. She's cared for it faithfully, and it has lasted a week longer than it would have with me. But a couple of days ago she noticed it was drooping, so she watered it. Yesterday it was back in the same shape, and she told me it needed to be planted in soil that would hold the moisture around it, and give it time to drink it up.
Made sense to me.
I've been spending this morning praying and reading the Bible. Last week, I printed out a book out of it off the computer, and have been reading it off and on during the days, trying to let it soak in. You see folks so much of what I do here is specific to teaching and preaching, that at times even though I'm handling God's Word, full of nourishment for my soul and life for my spirit, it can rush through without making a difference in me.
So I deliberately printed some out in Eugene Peterson's wonderful paraphrase, The Message. For those of you who don't have a copy, well, it's raw, and rough around the edges. Full of emotion - of power - of force. Today's snippet:
James 4:7-8 (Msg)
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. [8] Say a quiet yes to God and He'll be there in no time.
The only way I can possibly stand before a group of people week in and week out, when I'm weak, week in and week out, trying to break open God's Word in such a way they hear it - is to drop every idea that I'm worthy to do that outside my study door.
Saying that quiet "Yes, I need you Lord" brings Him here in no time, and the sermon I thought would never get off the ground is lifted up, as am I.
Where before I couldn't hold His wisdom long enough to place it onto paper, suddenly I'm able to express His Truth. It's a God thing.
Friends, the only way up - out of that rut, out of that hole, out of that dry place you might find yourself help in today - is to say "yes" to God and let Him take you by the hand and heart. He'll lift your spirits and give you a bright new perspective on life.
In no 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, March 26, 2004
Thursday, March 25, 2004
The Way Home
We had company at our house last week. Completely unexpected, though not unwelcome. As Sean was headed out the door to go to school, he called back to me saying, "Daddy, there's a black Great Dane in the park across the street." After checking to see whether our own black Great Dane, Henley, was still in the house, I went outside and sure enough, a black Great Dane was there - now in our front yard.
Henley followed me to the door, and when he saw him, he jumped up on the glass. Some of the workers from the business across the street were trying to catch the dog, thinking it was ours. When they saw Henley, they were quite surprised. We tried to catch our visitor, but he wouldn't let us - until I brought Henley outside.
Then he came right up and rubbed noses.
We caught him and got him into our giant Dane cage. A few hours later his owner came and retrieved him.
It's funny how he had eluded all our efforts to catch him - to even come close - but when another dog that looked like him showed up, there he came. It's also funny that he crossed the busiest road in all the area, then went another half mile down the road and showed up at apparently just the right place, at just the right time, to find help - to find people who not only love dogs, but who absolutely love Great Danes - and who have one the same color, with the same markings as his.
And he found the way home.
You know friend, God may have placed you right where you are, given you the interests and talents you have - to help someone else find the way home. The Bible tells us that believers are part of a "Body". If you've ever had a broken bone, or even a toothache, you know how one part can get the rest's attention.
So as part of God's family, you can help others find their way to Him. You are uniquely qualified!Will you help someone else find the way home?
No, you don't have to know volumes of theology.
You just have to be able to tell what Christ has done for you.
Will you?
Philip. 2:15 (Msg)
Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night ...
In other words, show them the way home.
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.
We had company at our house last week. Completely unexpected, though not unwelcome. As Sean was headed out the door to go to school, he called back to me saying, "Daddy, there's a black Great Dane in the park across the street." After checking to see whether our own black Great Dane, Henley, was still in the house, I went outside and sure enough, a black Great Dane was there - now in our front yard.
Henley followed me to the door, and when he saw him, he jumped up on the glass. Some of the workers from the business across the street were trying to catch the dog, thinking it was ours. When they saw Henley, they were quite surprised. We tried to catch our visitor, but he wouldn't let us - until I brought Henley outside.
Then he came right up and rubbed noses.
We caught him and got him into our giant Dane cage. A few hours later his owner came and retrieved him.
It's funny how he had eluded all our efforts to catch him - to even come close - but when another dog that looked like him showed up, there he came. It's also funny that he crossed the busiest road in all the area, then went another half mile down the road and showed up at apparently just the right place, at just the right time, to find help - to find people who not only love dogs, but who absolutely love Great Danes - and who have one the same color, with the same markings as his.
And he found the way home.
You know friend, God may have placed you right where you are, given you the interests and talents you have - to help someone else find the way home. The Bible tells us that believers are part of a "Body". If you've ever had a broken bone, or even a toothache, you know how one part can get the rest's attention.
So as part of God's family, you can help others find their way to Him. You are uniquely qualified!Will you help someone else find the way home?
No, you don't have to know volumes of theology.
You just have to be able to tell what Christ has done for you.
Will you?
Philip. 2:15 (Msg)
Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night ...
In other words, show them the way home.
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, March 24, 2004
Extras
Our highest assurance of the goodness of God rests in the flowers.
All other things - our powers, our desires,our food - are necessary for our existence,
but the rose is an extra.
Its smell and color are an embellishment of life,
not a condition of it.
It is only goodness which gives extras,
and so we have much to hope for from the flowers. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
As I sit typing this missive today, the cherry tree directly in front of my window is bursting with blooms. It sits in the middle of a sidewalk, causing everyone who walks to my office to have to defer to its beauty.
It's an extra.
In countless yards and fields around my home, there are azaleas blooming by the dozens in white, in pink, in red - even lavender. Most of the year they serve little purpose except to separate one yard from another, but now they, and the wisteria just now beginning to bloom, bless all who behold them. Even weeds around here are beautiful - in purple, pale yellow and white.
They are extras.
There's a message here somewhere, I think.
Luke 12:27-29 (Msg)
Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. [28] If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
[29] "What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving.
and a little later on..
Luke 12:31-32 (Msg)
Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. [32] Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
If we are honest, we can recognize the fact that we are blessed - too blessed to stress out over things that ultimately do not matter.
Take time today and notice all the beauty God has placed around you. It's just the over and above extra of His love. He really does love 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.
Our highest assurance of the goodness of God rests in the flowers.
All other things - our powers, our desires,our food - are necessary for our existence,
but the rose is an extra.
Its smell and color are an embellishment of life,
not a condition of it.
It is only goodness which gives extras,
and so we have much to hope for from the flowers. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
As I sit typing this missive today, the cherry tree directly in front of my window is bursting with blooms. It sits in the middle of a sidewalk, causing everyone who walks to my office to have to defer to its beauty.
It's an extra.
In countless yards and fields around my home, there are azaleas blooming by the dozens in white, in pink, in red - even lavender. Most of the year they serve little purpose except to separate one yard from another, but now they, and the wisteria just now beginning to bloom, bless all who behold them. Even weeds around here are beautiful - in purple, pale yellow and white.
They are extras.
There's a message here somewhere, I think.
Luke 12:27-29 (Msg)
Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. [28] If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
[29] "What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving.
and a little later on..
Luke 12:31-32 (Msg)
Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. [32] Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
If we are honest, we can recognize the fact that we are blessed - too blessed to stress out over things that ultimately do not matter.
Take time today and notice all the beauty God has placed around you. It's just the over and above extra of His love. He really does love 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.
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Always
Maybe the young mother knew she wasn't going to be able to care for her baby girl, so she made sure that throughout her life, people would have to ask about the unusual name - Rilya. Homeless and addicted to cocaine, the baby wouldn't get what she needed from mom, so the state of Florida stepped in and took the five week old into their care.
Bunny and I have known some kids like Rilya, one of which was only 4 days old when taken. There are many children like her, in Florida and elsewhere, whose mothers just aren't able to care for them. Someone has to. So the state, or another group steps in and takes custody. Many times they succeed in making a difference. Other times even though they pour money, support, and time into the lives of the families that they children come from, the kids suffer.
But nothing prepared me for Rilya. How could you lose a child? Everyone's busy right now pointing fingers. I hope at least a few are cupping hands together and calling her name, nailing flyers to telephone poles, getting
her picture on milk cartons - something, anything productive. Lord, help someone find Rilya. Pray folks - pray without ceasing.
In the Bible there is a story about a shepherd. He was well off. Had great flocks of sheep - 100 total. But as night fell, and he counted each one as they entered the sheep fold, one was missing. He could have said, "well,
I've still got 99. Maybe it will turn up. I'll look at first light." Here's what Jesus related to the disciples.
"If a shepherd has one hundred sheep, and one wanders away and is lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others and go out into the hills to search for the lost one? 13 And if he finds it, he will surely rejoice
over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away! 14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish.
Matt 18:13-14 (NLT)
I don't know where little Rilya is right now. But I know this - God loves her. Her mom might have named her after what her heart said "Rilya - remember I love you always", but always with her lasted until the next fix,
and the state stepped in. Always with the state lasted until an employee got tired of making visits to check on Rilya's welfare.
When God says always - it means always.
To Rilya - and to you.
When Jesus went to the cross for our sins, He was saying "remember I love you." When He rose from the dead, He was emphatically saying once and for all - "Always."
If you know Jesus as Savior and Lord today - you will know Him as advocate and friend, always.
Grace, mercy, and peace,
David Wilson
A Glimpse of New Hope is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Valparaiso, FL. If you have received this in error,or no longer wish to receive it, please email me at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net. I'll be sure
to remove your address.If you know of others who would like to receive it, please forward their names and they will be added. May God bless each of you. Copyright 2002, David A. Wilson Visit New Hope Baptist Church in person or our website at www.newhopevalp.org
Maybe the young mother knew she wasn't going to be able to care for her baby girl, so she made sure that throughout her life, people would have to ask about the unusual name - Rilya. Homeless and addicted to cocaine, the baby wouldn't get what she needed from mom, so the state of Florida stepped in and took the five week old into their care.
Bunny and I have known some kids like Rilya, one of which was only 4 days old when taken. There are many children like her, in Florida and elsewhere, whose mothers just aren't able to care for them. Someone has to. So the state, or another group steps in and takes custody. Many times they succeed in making a difference. Other times even though they pour money, support, and time into the lives of the families that they children come from, the kids suffer.
But nothing prepared me for Rilya. How could you lose a child? Everyone's busy right now pointing fingers. I hope at least a few are cupping hands together and calling her name, nailing flyers to telephone poles, getting
her picture on milk cartons - something, anything productive. Lord, help someone find Rilya. Pray folks - pray without ceasing.
In the Bible there is a story about a shepherd. He was well off. Had great flocks of sheep - 100 total. But as night fell, and he counted each one as they entered the sheep fold, one was missing. He could have said, "well,
I've still got 99. Maybe it will turn up. I'll look at first light." Here's what Jesus related to the disciples.
"If a shepherd has one hundred sheep, and one wanders away and is lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others and go out into the hills to search for the lost one? 13 And if he finds it, he will surely rejoice
over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away! 14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish.
Matt 18:13-14 (NLT)
I don't know where little Rilya is right now. But I know this - God loves her. Her mom might have named her after what her heart said "Rilya - remember I love you always", but always with her lasted until the next fix,
and the state stepped in. Always with the state lasted until an employee got tired of making visits to check on Rilya's welfare.
When God says always - it means always.
To Rilya - and to you.
When Jesus went to the cross for our sins, He was saying "remember I love you." When He rose from the dead, He was emphatically saying once and for all - "Always."
If you know Jesus as Savior and Lord today - you will know Him as advocate and friend, always.
Grace, mercy, and peace,
David Wilson
A Glimpse of New Hope is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Valparaiso, FL. If you have received this in error,or no longer wish to receive it, please email me at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net. I'll be sure
to remove your address.If you know of others who would like to receive it, please forward their names and they will be added. May God bless each of you. Copyright 2002, David A. Wilson Visit New Hope Baptist Church in person or our website at www.newhopevalp.org
Monday, March 22, 2004
He Had Help (You Do Too!)
I was talking with someone this weekend about the movie, the Passion of the Christ. He remarked, "I don't know how anyone could survive the beating we saw, let alone carry a cross that far. It just doesn't seem humanly possible."
As I've thought about that, I have noticed a couple of things.
The first was a story about a mother lifting a car off her son last week after an accident left him pinned underneath it. Filed last week by the Associated Press from California, that wasn't the first I had heard of such a superhuman feat.
The second was this:
7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph.
Isaiah 50:7 (NLT)
Jesus never lost sight of what really mattered. Just like that Mom, who lifted the car off her little one, Jesus lifted our sins off of us. He did it because of His love for us.
How did he endure the pain and suffering?
The same way we can - with God's help.
Friend, it might be real hard where you live right now. Describing what you're in as "being in a bind" might be the height of understatement - more like a vise.
But you are not alone. The same God who gave Jesus the strength to endure the pain of the cross stands ready to help you right now. In fact, Jesus Himself has asked you to throw your cares upon Him.
Will you do it? Will you accept God's help?
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.
I was talking with someone this weekend about the movie, the Passion of the Christ. He remarked, "I don't know how anyone could survive the beating we saw, let alone carry a cross that far. It just doesn't seem humanly possible."
As I've thought about that, I have noticed a couple of things.
The first was a story about a mother lifting a car off her son last week after an accident left him pinned underneath it. Filed last week by the Associated Press from California, that wasn't the first I had heard of such a superhuman feat.
The second was this:
7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph.
Isaiah 50:7 (NLT)
Jesus never lost sight of what really mattered. Just like that Mom, who lifted the car off her little one, Jesus lifted our sins off of us. He did it because of His love for us.
How did he endure the pain and suffering?
The same way we can - with God's help.
Friend, it might be real hard where you live right now. Describing what you're in as "being in a bind" might be the height of understatement - more like a vise.
But you are not alone. The same God who gave Jesus the strength to endure the pain of the cross stands ready to help you right now. In fact, Jesus Himself has asked you to throw your cares upon Him.
Will you do it? Will you accept God's help?
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.
Measuring Up
A small town Doctor was famous in the area for always catching really large fish. Time after time he'd come home with whoppers that weighed more than anyone else in the county was catching.
One day while he was on one of his frequent fishing trips he got a call on his cell phone that a woman at a neighboring farm was giving birth. He jumped into his truck, rushed to her aid and delivered a healthy baby boy.
The farmer had nothing to weigh the baby with so the Doctor went out to the truck, and brought in his fishing scales.
The baby weighed 22 lbs. 10 oz
Hmm..
Seems as if the Doctor was using a flawed set of scales. You know you and I sometimes do the same thing. We look around at people and mentally compare ourselves and them. Maybe we think about heritage - what family they came from, or their racial or ethnic background. Or maybe we measure by degrees - how far they progressed educationally. There again we could just observe how they live. If we see ourselves as kinder, more honest, better people, then I guess we are measuring up.
Friends, that's not the way Jesus wants us to measure up. Here's what He said.
John 13:15 (Msg)
I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do.
Ouch! Jesus said a lot in those few words.
That would mean loving everyone, living a life focused on what would please God, always being in touch with the Father, always doing His will. And since we are not Jesus, asking for the Holy Spirit's power to enable us to follow His pattern.
The great thing is that Jesus not only left us a pattern, He gives us in the person of the Holy Spirit's presence everything we need to follow it.
Just make sure you're using the right standard of measurement for your life.
Grace!
David
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.
A small town Doctor was famous in the area for always catching really large fish. Time after time he'd come home with whoppers that weighed more than anyone else in the county was catching.
One day while he was on one of his frequent fishing trips he got a call on his cell phone that a woman at a neighboring farm was giving birth. He jumped into his truck, rushed to her aid and delivered a healthy baby boy.
The farmer had nothing to weigh the baby with so the Doctor went out to the truck, and brought in his fishing scales.
The baby weighed 22 lbs. 10 oz
Hmm..
Seems as if the Doctor was using a flawed set of scales. You know you and I sometimes do the same thing. We look around at people and mentally compare ourselves and them. Maybe we think about heritage - what family they came from, or their racial or ethnic background. Or maybe we measure by degrees - how far they progressed educationally. There again we could just observe how they live. If we see ourselves as kinder, more honest, better people, then I guess we are measuring up.
Friends, that's not the way Jesus wants us to measure up. Here's what He said.
John 13:15 (Msg)
I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do.
Ouch! Jesus said a lot in those few words.
That would mean loving everyone, living a life focused on what would please God, always being in touch with the Father, always doing His will. And since we are not Jesus, asking for the Holy Spirit's power to enable us to follow His pattern.
The great thing is that Jesus not only left us a pattern, He gives us in the person of the Holy Spirit's presence everything we need to follow it.
Just make sure you're using the right standard of measurement for your life.
Grace!
David
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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