You Can Learn A Lot Here

As the nation pauses to remember our 40th president, Ronald Reagan, things are slow in this military town. Many are off from work, observing a day of mourning.

What I'm remembering today is a phrase full of hope though, that I'll always associate with President Reagan, "It's morning in America." The great communicator was bullish on the future of his beloved nation.

I'm that way about the local church. On days like this, when I can pray and think about what God has done and is doing here, I am overwhelmed with gratitude that He's given me a role in what He does. And during the day to day life of a church, you can discover moment after moment of pure joy.

For example: Wednesday night, the girls who sing in our "New Hope Girl's Worship Team" were having their devotional time. Part of that is to remember the central truth of the Bible lesson they learned the Sunday before. The idea being that if they can remember it three days later, it will stay with them long enough to become a principle.

So last week they learned about Jesus healing ten lepers. Remember?

12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance,
13 crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
14 He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, their leprosy disappeared.
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!"
16 He fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?
18 Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?"
19 And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well."
Luke 17:12-19 (NLT)

So when the girls were asked to tell the story, the responses were all over the board, but most did remember the central truth... with some modifications in one case.

One girl wrote: "The ten people had "lepotitus.""

And Jesus healed them... anyway.

No matter what you call the need, Jesus can meet it if we go to Him in faith.

Yes, you can learn a lot here. And seeing children grow into mature believers gives me hope for a new morning in America.

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.

Vacations and Vocations

Mark 6:30-31 (Msg)
The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. [31] Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat.

Ever been that way? So busy that you didn't even have time to take a break to eat? That's not the Jesus way folks. On a regular basis, Jesus withdrew from the crush of His vocation and rested and renewed.

The late Vance Havner said, "If you do not come apart, you'll come apart."

It's still true today. During these hot summer months, take time to look at all the activities you've stuffed into a day, and make sure that you're not missing those times of renewal and restoration. Worship regularly, and make time for God in your personal devotions. Come apart from the world, or you will come apart.

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.