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“Jesus went out & departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” [v.35].

Authority, evil spirits, healing, prayer!

Have you ever been dead tired? You ran out of steam. Where did you go to restore yourself? Jesus begins His day by going to church, drives out evil spirits, heals Simon & Andrews’ mother in law & is constantly bombarded by countless people who need to be healed. Instead of dropping from exhaustion, He continues to heal them and then goes up a solitary place to pray.

Summer after Pat & I were married, I had a summer job in detasseling corn. I was a city kid who didn’t know about detasling or how long those corn lines in Iowa – as far as the eyes could see. I learned to pull off the top part of the corn stalk so that they can cross fertilize each other. The days are hot and the rows seem to go on forever. Some of the workers seemed like the Eveready bunny – they kept on going. Pat woke me up one night wondering what on earth I was doing – going through my motions of bending the stalk & pulling out the tassel.

Do you ever come home from work or school and feel dead tired? How do you “recharge your spiritual batteries?” How do you unwind? Some love to read, listen to music, exercise, long walks, when you’re done people feel refreshed, rejuvenated & eager to go back to what they were doing.

My hearts aches when individuals are exhausted. They need to find a way to rest and replenish their bodies and souls: Dale & Phyllis Love, Norma & Laverne Bupp, Cynthia & Emory Druck, Millie & Dennis, Shirley & Dallas, Dee… Exhaustion – emotionally, physically & spiritually. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… for your souls” [Mt. 11:28]. Jesus calls us to take time to get alone with God in prayer so that he can replenish your strength. “I woke up quite early this morning and paused before going my way, I had so much work to accomplish I had to take time to pray” – Anon.

            P – Everything always begins with prayer. If Jesus needed to take time from His busy schedule to talk with God, shouldn’t we? [Mt. 14:23].

R – In order for us to do our best, our bodies & souls need time to rest and replenish our system – without rest, our bodies slowly  break down. [Ps. 62:1].

A – God wants us to totally abandon/surrender ourselves to Him, so we let go and let God. God will never abandon, forsake or give up on anyone who loves Him! [2 Cor. 4:9].

Y – Yielding to Jesus will break every kind of slavery in a persons’ life. Never seek after anything other than the approval of God. [2 Chron. 30:9].

E – All of us need someone who will walk alongside us to encourage, support & give us hope – we need each other. [Phil, 1:5-6].

R – “Our service for the Lord will be rewarded one day openly, By God who sees in secrecy all sacrifice for Him” – Sper. [Mat. 6:4, Heb. 6:10].

All of us need a place to go to replenish our souls! Don’t become so busy, eliminate any distractions & take time to be with God in prayer.

5 senses? Which do you believe would be the worst to lose? Saul lost his sight for 3 days – wonder how he felt – Angry? Terrified? Confused?  Repentent? Prayerful? How would you feel?

Jesus tells Saul to go but He doesn’t tell him exactly where to go in the city. His friends lead & leave him in a strange city, blind, hungry & thirsty. Have you ever been in a strange city by yourself and hungry? It’s scary, what to do or who could you turn for help?

Lesson is not just about being left in a strange city or going to one that you felt scared, but the joy of seeing one grow in their faith. Maybe it was your angry boss, upset teacher, dreading that job interview or a disgruntled member? If you were Ananias, how would you react when God told him to go & lay your hands on Saul? “God, You got to be kidding – don’t You know what he’s done?” OR “OK God, I’ll go if You lead me!” Ananias was scared but obedient as he goes to Saul & tells him, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, has sent me so that you may get your sight back and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly Saul received his sight, was baptized & ate. Is there someone that God is nudging you to go? Don’t avoid them but instead go in love to someone who hasn’t been in church, SS, Bible Study, possible removal from our church family? Look around, pray about them, don’t be scared but go to them!

Who has been your Ananias? Have they helped you, especially when you felt abandoned, scared, confused and lead you to a closer walk with the Lord?  Since that personal encounter, have you recommitted your life to Jesus? Has it changed your devotional life? Let me share 3 lessons:

1. Obedience – Like Jonah, Ananias could have gone the other way, instead when God nudges him; he goes, scared but confident that God was leading him to minister to Saul.
2. Trust & obey the Lord – Because Ananias went, Saul was empowered to go to the Gentiles & share with them the Good News.
3. Comparisons – Ananias couldn’t believe that God was sending him to Saul but the Lord reminds him that Saul has been chosen as My instrument. Don’t focus at another’s outward behaviors but instead anyone can change. Go & point him to Christ & leave the rest to the Holy Spirit!

As we prepare our hearts to receive this bread & cup, let us open our eyes/ears to those that we should go and share with them the Good News of Jesus Christ. Ananias went to Saul & turned his life around, who will you go & bring Jesus to?

Before I begin, I want to wish all Dads, “Happy Father’s Day!” It’s not easy being a dad – 1st they call you Dada. Then they call you Daddy. As they mature they call you Dad. Finally they call you collect…They asked children aged 4-6: “Which do you like better, TV or Daddy?”46% preferred TV. Fathers have a special place in a child’s heart that no one else can satisfy – as the father does, the family will follow! Bathing a newborn, playing catch with 10-year old in the backyard, lending a listening ear when the teenager has had a bad day – all expressions of a parent’s love for their child. But job #1 for parents: pass along our Christian faith.” Dobson. “Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Don’t let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! Be sure to pass them on to your children” [Dt. 4:9]. Are you telling your kids what God has done for you?

Image taking the family camping. After the meal, everyone gathers around the campfire – It’s story time. At 1^st someone starts telling scary story or exaggerate how they caught biggest fish or shot the biggest deer. But soon the stories, like the Jewish fathers, their voice comes alive as they tell about their childhood and how they overcame various obstacles, while growing up. Why? So your kids won’t make the same mistake & they’ll tell their kids. What should we tell? “Teach them God’s laws& instructions, an d show them how to live their lives” [Ex. 18:18]. Tell them why Jesus is vital in your life; struggled with your faith; God answered your prayers & felt His presence. It’s great to take them hunting & fishing but it provides greater eternal impact as you point them to the One who created the bears & fish for us.

“A small child patiently waits for his parents to come home – can’t wait to tell about her day. Finally when they get home – tired & stressed : “Not now, honey, I’m busy, go watch TV or $20 go to the mall!” If not now, when? Later. But later never comes for many & the parent fails to talk. We give her designer clothes & computer toys, but we don’t give her what she needs the most – our time! Now, she is 15 & has a glassy look in her eyes.”

–  Captain Kangaroo. “Honey I love you, ” “Me too.” “Can you say the words?” “I did!” The only way left for a parent to get through is prayer! There are 3 vital things that all parents can give to their children: Give them Jesus so that they’ll have eternal life, give them your undivided attention and do it all with love.

What do fathers do? He throws them higher than his head until they’re weak from laughter. He cast the deciding vote on the puppy debate. He listens more than he talks. He lets them make mistakes. He allows them to fall from their 1^st 2-wheeler without having a heart attack. He reads a newspaper while they were trying to parallel park a car for the 1^st time in preparation for their driving test. He shows up for the job in good & bad times. He’s a man who is constantly being observed by his children. They learn from him how to handle adversity, anger, disappointment & success. He won’t laugh at their dreams no matter how impossible they might seem. He will dig out at 1 A.M. when one of his children runs out of gas. He will make unpopular decisions & stand by them. When he is wrong & makes a mistake, he will admit it. He sets the tone for how family members treat one another, members of the opposite sex & those who are different than they are. By example, he can instill a desire to give something back to the community when its needs are greater than theirs. But mostly, a good father involves himself in his kids’ lives. The more responsibility he has for a child, the harder it is to walk out of his life. A father has the potential to be a powerful force in the life of a child. Grab it! Maybe you’ll get a greeting card or not. Erma Bombeck,

We have wonderful, loving, caring godly parents but what traditions are we passing on to our children? Children are you watching, listening & following the examples of your godly parents? “We’re thankful for our fathers, Lord, They’re special gift from You; Help us to show we honor them by what we say and do!

To ALL Fathers, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

Once there was a monastery in the woods that had fallen upon hard times. In the past it had been a thriving community but over the last generation the monks had died 1 by 1& there were no new vocations to replace them. Besides this, the monks did not seem to be as friendly to each other. Something just wasn’t right. The Father Abbot was quite concerned about the future of his monastery, now consisting of himself & 3 brothers and, thus, he sought counsel from the local rabbi who was known to be of great wisdom. The abbot went to the rabbi and asked him if he had any advice on what to do to save his monastery. The rabbi felt at a loss and said that he, too, worried about his own congregation; people were too busy and simply not coming to the synagogue nor attending various meetings any longer. As the abbot was getting ready to return home the rabbi looked at him and said, “One in your home is the Messiah.” The abbot walked home puzzled.

When he arrived at the monastery the monks asked him what he had learned. He said the rabbi said, “One in your home is the Messiah.” Over the next weeks the monks wondered: was it possible that one of them was the Messiah? They thought about Father Abbot – the leader for more than a generation. Brother Thomas – holy man and full of light. Decided not be Brother Eldred – old, crotchety, and often mean-spirited, but he always seems to be right, no matter what the situation or question. Not Brother Phillip – very passive – a real nobody, but one has to admit that he is always there when someone needs assistance. As they continued to ponder, the old monks began to treat each other with great respect/love, on the off chance that the 1with whom they were dealing really was the Messiah. They again began to live the gospel message. The monastery was a much more prayerful place & spiritually growing again!

So what? What’s that have to do with us? The story is not just about a monastery – describes a once vibrant church that slowly loses its vitality. What caused that monastery to be on fire & spiritually grow again? What happened to that monastery could happen to Bethel Church. When I 1^st came, there was a sense of urgency, people were committed but in time some have lost that urgency, commitment & vitality. What will it take for our church to spiritually grow? Growing Churches have a sense of commitment/not convenience - actively involved, service – using your gifts/talents & lots of prayer “met daily & Lord added to their numbers those being saved.” People who came sensed a new spirit of respect and love with them. A young man came & asked if he could join the community. Soon others inquired & after several years the vibrant community at the monastery came alive.  We have 4 individuals who wish to join our church – pray for them, walking alongside them, listen and talk with them?  James teaches: not church membership, giving or teaching SS but in doing & not just hearing. It’s not our pot pie, picnic or concerts that will cause our church to spiritually grow but the way we love, work & pray for each other. Earnest prayer is powerful & effective – “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” [Isa. 65:24]. Are you earnestly praying for our church, church leaders & new people? Commitment, service & prayer – do them & church will grow; ignore them & church will slowly lose its vitality & fade away! Choice is ours to make!

Isaiah points to the cross of Jesus: Many wear it around their neck but they don’t understand. We see the cross everywhere but many all around have no clue about Jesus or what we do in church. We try to grasp what Jesus did for us but many still look the other way, reject and despise Him. Why should anyone today care? Isaiah teaches us that in the cross, we see that Christ took our place – Son of God gave his life for us. You’d think – there had to be another way?

JESUS COULD NOT ASK US TO PAY A GREATER PRICE THAN HE WAS WILLING TO PAY. Think of Stephen as he was being stoned. Peter as he dies crucified upside down. We may not die like they did but there are Christians in the 3^rd world that are being persecuted for their faith. Many of the followers of Jesus were burned as torches in Nero’s gardens or torn apart by wild animals in the gladiator’s arena. Medical missionary operated on a soldier, who had been shot through the neck & paralyzed from the neck down. Knowing that he would continue to have difficulty breathing, they left the tube in his airway, placing him on a ventilator. The ventilator shut down  during the night & the soldier died. ”Because it was you who operated on the soldier & he died, I fear his people will come & kill you. So, I have erased your name as the surgeon, and written my name in place of yours.” Dr. said, “My friend, that means they will come for you & kill you.” Finally, assistant said, “You can leave this place of war, I cannot. I am prepared to die in your place, if I must, in order that you might live. “Greater love has no one than this, He lay down his life for his friends” Jn. 15:13. “When we were utterly helpless, Jesus came at just the right time & died for us sinners” [Ro. 5:6]. Jesus rescued us & set us free to worship & praise Him!

WITHOUT THE CROSS WE COULD NOT SEE THE DESTRUCTION OF SIN. Most don’t like to hear about sin, instead we call it different lifestyles, but our actions carry consequences. If I drink alcohol or drugs, my actions will ultimately catch up to me. If I eat cheeseburgers all day, it will catch up to me. Sin is deadly. It can kill bodies, marriages, church & even kill a soul. “Sin breaks God’s heart. Sin took God’s only Son & crushed his body. Yet there He hung on the cross. It was our sin that put him there but it was His love that kept Him there. There was no other way except on Calvary! “In the forest fire, there is always one place where the fire cannot reach. It is the place where the fire has already burned itself out. Calvary is the place where the fire of God’s judgment against sin burned itself out completely. It is there that we are safe” [Corrie]. “What wondrous love is this, O my soul,” # 292.

No Cross, No resurrection; No blood, No Salvation. Jesus stayed on the cross because of His unconditional love – He chose to pay the price & took our place. “Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, My God, shouldst die for me?” [# 363]. Good News: God made Jesus, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin” [Eph. 4:21]. Mean? Jesus took my sins & am now holy & blameless in His sight. God looks at us as if we had never sinned – He’s forgotten our sins – past, present & future! We serve an awesome God! He longs for us to become like Jesus – holy & blameless – all because Jesus died on that cross!

Can you hear Jesus longing to spend time with you? He wants to comfort, encourage & give you hope. By ourselves we’re like “sheep without a Shepherd.” He is constantly calling us to “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest…” [Mat. 11:28]. Are you exhausted & longing to draw closer to Jesus? Take time in your busy day to come closer & walk with Jesus – He wants to be with you through His Holy Spirit. As we begin our Lenten walk together, many are looking for ways to draw closer with Jesus. The problem is that for many Lent has been a time to give up something. I’ve discovered that instead of giving something up we’re to focus on giving back to God. What will you do during Lent? I plan on spending more time in reading the Bible, deliberate with my daily pray list: church members/leaders, community, and country. I need to stay in Sunday school, become more generous in my giving, and work harder to point another to Christ. I’ll do my best to attend Griefshare & bible Study. What will you do during Lent to draw you closer to Jesus? You could pray more, get involved in reading the Bible, attend the various church services and reach out to others on our prayer list. James gives us reasons on how we can come closer to Jesus: Humble yourself before God. Resist the Devil. Wash Your Hands, Deep sorrow for our sins, Bow down before the Lord. Humble yourself before God – It’s hard to be humble – we’re taught to be proud of our accomplishments but God longs for us to be completely honest with Him. “Anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” [Mat. 18:4]. It means that we obey God regardless of our situation & trust Him completely – In His good time, He will honor you. Commit your life to Him & His control and be willing to follow Him. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip & fall” [Ps. 55:22]. “Be humble & gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others’ faults because of your life” [Eph. 4:2]. “Abide in Me, and I will abide in You. ..If you abide in Me and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” [Jn. 15:4,7]. WE CAN WALK THROUGH THE DARKEST TRIALS WHEN WE WALK WITH GOD! When my brother died, our family was devastated – only a few weeks earlier we were all together having a wonderful time. The only way that we were able to get over it was by drawing closer to Jesus. Are you walking closer with Jesus? I Know Who Holds My hand!

As I meditated & looked back to a whole bunch of people who really messed up with God – haven’t we all. Good News: as they prepare to boldly walk into the Promise Land, God sends an angel to go before them to guide and help them. His Spirit goes with us!

Moses knows that he will not enter the Promise Land, but he takes time to remind them about what God has done in their lives. Since God has richly blessed our lives, then you can’t help to have hope and follow Him with all our heart, mind and soul. Since we know what God expects of us – we’re to check out our heart so that we can listen and obey His commands. “Don’t harden your hearts against Him as Israel did when they rebelled by testing God’s patience” [Heb.3:8].

He reassures them, that in the midst of the difficult road that is ahead of them, God would be their refuge, strength & security – when they get ready to “throw in the towel & quit” they can feel secure because they are in His safe hands. There are people within our congregation that feel knocked down because of all their illness [Millers, Dee, and Shelton – one thing after another. Moses comforts them by telling them that Our heavenly Father is the One who always holds out His arms to catch us when everything seems to collapse and fall apart. No storm can overwhelm. No power to great that can separate us – not even the death of a loved one. Why? The One who created the universe and has all the star in the precise place is the almighty God who is holding us in His safe hands. We are brought into God’s house to worship, learn & pray so that we can be strengthen to go out and tell others. Moses knows that he can’t go with them, so he blesses and teaches them that they can face the unpredictable future with confidence because God is with them. The same God who delivered them out of Egypt is the same One who promises to preserve & sustain us. Don’t be afraid, discouraged or quit but instead continue to faithfully commit your ways to the Lord, serve Him with the gift that He has given you.

What’s all this mean to us? We may not have goofed up like the children of Israel but we’re assured that when we do we can always go to our heavenly Father. “He will shield you with His wings. He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection” [Ps. 91:4]. So, when I’m afraid, I can run to Him. When I’m overwhelmed, I can be comforted. I am kept safe under His loving arms & nothing can separate me. You’re in the safe & good hands of a loving God. “Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, Never foe can follow, never traitor stand; not a surge of worry, not a shade of care, Not a blast of hurry touch by the Spirit there” – Havergal. NO ONE IS MORE SECURE THAN TTHOSE WHO ARE IN GOD’S HANDS.

Sometimes as one reads the Bible, one may become confuses as they read some of the things that people did – seem silly that grown men were judged at how they drank water. It doesn’t make sense to hear how Gideon was the battle by breaking the jars and shouting – but they did and so can we overcome our trials by being faithful to God!

As I look and listen to the spiritual condition of our nation, I can’t help to see that some are slowly turning away from God. How else can one explain the violence all around us, the change in our moral values & also those who are bound to take the name of God out of everything that we hold dear? “In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” [17:6]. No king meant that people did just what they felt like doing – sounds familiar? Do you think that our country will miss out on the judgment of God?

God sees the needs of our church, community and calls us to do His work. Even when we believe that our goals seem hopeless, He continues to reach out to us to be faithful in our commitment and prayer. When the enemy started to invade Israel, Gideon called out for others to follow him & go to war – 32,000 volunteered. But God showed that there is power in dedicated few by reducing their number down to 300. Why? God’s not intersted in the size of a church but in our faithful obedience and commitment and prayer that we have with God. Being a faithful disciple is not about joining a church’s membership but in our commitment, faithfulness, service and prayer.

Gideon asked for a sign but we don’t need to because we have the Bible – “The Bible straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right” [2 Timothy 3:16]. Just as Gideon was able to conqueror the mighty invading army, we can also overcome the seemingly overwhelming trials in our lives. Are you facing a battle that is overpowering you? God can give you the strength you need to defeat it. Like Gideon, we must listen to God, not be discouraged and then be ready to take the first step. Only after you begin to obey God will you find the courage to move ahead. You may think that you don’t have much to offer, but God can use you if you will yield yourself to His will.

There is power in a few – those who continues to faithfully do the work of the Lord. Let me point out some within our congregation: Ken – blankets; Heidi – SummerFest & church’s birthday; Darlene & Gloria – Griefshare; Dennis – food collection, Robert – Bible Study as well as all those who continue to do the behind the scenes work. All these people ask for no rewards or recognition but to know that they are doing the work of the Lord, they are making a difference.

I believe that God is giving America a wakeup call – we are to return to our commitments, be faithful in our service and prayer. We need to draw closer together, prepare ourselves – Jesus is coming soon! The Good News: the power to change things lies within our hands. We have the power to make moral choices. There is hope but only in Christ working through us. You are the “remnant Few” who choose to make a difference, even as the rest of the world is going in a completely different direction. You are the few, dedicated disciples who will continue to stay faithful to God.

Prayer: Just as the men followed Gideon, so must we also follow Jesus who calls us! Amen!