Snowballs in Summer: weather report of faith

Today's Devotion  and pictures from Ann Vonkamp

Winning the lottery... or not! Gaining the things money can't buy

Happy Thursday!

Today's Devotion

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Ephesians 3:17b-18 (NIV)

Hope to see you ladies tonight!

Promise to post what we discussed so those of you who have

kiddos graduating and all that fun stuff will be in the {know}!
Loved the voting feed back! Wha hoo! It worked!!!!

Be blessed!

Jen

No More Backbiting

Today's Encouraging Word 

click on the link above for the devotion

"Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32 (MSG)

Application Steps:

Read James 3:1-12. Ponder what James compares the tongue to in these verses. Consider if your tongue is a "restless evil, full of deadly poison." Determine today not to backbite anyone—no matter how aggravating. Decide to use your tongue for the encouragement of others and to praise our God.

Reflections:

In what situations do I most like to use my tongue in a negative manner?

Why do I backbite? Is it jealousy, bitterness, or a power struggle?

Power Verses:

Proverbs 21:23, "Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble." (NLT)

1 Peter 3:10, "For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.'" (NIV)

James 3:5, "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." (NIV

Even This...

 Today's devotion

So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.

And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." Genesis 50:21 (NIV)

Reflections:

Is worry or anxiety or fear gripping you? How can you stop hanging onto those feelings and let God's peace replace them?

Power Verses:

Hebrews 12:11, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (NIV)

Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)

Be Blessed!

Hope to see you all Thursday Night!

7 pm at Fills

(I am looking for one more Teenager to help

out with child care,

let me know if you know of anyone that is available this Thur at 7)

Becoming the Hands and Feet

Prov 31 Devotion Link

Philippians 2:3

(New International Version)

 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Application Steps:

Ask God to give you a heart consumed

with meeting the needs of others.

Reflections:

Would I be willing to make a personal

sacrifice for a total stranger?

 

Do I embrace opportunities that Jesus puts in

my path to be His hands and feet?

Power Verses:

Matthew 5:14

"You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden." (NIV)

Mark 12:31

"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV)

Homeless {Not} Abandoned

Todays devotion
{click on link above}

Isaiah 61:1-3 (New International Version)

The Year of the LORD's Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD

for the display of his splendor.

Mark 10:45 (New International Version)

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,

but to serve,

 and to give his life as a ransom for many."