The Rock

Daily Bible Verse (ESV) — Acts 16:31

And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

January 6, 2009 @ 12:01 am (CST)

Daylights: A Daily Devotional for Great Commission Christians — Wait For His Counsel! - Tuesday January 06, 2009

They quickly forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel. Psalm 106:13

God delights in giving us counsel. I believe this counsel includes the many decisions that we have to make where there is no clear guidance from the Scriptures. But one thing is necessary to receive God's counsel-willingness to wait. In 1 Samuel 13:8-10 we read the story of Saul becoming impatient as he waited for Samuel to show up and give God's counsel. He rushed his actions to disastrous consequences. Had he only waited a little longer, Samuel would have been there. But Saul felt the need to move quickly. Waiting is God's testing period to see if we are willing to hear from Him and how much we value His counsel. When I went to Berlin, I sold my pickup truck. When I returned to the U.S., I needed something for hauling stuff. Eventually, I went to an auction to buy an old pickup truck. While there I ran into an 83-year-old farmer. I told him about my situation. He said, "You don't need that old truck. I think you need a trailer." I was struck by the wisdom of that advice and a few weeks later bought a new trailer instead of an old truck. Since then I have found out that the trailer works better for my needs than a truck for hauling stuff and is a lot less costly. I don't have to put gas in it or fix it. It needs no maintenance, license or title. It was God's counsel through that farmer that gave me wisdom. If I had rushed out to buy an old truck, I would have a lot of entanglements on my hands that I don't need. So God provided for my needs in a way I never thought of and with a much better solution. He loves to give us counsel as we wait for him.

Dave Lennander
Cedarcreek Community Church

One Year Reading Plan: Genesis 13:5-15:21; Matthew 5:27-48; Psalms 6:1-10; Proverbs 1:29-33
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by Dave Lennander — January 5, 2009 @ 9:00 pm (CST)

Daily Bible Verse (ESV) — Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

January 5, 2009 @ 12:01 am (CST)

Daylights: A Daily Devotional for Great Commission Christians — Be a Bigger Woman - Monday January 05, 2009

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. Proverbs 31:20 NIV

My title is not talking about gaining weight. But as I encouraged the men yesterday, I would encourage women to also increase their "circle of concern" beyond their family. The Proverbs 31 woman was caring very well for her family, providing food (v. 15), tending a vineyard (v. 16), and making clothes for them and to sell (vs. 19, 24). And in the midst of all this, we read she also extended herself "to the needy." How did she do all that? First, she understood that God's expectation for her life was being a blessing to more than just her family. Subsequently, she trusted God for the strength and grace to love her family, and for the strength that would allow her to love others too. She knew that those who lose their life are the ones who find the abundant life God intended (Matthew 16:25). This lady did not wait until her children had left the home to serve others, but made her home a place where ministry was a part of life, and where her children learned along the way that this is how God intended life to be. Again, we can set our sights on being a nice "Christian" family, or else being "a wife of noble character" (v. 1) who elicits the praise of her husband and children (v. 28) partly because she serves more than just them. Seek God on being fully faithful to your family, but having additional opportunity, time, desire, and strength for ministry to others. Do not be consumed, overwhelmed, or content with merely a happy husband and children, but extend your "hands to the needy" as well.

Kurt Jurgensmeier
New Life Community Church

One Year Reading Plan: Genesis 11:1-13:4; Matthew 5:1-26; Psalms 5:1-12; Proverbs 1:24-28
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by Kurt Jurgensmeier — January 4, 2009 @ 9:00 pm (CST)

Stonebrook News — CHURCH CANCELLED JANUARY 4TH

Due to icy streets and parking lots, all church services for today have been cancelled.

January 4, 2009 @ 5:06 am (CST)