Change and 2009
None of us knows what 2009 will hold.
For some it is the hope of a new beginning with a new president who
ran on the promise of change. For
others it is a fear of the unsettled economic and political times in which
we live. This fear is real
with the economic slow down affecting us all.
If we glance to the side we see the human misery and suffering in
Israel, Gaza, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Korea, China, Sudan, India and the
list goes on. Corruption,
fraud, and greed are at all levels of our society with no shame or fear of
repercussion. Immoral lifestyles are the accepted norm and our society’s
perceptions of right and wrong are twisted beyond recognition.
In the midst of this darkness is a light and
that light is Jesus Christ. Jesus
said, “I am the light of the world.
He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of
life.”
(John 8: 12) As Christians we
do not need to fear the darkness or despair at the depravity of humanity.
We are effected by the world in which we live, it causes us much
grief and sorrow, but we also see the light of Jesus moving among us
showing us the way.
A new president will bring change, new ideas,
and a different perspective to government. But only Jesus can offer real
and life-altering change.
II Corinthians 5:17 says “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
The greatest evidence of the inspiration of scripture is when the
alcoholic becomes sober, the immoral pure, the addicted free, the profane
reverent, the fearful courageous and the rude kind.
“The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of
anyone who believes.” (Romans
1:16) This is real change and this is kingdom work.
Will there be change in 2009?
You bet there will be! Will you join me with the Psalmist in his
declaration of hope? “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will
remember the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalms
20:7)
By
Pat Hertzler
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Work
Week
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Monday Wash
Day
Lord,
help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with
perfect humility
through the week ahead.
Tuesday Ironing Day
Dear
Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected
through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.
Wednesday Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set
a bad example for others.
Thursday Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many
faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.
Friday Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I
may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.
Saturday Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of
brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.
Sunday
The
Lord's Day
O
God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may
spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us
to do."
Ephesians 2:1
Submitted
by Wanda Starke
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