Guest Study - Os Hillman

Baptism at the Red Sea

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Rom 6:4).

When Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, he took them to the edge of the Red Sea. The people saw the sea before them and heard the chariots of the Egyptians behind them. They knew they were trapped - and they lost their faith in God. They thought God was no longer at work in their lives. In panic and despair, they turned on Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out into the desert to die? When we were slaves in Egypt, didn't we tell you, 'Just leave us alone and let us continue serving the Egyptians.' Better to live as slaves than to die out here!"

They couldn't imagine that God's path to freedom actually led straight into and through the deep waters! The waters of the Red Sea, like the New Testament sacrament of baptism, are a symbol of death. When Moses parted the Red Sea, the people of Israel walked upon the dry seabed with walls of water on either side. They descended into the depths of the sea. They died to their old selves and rose to a new life that led to the Promised Land.

Like the people of Israel in their journey, we panic and cry out to God, "Did You bring me out into this desert of adversity to die?" We would rather live as slaves than die to self and yield control of our lives to God. But God takes us through the depths so that we can emerge as new people, ready to enter the Promised Land.

In general, I've observed that the greater and higher the calling, the more intense the adversity. I'm not saying one person's call is more important, but I am saying it may have a more far reaching impact on others. This often requires greater preparation.

If you find yourself in deep water, thank God today that He is preparing you for a life that is designed to impact many.

A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

Working Out

How much time do you spend exercising? How much time do you spend making excuses for not exercising, knowing that you need to, but just not being able to find the will (most of us say the time) to do it? Well the weather is beautiful and the days are getting longer. It really is the perfect time, high time to be honest with yourself and get out there and “just do it!” All that sounds so earnest, so right, and yet we, (I,) still put it off; again.

After having a surgery I was unable to exercise for about 6 months except for non-strenuous walking. Well this just about drove me to distraction and made me feel very old. Then slowly I fell into the habit of not being active; knowing I needed to do something, but quickly pushing that thought from my mind. The repercussions for this consistent choice didn’t show up right away. Quietly it accumulated till I ended up back at the Doctor with aches and pains, weight gain and low energy. HMMMM! I was honest with him, confessing my lack of exercising but reminding him I did have a valid excuse. He patiently explained that our bodies are made to find and keep a balance. Exercise is a big part of that. Leaving his office, I was struck by my attitude that was building a quick defense; rationalizing my laziness and actually blaming the Doctor for not understanding.

Paul talking to the believers in his letter to the Hebrews in chapter 6 verses 10-15 says it like this. “God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Abraham is our example of diligence in hearing God’s promise; diligence in walking in the hope; "waiting for the hope and in being in relationship continually with God throughout.”

Exercising can be a great thrill to begin even though it may be difficult to learn the machines or routines. It is a need that is answered by making a conscious decision and then following that up with active discipline. Within a short amount of time we begin to see a change for the better; more endurance, weight loss or at least loss of inches, etc. There are a few things necessary to continue to grow in health and maintain strength. It is necessary to eat right, work out with consistency and growing resistance in exercise and hydrate. We never really arrive at a place of optimum health where we can slack off. That’s why they call it discipline. We have to be active if we want to have a quality of life. No matter how young or old; this is a fact.

God gives us pictures in the natural to teach His deep spiritual truths. Even as Paul encourages the believers, “Hey, you have done well and we want you to continue - don’t grow lazy.” Everything in this world can be very distracting. Good times and bad times turn our attention and we forget to remember the things we already know. That is why it’s important to have examples to follow; those who have gone before and have finished the race well. Abraham is called the ‘friend of God.” Proverbs tells us that a friend is faithful; going on to say that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus is our friend and more. He is our Brother, our great High Priest; He is our Savior!

It is my fervent prayer that we would be faithful, steadfast, immovable, diligent, always abounding in the will and work of the Lord; following the examples in His Word we can finish this race well. After all isn’t the very definition of a disciple?

So today is the day - begin now or with me, begin again. Every part of our lives are His. With Caleb (our example from the Old Testament), let’s take the mountaintops for the Lord when we’re old. It’s time to get into shape.

His View with Kathy Priest

Facing Our Fear -- Run towards the Lion

My husband was one of the original Killer Whale trainers of Shamu in the early 70’s! There was a procedure that was adopted by the trainers who worked at Sea World. Actually it was the trainers of lions who figured this out. If a trainer fell off the whale’s back or was knocked off, usually he would quickly swim away as fast as he could to get back to the place of safety. Unfortunately, that would send a signal that caused the whale to think the trainer was prey and then the chase was on!

Before too long the trainers tried a different method. If it worked for lions then why not whales? It was amazing how just turning and swimming towards the killer whale was the key!

How many of us are so afraid and running from the enemy? Satan’s tool is to keep us in a place of fear so that we will not go forward. The Bible says in II Tim.1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.”

Jesus showed us how He handled fear in the garden of Gethsemane. Judas was leading the troops to take Jesus away. John 18:4 says, “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him went forward and said to them “Whom are you seeking?” Then in verse 6 it says, “now when He said to them “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”

The number one fear is public speaking. I believe one of the greatest tools we have is the ability to speak about Jesus to a dying world. The enemy wants us to be afraid of each other and keep us quiet. The Lord wants us to be bold as lions and walk forward in faith. When you walk by faith and believe what He says the enemy will flee! You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free! (John 8:32)

Believe what God says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:18) Jesus will give the ticket to get on the train at just the right time! Whatever you need is as much as you need to fulfill His purpose and His plan in your life! That’s His love. His Grace is sufficient.

A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

Getting Ready For Summer

When I was young I looked so forward to summer. Spending long, lazy days of sun and fun, doing whatever we could imagine. We would climb trees, build forts, have elaborate adventures in the fields, lay in the grass watching the clouds, catch lightning bugs, play hide and go seek and tag in the moonlight. There just seemed to be more time. The pace of life has sped up for everyone now. Children and parents alike are pressed for time to “get it all done.”
One woman put it this way. “Every morning I wake up I am tired before I get out of bed because I know that there is a mountain to climb again and I just don’t know how much longer I can do it. I never seem to make it to the top and if I do there is just another taller mountain behind that one.”

As candidates have shouted, "It’s time for change." Why not just get rebellious this summer? Instead of dreading the day, begin it with praise. “For this is the day that the Lord has made, let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps. 118:24) The Psalmist faced disappointment and challenge. But in all his needs he recognized and prayed to the One who was able to bring change.
This prayer warrior worshipped knowing from where his salvation came. “The Lord is my strength and song and He has become my salvation.” (Ps. 118:14) He remembered the Lord and rejoiced “You are my God, and I will praise You, You are my God, I will exalt You.” Ps. 118:28

Circumstances may have changed. Time is shorter now. Things move quickly and life is challenging. But this summer is the time we can take the mountaintops like deer skipping among the heights. Join me in this holy rebellion. Let’s begin this summer to praise the Lord in the morning and speak to Him in the day amidst all the circumstances asking for wisdom and obeying when He gives it – even if it seems too simple. Join me in taking time to look up into the sky and feel the sun on your face, listen for a bird singing, watch for children laughing. In fact be a part of the joy of this summer. Determine to make someone smile everyday and it will make your heart laugh.

You’ll feel like a kid again and time will multiply because you will be doing the most important things done. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Ps. 118:29

His View with Kathy Priest

What's in Your Cup?

Imagine your body as a cup. Some are big, some are small, some are cracked, some have great designs with lots of color and flare! We women love to talk about our cups. We love to talk about your cups. We wonder if she has had any work done on those cups!

The purpose of a cup is to hold or carry the contents poured into it! How true that is for each one of us. Just like a cup we must clean it before using it. Sin contaminates the contents in the cup! The bible says if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) Just like a cup we get dirty every day and so we need to wash in the Word!

Next, fill it up! What do you fill your cup with? Is it TV, magazines, or perhaps gossip? Well, whatever you put in, will come out. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks! I like the NIV translation when it says “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks! (Matt.12:34b) That’s right! We get filled up to overflow and that’s when we spill on other people. Pastor Ray likes to say “we leak”. Every day we leak and that’s why we need a constant refilling of the Holy Spirit!

You never really know what’s in that cup until it gets bumped. Every day you will have an opportunity for your cup to get bumped. Life is like that. I read a bumper sticker that said life is the class and love is the lesson! What is your reaction to a driver who just cuts you off? Do you lose your patience with the kids? Austin was only 3 when he said “Mommy let’s pray for your temperature”! That’s what was in my cup!

Do you curse? Sometimes fear can cause you to forget how a Christian should talk. My first day in Africa I was charged by a lion, almost stepped on a snake, and put my hand next to a scorpion! I thought I had totally lost my witness with what came out of my mouth! That’s what was in my heart! Then the Lord gave me this verse I shall never forget in Psalms 91:11-14, “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you and in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and serpent because He loves me, says the Lord.” I will rescue Kathy! That’s good news! That’s why we need Jesus Our Savior!

In Gal.5:22 it says that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control! Remember you are a treasure and carry the gift of life in your cup! Jesus lives and speaks through you! We must never forget that what we carry is like oxygen to a dying world. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.“(IICor.4:7) NIV The days are short and we must be ready to offer all who come in contact with us clean pure water. “Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come and whoever wishes let him take the free gift of the water of life!” (Rev.22:17)