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Wednesday, March 6, 2024 |
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Scripture: Psalm 90:17 (NIV) - "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands." Message: The dilemma of our lives - we're tainted by sin, we're in danger of living and dying without making a noticeable impact, our lives are potentially meaningless - is resolved when our lives join God's life. That's why Moses asked God to establish the work of our hands. Jesus mirrored His Father in the best way - through service, and by giving Himself away. He did this constantly, and was exalted above every name. Two effective characteristics we can have, in living a life in which we give ourselves away, are courage and confidence. Both are evident in this story: A skinny guy carrying a big axe showed up at a Canadian lumber camp to answer an advertisement for a lumberjack. The boss looked at the man, said he didn't think he could handle the job, and told him to leave. "Just give me a chance to show you what I can do," the little guy pleaded. "OK," said the boss. "See that giant redwood over there? Go cut it down." In five minutes, the man was back at the boss's desk. "OK, I cut your tree down," he said. The boss looked out to where the big redwood had stood for generations, and couldn't believe his eyes. "Where did you get the ability to chop down trees like that?" he asked. "In the Sahara Forest," the man said. "You mean the Sahara Desert," the boss said. "Oh, sure," said the little guy. "That's what they call it now." We need more confidence like that as Christians confidence, and the courage to persist and be faithful to a just cause. Sometimes our lives don't seem to have much meaning. But despair and desperation will give way to perspective when we reflect God by giving ourselves away. We can do this because Jesus did it. He served us, and He gave His life for us. Because He did, we can live our lives in His image, lives filled with love and genuine meaning. Through Jesus Christ, we can give ourselves away. Prayer: Father God, we offer our lives to You. Make us worthy of living them. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen. Charles Row |
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Wednesday, March 1, 2023 |
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Scripture: Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) - "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Message: Much of southwest Florida suffered devastation in September 2022 by Hurricane Ian, which caused many deaths, leveled homes and businesses, flooded vast areas distant from the seashore, and resulted in billions of dollars' worth of property losses. Although most of us were fortunate to escape damage or injury in the hurricane, suffering, of one kind or another, ultimately affects all our lives. Mention suffering, and we tend to think of physical suffering caused by injury or illness. But there are also other kinds of suffering - the mental and emotional pain resulting from worry, fear, loneliness, difficulties, hardships, even guilt and shame. Suffering is abundantly real. Sooner or later, all of us will experience it. Christians aren't immune. Some suffering, physical or otherwise, can be unfair or undeserved. Think of the innocent airline passengers who lost their lives on 9/11 and their families. Surely they endured extreme mental and emotional suffering. Think of the millions of children in third-world countries suffering from starvation and poor medical care. Think of folks in our own church who are suffering from serious or fatal illnesses. Why does God permit such suffering? In a world full of God's grace and goodness and of which He is in control, it's possible that God allows suffering in our lives as a way of focusing us on His grace and goodness and on the blessings we too often take for granted. Although God doesn't create suffering, He allows it. He uses our suffering to change us, to strengthen and fortify us, to give us courage and faith. He uses suffering to develop our character and patience. No, God doesn't cause suffering in our lives. But He does use suffering to teach us about patience and hope, which helps us develop character, strength of spirit, and tolerance. He also uses suffering to deepen our faith. Prayer: Father, help us to remember Jesus Christ's own suffering, including His agonizing death on the cross, far exceeded anything you and I might ever be asked to endure. And He did that suffering for you and for me. Amen. Charles Row |
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Friday, April 9, 2021 |
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Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV Study Bible) - "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" Message: The Apostle Peter's first letter was written to a group of exiles being subjected to mistreatment and persecution. Peter says they must endure this suffering, reminding them that Jesus, too, had suffered. As Jesus withstood his tormentors through patience and holiness. the exiles too can endure trouble and danger in order to receive, as Jesus did, glory from God. They must be obedient, Peter says, must love and help one another, work and pray together, and be holy in all their actions. In so doing, the strength of God through Christ will be with them. The dictionary defines "holy" as "sacred; commanding absolute devotion; spiritually pure." Synonyms include: "Godly, hallowed, blessed, religious". But simply being religious doesn't make a person holy. In Exodus 15:11 (NIV Study Bible) we read, "Who is like thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, majestic in holiness, terrible in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" Clearly, holiness is a divine attribute. I once heard a speaker, who probably thought he was being funny, say: "My objection to most preachers is that they try to be so holy." His audience didn't find that very amusing. Think about that - his contention that a preacher attempts to be holy. In accordance with Christ's command, we must seek holiness, yes, in the sense that a Christian must strive, always, to be more Godlike, but not through what this speaker was implying, which seemed to mean holier-than-thou conduct. Since holiness is a divine attribute, we can say that holiness in man is a desire to be like God, as a result of being with God. It's conformity to His nature, divine will and direction. "Holiness," one writer has said, "is my walk with God. It is the effect of God's presence on my life and my lifestyle. It produces a standard of moral excellence, moral behavior, and moral sensitivity." Although we will never be wholly holy, let us remember that Jesus, who was, commanded us: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16b NIV Study Bible). Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that holiness is my walk with God. Amen. Charles Row |
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Friday, March 6, 2020 Contentment - 1 |
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Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV Study Bible) – “I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Message: Some 40 years ago I attended a United Methodist conference in Lakeland, Florida. One of the featured speakers was Minnie Pearl, the lovable star of radio and early television. On stage, she always told jokes and funny stories, but she was actually an outstanding Methodist laywoman who delivered speeches that were highly inspirational as well as humorous. That day, Minnie Pearl was discussing her make-believe family that was always part of her act. She said a friend had recently asked about her brother. She replied, “I told her, Brother is doing just fine.” The friend said, “I know he's middle-aged and has worked for a long time at some kind of minimum-wage job. Is he happy at what he's doing?” “Oh, he sure is,” Minnie Pearl replied. “You see, Brother started at the bottom and he likes it there.” Minnie Pearl's brother was content with his life. Contentment means self-sufficiency, whatever the circumstances. It doesn't mean we should never seek to improve our position or our condition. It doesn't mean being resigned to an emotionless acceptance of a present situation. But it can explain, for example, why we can face a serious financial crisis, or health crisis and still have joy in Jesus Christ. Christ strengthens us by satisfying us. As Paul said, whether we have much or little doesn’t matter. We’re satisfied. We’re content in Christ. Prayer: Lord Jesus, especially in this blessed Lenten Season, help us to have contentment in our hearts, no matter what circumstances life may bring. Amen. Charles Row |
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Thursday, May 7, 2020 - "The Connection" Series |
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Scripture: John 14:1-3 (NIV Study Bible) - “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am.” Message: On one of our Alaska cruises, my wife and I stood on the deck looking up at the jagged face of the Columbia Glacier. We watched crew members in a small boat maneuver among chunks of ice that had broken off the glacier, until they came to one just the right size and right shade of blue. Winched aboard the ship, that ice was transformed by a skilled carver into a beautiful swan that became the centerpiece of the midnight buffet. An officer told us the ice was 1,000 years old. Ancient snows fell in those coastal mountains, and countless decades of successive snowfalls compressed ever-deeper into the glacial basin and became solid ice; then that great frozen river crept 50 miles down the mountain valley and reached the sea; finally, that little blue iceberg sheared off into Prince William Sound. The entire process took a thousand years. Think of it – that evolution from snowflakes to exquisite swan was underway for half of all the time since Jesus Christ walked the earth. Yet this was only one heartbeat, the blink of an eye, in God’s time. I really can’t conceive of eternity. But I believe that the God who knows each of us intimately, and who loves us as His children, wouldn’t want us to have such a short span of time on earth, only to disappear into oblivion. Jesus’ words, “I am going there to prepare a place for you,” mean that life after mortal death is to be found only through Him. He will come again, He promised, and take us to be with Him in that place He has prepared, for eternity. Prayer: Dear Lord, we are thankful that You are always faithful, and that You always fulfill Your promises to us. Whatever life brings, we are confident You will be faithful to the end of our earthly days, and throughout the eternal life that follows. Amen. Charles Row |
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Thursday, June 18, 2020 - "The Connection" Series Contentment - 2 |
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Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV) - “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Message: At 52 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I extensively researched the condition and treatment options, but didn’t want anyone other than my wife to know, not even our children. Stupid. After 8 weeks Anne was at her wits’ end; I reluctantly agreed and she spoke with a good friend at the church we attended. Within minutes people were praying for me. During the day the burden lifted and my mental wellbeing improved; at that time I was not aware that others were praying for me. Soon people in many countries were praying, some I knew, most I did not. This was the first time I experienced the power of other people’s prayers; it was a life changing event. On the morning of surgery I felt a peace that I had never known before and knew I was in the arms of Jesus – I was truly content and spiritually healed. Later I was asked to give my testimony on the power of prayer at the Celebration service. Two weeks before, Pastor Pik told me his sermon subject was contentment, based on the scripture in Philippians. The weekend before my testimony I was with my mother in the UK. I had not told her about my testimony and during our conversion she said, out of the blue: “I only pray for two things for myself: 1) that I am content in all that life throws at me; and 2) I never lose my sense of humor.” Wow! God was talking to me through my mother! Through my prostate cancer experience I learned to hand off my burdens to Jesus which brings contentment and inner peace. Let Him do the same for you. Prayer: Father help us to understand your meaning of contentment; and through the power of prayer to know we can be spiritually healed which is crucial to our wellbeing. Amen. Charles Row |
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Monday, November 9, 2020 - "The Connection" Series |
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Scriptures: Philippians 2:3-5 (CSB) - “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but to the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,” John 10:10 (CSB) – “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” Message: There’s a wonderful little story that emphasizes the importance of having a confident, optimistic attitude toward life, no matter what our circumstances are. It’s about a woman who looked in the mirror one morning and saw that she had only three hairs left on her head. She smiled and said, “Well, I think I’ll braid my hair today.” So she did, and she went out and had a wonderful day with her friends. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmmm,” she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.” So she did, and she had another great day with friends and family. The following day she noticed that she had only one hair on her head. “OK,” she said, “today I’m going to wear my hair in a ponytail.” And she did, and she had a fun, fun day. The next day, looking in the mirror, she saw that there wasn’t a single hair left on her head. “Yay!” she exclaimed. “I don’t have to fix my hair today!” Attitude is everything, and this lady clearly had a wonderfully, confident attitude toward life. Jesus had great respect for life. He relished life, rejoiced in it its rewards. Describing His own purpose in living, Christ said in John 10:10 (CSB), “I have come so that the, exulted in its privileges, enjoyed its satisfactions, respected its mysteries, and coveted its rewards. Describing His own purpose in living, Christ said in John 10:10, “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” Jesus always had a confident attitude toward life. And so should we. Prayer: Father, help us remember that a contented, controlled, and productive life can be ours if we will just maintain the attitude of faith that can produce it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Charles Row |
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Friday, December 4, 2020 |
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Scriptures: 1 John 2:9-11 (NIV Study Bible) - "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him." Message: One of my saddest memories about the last few months of this year – including the recent political campaigns – is how much hate was evident on every side. People didn't just disagree with a candidate's policies – they actually hated him or her personally. Health authorities establishing rules of conduct during the coronavirus pandemic were targets of hatred. Hatred was directed at candidates for publically admitting a Christian faith. We're all guilty of expressing hate at times, usually in casual conversation that doesn't convey a serious emotion: "I hate oysters." "Don't you hate it when they put up Christmas decorations even before Halloween?" But real hate can severely impact us as followers of Jesus. It can poison our relationship with people around us. As we've seen recently, it can even promote violence. No medicine can cure hatred. In several places, interestingly, the Bible advises us to hate. Proverbs 8:13 says, "To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." And in Romans 12:9: "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." So there are times when it's right to hate and times when it's wrong. "Love came down at Christmas," the hymn goes. Advent is a time to put any wrong hatred behind us, and to remember that God sent His son that we might learn to love each other. Remember – if there is something we feel we really hate, we must give that to God to settle. Our life, like His love, is a gift from Him. "Love was born at Christmas,"1 the hymn goes. Be grateful for that love, and be content. Prayer: Heavenly Father, let us never hate anyone or anything, except evil, pride and arrogance. Keep our hearts on You, and on all the gifts You've given us, including the greatest gift of all, Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen. Charles Row 1. “Love Came Down at Christmas” by Christina G. Rossetti. 1885. UMC Hymnal 242. Public Domain. |
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Wednesday, April 10, 2019 |
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Scripture: Matthew 10:42 (NIV) - "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." Message: I recall a touching story about a young woman who was backpacking in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Rounding a turn in the trail, she met another woman who was hobbling painfully, almost stumbling, on the path. On one of her feet, this woman wore a crude shoe she had improvised out of a bundle of green twigs and bound to her foot with a tattered strip of cloth. When the backpacker asked her about it, the second woman said, "Oh, I lost one of my boots while crossing a stream and had to have something to replace it. I'm hoping to get down the mountain before dark." The first hiker opened her backpack, pulled out a sport sandal and handed it to the other woman. "Put this on," she said. "You can mail it to me when you get home." The second woman's eyes filled with tears as she gratefully put on the sandal and headed down the trail. A few days later the sandal's owner received it in the mail together with a note that read, "I passed several people that day who noticed my predicament, but you are the only one who stopped and offered me some help. It made all the difference. Thank you so much for sharing your sandal with me!" Love, the Bible says, can be seen and touched. It's tangible. It may be as big as the Good Samaritan's care for the badly injured man on the road to Jericho, or as small as a cup of cold water given in Jesus' name. In any case, real love takes action. Prayer: Gracious Heavenly Father, on the trail of life today, when we meet a person hobbling, teach us to offer a sandal in love. Amen. Charles Row |
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Wednesday, December 11, 2019 |
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Scripture: Proverbs 28:13 (NIV Study Bible) - "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Message: When working in New York City in 1960-61, I commuted by bus from New Jersey. I seldom drove in Manhattan, yet learned that repeated snows and freezes cause major potholes. When spring thaw comes, paving potholes starts, and people take their cars in for wheel alignment. Mistakes, sins and mediocre achievements are the potholes of our lives. They can throw our lives out of alignment with God's purposes. We've all hit these potholes. We see something coming, but don't act in time to keep our lives in alignment with the Lord. How do we get our lives back in alignment? Proverbs 28:13 says: " but whoever confesses and renounces them [their sins] finds mercy." When we pray and confess our wrongdoing, we're agreeing with God that our life is out of alignment with His purposes, which He already knows. This agreement opens up and restores our relationship with God, and He can bless our life again. Confession is required for what it does for us and is the first step in re-aligning our lives. That second verb in the Proverbs verse, "renounces," means to forsake, to give it up. Whatever caused you to hit that pothole, you're going to give up, and you're going to go out of your way to miss it the next time. You're going to turn your life around and say, "Lord, I want to be in alignment with You, to walk every step of the way with You, with Your purpose in every step." Developing the self-discipline to accomplish what God requires is necessary to start over. Prayer: Dear God, we've often messed up in our lives and stumbled into potholes. Help us to remember that through You, by confessing and renouncing, we can begin again. Amen. Charles Row |
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Scripture: James 5:7-9 (NIV) – “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” Message: I don’t know about you, but I’m the kind of person who needs to be reminded about certain things from time to time. I’m not basically forgetful, or on the verge of dementia. But some subjects, actions, and thoughts deserve re-emphasis. This also applies to our Christian faith and behavior. We need a few reminders if we are to live in true fellowship with Jesus. One of these concerns patience. We live in an age of “me-ism”, when people not only desire instant gratification but almost feel they deserve it. We don’t like waiting in line at a restaurant or standing in line to buy movie tickets. We don’t wait for today’s news in tomorrow’s newspaper; we want it now—on the internet or on our iPhone. We get angry waiting in stalled traffic. This constant desire for self-gratification can prove nerve-wracking and irritating. Its opposite—patience—is more peaceful. Patience makes us more appreciative. And most important, patience is pleasing to God. God Himself is patient. He waits patiently for all His people to repent, to turn from their errant ways, and to come to Him with open hearts. He has opened the door to salvation for us all. Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for being patient with us. Keep us, too, patient when we grow impatient. Keep us calm. Make us peaceful. Amen. Charles Row |
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Friday, December 7, 2018 |
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Scripture: Psalm 139:13-14a (NIV) - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Message: "I heard maybe you could help me," the young girl, clearly afraid, told the nurse at the door of the homeless shelter. "Could you let me have something to eat? I don't have to stay." "No, please come in," the nurse answered. "We have plenty of food. We're glad you're here." After some hot soup and a sandwich, the girl opened up. Only sixteen, her parents had abandoned her. "Where did you come from?" the nurse asked. "I used to be from somewhere," the girl said tearfully. "But I'm not from anywhere anymore." How would you answer this question? Some of us would say we came from a loving Christian family. Others would say we came from Alabama or Georgia. In a more spiritual sense, where did your life originate? The answer is that your life and all life - originated with God. He values all life, and we are all precious to Him. Since Jesus is God, we can truly say that Jesus is the Creator of the Earth, the heavens, and everything else that's in the universe- including you and me. The next time someone asks where you came from, simply say with confidence, "I came from Jesus." Prayer: Dear God, thank you that we can know where we came from. Thank you that you have known each of us since before time began, that we were made not by accident but by a miracle, and that your purpose is to have the fullness of your Son, Jesus Christ, dwell in each of us. Amen. Charles Row |
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Wednesday, March 15, 2017 |
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Scripture: Luke 7:24-27 (NIV) – “After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’” Message: In essence, Christ is saying, “if you want to see a real man, look at John the Baptist. Because of all the men born of women, there’s never been a greater one than John.” What is a “real man”? Is it a 287-pound right tackle whose pounded every week, but still manages to sack the quarterback now and then? Is it a 7-foot center who earns 23 million dollars for playing games with a round ball for a few months out of the year? Is it the western hero who sits a horse well, loves the local schoolmarm, and outdraws the villain in a showdown on Main Street? Or is it a minister of God who, despite cultural pressures, adheres resolutely to Biblical truths and Christian principles? John the Baptist had six characteristics that I think define him, in Jesus’ eyes, as a real man: simplicity, sincerity, conviction, courage, vision, and vulnerability. Today’s “real man” may have most of those, but he’s not supposed to be vulnerable. If he is vulnerable, his masculinity is questioned. John’s vulnerability showed in his honesty and his humility. He understood who he was in relation to Jesus, and he was honest enough to admit it. John was also a Prophet, as Jesus said. A prophet was called a seer – a person with vision. John had been given the perspective of God Himself. A seer is a person who can see over the horizon, who’s whose more concerned about long-term consequences than about quick fixes. Such a person can see past the looking good and the feeling good and concentrate on the real issues that determine whether we are good or evil. This was the vision of John the Baptist, and it must be the vision of anyone today who claims to be a “real man” – or a “real woman.” Prayer: Father, give us the courage, wisdom and determination to be real men and real women in Your sight. Give us the vision to see clearly the kind of life You would have us lead, and then give us the determination to lead it. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Charles Row |
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Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Giving Thanks |
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Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Message: Especially at Christmastime, small children are inundated with so many gifts that they can fail to seem appreciative. Adults, too, can appear similarly ungrateful for the blessings God bestows on us each day. A Post Office received a letter one day addressed simply to "God." A clerk opened it and read, "Dear God, my name is Jimmy I'm nine years old. My Daddy left us, and my Mom is sick and having a hard time raising me and my sister. Please send us $500." The postal employee and his fellow workers, touched by Jimmy's plight, kicked in a few dollars and got some friends to do so, too. They raised $300, which they sent to the family. A week later, another letter addressed to "God" arrived. Now, Jimmy wrote: "Dear God, Thank you for the $300. But next time, please deliver the money directly to our house. If you send it through the Post Office, they deduct $200." Jimmy was properly thankful for what he and his family had received, but he qualified his thanks with a complaint. His gratitude wasn't wholehearted. Our daily thanks to God should be as constant, as unqualified, as much of a habit, as our reception of His blessings and His mercies is constant. Our gratitude should be as ardent and sincere as the number of His blessings is great. Our thankfulness should be as prayerful and devout as the riches of God's divine grace and goodness are incomprehensible. Prayer: Dear God, as we approach the celebration of Your Son's birth, give us meek and thankful hearts each day for Your limitless gifts of love and mercy. In Christ's name we pray. Amen. Charles Row |
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Friday, February 26, 2016 |
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Copyright Issue - Devotional cannot be viewed at this time Charles Row |
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Wednesday, November 30, 2016 |
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Scripture: Romans 5:1-5 - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand ... And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." Message: In your life do you make wishes, ones that might come true as well as ones that are unattainable? Or do you place your hope in someone else? Each of us should analyze our life from that standpoint, because one of those paths can lead to disappointment and failure, while the other can lead to Jesus Christ. There are real differences between those words, wish and hope. Wishing is rooted in children's stories and make believe, while hoping is rooted in the life, death and resurrection of a real live person who came to Earth at Christmas. A wish is a flickering light in the darkness, but hope brings a floodlight to banish the darkness. A wish may lift our burdens briefly, but hope brings a positive view of problems and trials. Wishing looks for a fairytale ending to our pain and suffering, while hope brings peace in the midst of the suffering. Hope isn't wishful thinking. Hope isn't something you can give yourself, something a person can produce on demand. Hope isn't yearning, or cheerful optimism. Real hope doesn't rest in money, in people, in preachers, in our families. True hope is centered in the person of Jesus Christ. His entire life His message, His atonement for the world's sins, and His resurrection - is the real basis of hope, hope that is healing and fulfilling and everlasting. Prayer: Father God, show us the irrationality of wishful thinking, the futility of wishing on a star. Rid our hearts of desire for things that are unattainable. In this Advent season, help us to remember that authentic hope, which brings peace and healing, is centered in the person of Jesus Christ. Amen Charles Row |
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Tuesday September 15, 2020 - "The Connection" Series & Friday, February 26, 2015 |
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Scripture: John 16:33 (NIV) - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Message: Speaking to His disciples in this Scripture verse, Jesus affirms His final victory just before His death. Earlier in His discussion with them, in which He predicted His betrayal and execution, they had been puzzled and kept asking in John 16:18 (NIV) – “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” But after His patient explanation, the disciples told Him in John 16:30 (NIV) – “Now we can see that You know all things and that You do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that You came from God.” These words of Jesus are simple, but they are fundamental to our faith. In a world where everyone, including Christians, is sure to encounter trials and problems and defeats, Christ’s final words to His followers in John 16:33 (NIV) – “…in me you may have peace….But take heart! I have overcome the world”; have always brought me reassurance, comfort, hope, and renewed confidence in the future. Prayer: Heavenly Father, we don’t ask to be delivered from all cares and burdens in life, but we do pray for courage, wisdom and total faith in Your promises. As You have led men and women in the past through darkness to light, through despair to hope, through tragedy to triumph, help us to place our confidence in You, sure that as always, You will guide us and watch over our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Charles Row |
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Good Friday, April 18. 2014 & Wednesday, August 26, 2020 - "The Connection" Series |
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Scripture: Luke 23:39-43 (NIV Study Bible) - “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him. ‘Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don't you fear God’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Message: Of all the Seven Last Words of Jesus, perhaps none is more reassuring than this: “Today you will be with me in paradise” – a message of pardon addressed to a common outlaw. Here was Jesus, forsaken and betrayed, jeered, wounded, crowned with piercing thorns, suffering in his barbaric execution, His life ebbing away. Who could have believed that this was the Son of God, the Savior of the World? Yet in the gloom of Good Friday, one man believed, even as he faced death. ‘Jesus,’ he said, ‘remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And as He was dying Jesus answered, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’ The prayer of this criminal can be our own, if we come to God with repentance and with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We don't have to wait for Christ's forgiveness. We can turn to Him, this very day. Prayer: Lord, Thank You that the assurance You gave the criminal on the cross also covers me. Amen.
Charles Row |
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Tuesday February 2, 2021 & Tuesday February 2, 2021 |
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Scripture: 1 John 4:7-9 (NIV Study Bible) - “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whosoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through Him.” Message: God is determined to love us. Otherwise, none of us would have become a Christian. God had something in mind when He called us. Then He began to work in our lives. We began to experience a love relationship with God, a relationship in which He took the initiative. He began to open our understanding. He drew us to Himself. When we responded to His invitation, He brought us into that love relationship with Himself. We would never know that love, or be in the presence of it, or even be aware of it, if God hadn’t taken the initiative. Love between human beings, or between humans and God, must be real and personal. A person can’t love without “someone” to love. Remember that a love relationship with God takes place between two real beings. A relationship with God is real and personal. This has always been His desire, and all His efforts are expended to bring His desire to reality. If you can’t think of a time when your relationship with God has been real and personal, spend some time evaluating that relationship. Go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to reveal His true nature to you. Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me always to be in fellowship with You, so that our relationship will be as it ought to be. Show me how to love You with all my heart, and to make that love a priority in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Charles Row |
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