rybehills

Psalm 51

JoAnna King – Jr. High

I was at Lake Dillon last week with my family and my three youngest decided to skip rocks and play in the sand on the shore, a fabulous thing to do.  Gabriella, now 9 years old, had only brought her tennis shoes and wanted to borrow my flip-flops to go play on the beach.  I gave them to her and the three promptly began their digging, wading, and rock-skipping fun.  When it was time to go in, Gabriella realized her feet and my sandals were covered in sand.  She tried to wash them clean, but after exiting the water of the lake, they just became sand-coated again as she walked back.  Coming up to me, she gave me that sad, “poor and helpless” look and said, “I can’t get them clean.”

As I read Psalm 51, I am struck by our helplessness to wash ourselves.  Only God can clean us from the dirt of our sin.  Whenever we try, no matter how sincere the effort, we are still covered in sin as we stand before God.  It takes a childlike attitude of “I need you” towards our Heavenly Father, only He has the power to effectively wash us.

I like that Gabriella noticed the sand and dirt and wanted them to go away, and I sure want my children (and my flip-flops) to be clean.  My prayer today is that God would give me the wisdom to notice my sin, and the humility to ask for His washing.

Matthew 6:25-34

Kendal Hommes – Sr. High Pastor

This passage of scripture comes right after the Lord’s Prayer in the Bible, it’s almost like Jesus teaches people how to pray and then, as usual he has to start unpacking it for them.  This section is about worry, specifically worrying about having enough food and clothing.   When I was reading these verses this week I realized how much I live my life out of this kind of thinking.  I’m not much of a worrier, sometimes I “Sweat the small stuff” but big life, overarching things I’m not very concerned with.   I think it’s just that I realize that we only have so much control.  When we have hard things in our life, most of the time they are outside of our control so worrying about them really isn’t going to do much good.  God is going to help us and take care of us in his perfect way even in what sometimes seems like a messed up situation to us.

I’ve never had to go without food, clothes, shelter, transportation, shoot even all the extras in life, I’m incredibly blessed and I thank God for that every day and realize that it’s really not because of anything I’ve done but the way that God has blessed me.   But, here is where the balance of life that we see over and over in the Bible comes into play.   I trust God to provide for me and to meet my needs and bless me, but I also have to have a job, work hard, budget well, provide for my family, etc.   I can’t just sit at home all day hoping that good things will fall into my lap, (God might allow that to happen, but probably not)  Therefore, if I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing and I trust that God is going to do what he’s supposed to be doing all my worrying is for nothing.

As a sometimes sarcastic guy I love what Jesus says in verse 27.  “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life”  Obviously this is said tongue in cheek we all know that worrying and stressing will actually shorten your life not make it longer.    Jesus says do not worry.  Period, end of story.  Don’t think about next week, next year, only think about what you’re doing today and what Jesus has planned for you today, it will be difficult enough without having to have to worry about all those future days.

Some of us might find ourselves in times where we don’t have enough food, enough clothes, shelter, or other necessities.  I believe it is at that point where the Lord’s Prayer shows me (someone who has more than enough) that I’m supposed to be part of someone’s provision.  The words give us OUR daily bread implies that I’m not just praying for my daily bread but for the people around me as well.    Try something this week, when you are tempted to worry about your life think about how you can be a blessing to someone else’s life.  It just might change your whole attitude on worry.

Matthew 10:29-31

Kristy McGovern – Connections Coordinator

Have you ever tried to count the number of hairs on your head? My youngest CJ tried but gave up after the 1^st handful.  We laugh about it whenever hair falls out because it is a reminder that God is counting.

Lord! You know the number of hairs on my head!  This is a statement, a fact.  Every time I think about that it blows me away.  Not only does He know the number of hairs on my head but He knows the number of hairs on every bodies head.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau that is over 7,000,000,000…7 billion heads of hair!  Seven billion on the earth today but what about all those that have come before and after today…He knows.  It is inconceivable.

This inconceivable truth tells me how much our God loves us and how powerful He is.  I know I love my children with all that I am but there is no way I will ever know how many hairs are on their heads.  I will never know ALL their needs before they show me, speak it or cry out.  God knows.

I am so thankful I can come to God with my daily needs.  I am even more thankful that God knows my needs before I do and better than I do.  I am thankful that His Word tells me who I am and how important I am to Him.

As I was contemplating these scriptures the song “Remind Me Who I Am” came on the radio.  I loved being washed over by words that reminded me I matter and I am BELOVED.  Here is the link to the video.  I hope you have a chance to listen and the words wash over you as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSIVjjY8Ou8&noredirect=1

Psalm 34:1-10

Becca Sharpe – Sr. High

Being from the South I love country music.  When I was growing up one of my favorite songs was Garth Brooks “Unanswered Prayers”.  The chorus was my favorite and I used to sing it to the top of my lungs. (for those that know me, I know this is no surprise to you!)  “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers…  Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs…  That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care… Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.”  It was not until I was older that I realized that song has no truth to it whatsoever.  There is not a prayer that God does not answer.  Verse 4 states, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me…”  As a staff we have been challenged to pray BOLD and pray BIG!  I have loved this challenge because let me tell you I am definitely rising to the occasion.  I love asking for BIG things and I know God will answer my requests.  Obviously we love when he answers the way we want him to answer, but I also am learning through faith that I am okay with the no or the not yet answers that he provides for me as well.  I challenge you to ask the Lord to give you what you need and those might be BOLD and BIG requests, but the Lord will answer… I’m sure of it… for those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (vs. 10)  Let’s do this! J

Philippians 4: 4-7

Brandon Thomas – AV Director

Two and a half years ago I was attending a ministry school in Colorado Springs. I had just moved 1300 miles away from my family to pursue calling I believed was on my life. Shortly before I had left, my Dad had his third major back surgery, this time ending his career as a mechanic and leaving my family in limbo as to what is next. I knew leaving during this time would be difficult, but I never imagined what would follow in the coming months.

Over the next few months, life just kept piling up; from cancer in one grandparent, to the death of our last great grandparent. My older sister suffered the miscarriage of her first child and we learned that someone close to our family had taken advantage of my little sister and we still have yet to figure out whom. Later that year someone broke into our garage and stole every tool my father and I had worked for and due to complications within bankruptcy proceedings, we didn’t know if we would get to replace them or not.

I am not one to get too emotionally worked up over things, but even as I write this and remember that time during life I am on the verge of tears again. Living through that season was the hardest in my life. To not be able to be there for my family during that time was the hardest part of all. I tell you this story not for the sympathy or the pride of saying look what I went through but for the story of redemption that follows.

My grandfather was healed of his cancer and my great grandmother had lived many great years and it was her time. My older sister had a little boy almost a year to the date of her miscarriage and they named him Quaid. My little sister still suffers some from the affects of abuse but she is being redeemed and is growing into a beautiful woman who is going to do great things in the Kingdom and has a story of redemption to share with many hurting people. Last year she worked to raise money to rescue women caught in sex trafficking all over the world. My dad and I got all of our tools replaced and were able to keep them. While my dad is still out of work nearly three years after the surgery, my family never had to sleep outside nor did they ever miss meal. He has a couple of job prospects on the horizon.

Whenever I think about the hard things in life or how I don’t have something or am not where I want to be, I think of this story and rejoice! We all have hard things and I dare not say that mine is the hardest imaginable. I know so many people who are dealing with way more than I ever have and yet we are all told to Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord for things you have and the things you do not. Bring to the Lord your struggles and desires with thanksgiving before the Lord. His Peace truly will guard your heart and protect you. I know I never would have made it through this season without the Peace of God guarding my heart. Pray that God’s peace will overwhelm you today and rejoice in the fact that He is in control of all things, yes even the hard ones.

Joy, unspeakable joy

An overflowing well, no tongue can tell

Joy, unspeakable joy

Rises in my soul, never lets me go

Exodus 16: 14-31

Jeff McGovern – Elder

“Give us this day, our daily bread…”

In this amazing passage, God does just that. He literally rains bread (manna) down on the Israelites every morning. Let that sink in a minute, remembering that there were approximately 2 million Israelites…That’s a lot of bread.

At this point, I think it’s important to back up a bit in the story and discuss the context of this daily bread-rain, which would take place for the next 40 years—the whole time the Israelites were in the desert.

The Israelites had left the harsh persecution and desolation of Egypt behind them and had been on the road to the Promised Land for about two months. That was all the time they needed to forget that God had chosen them, spared them and delivered them. They were tired and hungry and ultimately, whiny.

God, according to His divine love and never-ending patience, responded to the Israelites’ grumbling by raining down bread from heaven on them. However, there was a catch; the Israelites must only gather enough to feed their families for one day. In addition, they were commanded to gather twice as much on the sixth day so that they would not have work on the Sabbath. In this way, God tested the Israelites to see if they would trust Him to provide—daily. Taking it a step further, God commanded the Israelites to trust in Him to provide.

As is often the case with the Israelites, some failed the test. Those that gathered more than they needed discovered that the excess rotted and became maggot-infested. Those that went out to gather on the seventh day discovered there was no manna and presumably went hungry.

Often times when I read the Old Testament, I sit back and smugly judge the Israelites. I think of how ignorant and stubborn the Israelites were to miss what was happening right before their eyes. I wonder how they could forget in as little as two month’s time how God had rescued them.

It’s about then that I realize, through events like this, that God is talking to me, right now. He is testing me—wanting desperately for me, commanding me even, to trust Him with my needs–every day. He wants me to know that he will deliver daily, without fail, just what I need.

Lord, give me today my daily bread. Amen.

Matthew 7: 9-11

Carrie Johnson – Women’s Ministry Director

Jesus has a way with words to make his points doesn’t he?  As a Mom I am always trying to meet my kid’s needs.  When Jesus says “if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”  makes me think, Jesus why would I ever do that.  I love my kids so much and I want to give them the very best that I can.  I know, however, that I can’t give them all they want because what they want isn’t always what is best for them.

This passage teaches me that same concept about God.  Many times I come to him with what I want and what I think is best and how I think things should work out.  I may think these are good things that I need.  God loves me more than I can humanly imagine and he knows what is the very best for me.  He wants to give me what he knows to be the best for me which may be different than what I think I need.   He won’t ever give me “snakes” or “stones” instead of what I need.  He is sovereign and will bless me with my needs.  As I spend more and more time with God, I will know what is good for me and what I need to be asking for and then he will bless me with my needs.

Proverbs 3:5-8

Shawn Sikkema – Senior Pastor

These 4 verses from Proverbs 3 are a great reminder to us that we are not as smart as we often think we are. We are given two very specific commands that tell us to not trust in our own wisdom. Here they are…

• “Lean not on your own understanding…” Proverbs 3:5b
• “Do not be wise in your own eyes…” Proverbs 3:7a

In a nutshell, they remind us of the limits of our wisdom when it comes to dealing with life. That also is true when it comes to prayer. We cry out to God and ask him to move in a certain way. We are given the freedom to do that. But part of the problem with our prayer requests is that we pray them out of our own limited wisdom. We ask for those things that make sense to us.

But sometimes God has a larger purpose and better plan than we can see at the moment. As a result, he may say no to our request because it does not fit that larger plan.

Our job is to ask God boldly but at the same time we need to humbly surrender those requests to the will of God. Notice how the writer here points us in the direction of God rather than in the direction of our own wisdom.

• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
• “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” Proverbs 3:7

Are you doing that? Do you pray boldly but at the same time do you surrender those requests to the greater wisdom of Abba Father?

Luke 1:26-38

Bob Westenbroek – Care Pastor

As I had noted in my earlier blog devotional, the beautiful Christmas Story should become more familiar and dear to us as the years go by.  But we must not let this familiarity diminish the force of its message to us.  So, as you read these familiar words again, seek God’s will, listen for His voice, and obey His teachings in order to genuinely experience God in your reading this week.

Matthew with his emphasis on the royal rights of Jesus, presented the birth from the viewpoint of Joseph.  Luke with his emphasis on Jesus as the Son of Man recorded the birth events involving Mary.  That brings us to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.  Galilee provided grain and fish, which were the staples of the Jewish diet.  One could gain wealth in that environment, but he/she would likely miss out on the knowledge and wisdom of the Sanhedrin centered in Jerusalem.  To add to the Jewish scorn for this region, the hated Romans had set up headquarters for a garrison that policed the land just outside the village of Nazareth which, thus, became notorious as a place of sin and corruption.  It’s to this village that Gabriel came to a virgin named Mary who was pledged to be married to a man named Joseph.

The angel came to announce the special blessing that God had conferred on Mary (Luke 1:28).  This was neither recognition of the sinlessness in Mary nor a promise of a reward for her perfections, but rather an announcement that she was receiving special grace from the Lord.  Mary identified herself as a lowly maidservant.  She was not the daughter of a wealthy landowner.  But she was, as the angel said, the “highly favored one” and blessed among women, for the Lord was with her.  What a commendation: “You have found favor with God” (v.30).  God was pleased with her and bestowed favor upon her, so we honor her, but we worship her Son.

Mary was greatly troubled at the angel’s greeting.  Fear gripped her heart, but the angel spoke comforting words of peace as he spoke concerning Mary’s Son, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (v.32).  This One, the eternal Son of the eternal God, would receive a body of flesh in the Virgin’s womb.

Concerning His work, the angel said (reread vs. 32-33).  It is noteworthy here that the angel uses three significant words – “throne,” “house,” and “kingdom” – found in the promise to David in II Samuel 7:16.  This was an announcement as clear as it was possible to make it that Mary’s Son would come into this world to fulfill the promise given to David that one of David’s sons would sit on David’s throne and rule over David’s kingdom.  Jesus would come not only to be the Savior but to be the Sovereign.

Mary responded to this announcement by asking, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” (v.34). This was not a response of unbelief but rather a request for an explanation as to how this birth could take place.  The angel gave this explanation:  “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (v.35).  Jesus Christ would be conceived by the Holy Spirit.  He would not have a natural father who transmits the nature he has received from Adam.  Since Christ was to be the Savior for fallen mankind, He had to be without sin.  The only way He could be born a sinless One was to be conceived by God, who is sinless.  Thus, the conception of Jesus Christ in the womb of Mary was to be not by natural but supernatural means.

As a result of the conception by the Holy Spirit, “The holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (v.35).  Through the miracle of the virgin birth, the eternal Son of the eternal God reached out and took to Himself a true and complete humanity without diminishing His essential deity. He united deity and humanity inseparably and eternally in One Person.

A sign of confirmation was given to Mary even though she did not ask for it.  The angel told her that Elizabeth, contrary to her barrenness and age, had conceived a child and was now six months pregnant.  This, Mary knew, was a supernatural work.  Mary had not asked for proof, but it was given to her to substantiate her faith.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered, and her consenting response was crucial.  She magnified the Lord, rejoiced in her Savior, and submitted to His authority and power over her.  “Let it be to me according to your word” (v.38).  She could not have understood all that was in store for her.  But she responded in faith and obedience.  This is humility: believing God’s Word and submitting to it even if we do not understand all that it means.  She did not respond with excitement or praise for herself.  She bent her knee to the sovereign will of God, whatever those plans might be, and whatever they might cost her.

By having His angel announce Elizabeth’s news to Mary, God gave Mary a way to visibly test the angel’s words.  Thus, God provided comfort for her in the midst of her trouble, a clear reminder of His faithfulness to all His promises.  You and I need to believe that He will enable us to do everything He asks of us.  Don’t try to second guess Him.  Just let Him be God.  Turn to Him for the needed power, insight, skill, and resources.  He will provide you with all that you need.  He will, He can, He does!

Job 41-42

Sonya Hommes – Senior High Administrative Assistant

I have had it many times in my life when I felt feelings of hopelessness and worry.  It may have been over something little like my ability to get a good grade on a test in school, or to be able to help a friend in need.  I wondered about what college I would go to and what job I would want to have.   As I became a parent, I have had times of being worried about my kids. I have had times of hardship and loss.

As I read Job 41-42, I am reminded that even in times of hardship and worry, our God is a God of Hope.  And although, the things that I have worried about in my life and the hardships that I been through, do not compare to what Job endured, I am grateful that we have a sovereign God.

42:2, “I know that you can do all things, no plan of yours can be thwarted.”

His plan is what I want for my life.  He can do all things.  He is who He says He is.

Knowing that He is in control, and that His ways are sovereign, takes away the worry and gives me hope in enduring the hardships of life.