Fall Creek Christian Church

"As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water.  'O my Lord,' he cried out, 'it was borrowed!'  The man of God asked, 'Where did it fall?'  When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float.  'Lift it out', he said.  Then the man reached out his hand and took it."  II Kings 6:5-7 Everyone needs a friend who has a truck.  Inevitably something needs to be hauled that neither car nor minivan can handle.  I borrowed my friend's truck recently and it saved the day without question.  We hauled and hauled without a single hiccup.  I was thankful to return the truck and keys without any dramatic story to tell.  I would have felt terrible if anything would have happened to that truck not to mention responsible to fix it.   Apparently, I'm not the first person with those feelings.  Our verses for the day record a man so upset over losing a borrowed ax head...

Inspired by the hymn: In the Garden... No one’s life is without trial, or without hard decisions.  God asked that the greatest sacrifice be made by His own son.  As we approach the storms of our life, it is crucial that we approach the throne of God and seek His wisdom and His will, not simply ask that our trials be removed. Jesus himself, as he prayed in Gethsemane, asked that His cup – this ultimate burden -be passed from Him. But He didn’t stop there. He immediately says “Not my will, but thine be done.” We are human. We don’t seek out hardships. But our focus must be on seeking God’s perfect will for our lives, more than asking for their removal. As Jesus spoke with God in the garden, He prepared His heart for the task asked of Him. It is not our perfection, but our pliable, willing hearts that He is asking for. - Erin Fulton

"The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea."  Acts 11:29 I've noticed throughout my life that there always seems to be someone who is "more than", "better than", "faster than", "taller than", "smarter than", "better looking than" (you get the picture) me.  As adults this highly developed art of comparative observation is just as intense as when we were teenagers, but most of the time we try to hide it a little better.  The sad truth is though that we compare ourselves constantly with others.  It's sad because comparing almost always leaves us feeling pretty crummy or arrogant, neither of which is particular praiseworthy. Luke noted a liberating principle in his record of those who were financially supporting others.  They gave according to their ability.  Joe had ten bucks to give.  Lou had five hundred.  Both were great givers.  Neither needed ...

"He erected the pillars at the portico of the temple.  The pillar to the south he named Jakin and the one to the north Boaz."  I Kings 7:21 What's in a name?  Sometimes a lot.  For example, all five of our children's middle names have significant meaning to us.  Four of them come from family and one from a Biblical character.  A name identifies.  It can tell a story and/or make a statement as in our verse for the day. Solomon gave a name to two of the pillars of the temple he built for God.  Jakin - "he shall uphold" and Boaz - "may strength be in him"  It is believed that they were carved into the stone to bear witness that this temple belongs to God.  Those who seek and worship him will be held secure and made strong.  Pretty cool, huh? In I John 3:1, John breaks into praise about the name given to all who put their faith and trust in Jesus, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should called children...

"I look up to the mountains--does my help come from there?  My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!  He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep."  Psalm 121:1-3 "Help!", I cried.  "Send help now!"  Thankfully 911 operators are trained to stay calm, because I sure wasn't.  Before I knew it, she had me in the middle of the crash site, that I had just witnessed, reporting on the condition of the people that were involved in the accident.  She forwarded all that information to the police and fire department and thankfully they arrived within minutes.  I was reminded in no uncertain terms that help is a big deal. The writer of this Psalm thought so too.  He was looking high and low for help.  Maybe he'd fallen on some tough times, been wronged by a friend, or was experiencing the consequences of some bad decisions.  I don't know.  We just know that help was needed. ...

"I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word ... You made me; you created me.  Now give me the sense to follow your commands ... I know, O Lord, that your decisions are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it."   Psalm 119:67, 73, 75 Apparently, moms and dads get smarter as children get older.  Our three oldest children, since heading off to college, have each had a similar conversation with us.  They told us how they now appreciate the rules and the subsequent discipline they received when they violated those rules growing up in our home.  The two still at home are not quite convinced yet that mom and dad have a clue, but someday... The Psalmist here reflects this same type of journey in his relationship with God.  One all those who wish to follow Jesus must walk.  Out of his deep love, God provides instruction and commands.  He also provides discipline when we "wander off."  The Psalmist conceded a...

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. - 1 John 5:14-15 What is it that you want more than anything else? Money? Fame? Healthy family? New car? John tells us in this passage that the thing we could want more than anything else is God's will (what God wants). It is the first key to experiencing answers to all of the prayers that we have been praying. I wonder how much differently we would pray if we were seeking God's will 100% of the time. In the Lord's prayer that is quoted in Luke 11, Jesus shows us what is completely in line with God's will: Declaring that no one is like God. Asking God to bring heaven to earth. Together is the best way to pray. Ask for what you need, nothing more. Ask for God to forgive you of all that you've done, and don't forget to forgive ...