She tossed the mattress aside. No! Still not there! She needed that coin. A panicky feeling started to grip her heart, but she fought the feeling with a few reassuring breaths.
Breathe In. Out. In. Out.
A coin doesn't just get up and walk into the night.
She needed to retrace her steps. Closing her eyes, she thought about the previous night. She had come home from the market with a two new silver coins. She had dumped the leather pouch onto the mattress in order to count how many pieces of silver she had now. She remembered counting the ten coins, and then using her hand to sweep the coins towards the edge of the mattress and into the pouch.
One must have fallen off the mattress and rolled away.
Grabbing a broom by the side of the door, she started to carefully sweep every inch of the little house, hoping to coax the coin out of hiding.
Still no coin. She had swept almost the entire house, and was about ready to tear the house apart, piece by piece in order to find this coin to provide for her family. She plunged the broom beneath a table.
Something rolled between her feet. Dropping the broom, she fell to her knees and pawed frantically for the wayward coin.
There! She clutched the coin to her chest, and heaved a sigh of relief. She had found what was missing.
Based on Luke 15:8-10
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8-10
So I was reading this chapter a few weeks ago, and I was thinking about how this is kind of viewed as the "lost get found" chapter. You have the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal (lost) son. I think we most often think of these parables in the context that we were lost, and God found us. Good and true, but I wanted to look at the parable of the lost coin a little differently today.
What if we flipped it? Instead of thinking that we are the coin, and God hunts through the house trying to find us, what if it's the other way around? What if God is that treasure, and we are the ones hunting for Him?
No, God's not lost, but sometimes people don't know where to look for Him. Sometimes people look in all the places they would expect to find fulfillment - God. Maybe you look to relationships. Maybe you look to your work to fulfill you. Maybe you look to your family to be everything you need. Maybe you put your faith in yourself.
But you don't find God in any of those places.
Do you feel like something is missing? You're one coin short. It's time to do a thorough sweep in your heart's home. The woman in the parable had nine other coins, but she wouldn't stop looking until she had everything she needed. All that she had originally. We were made to crave and seek God, but society has taught us to fight that feeling. Instead we are supposed to be content with what we have, but you will never be content until you have found that last coin - God.
"That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.'" Acts 17:27-28
"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
Are you like that woman, diligently seeking God, not resting until you find Him? The coin missing from your life is God, and He's waiting to be found!
V. Joy Palmer
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
"His Words Today"
Remember how God caused Balaam's donkey to speak so that he would pay attention to what He had to say and heed His words? Well today, consider me the donkey. Someone out there is in need of these ... His words!
'But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions and said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 41:8-10
"For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongues fail for thirst, I the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together, that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it. Isaiah 41:17-20
"Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you," says the Lord and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 41:14 (When He called, Israel, His people that He loves a worm here He isn't just calling them a name. He calls them a worm because it is considered feeble, despised, and stepped on)
Someone out there is really struggling and you need to know that He sees you! He knows what you going through and that you too are feeling afraid and dismayed. He knows that your feeling feeble, despised and stepped on. He sees your faithfulness and you need to see His.
When your feeling overwhelmed ...speak His words ... and know that His righteous right hand is at work in your life.
When you start feeling afraid or overcome with the worry ... speak His words, "For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you," ... and know that He is there to hold your hand through whatever comes.
When you feeling thirsty or you needs are piling up ... speak His words .... and know that by His hands provision is coming.
When your feeling feeble and stepped on ... speak His words ... and know that HE WILL HELP because He is your Redeemer!
Just so you know ... These Are His Words. Don't believe me? Check out Isaiah 41. You'll see that they are Him talking and as you read them, they will stir up faith in you heart. Its God talking and they are His words to you, His people, today. His hand is upon YOU!
God Bless!!!
'But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions and said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 41:8-10
"For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongues fail for thirst, I the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together, that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it. Isaiah 41:17-20
"Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you," says the Lord and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 41:14 (When He called, Israel, His people that He loves a worm here He isn't just calling them a name. He calls them a worm because it is considered feeble, despised, and stepped on)
Someone out there is really struggling and you need to know that He sees you! He knows what you going through and that you too are feeling afraid and dismayed. He knows that your feeling feeble, despised and stepped on. He sees your faithfulness and you need to see His.
When your feeling overwhelmed ...speak His words ... and know that His righteous right hand is at work in your life.
When you start feeling afraid or overcome with the worry ... speak His words, "For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you," ... and know that He is there to hold your hand through whatever comes.
When you feeling thirsty or you needs are piling up ... speak His words .... and know that by His hands provision is coming.
When your feeling feeble and stepped on ... speak His words ... and know that HE WILL HELP because He is your Redeemer!
Just so you know ... These Are His Words. Don't believe me? Check out Isaiah 41. You'll see that they are Him talking and as you read them, they will stir up faith in you heart. Its God talking and they are His words to you, His people, today. His hand is upon YOU!
God Bless!!!
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
There's Still Room!
Ani had watched the servants running from the big house on the hill all day. And all day Ani had seen a significant number of people entering the house. The rumor on the street was that the master of the house had thrown a great party, and invited all his friends. However, they rudely ignored his invitation. So the master of the house instructed his servants to go into all the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor, crippled, blind, and lame.
Ani turned away from the festivities and trudged to the dirty stoop he called home. He rounded the corner and saw a well dressed man. He clothes were a vibrant color, but simple. Ani could tell even from the distance that the material was fine, but sturdy. Perfect for the working man of a wealthy.
"Hello," the man said. "Where are you going?"
Ani looked around. Was he talking to him? Timidly, Ani pointed at himself.
The man smiled and nodded. "Where are you going?"
"To that stoop." Ani pointed to the doorway of an abandoned building several feet away. He would have been ashamed to admit that was where he lived, but he was an orphan. What else could he say?
"Come to the feast my master has prepared."
"I've seen many people go into the big house. I'm sure there's not enough room for me." The kind servant man must not have realized that the feast was full.
The man shook his head. "There's room. I was just in the presence of my master. He sent us out again because there is still room. There's plenty of room for you at the feast."
Based on Luke 14:21-23
"So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’” Luke 14:21-23
I was reading this parable, and was struck by how the servants went out to the streets and alleys, brought a ton of people back to the feast, and yet there was still room. The master of the feast sent them out again! There was still room!
There is always room in God's house.
That seems like such a silly, simple statement. Like, "Yeah, duh." But really think about it. In this parable, the poor, beaten, sick, crippled, and unworthy were brought back to the master's feast. It's a wonder this man didn't survey the crowd in his dining room and declare this feast a utter disaster. Instead, he sent his servants back into the streets for more of these people!
And those people are you and me!
No matter how you may view yourself and regardless if any of those things are true, God still wants you at His feast. He's still sending people into the streets and alleys of the city to invite you. He's still waiting for you to come.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."
1 Corinthians 15:10
His grace is more then enough to cover any dirt and grim on you. He wants you. Won't you come?
V. Joy Palmer
Ani turned away from the festivities and trudged to the dirty stoop he called home. He rounded the corner and saw a well dressed man. He clothes were a vibrant color, but simple. Ani could tell even from the distance that the material was fine, but sturdy. Perfect for the working man of a wealthy.
"Hello," the man said. "Where are you going?"
Ani looked around. Was he talking to him? Timidly, Ani pointed at himself.
The man smiled and nodded. "Where are you going?"
"To that stoop." Ani pointed to the doorway of an abandoned building several feet away. He would have been ashamed to admit that was where he lived, but he was an orphan. What else could he say?
"Come to the feast my master has prepared."
"I've seen many people go into the big house. I'm sure there's not enough room for me." The kind servant man must not have realized that the feast was full.
The man shook his head. "There's room. I was just in the presence of my master. He sent us out again because there is still room. There's plenty of room for you at the feast."
Based on Luke 14:21-23
"So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’” Luke 14:21-23
I was reading this parable, and was struck by how the servants went out to the streets and alleys, brought a ton of people back to the feast, and yet there was still room. The master of the feast sent them out again! There was still room!
There is always room in God's house.
That seems like such a silly, simple statement. Like, "Yeah, duh." But really think about it. In this parable, the poor, beaten, sick, crippled, and unworthy were brought back to the master's feast. It's a wonder this man didn't survey the crowd in his dining room and declare this feast a utter disaster. Instead, he sent his servants back into the streets for more of these people!
And those people are you and me!
No matter how you may view yourself and regardless if any of those things are true, God still wants you at His feast. He's still sending people into the streets and alleys of the city to invite you. He's still waiting for you to come.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."
1 Corinthians 15:10
His grace is more then enough to cover any dirt and grim on you. He wants you. Won't you come?
V. Joy Palmer
Monday, June 1, 2015
"Take The Plunge"
Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No."
And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.
But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net of fish.
Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught."
Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?" --knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. John 21:2-14
The thing I want to take note of today has to do with the response of the disciples, especially Peter, when they realized that it was Jesus on the shore waiting for them because of the large catch of fish that He once again directed them to. I love that Peter immediately 'plunged into the sea,' to get to Jesus faster. The reason I love this response is because it sets such a great example for the rest of us. Think about it? In Genesis 3:8-10 we see a different response.
'And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"
So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."
Way too often when we 'blow it' the tendency is to run away from God and try to hide because of our shame. NOT Peter! He immediately runs or rather plunges into the sea to get to Jesus. I love this!
I would think that the fact that he had denied Him the three times would have caused him to feel like he should hang back and avoid eye contact etc. But NO! He jumps in and gets to Him first and as quickly as possible. What a great witness to us on how to deal with 'blowing it.' Don't run away ---run to Him.
Plunge back into His presence as quickly as possible because the truth is ... He is there waiting for us! Ready, willing, and waiting, just for us! He wants us to respond to His call even if we've 'blown it,' and have denied Him on multiple occasions.
God Bless and remember take the opportunity to 'plunge' back into His presence whenever necessary!
Sunday, May 31, 2015
"Best Fish Story Ever"
The best way to catch men is to ... "Follow Him!" He is the perfect example for us in all things... even fishing! His example will provide you with hook, line, and sinker ... as well as the best bait possible ...His love!
Why? Because His is the best fish story ever told; He came ... motivated by His love ... to reveal His love ...so that we could know His love!
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in Him. 1 John 4:16
God Bless!!!
Staff of Snack Time Devotions
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Martha Moments
As they were walking along, Jesus came to a village where a woman by the name of Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister by the name of Mary. She sat down at Jesus' feet and listened to what He said.
But Martha was worried about all she had to do for them. So she came and asked, "Lord, don't You care that my sister has left me and I have to do the work alone? Now tell her to help me."
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered her, "you worry and fuss about a lot of thing. But there's only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and it must not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-41
So, we all have these Martha moments, the ones where we are completely overwhelmed, stuck dealing with the things of the world, the unimportant stuff that consumes our very lives. I mean, think about it. How much of our lives are dominated by the world?
You have a grand total of 168 hours in a week. On average, a person might work a forty hour a week job. Factor in lunch breaks and commute time, and you are probably looking at roughly fifty hours gone, right off the bat. Then, of course, there is sleep. Seven hours a night, seven days a week, and look, there's another fifty gone. Then, there's basic home maintenance, dishes, dinner, vacuuming, yard work, bathroom time, getting dress... the list goes on and on. The hours of our life get stripped away from us so quickly. Do we spend the time that we need at Jesus' feet?
Do you think that we need to spend the precious time that we have obsessed with making a living? Making sure that we have clothes on our back, food in our bellies? I'm not saying to go out and quit your job, stop taking care of yourself and your home and family. 2 Thessalonians 3:7b-8 says, "We were not idle when we were with you, and took no free meals from anyone but worked hard and struggled day and night in order not to burden any of you."
We need to keep our perspectives clear in our life, of just how important is your job to you. Or having the perfect house, or the perfect yard. The perfect life.
"So I tell you, don't worry about what you'll eat or drink to keep alive or what you'll wear on your bodies. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Look at the birds in the air. They don't sow or cut grain or gather anything into barns; but your Father in heaven feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they?
Can any of you by worrying add anything to your life?
And why worry about the clothes? See how the flowers grow in the field, and learn from them. They don't work and they don't spin. Yet, I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory didn't dress like one of these. If that's how God dresses the grass in the field, which lives today and tomorrow in thrown into a stove, how much more certainly will he put clothes on you - you who trust Him so little.
Don't worry, then, and say, 'What are we going to eat?' or 'What are we going to drink?' or 'What are we going to wear?' The people of the world run after all these things. Your father in heaven knows you need them all. Seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you, too.
So, don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of it own."
Know what is truly important in life. Don't be worried about your life, especially when Jesus is standing right in front of you, just waiting for you to pay attention to Him.
Sam
But Martha was worried about all she had to do for them. So she came and asked, "Lord, don't You care that my sister has left me and I have to do the work alone? Now tell her to help me."
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered her, "you worry and fuss about a lot of thing. But there's only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and it must not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-41
So, we all have these Martha moments, the ones where we are completely overwhelmed, stuck dealing with the things of the world, the unimportant stuff that consumes our very lives. I mean, think about it. How much of our lives are dominated by the world?
You have a grand total of 168 hours in a week. On average, a person might work a forty hour a week job. Factor in lunch breaks and commute time, and you are probably looking at roughly fifty hours gone, right off the bat. Then, of course, there is sleep. Seven hours a night, seven days a week, and look, there's another fifty gone. Then, there's basic home maintenance, dishes, dinner, vacuuming, yard work, bathroom time, getting dress... the list goes on and on. The hours of our life get stripped away from us so quickly. Do we spend the time that we need at Jesus' feet?
Do you think that we need to spend the precious time that we have obsessed with making a living? Making sure that we have clothes on our back, food in our bellies? I'm not saying to go out and quit your job, stop taking care of yourself and your home and family. 2 Thessalonians 3:7b-8 says, "We were not idle when we were with you, and took no free meals from anyone but worked hard and struggled day and night in order not to burden any of you."
We need to keep our perspectives clear in our life, of just how important is your job to you. Or having the perfect house, or the perfect yard. The perfect life.
"So I tell you, don't worry about what you'll eat or drink to keep alive or what you'll wear on your bodies. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Look at the birds in the air. They don't sow or cut grain or gather anything into barns; but your Father in heaven feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they?
Can any of you by worrying add anything to your life?
And why worry about the clothes? See how the flowers grow in the field, and learn from them. They don't work and they don't spin. Yet, I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory didn't dress like one of these. If that's how God dresses the grass in the field, which lives today and tomorrow in thrown into a stove, how much more certainly will he put clothes on you - you who trust Him so little.
Don't worry, then, and say, 'What are we going to eat?' or 'What are we going to drink?' or 'What are we going to wear?' The people of the world run after all these things. Your father in heaven knows you need them all. Seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you, too.
So, don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of it own."
Know what is truly important in life. Don't be worried about your life, especially when Jesus is standing right in front of you, just waiting for you to pay attention to Him.
Sam
Friday, May 29, 2015
"Be A Branch!"
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
As My Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:1-11
So here is the thing or rather the thought that jumped out at me as I read this through this time ...Jesus said, "that we are the branches ...!" He is the vine and we are the branches ...! Let that sink in! The branches are a smaller extension of the vine. They are connected! All the nourishment that is needed to produce fruit flows through the vine, to the branches, and then to the fruit. So, according to what Jesus said in the verses above ... everything we need to produce the fruit of God in our lives flowed from the Father, to the Son, to us! If we truly want the fruit of God it means we must be connected or as Jesus put it, "We must abide in Him the same way He abides in the Father! How do we abide? The same way He did. He is always, as the Son of Man, the perfect example, and He explained how to abide pretty clearly in the verses above, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." When Jesus said, "I only do that which My Father tells Me." He meant it it! He was abiding! He was able to abide in the Father by keeping the Father's commands and we abide in Him when we keep His commands as well! As we abide by keeping and doing His commands ... we get all the 'nourishment/power' needed to produce an abundance of fruit.
Consider this thought ... The difference between being a branch or a stick ... a branch is alive and connected! A stick is neither!
If you want to be a branch that produces fruit? Remember to keep His word and ... ABIDE!
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
As My Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:1-11
Consider this thought ... The difference between being a branch or a stick ... a branch is alive and connected! A stick is neither!
If you want to be a branch that produces fruit? Remember to keep His word and ... ABIDE!
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