Junction Bible Christian Church

IF our ultimate destiny is to spend eternity with Him then...

The time God allots us here on earth should not be filled so full of "stuff"! Having stuff to do stuff and doing more stuff to get stuff to add more stuff to the stuff we have is making our time with Him but a tiny fraction of what it should be. (God is not stuff, nor is He in stuff)

Out of the entire 24 hours that He has gifted you today; how much have you given Him who created you in it?

In truth, it is very little isn't it?

We are hardly even giving Him "the time of day" and yet.... He continues to offer us ETERNITY. Imagine that!

Our God is a WONDERFUL GOD... spend some more time with Him today!

- Serenity

Jan 29, 2013

Have you ever “been there”? It’s the place we come to with furrowed brow, when we are at a loss as to what to do or which way to turn.

At the crossroads of life’s journeys unbearable burdens and mean spirited people wait to detour and devour us. And so, we keep coming back to this same place (Wit’s End) time and time again. It is here in this place that you must realize first that you are lost (probably again) and then you are right where you need to be to find the wondrous resources of He that will never fail: The Shepherd King.

It is through our oppression, affliction, and sorrow that we come to more fully understand the loving-kindness of our Lord! And as we “lean on the everlasting arms”, He leads us along a brighter path to a place where we can stand on the promises of God!

“At their wit’s end, they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He guides them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:27b, 28, 30b)NKJV

Thank Him!

-Serenity

Jan 23, 2013

“O Lord, in times of trouble why do you hide yourself?” (Psalm 10:11)NKJV

...We cry out when we allow life’s difficulties to take up a large expanse of our vision.

We don’t realize that our obsession with “self” and our problems almost totally block out God! But, when we gaze upon Him and merely glance at the rest of it, things change.

It is a glorious moment indeed when “self” gets out of the way and lets His Light shine through. It is then; we become more aware of His presence, the infinite grandeur of Christ’s finished work, and His righteousness.

When we begin to see the world around us (and ourselves) through God’s eyes, Joy bursts into our hearts. It is truly the eye that is made bright by His Spirit that finds Him in all things!

Give Him praise!

- Serenity

Jan 22, 2013

A shadow of doubt seems to always follow me wherever I go; whatever I do! Even as I try, try, and try, again to be happy, content, satisfied with my day, or just find a little something to make it extraordinary. But, the day always seems to end with the same old, same old (nothing spectacular). I get a sinking feeling as the sun sinks lower and lower into the west. And then I play the "blame game" searching for reasons, making up excuses as to why day turned out as it did...little accomplished, and nothing gained.

The day sometimes seems to take a journey all its own and has a dizzying effect on me as it seems to go faster than I could ever go! Why do I allow this to happen day in and day out when I know I have the greatest power source, the Holy Spirit, who dwells in me.

The Lord is my deliverer! I can get past whatever is holding me back. I can live beyond that shadow of doubt! My door of hope for a bright future is wide open. All I need do is cross the threshold!

I purpose in my heart to do just that tomorrow morning! Tomorrow, as the the sun rises over the horizon; it shall be a new day dawning on my spirit...HALLELUJAH! "...Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2Cor5:17c) NKJV

" Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him!'" (Lam3:22-24) NKJV

- "Serenity"

January 10, 2013

New Year's day begins with many of us jotting down a list of "Resolutions" (those things determined upon; decisions as to future action - Webster). We take a good hard look at them with our thoughts centered on intending to keep them.

But a few weeks, or even just days later something's amiss. Life gets in the way, our agendas are full, work loads increase, problems arise, overwhelm and loom larger that the things on our list. The list then gets wadded up and thrown down and we're left facing the fact that we didn't succeed (again)!

We don't need another list of resolutions that are virtually impossible to keep and in fact, does little for our faith life. Our "walk" with Him, as a result can become like our life: uncertain at times, either running ahead rejoicing, or lagging behind feeling disheartened.

What we really need is a TRANSFORMATION to a God-Centered life! With our focus on Him our lives become filled with real possibilities! "Faith never knows where it is being led but always knows the One who is leading." -Oswald Chambers

This New Year lies before us now. What changes shall come? What needs will arise? What challenges will we face? What hardship or heartache will be ours? We don't know yet. But we can know Him and then rest assured knowing that "...the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on (you), from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year." (Deut 11:12) NKJV

When we glance at "things" but gaze at Him; blessings flow into our lives. So resolve to let go and let God!

...and as your New Year's Prayer of gratitude; thank Him that He gave His Life to sustain yours!

- "Serenity"

Jan 2013

Remember as a kid singing "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are"? Honestly the wonder of the star did not hit home for until this past Christmas 2012.

Although I have always had a fascination with a star-lit sky, placed a star atop my Christmas tree for years because everyone else did, have fond memories of making tin-foil covered cardboard stars in grade school, and I treasure my Grandmother's star broach that sparkles with rhinestones, I was struck a few weeks before Christmas as I gazed out the window and saw a shooting star streak across the night sky. How amazing is that?

Soon after, the Holy Spirit prompted me to read Isaiah 2:9 "The Glory of the Lord shown all around them." According to my NKJV Study Bible, the "Glory" here refers to "God's majestic presence".

A personal tradition of mine is to read a small 40 page book entitled The well of the Star by Elizabeth Goudge (1941) as the Christmas season approaches. But, in this Christmas its message struck a cord in my heart.

The prelude to the story goes like this, "...and on the road to Bethlehem there is a well called the "Well of the Star." The three wise men lost sight of the star that was guiding them on their journey to the manger, and therefore stopped at the well to water their animals. It was there they found it again, reflected in the well."

"Star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright!" May our Lives become mirror images of God's Glory and may we never loose sight of the Star!

- Serenity

Dec 30, 2012