I WANT MORE

Scripture:

Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of
greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."
Luke 12:15, NLT

Reflection:

Jesus says that the good life has nothing to do with
being wealthy, so be on guard against greed (desire
for what we don't have). This is the exact opposite
of what society usually says. Advertisers spend
millions of dollars to entice us to think that if we buy
more and more of their products, we will be happier,
more fulfilled, more comfortable.

How do you respond to the constant pressure to
buy? Learn to tune out expensive enticements and
concentrate instead on the truly good life--living in a
relationship with God and doing his work.

(Life Application Daily Devotion)

FORGIVE ME

Forgive Me Lord

Forgive me, Lord, when I overlook ---
The beauty of a sunset
The beauty in a human soul
The beauty all around me.

Forgive me, Lord, when I don't appreciate ---
The goodness which You show me
The goodness found in others
The goodness of Your world itself.

Forgive me, Lord, when I ignore ---
The signals that You send me
The signs and wonders that You show me
The life in Christ I have.

Forgive me, Lord, when I depend ---
Upon myself instead of You
Upon others instead of Christ
Upon opinions instead of Spirit.

Forgive me, Lord, when I hide in fear ---
From those You choose to love me
From those You send to help me
From those who come in Your Name.

Let me recognize in everything ---
Your Hand at work through human hands
Your Love at work through human hearts
Your Will at work through human deeds.

Lord, as I go forward in the life You have for me
Let me always remember that FORGIVENESS is the key
To unlock all the prison doors, and set the captives free
And help me to do likewise - As You have forgiven me.

(GodVine)

MORAL FIBER

Scripture:

James 1:21

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that
is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted
in you, which can save you.

Reflection:

Now here's a verse, it is straight forward and to the point.
It speaks directly to us, It also makes me think. Have you
ever heard the expression "It just isn't like it used to be?"
I know I heard my father and my mother say that to me
constantly when I was growing up. But now that I'm older
I have discovered that it's true.  In my 64 years the world
has changed dramatically and I can honestly say it's just
not the way it used to be.
I was watching television the other day and there was an
interview show on and they were interviewing a young lady
and young man. They started talking and apparently this
young woman believed that she should "save herself", until
she's married. She believed that she should remain a virgin
until she had made a commitment of marriage. What
followed I couldn't believe, the people who were interviewing
her made fun of her and made jokes and tried to make her
feel that it was just a silly notion, and totally unpractical to
believe that way. All this made me think, "Is there any moral
fiber left?" "Is there a bottom line left?", Is everything
acceptable"? I think sadly it is acceptable and this worries
me especially as I look at my grandchildren. When you lose
the moral fiber, when there is no longer a bottom line left, the
family, the society begins to fail. This Bible verse tell us to
get rid of the moral filth and the evil that surrounds us. Get
rid of that moral filth that is invading our lives and counteract
that by, very humbly, accepting the word that is planted in
you, those words of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ tells us to
get back to our morality, to have a, bottom line, to love all
people, and stand up for that love. Do this not with pride
but in all humility, do this not to master but to serve. Let
this be planted in you because if you turn yourself around
and come back to that moral fiber you will be saved! You
will live forever! You will be one with God.

Prayer:

My dear Heavenly Father I thank You that in my life You
are my moral fiber You Oh Lord are my bottom line. Give
me the strength Oh God to keep You in my heart, in my
mind, and in my spirit as a guidance in this world.  Thank
You Oh Lord for Your salvation Thank You for Your grace
and because of Your grace I will live forever!  In You holy
name.   Amem

BEING BUSY

Rabbi Luzzatto explains that being busy is one
of the greatest stumbling blocks before mankind.
If we are too busy to think, then we are too busy
to change. And if we never adjust our course in
life, we will never reach our goal. Even worse, we
may find ourselves in treacherous territory, like a
blind man walking dangerously close to the
raging waves of the ocean.

Ever notice that we have more time-saving
conveniences than ever, and yet we are just as
busy, if not busier? Carve out time for daily
contemplation. Take the time to turn off your life
and turn on your lights so you can see your way!

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President

WILL

The Will of God

Remember. The Will of God will never take you...
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you...
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you.

The will of God will never take you...
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercy of God cannot sustain you,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you...
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

(GodVine)

LESS THAN TWO DOLLARS A DAY

Living on less than $2 a day in America --
that sounds impossible.

But right now some people in the U.S.
have to do exactly that, and the numbers
are growing. According to a new study,
the number of Americans living on less than
$2 a day has doubled in the past 15 years.

That’s right -- nearly 1.5 million Americans
are living in the kind of extreme poverty that,
until now, has been associated with
developing countries.[i]

Instead of addressing the issue of extreme
poverty in America, lawmakers are turning
their backs on the poor and refusing to
listen to what the Bible teaches us about
caring for those in need. Just this month,
the House voted for major cuts to food
stamps, Medicaid, and other programs
that help Americans living in extreme
poverty.

From now until the November elections,
many in power will continue to use rhetoric
about the federal deficit to attack those
in poverty.

(Some information  from Sojourners)

Reflection:

It is very hard for me to believe that there are
actually people in this country who are trying
to live on less than two dollars a day. This is
not a political discussion, it makes no difference
whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent,
or what you're political persuasion may be. It does
make a difference on what you are as a person.
Do you care about others do you feel compassion
about those who are in need.
This situation that we're facing in this country
CANNOT BE TOLERATED. If you want to talk
about un-American this is un-American, if you
want to talk about Christian this is unchristian.
How long, as a people, are we going to let this
situation go on.
Elections are approaching and we are going to
have to make decisions. Please... Please...
Take in consideration that many of our
friends, neighbors, fellow Americans, fellow
human beings, NEED OUR HELP! I am
asking you not to consider anyone who
supports cutting food stamps, Medicaid, and
other programs that help those in need.

Remember these words from Psalm:

Psalm 12: 5-8

“Because the poor are plundered  and the needy groan,
    I will now arise, ” says the Lord.
    “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
6 And the words of the Lord are flawless,
    like silver purified in a crucible,
    like gold[c] refined seven times.

7 You, Lord, will keep the needy safe
    and will protect us forever from the wicked,
8 who freely strut about
    while depravity is honored by the human race.

PRAYER:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love
Where there is injury . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . faith
Where there is despair . . . hope
Where there is darkness . . . light
Where there is sadness . . . joy
O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled . . . as to console
To be understood . . . as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love
For it is in giving . . . that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying . . . that we are born to eternal life.

HOPE THROUGH JOY

Scripture:

Psalm 30

Reflection:

Today's Psalm contains one of my favorite biblical passages.
I prefer the King James Version of the conclusion of verse five:
"weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

How many sleepless nights have I spent worrying over the unfair,
the unbearable, the insurmountable? In the darkness, worries take on
a life of their own, growing more oppressive by the minute.
"God, are you there?" I ask. But then, just before dawn, rest comes.
And when my eyes open to let in the morning light, I feel lighter.
Relief floods over me; the oppressiveness of the previous night lifted.

That's why I so appreciate the resolution of this verse. No matter how
hopeless life seems in the dark of night, each day brings a new
morning. It is a gentle reminder that God hears our weeping and
offers the possibility for joy each new morning.

Prayer:

Thank you, God, for not turning away from our weeping and
worrying but offering instead joy each new morning, Amen

(From Covenant Home Altar, July 7, 2012)

HOPE THROUGH BLESSING

Scripture:

Corinthians 8:7-15

Today's passage focuses on Paul's request to the Corinthian church
to support the Jerusalem church, which was suffering declining
membership and dwindling funds. Just as Christ, out of generosity
and love, came here to give new life, Paul requests the same love
and sacrificed from the Corinthians.

60 years ago the church I attend it was in crisis. built on the hard
work and unwavering faith of Scandinavian domestics who worked
in the large homes lining Chicago's north lakeshore, the church
faced declining membership and dwindling funds. As these workers
prayed in the church's fireside room, built as a place to gather on
days off, they remained hopeful and earnestly sought God's direction.

Some dedicated members began canvassing the community for
young families willing to give the church new life and support. They
found many and the church thrives today. Years later this
congregation was asked to support a church plant in a community farther
North. Now that church is thriving. Apparently Paul's model still holds.

Prayer:

Thank you, God, that your church still thrives today and offers new
life through your Son. Amen

(From Covenant Home Altar, July 6, 2012)

HOPE THROUGH FAITH

Scripture:

Mark 5:25-34

The woman in the passage suffers from a debilitating
hemorrhaging which, despite many years and much money
searching for cure, has grown worse not better. Some of us
can relate to this experience, as well as to her desperate
hope that in reaching out to Jesus and touching His
garment, she would find healing. And miraculously, she
does. Can our 21st century rational minds explained this?
Not easily.

I recall my parents praying to God in the middle of the night
for relief from the excruciating pain my mother, a diabetic,
often experienced. Miraculously, relief would come. The pain
was not gone, but bearable.

Jesus tells the woman her faith healed her. When I think
of my mother, I remember witnessing the increasing faith
that replaced her diminishing body. It was if God was
healing her body with his. Can I explain this? Not easily.
But I know it's something I witnessed and will never forget.

Prayer:

God, remind us that you are the great physician and that you
bring us healing and hope. Amen

(From Covenant Home Altar, July 5, 2012)

HOPE THROUGH HEALING

Scripture:

Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

This passage tells the story of Jarius, a leader in the
synagogue who searches out Jesus, falls at his feet, and begs him
to come heal his dying daughter. As we know, synagogue leaders were
pretty skeptical of Jesus, and Jairus most likely shared their view.
But when it came to his daughter, he would do anything to save her.

How often have we search for Jesus to save a loved one? "Come
to my house, Jesus." "Jesus, heal my spouse, sibling, child, parent."
"I haven't paid much attention before, Jesus, but I sure need you now."
Even if we are skeptical about Jesus, when faced with losing a loved
one, we, like Jairus will do anything to save them.

The story ends positively, as do many of our own stories, with a
love one healed. We rejoice when the cancer is a laminated, the
the tumor found that benign, the disease cured. And we, like the
onlookers at the home of Jairus, stand amazed.

Prayer:

God, help us acknowledge the evening power of your Son, not only
when we are desperate, but always. Amen

(From Covenant Home Altar, dated July 4, 2012)

HOPE THROUGH BELIEVING

Scripture:

Mark 5:1-20

Reflections:

One day on a routine family run to McDonald's, a man
suddenly began shouting obscenities at us, hurling his
drink and splattering sticky coke all over my long wool coat.
What had triggered this outburst? Stunned, we felt scared
and helpless and quickly hustled into the car to head for home
and safety.

Perhaps the townspeople in today's story shared similar feelings
toward Legion, the man possessed by demons. Apparently
efforts to constrain his outbursts had proved fruitless, relegating
him to roam the countryside cut off from community. Yet the arrival
of Jesus triggers something in Legion because he immediately falls
and worships him.

Jesus heals Legion and the locals come for a viewing. But rather than
rejoicing over a subdued man who had been healed, they are
frightened and big Jesus to leave. Perhaps, like my family and me,
they were out of their comfort zone and felt scared and helpless.

Prayer:

God, help us to recognize the work of your Son, even in the most
unlikely persons and places. Amen

(From Covenant Home Altar, dated July 3, 2012)

HOPE THROUGH LOVE

Scripture:

Lamentations 3:22-23

Reflections:

Lamentations 3 opens with a torrent of nasty events
the author has suffered, for which God is to blame.
God has seemingly ignored cries for help and brought about
bitterness of loss of happiness. Then a sudden turn in verse 21
leads us to today's passage as the author recalls, "The
steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,His mercies never come
to end" (v,22)

Sometimes life feels like that torrent of nasty events. Several years
ago our family suffered the loss of one family member after another
to cancer, three in three years, topped off with a house fire. We
hardly had time to recover from one tragedy before the next one struck.
In these circumstances, it is easy to become bitter, blame God, and
cry out, "Where are you?"

But when the torrents diminished and the carnage is assessed, a song
comes the mine about weaving the hope of a new tomorrow. And
suddenly we recall that, yes, God's love is steadfast and His mercies
never end.

Prayer:

God, thank you for remaining faithful even when life seems impossible
and you feel far away. Amen

(From Covenant Home Altar, dated July 2, 2012)

HOPE THROUGH FORGIVENESS

Scripture:

Psalm 130

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord,
hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the
voice of my supplications!" (Versus 1-2)

Reflections:

The psalmist is desperate for forgiveness and waiting
on God for relief. I don't know about you, but crying
to God for forgiveness and waiting for relief have not been
my regular habits-that is until recently.

I was in a relationship that ended badly and, boy, did I
feel mistreated. As I cried out to God for relief and for
justice, something in a Sunday sermon grabbed me:
extending forgiveness to another would bring healing to me.
Really? The psalmist points out that if the Lord marks
all our iniquities, who can stand? Forgiveness is extended freely
to us, so shouldn't we extend it to others? So I prayed and
waited.

Even though the relationship remains unchanged, I feel
healthier. Meanwhile, like the psalmist, my soul is waiting
for the Lord and I am watching for the morning.

Prayer:

Oh Lord help us extend others the forgiveness you extend us.
Amen.

(From Covenant Home Altar, dated July 1, 2012)

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

"Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide:
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow-
Blessings all minds with ten thousand beside"

Without pardon from our sin and guilt, there
cannot be any enduring peace. Without pardon
for sins, none of us could experience God's
personal presence to lighten our hearts and to
guide us through this fallen world. The message
of Great is Thy Faithfulness is of such depth
and promise it is difficult to describe in mere
words. To understand it, you've got to experience
it. The following witness of our own Esther
Windmiller tells it best.

In 1967 the nightmare of the Vietnam War was
raging all around us. In that year Esther's husband
Bernie Windmiller, an Army Chaplain was sent
to Vietnam assigned to the 4th Battalion,
47th Infantry, leaving Esther home with four
children ages 3 to 8.

She and the children had moved to a small
town where she knew no one. In her first
night alone, as the wind blew against the window
casting shadows from the swaying tree, and
the house creaking with strange sounds she
was overwhelmed with fear thinking, "I cannot
do this."

Next to her bed and on her knees crying, praying,
she found hope and strength from Psalm 27:14
in her opened Bible.

"Trust in the Lord, have faith, do not despair.
Trust in the Lord." (The Good
News Bible)

Rising from her knees and slipping back into
bed she found true peace and trust from claiming
God's promise in that verse and journeyed the
following days in confidence.

Daily letters from Bernie kept her informed about
him and his men, but due to interruptions in the
Postal Service from Vietnam, at times there was
no mail. On those empty days, she held onto
and remain faithful to God's word. On the radio
on July 19, 1967 Esther heard that Bernie's unit
had been wiped out by the enemy. Even on that
day she had no fear, but a deep peace.

Esther's faith and abiding trust in God's promises
supported her as she continued to care for her
children and help encourage other wives, waiting
further word. Within days, the chain of letters continued,
Esther's personal peace endured as promised.

God gives his children a great faithfulness not found
in anything or anyone we know. In addition to His
assurance of pardon for our sins, enduring peace.
His own presence, to encourage and guide us,
strength for each day and bright hope for tomorrow.
HE ADDS THOUSANDS OF BLESSINGS
BESIDES.