Guest User 1/11/21 Guest User 1/11/21

As for Me and My House – Day 1

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Pray continually, give thanks always in all circumstances—why?

INTRODUCTION

Joshua 24:15
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

As the Living Streams Church family fasts and prays together in the next 21 days, we want to focus on consecration—being set apart—being in the world but not of the world.

What is consecration? Consecration is giving yourself to God, becoming His living sacrifice. As Romans 12:1 says: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Before consecration, our life is lived in pursuit of our own desires and goals; but the consecrated life is lived in pursuit of and obedience to God’s will. Our goal during this fasting season is to humble ourselves and move closer to total submission to our Father.

We hope you will enjoy this daily devotional, and that it will help enrich your “alone time” with the Lord each day during this fasting season:

Week 1

GRATITUDE

As for me and my house, we will give thanks.

DAY 1: GOD’S WILL FOR YOU

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Pray continually, give thanks always in all circumstances—why? Because this is His will for you.

Admittedly, giving thanks is challenging when life is difficult or we don’t feel well or world events go opposite of the way we want them to go. Yet we’re to “give thanks always.” Will you do it? Will you rejoice? Will you pray continually? Will you give thanks in the worst of times, as well as in the best?

This is His will for us, so let’s do this!

QUESTIONS What can you be thankful for and rejoice about in your physical world today? In your emotional world? In your relational world? What has to change for you to do this?

PRAYER As I contemplate my circumstances, God, I choose to rejoice and pray. I choose to do Your will. I choose to praise and thank You for every blessing I have, rather than complain about how I feel or what is going on around me.

ACTION Write down ten things you can decide to be thankful for, even though they are not the circumstances you would choose for your life. Then tell God, “I will rejoice in You. I will praise You right now, not because I feel like it, but because it is Your will for me.”

Guest User 7/25/20 Guest User 7/25/20

Keep Growing

By now you’ve probably heard Pastor David say that the COVID-19 pandemic has made us more aware that we are all responsible for our own spiritual formation.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term spiritual formation, it is simply…

Your Spiritual Formation

By now you’ve probably heard Pastor David say that the COVID-19 pandemic has made us more aware that we are all responsible for our own spiritual formation.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term spiritual formation, it is simply a phrase to describe the process of discipleship—becoming more like Christ. In order to become more like Him, you need to get to know Him well. And nobody can do that for you. There are some everyday disciplines you can practice to help you cultivate your personal relationship with the Lord:

Stillness

Psalm 46:10
Schedule time to meditate on the word of God and just be quiet before Him. For most of us, it takes a lot of effort to learn to be still. It means we have to shut off all our technology, get alone, and ramp down the noises in our heads.

Tip: Have pen and paper handy so that when random, “urgent” thoughts crowd in, you can jot them down and deal with them later.

Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Talk to God. Pour out your heart to Him. Ask for forgiveness and the strength to forgive others. Bring your concerns and requests.

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16
Read the Bible. Knowing the Bible is how we learn to know God, because it is His inspired word. There are many types of Bible studies. Find one that works for you. Then try another one. A few suggestions:

If you’re new to the Bible, you may want to start by studying the life of Jesus in the gospels (begin with John, then go back to Matthew, Mark, and Luke).
Spend time in the Psalms.
Read the One Year Chronological Bible.
Study one book of the Bible extensively. Then another.
Use the technique of Lectio Divina.
Read scriptures in the Amplified Bible to see extended meanings of different words.
Learn the proper context of scripture passages, then memorize and pray the word appropriately.

Don’t own a Bible? You can read the Bible free online at biblegateway.com. You can also download the YouVersion Bible app to your device.

Obedience

James 1:22-25
Scripture teaches us what God requires of us. When you learn from the Bible, put it into practice.

Cooperation with the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:5-6
The Holy Spirit is the one who brings us to Christ in the first place. He is our Comforter, Helper and Counselor. As we learn to be sensitive to His leading, He will teach us how to follow Jesus.

Worship

Hebrews 13:15-16
God deserves our worship. The more we come to know Him, the more we love Him. It gives Him joy when we express our love to Him. Praise Him throughout the day, every day.

Community

Acts 2:42-47
God’s family grows when we fellowship together, learn from each other, serve each other, care for each other, and learn to love in a greater capacity. If you attend Living Streams, we encourage you to join a Life Group

Serving the Poor

Proverbs 19:17
God’s heart is for the poor. He requires us to share what we have been given.

Sharing Our Faith

Acts 20:24
Whether we feel it or not, God wants us to reach out to a hurting world with the good news that is found in Christ. We don’t have to be eloquent. We just need to prayerfully share from our hearts what little we know with anyone who needs to hear it.

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Step by Step

Spiritual formation is a process. One foot in front of the other. Reading God’s word today. Stillness before the Lord today. A sacrifice of praise today. An act of obedience today.

The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
–Psalm 37:23-24

One foot in front of the other is how spiritual formation progresses. One step at a time, one day at a time, you need to cultivate biblical spiritual practices. Read and meditate on God’s word today. Be still before the Lord today. Give the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving today. Spend time in prayer today. Do an act of service today.

Patience and perseverance are required. You are not transformed over night, but over a lifetime. Step by step you are becoming more Christlike when you lay down your own will, your own way of doing things, and in obedience you follow the path he has set before you. It isn’t always comfortable and it certainly isn’t easy; but press on and you will grow. And you will change.

This is the walk of faith—moving forward, ever maturing, despite what you feel. Emotions are deceptive. Reject feelings of discouragement, unworthiness, failure. Look ahead with eyes of faith, believing in the things you cannot see, things hoped for, things promised. And stay the course.

Along the way you will make mistakes. You will stumble. But do not despair! You will not fall. The Lord upholds you with his hand. He is your salvation. He is your redeemer. He is with you and he is for you. Delight in him and he will make your steps firm.

Guest User 7/14/20 Guest User 7/14/20

What to Do with Anxiety and Depression

by Kurt Cotter

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.”
–Proverbs 12:25 (NASB)

As I’ve been reaching out to our Living Streams family during this lingering season of COVID-19 quarantine, I’ve been hearing of a rise in anxiety and depression. For some, it’s due to loss of employment or anxiety about impending financial issues. For others, it’s news of all that is going on in the world around us, and the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in our state.

I want to share a few things that can help deal with anxiety before it leads to full-on depression. I look at this as sort of like a pie with various pieces.

The Spiritual Component

For some, it’s like a dark cloud of oppression comes over them and builds a stronghold in the mind. But Jesus has given us authority to “tear down strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4) and restore peace to our minds. Here’s what Paul said about how to do that through prayer with thanksgiving:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
–Philippians 4:6-7

Hopelessness

Sometimes depression comes from feelings of hopelessness. Hope is defined as a joyful expectation of something good.

I spoke to someone today who said they were looking forward to seeing family in another state but then their flight was canceled. That led to that feeling of sadness and depression.

We need to remind ourselves that the plans God has for us are good and that He has a hope and a future for all of us (Jeremiah 29:11). We need to renew our minds with the truth from God’s Word to encourage ourselves as King David did.

Some Practical Tips

I can honestly say it’s been years since I struggled with depression. Here are some practical things that have helped me avoid it.

Reach out to others: I find that I can be selfish. But if the Lord stirs me and puts someone on my mind, and if I reach out to encourage and pray for them, it’s amazing how joy comes to me!
Eat well: Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, and avoid excessive sugar.
Exercise: I watched a Ted Talk from a neuroscientist named Wendy Suzuki—“The Brain-Changing Benefits of Exercise”. She did an experiment on herself and here’s what she found:
- “A single workout will immediately increase levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline.”
- “Exercise actually produces brand new brain cells, new brain cells in the hippocampus, that actually increase its volume, as well as improve your long-term memory.”
- Bottom line: One thing you can do right now is to simply go take a walk.
Read and Meditate on God’s word:

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” –Phil. 4:8-9

Scripture marked (NASB) is from the New American Standard Bible
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

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He Knows Me

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it…
…How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You...
…Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

–Psalm 139:1-6, 17-18, 23-24

How comforting to think of the heart of God! Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows each of us intimately. He understands our thoughts and knows our ways—every thought, every action. Everything! But does He turn away from us? No! He loves us! He surrounds us and lays His hand upon us.

His thoughts toward us are precious—thoughts of forgiveness, renewal, perfecting. He plans for us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). His mercy and love are overwhelming! And He waits for us to respond to His great love.

An appropriate response is to awaken to His love:

To humble ourselves.
To ask Him to reveal to us our hurtful ways so that we can repent.
To speak to Him in prayer, with a posture of reverence, adoration and gratitude.
To come to know Him by reading and meditating on His word (Scripture).
To spend time with Him in stillness.
To praise Him with words as well as to worship Him with acts of obedience.

Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Guest User 6/26/20 Guest User 6/26/20

I Know I Am Loved by the King

Many moments have whizzed by us this year, some full of pain and confusion that we haven’t yet had time to process.

Our God is outside of time. His Kingdom is not weighed down by disease, unrest, or political disagreement. And yet, He sent His son Jesus to intersect with time,

– Psalm 34:4

by Abby McIntyre

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
“This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”
then he adds,
“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
—Hebrews 10:14-18

Many moments have whizzed by us this year, some full of pain and confusion that we haven’t yet had time to process.

Our God is outside of time. His Kingdom is not weighed down by disease, unrest, or political disagreement. And yet, He sent His son Jesus to intersect with time, to demonstrate perfect connection with God, and to make a sacrifice for us that would change time forever. God stepped into our world and gave us the opportunity to become citizens of his perfect Kingdom (Philippians 3:20).

In Hebrews 10 Paul talks about this sacrifice of God’s son; the lamb becoming a scapegoat for all sin. “By a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (v. 14). He promises that He will remember our sins and lawless deeds no more.

“Where there is forgiveness of these [humans’ sins and lawless deeds], there is no longer any offering for sin” (v. 18). Nothing more we can do! Nothing we can do to fix ourselves up for God. Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving His life for ours. By this He proves that we are unconditionally loved. Unconditionally forgiven. We are unconditionally perfected, even as we experience the journey of sanctification.

This understanding of our unconditional acceptance by God through Jesus leads to a response. Perhaps the understanding of God’s lavish love is what led Paul to write things like “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5).

Christian singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin wrote these lyrics in 2006:

How can I keep from singing Your praise?
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love?
How can I keep from shouting Your name?
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

Like Paul, we can sing in the dark times (or the weird times, or the in-between times), for we know we are loved and en route to sanctification. Reflecting on the sacrificial love of our King Jesus ought to make us sing!

Guest User 6/10/20 Guest User 6/10/20

Take Heart

If you are feeling anxious right now, just turn off the news, get away from social media, get quiet, and dig into God’s word. It is filled with comfort and strength for his people. Here are some verses that can not only calm your fears, but can also build your faith and courage. Maybe you should pick out a few to meditate on today:

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
– Psalm 34:4

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
– Psalm 31:24
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
– Psalm 34:4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
– Psalm 56:3
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
– 1 Peter 5:6-7
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
– Isaiah 41:10
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
– Joshua 1:8 & 9
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
–Deuteronomy 31:8
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
– John 14:26 & 27
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
– Psalm 55:22
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
– Psalm 27:14

Guest User 6/3/20 Guest User 6/3/20

A New Heart and a New Spirit

by Mark Buckley
Founding Pastor

I dropped Kristina off at Banner University Hospital on April 27th. When I kissed her good-bye, I did not know if we would ever see each other again. I drove back to the hospital on May 20th. As I pulled up to the curb, Kristina stood up from a wheelchair and stepped into our car. Three years after her heart had stopped three times, and eighteen months after she had been shocked fifty-nine times by her defibrillator, she had a heart transplant that saved her life once again.

I had expected Kristina would be bed ridden for weeks, but we had a celebration dinner that night. The next evening, we took a walk. She’s been walking a mile a day ever since. It was 112 degrees last week, but like a teenager with a new car, she likes taking her new heart out for a spin every day.

After her transplant, Chris Eaton asked, “Has she invited Jesus into her new heart?” The new heart has not changed her personality. The doctors had warned us that the Prednisone she would be on after the transplant would make her act crazy. Prednisone is one of the medications which suppresses her immune system so her body will not reject the heart. It keeps her awake at night, makes her hands tremble and her face swell, but I am still the craziest one around our house.

Speaking of crazy, it seems like our nation is having a nervous breakdown. Usually when I switch channels from CNN to Fox News, they describe alternative realities. I think it is good to listen to both sides of a conflict to gain wisdom and understanding. However, when the video of George Floyd’s death was played, all the news stations agreed it showed an evil action by the police.

Our nation is in a difficult time, with no easy answers. When times are difficult immature people want someone to blame. We can use China, racism, the police, the president, or immigrants as scapegoats, but that will not solve our problems. God has us in dilemmas which require patience and wisdom. Believers must help squelch violent passions, not inflame others with our judgments. We must love our neighbors, and justice, mercy and faithfulness should be our priorities (Matthew 23:23).

One Saturday morning before going into the hospital, Kristina asked me to accompany her to a dental appointment. Before leaving, I looked at the loafers I was wearing. I felt like I should change into shoes which would match my clothes. But I was busy, and forgot to change. It turned out the dental tech was a friendly man in a wheelchair who was working out of his garage. At nine years of age he had been severely burned in a barn fire started by his cousin. He had no legs. I had been worried about what shoes to wear to a meeting with a man who had no shoes, or feet. It was awkward for me to ask a man I had only known for thirty minutes how he lost his legs. Yet when he told me his story, it bonded us together. Listening to a person’s story is a good way to love our neighbor.

We are rejoicing because God showed us mercy. We are also grieving because our nation is inflamed in rage. Some want revenge for their personal pain, and others grasp for power through intimidation and deceit. Most of us have feet, jobs, homes, food, functioning hearts, and confidence in our justice system. These are privileges not all people share. To understand why people are angry enough to justify burning our cities, we will need to listen to their stories. The same police who bring comfort to most white people, bring fear to many law-abiding black people. That is a sign of injustice.

The YouVersion verse for the day of Kristina’s operation was “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (EZ 36:26). A heart transplant is a painful process. It is worth the price when it provides a new lease on life. Many people need new hearts and spirits. Believers can help this happen.

Guest User 6/2/20 Guest User 6/2/20

Love is the Antidote

At the time of this writing, the ugliness of racial prejudice is once again stirring up powerful emotions across our nation. And we wonder: How can we ever be a united people when hatred exists among us?

Plain and simple, racism is a sin. And God’s people have got to take the lead in humbling ourselves, and in asking him to forgive us as a nation, to change us, and to help us love one another.

At the time of this writing, the ugliness of racial prejudice is once again stirring up powerful emotions across America. And we wonder: How can we ever be a united people when hatred exists among us?

Plain and simple, racism is evil. It’s never okay. And God’s people have got to take the lead in humbling ourselves, and in asking him to forgive us as a nation, to change us, and to help us obey his command to love each other.

The law of God plainly says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)

So, who is my neighbor?

Somebody once asked Jesus that question. He answered with a simple story. The story goes like this:

A man [presumably a Jewish man] was traveling on a long, rugged and dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho. While on his journey, he was attacked—beaten, robbed and left for dead.
Along came a priest, who saw him but didn’t help him. He just passed by on the other side of the road. Then a Levite came along and ignored him as well.
Finally, a Samaritan came by and saw the beaten man lying there. He paused his own journey, took care of the injured man’s wounds and took time to transport him to safety. He then paid in advance for the man’s food, care and lodging, and made certain that someone would continue to help him.

After Jesus ended this story, he said, “Go and do likewise.”

Now, to get the full impact of this parable, it’s important to know that, historically, Samaritans and Jews didn’t like each other very much. It was unlikely they would ever go out of their way to help one another. Yet, this particular Samaritan broke out of that mindset. He offered patience, compassion and generosity to a total stranger—someone who probably wouldn’t have helped him if the situation were reversed.

Conversly, the men who ignored the dying victim shared the same culture and religion as the man, yet they couldn’t be bothered to show him the least bit of mercy. They were supposed to be God’s people, but you wouldn’t know it from their actions.

We’ve all heard this story before. We want to identify with that Samaritan, but I wonder. None of us wants to believe that we are careless or prejudiced. But if we take an open, honest assessment of our hearts, we will no doubt discover some things we need to work on, like some unloving attitudes and apathy toward our neighbors. It’s important to ask God to reveal to us what’s hidden deep inside—ask him what he wants to change in us.

Here are a few hard questions that each of ask should ask ourselves:

Does this parable sting my conscience at all?
Am I apathetic like the priest and the Levite in the story?
How far would I go out of my way to help or defend someone I don’t know?
Is there any prejudice in my heart against any person—or any people group (maybe just a little bit)?
Am I afraid of people who are different from me?
Am I indifferent to the pain of people I don’t know?

If (when) God reveals some wrong attitudes, then it’s time to repent. In the Bible, the Greek word translated repent is metanoesate, which means “to change one’s mind or attitude.”

It’s not easy to change a deep-seated belief or attitude, but nothing is impossible with God. With his help, we can change. It’s going to take some painful honesty, work and humility, but we can become more Christlike, more willing to reach out to heal the hurting. Our Father can help us care deeply about the pain of others.

Can you imagine how the world would change if all of God’s people loved in the way of the Good Samaritan?

Guest User 5/19/20 Guest User 5/19/20

Grieve and Let Go

When Moses encountered the burning bush. He was told to do something: “Take off your shoes. This is holy ground”.

When God awakens us in an area or touches us in our whole spiritual life, He usually calls us to “do something”. In my experience, some of the greatest times of awakening and growth have been my deepest points of pain, confusion, or silence in my life. I did not always know what to do, how to do it, or what the next step was.

Alan Heller, Personal Life Coach and Counselor
alan@walkandtalk.org

but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
  they will walk and not be faint.
–Isaiah 40:31

When Moses encountered the burning bush. He was told to do something: “Take off your shoes. This is holy ground”.

When my 32-year-old son was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and subsequently died ten months later, I had to take a deep breath after feeling like someone had punched me in the gut. But as I waited on the Lord, fasted and prayed, God spoke. I became obedient to watch the Red Sea part, as it were. It was not immediate. It was a process and it took much longer than I wanted.

When we have great need and feel it, God usually speaks to us deeply; because, as C.S. Lewis says, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain.”

Let’s take some time to recount the losses we’ve have had in this season. Let’s take some time to engage with loss together. Let’s notice the now-empty spaces in our lives. Let’s acknowledge our trauma, our loss, our grief…together. Not standing alone.

Action:
Take some time to sit in God’s presence with a notebook or journal and write down what comes to mind. Resist the tendency to minimize (“It’s no big deal.” “It wasn’t that bad.” “Others have it worse.”). Just write it down. And notice what feelings are coming up as you begin listing those losses that surface. Give them to the Lord—because HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden is light—and you will find rest for your soul.

Mark Buckley 5/4/20 Mark Buckley 5/4/20

He Reveals Deep and Hidden Things

by Mark Buckley, Founding Pastor
Mark Buckley Ministries

A few years ago, I was greeting people in the lobby of Living Streams when I saw a tall, handsome young man. One of our members introduced us and said he was a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. I played football in high school and I have been a fan since I was a kid going to 49er games. The Cardinals were in pre-season at the time, with many coaching decisions being made. I immediately told the young guy how much I liked the team and what I felt about their coach, and about a situation they were facing.
       He looked straight at me with an expression I have never forgotten. His puzzled face said, “You are a pastor, not a football analyst. You don’t know what you are talking about.”
It did not surprise me that he did not stay with our church.
       I’ve been told by friends that I speak with as much authority about sports and business as I do about the Bible. These comments are not compliments. I have not played football in fifty years. I’ve been out of full-time business for forty-five years. I’m a fan who studies these things in newspapers and on TV. I like to share my opinions, but I have no real expertise.
       In late 1999, Bill Ford, a humble man with a ministry of intercessory prayer, made an appointment to meet with me. Bill sat down in my office and explained to me that he had been a farmer in Texas. In the early 1990’s, there was a drought and the farmers were struggling to make a living. While he was praying, the Lord spoke to Bill and told him to plow his field into large chunks when he prepared the ground to plant his crops. Bill knew crops could not grow in that soil unless the ground was broken into small pieces. Nevertheless, because it seemed the Lord was persistent, Bill plowed his soil into large chunks.
       Not long after he had plowed, there was a huge storm. The intense rain broke up Bill’s soil from large chunks into small pieces which were perfect for planting. Many of his neighbors who had plowed their soil into small pieces lost their soil to erosion when the rain fell so violently. Bill had tried to warn his neighbors and explain to them what God had shown him in advance, but they thought he was crazy.
       Bill then explained to me that the Lord had shown him we were going to have a major correction in the stock market. He told me many companies would be wiped out. I did not doubt Bill’s story about the warning the Lord gave him when he was farming. However, the stock market was booming, and I did not think Bill knew what he was talking about. Like his doubting neighbors, I discounted his warning completely.
Four months later, in March of 2000, the dot com bubble burst. I lost most of the money we had in the stock market, because I had moved it into high tech mutual funds. Then, in 2007, Bill gave me another warning about what he saw coming, which I ignored. I told myself I would listen and obey if Bill ever warned me about our situation again. I learned it is not easy to obey a word from the Lord that comes through someone else.
Two years ago, Bill sent me another warning about what he saw coming to America. I tucked this word into my heart. I felt the bubble of our debt-fueled prosperity would burst. We would be called to account for our pride, prejudice and pornography—among other issues. When I first tried to warn some of my business friends about the length and depth of the struggles we are now facing, they treated me the way I treated Bill in 2000. “I respect you, brother, but you are out of your depth on this issue.”
I have no more earned the right to speak as an authority on our economy than I have earned the right to speak to a sports professional about his team, or doctors about their medical practices. With one caveat:
He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.(Daniel 2:22)
Sometimes, to reveal His glory, God shows his servants things beyond their pay grade.

Guest User 5/1/20 Guest User 5/1/20

Go Horizontal

No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute.

by Alan Heller, Personal Life Coach and Counselor
alan@walkandtalk.org

ISAIAH 58:6-9 (TLB)

No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute. Clothe those who are cold, and don’t hide from relatives who need your help. If you do these things, God will shed his own glorious light upon you. He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then, when you call, the Lord will answer. “Yes, I am here,” he will quickly reply.
–Isaiah 58:6-9 (TLB)
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
–MMatthew 25:35-36 (NIV)

God tells us we should minister in practical ways to hungry people, unclothed people, unprotected people, prisoners, widows, and orphans. We’re to share our food, our homes, our clothing, and our abundance with those in need. As we do these things to others, it is as if we are doing them for Jesus Himself.

There are so many who need encouragement during this time. It should not be hard to find those who you could give to today. First responders, those in your neighborhood who are high risk that need someone to just ask, “How are you doing? Can I pray for you ? Can I get something at the store for you?”

QUESTION:

How can you be involved in serving the Lord, by serving others in the ways mentioned in these verses? Who are the widows, prisoners, orphans you can give to today? Who are poor in spirit that you can write, call, Zoom etc. ?

PRAYER:

May You shed Your glorious light upon me. May You heal me. May You lead me forward in Your ways, and protect me from behind. May your goodness be a shield for me. May I call and You quickly reply. Help me pour out Your abundant blessings on others.

ACTION:

Listen to God and take action. Go! And do what He tells you to do. No matter how small an action.

Guest User 4/29/20 Guest User 4/29/20

Listen While You Wait

by Abby McIntyre
Communications and Children’s Ministry Assistant

“As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
–Luke 19:37-40

I have vivid childhood memories of those built-in water dispensers that you find on the doors of many refrigerators. My family never had one, but a lot of family friends did and a visit to their house meant water from the fridge door. The reason the memories are so vivid: it takes a long time for one of those dispensers to fill a cup. It’s probably different for a grown-up, but 10-15 seconds of watching water fall into a cup was a looong time for me as a thirsty elementary schooler. The anticipation was really killer.

On a much grander scale than fridge water, life has been forcefully slow recently. Chances are you’ve recently found yourself with excess amounts of time to feel the anxious anticipation surrounding COVID-19. Maybe you’ve finished all the house projects that you had on the docket and caught up on the episodes of your show. Or maybe you’re just itching to get past this time of being home all the time. Ready for the waiting time to end. Businesses, churches, and families are right there with you—waiting, waiting, waiting to find out what the next few months will look like.

My challenge: find something beautiful to look at while you wait. Step outside at night and notice the stars above your house. Go for a walk and watch families of quail, ducks, or ants looking for food together. Turn off your phone and focus your full attention on family game night. Maybe even pick up the dusty instrument that sits in the corner of your living room and listen to the notes ring out. Focus on the rhythm of your own breath. God made your lungs to do that, how great is He?

When Jesus entered Jerusalem and his disciples cried out in praise, religious leaders told him that the disciples should be quiet. Jesus responded by saying that if the disciples were to stay quiet, the rocks on the ground would begin to cry out His praise. That if no one were to speak, the stones would still say “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

I believe that when we slow down and listen—even if the “slowing down” is imposed on us by a global pandemic and a stay-at-home order—the small and quiet things around us can become small and quiet ways of spending time with God. An anxious, “let’s get this over with already” moment becomes a beautiful and gentle time to reconnect to God, self, and breath. Then—it’s cool—we get to join in with the rocks and stars and ants as they sing their song of praise to Him. Look around you in the slowness and the quiet (and the anxiety!) and listen to the song that echoes in nature and in beauty: “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Now, since I’ve gotten older, when I use a fridge-door water dispenser at a friend’s house (pre-quarantine!), I have an easier time waiting through the 10-15 seconds of thirsty anticipation. I don’t tap my foot or think about how much I wish the waiting was over. Instead, I look at all the sweet pictures and thank you cards and wedding invites they’ve hung there, or I listen to the sound of the water falling into the cup. A waiting moment turned to a quiet observation of my surroundings and deep hope that the moment I’m anticipating will arrive soon enough. There is peace in Heaven and there are beautiful things to be noticed in the waiting time.

Guest User 4/28/20 Guest User 4/28/20

Good Reads

We asked our pastors and staff what they are reading while confined at home. We thought we’d share some of their answers with you:

Looking for something to read? We asked our pastors and staff what books they’d like to recommend.

David Stockton:

Song of Albion trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead:
The Paradise War
The Silver Hand
The Endless Knot
Fiction. A more grown up Narnia-type series. Super well-written, has Christian undertones, and is a fun mental break during this time.

Morgan Breitling:

Boundaries by John Townsend and Henry Cloud
The Wounded Healer by Henri J. M. Nouwen
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle

Debbie Becker:

Fervent by Priscilla Shirer
Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground by Ryan Romeo

Guest User 4/27/20 Guest User 4/27/20

The Family That Prays

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

by Alan Heller, Personal Life Coach and Counselor
alan@walkandtalk.org

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
–Deuteronomy 11:19 (NIV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
–1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)

God’s Word is practical. We can apply it to every circumstance of life. In this time where we are so uncertain of what is coming next, God wants His people to be aware of His presence at all times.

One way we can incorporate Him into our lives is to talk about Him and talk to Him as we go about our daily lives. Pray about our schedule, our family, first line responders, our leaders.

You don’t have to always sit down and pray as a group. Pray when you are in the car. Thank Him when your kids win their game and ask Him to help them do better next time when they lose. Pray with someone over the phone or FaceTime or Zoom.

No matter how you feel, or what the circumstances of life, give thanks and praise him.

QUESTIONS:

How do you respond to problems and trials in your life? Are you aware of your example to your kids and others in the face of difficulties? How can you show them you trust God in the face of trials?

PRAYER:

Lord, I want to show my family that I believe in You no matter what is happening in my life. Help me to talk to You and about You as I go about my daily life.

ACTION:

Set an example for your kids in praying for the issues you and they face. Pray about the feelings and thoughts you have and show you are trusting in HIM. (Ps 1, 23, 91) Encourage them to pray, too. This brings pleasure to God and stimulates unity in the family.

Guest User 4/24/20 Guest User 4/24/20

Endurance

In the past, when I’ve prayed for God’s power to be active in me, it was not so that I would have great endurance. But waiting out this social distancing in my home alone has greatly changed that perspective

by Faith Cummings
Pastor of Women’s, Drive Through Prayer, and Counseling Ministries

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience
–Colossians 1:11

Whenever something I long for seems to be taking forever, I remember being pregnant with my first child. The nine months seemed like it would never end, even though I could see my abdomen growing almost daily. And though I knew that it would be worth the wait to have the baby in my arms, I think I cried every day of the last two months of waiting.

Oddly enough, this has caused me to ask what it is that I am waiting for during this time. Is it so I can go to the grocery store without my mask and cleaning wipes? Is it so I can get my hair cut or go to the dentist (ugh)? NO! What I can hardly wait for is to return to the relationships I experienced before, the times I can hug my daughter, visit my son and his family, see all the Wednesday morning ladies and entertain my life group in my home. Never before did I recognize my own deep need of community.

This started me meditating on David’s sermon this past Sunday about Jesus’ return. We have waited 2,000 years for Jesus’ soon return. My mother prays daily that God will take her to heaven. A friend feeling sad about the trouble in this world said how much she wished Jesus would return. It feels like He is taking forever.

But what is it that we are really waiting for?

Are we waiting to be united with loved ones? That will bring healing for many sad hearts.

Are we waiting for God to make right all the injustice in this world? That also would heal many hearts.

Are we waiting to see and be in the Presence of the One who loves us more than life itself? That will heal His heart.

Guest User 4/22/20 Guest User 4/22/20

Give to Others, Even When You're Hurting

Sometimes when we feel down, and so into ourselves, we need to look up and look out. Giving to others when you feel needy can take you out of yourself and bring you into a less selfish place.

by Alan Heller, Personal Life Coach and Counselor
alan@walkandtalk.org

Sometimes when we feel down, and so into ourselves, we need to look up and look out. Giving to others when you feel needy can take you out of yourself and bring you into a less selfish place.

Maybe you can call someone who helped you. Or maybe you can email or text someone who has been very important in your life but you have not talked to them in years. Pauly and I have been having Bible study happy hour with our friends on Zoom to keep connected. You can also check out ways to help people who have asked for help in specific areas.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. –James 1:5-8

Questions: Is there someone that the Lord is leading you to give something to? What is it?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, give me eyes to see the needs around me. Help me know who to give, text, email, phone or write to today. Speak to me today about others and help me love, rather than introspect in an unhealthy way.

Action: Ask God to show you what you are to give today and be ready to give money, time, talent. Now go do something for someone in Jesus’ name.

Mark Buckley 4/21/20 Mark Buckley 4/21/20

Reset

Recently, I was on a social distancing hike in the desert with a young lawyer named Mike Roberts. We wound our way along the rocky trails through the cactus as we talked.

by Mark Buckley
Founding Pastor

Recently, I was on a social distancing hike in the desert with a young lawyer named Mike Roberts. We wound our way along the rocky trails through the cactus as we talked. Mike was behind me, as we went over a ridge into an area where I seldom hike. We both paused as I came to a fork in the trail. The right fork led to a ridge top where other hikers were walking. The left fork headed alongside the mountain before going up.

Normally I hike without much thought to my direction in our mountain preserve, because most of the trails eventually wind back towards the trailhead. I am cautious now because I want to avoid other hikers. I was trying to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit in the simple decision before us. With no hesitation in my spirit, I chose the left fork of the trail and headed down the path through a small wash. Before we could resume our conversation, I heard a shaking sound that barely registered in my brain. Mike yelled, “Snake!”

I bolted ahead for twenty yards, before stopping to look back. A large rattlesnake was coiled up three feet from the trail. It had been close enough to strike me. My heart pounded as I stared at the snake. Mike dashed up to me. I cautiously backtracked towards the snake with my phone ready to get a picture. The snake uncoiled and slithered past a cactus, and into a hole. We continued our walk and shared snake and scorpion stories. (Desert living provides opportunities for encounters with unique creatures.)

Afterwards, I pondered the experience. I had purposefully sought guidance at the fork on the trail. The sense I had from the Spirit led me towards the rattlesnake.

Many people assume that, if the Spirit is leading you, then your path should be peaceful, mellow, and safe. That is not the biblical pattern of guidance. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The apostles were led by the Spirit to preach boldly, even when arrests and beatings awaited them. Joshua was led by the Lord into one battle after another in the promised land.

Following the Lord brings a great reward, yet it is not an easy path. At times he leads those he loves into lion’s dens, fiery furnaces, jail cells, and stormy seas. We can choose to stay safe, or we can choose to follow the Lord and let him lead us through adventures that shape our destiny. Spiritual Goliaths are intimidating people and situations. Yet, every Goliath we slay brings a spiritual promotion.

The word I hear the Spirit saying right now is Reset. Many of us have been pruned, disciplined, and humbled by circumstances beyond our control these past months. We have made changes in our lifestyles and experienced a new humility in our hearts. It is futile to blame politicians, or China, for the virus that has come to our land. Since we cannot be sure what the future will bring, all we can do effectively is determine how we will live today. We must make the best use of our time right now.

When my computer goes too slow, I shut it down and do a restart. The restart enables it to reset my programs and resume again at a good pace. We are not computers, but many of us were living our lives without accomplishing things we really wanted to accomplish. The clutter in our lives was choking our fruitfulness. Like a computer, it is difficult to fulfill your purpose if you get stuffed with too many cookies. A reset does not mean we will avoid rattlesnakes on the path of life. However, a reset can help us to eliminate things that are fruitless, so we can fulfill God’s destiny for our lives.

The suffering of those who have lost loved ones, businesses, and jobs these past few months has been immense. In spite of this, I hope many of us will look back on this quarantine as a reset that brings us a new season of fruitfulness. Jesus said, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you (Luke 10:19).

Guest User 4/17/20 Guest User 4/17/20

Stimulus Checks

by Anthony DeArcos
Director of Finance

Twice in my life I lost my job due to a bad economy and budget cuts. The first time led to my being unemployed for thirteen months. I experienced a wide range of emotions—some of which I did not think I had in me—as I was met with rejection when applying for new jobs, or when I had to humble myself to ask for help. Even my relationship with the Lord was inconsistent as I would lash out at Him with pent up anger or convince myself I was not good enough for my prayers to be heard.

Time has given me the benefit of perspective. I did not remain stuck. My unemployment ended after thirteen months, when I was hired for a miserable job that got me started climbing my way back up. After a long journey, I ended up working at Living Streams, where I am fortunate enough to continue working from home. I realize that, through all the anger and frustration, God was still there and listening. He could see the big picture, and now my life is fuller than before I ever lost a job.

Right now, the government is trying to be as helpful as it can. New legislation was passed containing many efforts to mitigate damage to the economy and individual households. One of those measures that will affect most of us is the issue of stimulus checks. For some of us, it is exactly what we need. For some of us, it won’t be enough. For some of us, it might even leave a little extra. No matter what your circumstance, we are offering these five recommendations for your consideration:

Pray and see if God is directing you toward something specific. It may be something easy or difficult, but we believe God always has our best interest in mind
Set aside 10% for generosity. Come up with a creative and intentional way to help someone anonymously. Living Streams sets aside 10% of tithes received for local and international missions endeavors. Right now, it is being used to keep our Food Pantry open and to provide emergency aid to churches and missionaries around the world.
Pay off debts, starting with the highest interest rate. The borrower is slave to the lender, but God did not make us to be slaves. Keep the long-term in mind as you figure out which debts to pay off. Debt with higher interest rates cause you to pay more in total over longer periods of time.
Figure out what your next big expense will be (for example, car repair or new AC unit) and apply it to that. Successful budgeting requires that you examine what needs will exist in the near future—not just immediate needs.
Save it for this summer, when financial difficulties may be worse. We do not know how long this crisis will last or what the long-term economic impact will be. The amount you set aside now might be exactly what you or someone else needs in the future.

Remember, God sees the big picture and He knows what is around the corner for each of us. No matter what frustrations lie ahead, continue to look to the Father and remember the hope we have through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Guest User 4/17/20 Guest User 4/17/20

The Power of Gratitude

“Give thanks in all circumstances.” Easier said than done. When things aren’t going our way, we definitely do not feel thankful. But then, the Bible doesn’t tell us to feel thankful.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
–1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
–Hebrews 13:15

“Give thanks in all circumstances.” Easier said than done. When life gets turned upside down, we definitely do not feel thankful. But then, the Bible doesn’t tell us to feel thankful. It tells us to give thanks—and to offer a sacrifice of praise.

Our options.
This means we have a choice. We can choose to complain about our present circumstances, or we can choose to praise and give thanks, despite our circumstances.

It can be a tough choice—especially when we are hurting, angry or scared. In those times, giving thanks becomes a sacrificial act of obedience. It requires a shift in our thinking. We stop focusing on the negative, and start enumerating the good things the Lord has done in our lives—and then we praise and thank Him for who He is and what He has done.

An example.
In Acts 16 we read of Paul and Silas being brutally beaten and thrown into a dark, filthy jail. Despite their physical pain and concern for their future, they began to pray and sing praises from their humble, grateful hearts.

This particular story ends happily with a heavenly jail break. But more importantly, the jailer was so moved by their heart posture, that he asked them what he and his family needed to do to be saved.

The beautiful testimony here is that Paul and Silas praised God while they were in an incredibly tough situation—before they knew the outcome of their circumstances. They left a timeless example of how Jesus followers should handle a crisis.

The power of continual gratitude.
Praising and giving thanks is a powerful practice that, when done daily, throughout the day, will deepen our relationship with God. Here are some ways that giving thanks can transform us:

Giving thanks takes our focus off of what we don’t have. It changes our attitude.
The more we bring to remembrance what God has already done for us, the more we trust Him to care for us now and in the future.
We become more humble as we acknowledge that we are not in control, and that we are dependent on Him.
Giving thanks continually helps us develop a truly grateful heart…
…and a grateful heart makes us more Christ-like.

INTRODUCTION

Week 1

GRATITUDE

DAY 1: GOD’S WILL FOR YOU

Your Spiritual Formation

Stillness

Prayer

Scripture

Obedience

Cooperation with the Holy Spirit

Worship

Community

Serving the Poor

Sharing Our Faith

Some Practical Tips

David Stockton:

Mark Buckley:

Jay Murphy:

Faith Cummings:

Kurt Cotter:

Eddie Morales:

Tammy Valdez:

Arthur Le:

Jeremy Thompson:

Isaiah Gomez:

Sharon Welch:

Cleiton Oliveira:

Jenn Taylor:

Morgan Breitling:

Debbie Becker: