Who Formed You

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December 31, 2012

"Who Formed You"

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 139:14 (HCSB)  I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.  Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.

Devotional Reading:
Who am I?  That is a question I spent years trying to find the answer to as a teenager then as a young adult.  This same question plagued me as a Marine as well.  I discovered at every turn someone was always there to tell me who I am and what expectations they have for me; even when those expectations were not my own.  Then one day at Lockheed, an individual I respected and trust said to me, “Ben, remember who you are.” I am ashamed to say today that I snickered at those words. I thought, “Remember who I am?  What does that mean?” But during the next few years, in moments of tremendous tension and pressure and temptation, I would hear his voice saying, “Remember who you are.” Through those words, I recalled times of peace and contentment. And although I was far from home at times, I never forgot my upbringing. When we remember who we are, we always know what to do and how to live. When we forget who we are, we become uncertain of what is right and are easily swayed by the world. Who are you? Well, if you are a Christian, you are a child of the King. You are adopted into God’s family as a son or daughter, and you have a place at God’s table. You are an “alien” in this world, but you have a home in heaven. Also, you are God’s workmanship. He designed you, created you as a one-of-a-kind testimony to His excellence, and you have been made for “good works,” and not for evil. When the world tries to squeeze you into its mold, remember who you are! Who you are in and Who formed you!
Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

small & great

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December 28, 2012

"Small & Great"

Scripture Reading:
Revelation 19:5 (HCSB)  A voice came from the throne, saying: Praise our God, all His slaves, who fear Him, both small and great!

Devotional Reading:
Two men were walking down the sidewalks of Manhattan, one a Native American and the other a born-and-bred New Yorker.  The noise was incredible:  cars, buses, horns, sirens, people talking loudly in the midst of chaos.  Suddenly, the Native American said, “Listen!  I hear a cricket!  Do you hear it?”  The New Yorker was incredulous.  “No way!  You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket on a Manhattan sidewalk during rush hour.”  His friend disagreed, and to prove his statement, he bent down and retrieved a chirping cricket from a crack in the sidewalk.  “How could you hear it?”  the New Yorker asked.  “Easy,” said his friend.  “I’ve lived outdoors all my life.  I can hear a cricket over any other kind of noise.  That’s not amazing.  If you want to see amazing, watch this!”  And with those words, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a quarter, and dropped it on the pavement.  As soon as he did, heads began to turn.  It seemed as if every Manhattan-ite for blocks heard the coin as it hit the sidewalk.  He had proved his point:  you hear what you are listening for.  Our ears pick up the sounds to which they are tuned.  Let me ask you a question.  What are you listening for?  Do you hear God’s voice amidst the cacophony of everyday living?  Do you see his hand at work all around you?  Is your heart tuned to sing His praise?  We can either listen to the din of the world, or strive to hear the voice of God.  The choice is ours.
Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

An Oldie but a Goodie

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December 27, 2012

"Oldie but a Goodie"

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 68:35 (HCSB)  God, You are awe-inspiring in Your sanctuaries.  The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people.  May God be praised!

Devotional Reading:
Here is a classic...an oldie, but I still think you'll enjoy it!  Babylonian literature tells the story of a man who wanted to believe in God, but did not.  He went to a Jewish teacher, saying, “If you’ll show me God, I’ll believe.  Just show Him to me.”  The teacher said, “I will show you God – but first, go outside and gaze at the sun for five minutes.”  The man went outside, but he could not look at the sun for more than a few seconds.  He told the rabbi that he had failed . . . that the sun was too bright to gaze upon.  The teacher nodded in agreement.  “You could not look on a minor creation of God for even a minute – and yet you want to see Him who put the brilliance in the stars.  You cannot.  He is large and in charge.”  What a great word about the nature of God.  He is almighty God – too huge for us to easily grasp or readily comprehend.  And too majestic for us to take in more than a glimpse of His awesome character.  Because He is so immense, the distance between us is great.  For me to understand all about God would be as reasonable as expecting our shitz-shu, Teddy, to understand all about calculus . . . and Teddy’s a smart dog!  How grateful I am that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to live in the flesh and show us what He is like, up close.  Jesus said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.”  Through Him, we can gaze on God to our heart’s content.
Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Merry Christmas Day

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December 25, 2012

"Merry Christmas Day"

The first Christmas was simultaneously the best of times and the worst of times. Jesus was born during a time of social and political unrest. Infanticides of newly born males had been made legal.

Taxes were high, and poverty was rampant.  It was in the midst of this crisis that our Savior was born. A bright light in a dark world appeared in order to bring hope to a world in disarray.

This Christmas offers us the same hope of the first Christmas. No matter how dim or difficult things may seem to be in your world, Christ is still the light that shines brightly where things seems to be the darkest.

On behalf of our family, we wish you and yours a most blessed Christmas season. May the reality of the God-Man give you the strength and power to victoriously face whatever may come your way.

 

Keep the Son in your eyes,
Pastor Ben J Lahay
Galatians 2:20

Candlelight Christmas Eve 6pm

Don't forget The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is Tonight. This is a great time to gather up your family and join our Church Family and celebrate what Christmas is all about. It is a way to slow down for just a few minutes during this busy time. 6pm Deep Creek Baptist Church.  Let's not forget what Christmas is all about. Not the gifts, the tree, the red-suit, the food or even family...It's about Jesus Christ, when the Lord Himself came down to earth to dwell with men!

We will sing, praise give glory and celebrate Jesus Christ tonight at 6pm!  Deep Creek Baptist Church 19841 Garrett Highway Oakland, Maryland 21550 (301)387-5688
www.deepcreekbc.org

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from Deep Creek Java...Merry Christmas

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December 24, 2012

"Merry Christmas"

Scripture Reading:
Luke 2:11 (HCSB)  Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.

Devotional Reading:
It was Christmas Eve, as I slept in my bed,
when I heard a great noise, possibly a sled!

I jumped out of bed, to catch Santa in action,
but a bearded man in red was not in the caption.

Instead a man, in shiny white clothes,
he said come nearer, and I'll share a story of old.

He opened a great book, and started to read
about a little town, and mans new seed;

"Oh little town of Bethlehem, a gift for you I bring
a child shall be born, and praises angels will sing.
For this little child, who in a manger born,
will be the holy Savior, the holy Lord.
He will free all men, from this burden of sin,
and will hold each dear, as children and kin."

It was then I realized, Christmas was not about toys
It was not about race cars, or fancy alloys.

Christmas is about a greater gift, one that never stops.
Christmas is about God's love, a gift we cannot top.
Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Real Life "Christmas Letter"

It was a Christmas season that the 18-year-old Marine would rather not experience. Slogging through the mud in the drizzling, never-ending rain was beginning to wear on the enlisted man's spirit.

Sleeping on the ground without a bath for months with a stubbly beard growing from not shaving in the winter cold was not his idea of a holiday. He had fond recent memories of Christmas in Greenville, S.C., still fresh from his boyhood days. His grandmother's Christmas ham and visits with family and friends are what he missed the most.

There would be none of that this year. In fact, he was grateful just to be alive.

What made it worse was being part of a squadron chosen to provide security for the annual USO Christmas program. It just didn't seem fair.

While thousands enjoyed plenty of Christmas cheer and entertainment, he and his buddies silently guarded a nearly 12-mile arc around Da Nang in South Vietnam.

Their mission was crucial to the enjoyment of fellow soldiers. Several thousand troops enjoying a holiday celebration would be an easy target for North Vietnamese troops slipping through the jungles.

For the teenage soldier, this day was just another in a string of cold, overcast winter days. The day is a memory now. A story he tells. For this telling, he prefers to be known only by his first name, Jack

"We were angry, hungry, wet and scared most of the time," he said. "Our job was to stay alert and patrol to keep the enemy from infiltrating the area and disrupting the show. Needless to say, we weren't very happy."

Jack said he and his fellow soldiers spent most of their time "griping, as young Marines are prone to do, about our bad luck. It had rained for what seemed like weeks and was constantly low overcast."

Dark and gray and miserable. Not an ideal Christmas. Certainly not when it was going to be his first Christmas away from home.

Stop the story there for a minute and back up about six weeks to mid-November. Thanksgiving in South Georgia is just around the corner, the fall cotton and peanut harvests are over, and thoughts are turning to turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie.

One Saturday evening a light switch is turned on, signaling someone has arrived at a small country church outside of Coleman, sandwiched between Albany and Alabama.

A few pickup trucks and an occasional car pull onto the gravel parking lot of Vilulah Baptist Church, their tires crunching under the gravel.

A small group of the church's Brotherhood, possibly as many as 14, begin to gather at the white frame church for their monthly meeting. This year the men would spend about an hour writing personal notes on cards that would be distributed to soldiers -- total strangers -- serving in a controversial war on the other side of the world.

Vilulah at the time was 107 years old and the backbone of the farming community. Founded in 1867 in a brush arbor -- just two years after the Civil War -- it had weathered many national crises of war and economic hard times. Now in 1970, as the nation struggled to make sense of a war that seemingly had no end, the Brotherhood wanted to be part of the healing that must come and voice its support for those serving in the rice paddies and jungles.

Though no list exists of those who joined the group that night, it likely included Jack Torbert, J.T. Bruner, J.R. Johnson, Jimmy Agan, Marcus Ragan, Herbert Blackburn and others who were active in the fellowship. The notes they wrote were short and to the point but conveyed the essence of brotherly love and prayerful support.

In neat cursive handwriting, the cards, after a brief note, were signed simply "Brotherhood, Vilulah Baptist Church, Coleman, Georgia." Sealed in their individual envelopes marked "A Fellow American, Vietnam Mail Call," the cards were mailed the next morning to a central processing center that would forward the notes to Southeast Asia.

As far as is known, there was never any response from those who received the cards, but that wasn't expected. In the middle of a war, the purpose was simply to communicate a note of love and understanding to a stranger who struggled to stay alive one more day.

Now, fast-forward six weeks ahead to that gray scene that was void of most color, certainly of any Christmas cheer.

"The overcast was so low that resupply by helicopter was always a problem," Jack said.

But on this particular day the weather changed slightly and the thump-thump-thump of a chopper's rotor blades signaled the arrival of supplies. It may not have been Santa Claus coming from the sky, but the scene of the massive dual rotor CH-46 noisily descending was just as welcomed.

"Anyhow, on Christmas Day of 1970 the weather improved enough for the helicopter to fly and they brought us ammo, water, food and mail. My platoon sergeant came around later in the day and gave each of us a card inside an envelope."
Jack read the card, thought it was a nice gesture, then stuffed it in his pocket and went back on patrol. However, in the coming days as he had a moment he found himself pulling the card out, looking at the cover of the three wise men and the Christmas star and reading the note once again.

The young soldier already was a believer and a member of a Southern Baptist church in South Carolina, so he knew about the Brotherhood organization. What he didn't expect was to be on the receiving end of one of its ministries.

The months dragged on and Jack's tour of duty finally ended. He stayed in the Marines on active duty after his Vietnam tour and retired in 1990. He never forgot that small church in South Georgia and the generosity of those men who took the time to send a stranger a Christmas card.

Earlier this year, around the time when the cotton harvest was beginning to start, Vilulah pastor David Murphy found a letter from a stranger in the church mailbox addressed simply, "Pastor, Vilulah Baptist Church" and the church address. In neat black ink Jack detailed his encounter with the church Brotherhood four decades earlier and expressed his appreciation.

"I just wanted you to know how much that [card] meant to me to receive it. It humbled me to think that someone took the time to write that short note and to pray for my safety," Jack, now a resident of Easley, S.C., wrote.

"I carried that card with me everywhere I have ever been and it remains one of my most prized possessions. I have looked at it many times over the years."

Then he closed the letter simply, "I expect the good folks that wrote the card are no longer with you. If they are, please thank them for me and tell them they made a difference in this Marine's life."

The war has long been over but Jack continues to cherish the card. While he did send a copy to the church, he prefers to keep the original for fear of it being lost.

"It is one of the few mementos of the war that I have kept," he said in his soft-spoken manner.

The lesson, Jack says after receiving that Christmas gift 42 years ago, "is that people continue to do those kind of things. You never know where those cards will go or the lives they will change."

Presents or Presence

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December 21, 2012

"Presence or Presents"

Scripture Reading:
Luke 2:13-14  (HCSB)  Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:  Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!

Devotional Reading:
With the most popular holiday just around the corner, it seems like everyone is trying to get into the Christmas spirit. Stores are lining their aisles with Christmas goodies and decor, TV shows have switched to the theme of giving and love, and Santas are starting to float about. And why shouldn't they, after all it is that time, the meaning of the season, right?
Yet, the very first Christmas seemed to do without all of these. The very first Christmas somehow started a frenzy without the power of TV, without Candy Canes, without Santa, and without Christmas sales. Even more amazingly, the very first Christmas involved a poor couple, nobodies, who would lay the most precious child of all in a manger.  Looking back on Black Friday, I am constantly reminded how far we have come from the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas wasn't just about giving, or feeling loved, but it was about true love. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ, the Savior who came into this world to die... for everyone, even those who killed him.  Jesus was God's gift not to the deserving, not to the Jews, but to everyone.  Yet on Black Friday, a Walmart worker was killed because people couldn't wait to save a few dollars here and there. Another person was killed over a toy. And a decade ago, the Tickle Me Elmo fiasco brought out the worst in people. People who seem to have forgot that love isn't hurting another to give your child what they want, but rather to do what is right and moral.  And they seem to have forgotten that Christmas isn't just about showing love for those you care for, but for those who are undeserving, and those you do not even know. Just as God came to die, for those who were undeserving, and those who He did not know in a spiritual relationship. Today, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas... Peace on Earth, Good will toward Men, for the Savior has come to show us how to love, and to give us the greatest gift of love. Instead of buying fancy toys, think of how you can give to those who would normally go without. Ask yourself how you can help out others who are not as fortunate as you. Show them the true meaning of Christmas, the gift of God's love, and love others as God first loved you.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

The Indescribable Gift

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December 20, 2012

"The Indescribable Gift"

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 7:14 (HCSB)  Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel

Devotional Reading:
I cannot imagine how excited the Jews were when they heard that the redeemer, the savior was finally here on earth. After all, they had been waiting their whole lives for this moment, waiting for the almighty Son of God to come and free them from their captors. I also cannot imagine the confusion, when 33 years later this almighty king remained "powerless" against the ruling government, and instead of leading a rebellion, taught peace and co-existence. Instead of praising the pharisees, and appointing them to high positions in His kingdom, He condemned their actions, and taught what real love was... sacrifice.  And finally, I cannot imagine the disappointment, when this almighty King died at the hands of the very kingdoms He was to rule over. It seemed that after all the promises God had made to the Jewish people, that none of them would be coming true. Then all of a sudden, 3 days later, the king that they had killed was back!  I think that we can learn a very valuable lesson from the Jews of Jesus' time. The first is that we often look at the promises of God, and ask ourselves how we would fulfill them... then we expect God to act the same way, and often in a way that ends up praising us and not Him (just as the pharisees). Even more often, when these promises are not fulfilled the way we expect, we often start to question God, asking if He really cares about us, or even if He is capable of keeping His promises. Just like the Jews of Jesus' time, we end up disappointed and discouraged, before God has finished showing us His plan.

I remember a time like this in my life, where after I became discouraged I wondered why God was letting me feel this way. I remember my own pride interfering as I removed myself from Him more and more, until I thought I was completely isolated. I remember wondering what was going to happen, and doubting that I would ever get over my discouragment. I guess like many of the Jews of Jesus' time, I started to give up hope. But that's when the fireworks started, when God showered blessing after blessing on me. And now, the pain and suffering I felt before, is nothing more than a memory of how faithful God is, and that He does keep His promises.  Instead of fulfilling the prophecies and expectations of the Jews of Jesus' time, God instead freed them from a much bigger captor, their sin. Instead of giving them a wonderful life on earth for a short time, He gave them the gift of eternal life through His Son Jesus. And instead of saving a few, God gave His Son to save the world. We have an amazing God, one who not only keeps His promises, but has greater plans than we can even imagine. A God who doesn't do things our way, but will do them the right way. A God who, no matter the situation, you can rely on to get you through. Just like the Jews of Jesus' time, we may not always understand what is going on, or why God seems to be "failing" in keeping His promises, but we can know that in the end, He will not only keep His promise, but amaze us in how He did it. After all, this was how I met my wife... by God working in a different way than I expected.
Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

That's a Bargain

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December 19, 2012

"That's a Bargain"

Scripture Reading:
Romans 5:19 (HCSB)  For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Devotional Reading:
You know it is the Holiday season when nearly everywhere you look you find colorful advertisements boasting "great deals." Looking at the top of today's paper my attention was drawn to big bold letters screaming, "Buy One Get One Free." On the next page, a similarly attentive ad with the headline, "Buy One Get Two Free!"  Yet in all these good deals, there is one deal that continues to stand out. A deal that has stood out for nearly 2,000 years, and a deal that doesn't require rain-checks or even getting up at 4 in the morning. If we were to give this deal a similar title, I'm sure it would read something like, "By One, Billions Free!"  This deal, of course, is salvation through Christ. Freedom from Satan's power, freedom from eternal punishment, and as a bonus, a personal relationship with God Himself. In essence, it is the only deal that let's you start over and be something even better... And the best part is, it's already been paid for! This amazing, life changing deal was paid for by God Himself, who came down to die so that you would not have to [spiritually].  And all this deal requires is you "cashing in the coupon." Like going to the store and buying something you do not have, all you have to do is realize that without God you have nothing... and without God you cannot be freed from your sins. And once you realize this, all you have to do is ask God to forgive you, and change your life because you know that Jesus has already paid for your sins. Just like that coupon, all you have to do is ask the cashier to take it, knowing by faith it is good, and you're going to get a great deal... a life saver.  If you have not accepted this deal, I would encourage you to contact me personally.  Even if you have doubts, or think this deal is "too good to be true," I would love to talk to you.  If you have already accepted this deal, then you know how much joy it has brought into your life. You know how amazing it is to have a personal relationship with a God who loves you so much, that He died to save you. This Christmas season, I ask you to share this "Great Deal" with others unashamedly; just like you would a great coupon in a newspaper. I ask you to share this wonderful coupon, the Gospel, with anyone and everyone, so that they too may know the joy that fills your life
Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Christmas Story

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December 18, 2012

"Christmas Story"

Scripture Reading:
Mark 15:19-20 (HCSB)  They kept hitting Him on the head with a reed and spitting on Him. Getting down on their knees, they were paying Him homage.   When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

Devotional Reading:
Christmas. It is one of the most joyous Christian holidays, a time to remember the birth of Christ our savior. Christmas is a time to share our blessings with one another, and to be surrounded by the people we love. It is a time for giving, and a time for forgiving. Most importantly, it is a reminder of how much God loves us.  Last Sunday one of the kids in Church asked, "Why did God send Jesus if He knew He was going to die?" In fact, Jesus wasn't just going to die, Jesus was going to be mocked, beaten, tortured, and then sentenced to die a slow, painful death by crucifixion. All at the hands of those He came to save.  It's funny, because as Christians we like to remember the good times in Jesus' life. We love to tell the Nativity story, but we forget that shortly after His birth Christ needed to flee from Herod's army. We tell about His wisdom, His love, and His healing, but we forget about His suffering. We forget the price He paid, for our sins. We forget the lengths that God went to show us His love.  To be honest, thinking about this leaves me dumbfounded, because God knew what would happen to His Son. God had told Isaiah along with many other prophets of the suffering the Savior would endure. God knew that the very creatures He had created, would crucify Him for trying to save us from ourselves. And yet, God lowered Himself in Christ, feeling physical pain and suffering. God lowered Himself, and let mere humans beat Him and mock Him. The God who has all the power of the universe, humbled Himself to be lower than the angels, and to die at our sinful, hateful hands.  God knew this would happen ahead of time, and yet He loved us so immensely that He sent His Son, the third person of the Trinity, to suffer a painful death, so that we could spend eternity with our Heavenly Father. That's the story of love. That is the story of Christmas.

Today, remember the price God paid for you, because of how much He loves you. Remember what true love is, and share that love, God's love, with all.
Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

In Line

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December 17, 2012

"In Line"

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 18:10 (HCSB)  “See that you don’t look down on one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of My Father in heaven.

Devotional Reading:

As our hearts are heavy filled with grief and despair over the horrific acts of an individual in Connecticut, I cannot help but wonder.  Could this had been prevented?  Could we have been more like Jesus?  Could this young man been shown the love and truth of the Gospel?  Then, I realize that the Lord is in control.  No matter what happened it did not happen in a vacuum, the Lord God was not taken by surprise nor was He caught off guard.  I am confident that Jesus, himself went to gather up those little children and bring them to His Father in Heaven.  However, that still does not stop the pain nor the grief.  I do not know any of those families or children, but still my heart breaks for them.  I hugged my 17 year old son a little tighter when I gave him a kiss and sent him off to bed the other evening as well as my 14 year old daughter.  My head has been throbbing, trying to understand why!  Why such senseless violence?  Why does man inflict such evil upon one another.  Then, I felt a warm presence fill my heart, the warmth of Jesus Christ.  The message a simple one... One I had heard Saturday evening about being in line.  Still this evening, as I watched the children of our church praise the Lord through words, songs, puppets and skits I thought of those children in Connecticut.  I thought of unopened Christmas presents under a tree.  I thought of moms and dad dreading Christmas morning and finding no joy or reason to celebrate.  As young Zachary sang a special song to Jesus then my daughter sand Him a song.  The tears were swelling up.  Such a loss of innocence, grief was overwhelming, but the warmth returned... I felt the Lord moving again and bringing me back to the "line".  His word was crystal clear and His message was simple:

Preach on, teach on and pray on.  As I heard 12 hours earlier, the back of the line is watching how the front of the line acts.  So as we profess Christ and move about our world, let me challenge you a simple one.  Be an example.  Live your life in such a way that people have no choice but to see Jesus in you!  Make sure that not only those behind you, but those behind them and those in the back, know that you are a child of the King!  Let His glory shine through you and allow His light to radiate around you!  We may be down but not out, we may be discouraged but not beaten.  So many in the world need Jesus, and friend we are the only Jesus they see.  Who will you represent?  If a 20 year old man had seen more of Jesus, perhaps there may have been a different story  in Newbury.  Weep not for the little children, for the Lord thy God has been watching them and protecting them.  His angels are providing oversight for them to the Father.  Weep instead for the ones you have disappointed and let down.  I challenge you to show Jesus to those around you, who really need to see Him.  More importantly, need to see Him shinning through you!  Do not loose hope, do not give up on Jesus...do not view life as empty meaningless and downcast...Look only to JESUS CHRIST!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

The Sunflower

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December 14, 2012

"The Sunflower"

Scripture Reading:
2 Corinthians 9:15 (HCSB)  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

Devotional Reading:

The sunflowers are beautiful flowers that start off as tiny sprouts. This is also true of my daughter Ashley.  Her nickname on cross country is sunflower, due to the radiant smile and pleasant attitude she always presents.  The reason sunflowers are called sunflowers is because they follow the sun. When the sun rises in the east, the sunflower will point east. When the sun sets to the west, the flowers will point west.  These flowers also throw off a lot of seeds. They are productive because they are always looking for the sun. They always locate the s-u-n, and so they’re always growing.  When you and I look for the S-o-n, like the sunflower looks for the s-u-n, then we will find the effects of His rays softening our hearts so we can give off new seed and new life. It is our response to Him that determines our productivity. Abiding in our relationship with the S-o-n will result in the transformation and growth that you are looking for. 

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

The Meaning

 Happy Birthday Mom ...  We Love you!

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December 13, 2012

"The Meaning"

Scripture Reading:
2 Corinthians 9:15 (HCSB)  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

Devotional Reading:

Christmas has become extremely commercialized. Everywhere we look we see Christmas trees, lights, presents, signs enticing us to buy this or that for the people on our lists. But let's try to keep our thoughts focused on the real meaning of the season.

When we see a wreath, let's remember that God's love is never ending.
When we see the lights, let's remember that Jesus is the light of the world.
When we see candles, let's remember that our lights, however small, shine brightly enough to spread to those around us.
When we see presents, let's remember that God gave us the greatest gift of all in His Son, Jesus Christ.
When we see a Christmas tree, let's remember a tree on top of a hill called Calvary.
When we see snow, let's remember the One who cleanses our sins in a way that makes them pure white.
When we sing carols, let's remember the importance of making a joyful noise unto the Lord.
When we sit down to Christmas dinner, let's remember that Jesus is the bread of life.
When we see all those around us in need, whether physically, financially, emotionally, or spiritually, let's remember that Christmas really shouldn't be limited to one season of the year.
God's gift was for all seasons. And, every time we share that gift, it's Christmas!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20

Straight Truth

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December 12, 2012

"Straight Truth"

Scripture Reading:
John 1:16 (HCSB)  Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness,

Devotional Reading:

People who came to hear John the Baptist preach heard the straight truth.  John didn’t pull any punches, or dress up his message to please his audience.  He was simply a herald, sent to prepare the way.  He said, “Make ready for the way of the lord, and make His path straight.  Every ravine shall be filled up, every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough roads smooth . . . and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”  In other words, someone awesome is coming!  Years ago I was visiting Ft. McHenry, Maryland and was impressed with its careful preservation and restoration.  Every detail was considered.  But even at the Fort, I was surprised to see ground crews meticulously combing the gravel paths that cross the historic settlement, smoothing them and removing any rough stones.  I remember asking a worker what was going on, he said “next week we are expecting dignitaries, and this is the route they will travel.  We’re just making sure all the pathways are smooth and straight for them.”  There is only one thing we must do to prepare the way for our King, the awesome Son of God:  we must repent of our sin.  It is repentance that prepares the way for us to receive His fullness, grace upon grace.

Keep the Son in your eyes,

Pastor Ben J Lahay

Galatians 2:20