Jun

30

Sunday morning blahs, or aahs?

By Julie B Cosgrove | Comments Off


“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Lets us go to the House of the Lord’.” Psalm 122:1

Do you say that on Sunday mornings?  I have to admit at times I’d rather stay home than to get up, bathe and dress, and drive 40 minutes up the highway to where I worship. But I have learned, those are also the days I need to be there the most. Those are the days the sermon will especially touch my heart, or the music lift my soul or a friend’s hug renew my joy. That is why another force was trying to steer me away from the House of the Lord. When I obey that other voice, that day and my week just does not go as well unless I repent.

I have heard people say they do not need to go to Church to worship God. True. But there is a strength in numbers. We need to pray for each other, to sing and praise together, to hear how the Word is effecting others.  Solitude is fine in short spells, and necessary in your prayer time with God, but too much can open the door to self-invovlement , sloth and depression. Interacting with others in the faith can dispell the darkness that creeps into our souls from the weight of the world. To worship in His House with others is like a mini-baptism. It washes us clean of the world’s sludge so we can be more fit to go back out into it. It is a transfusion from the Blood of the Lamb to renew our strength. We need it. 

Heavenly Father, You instill in us the desire to gather and worship You, not because You need it but because we do. Forgive us the times we do not feel like going to worship. Guide us to experience the renewal of Your Holy Spirit when we join together in praise and prayer. Reunite us in peace and purpose. Fill us with the joy of Your salvation and renew a right Spirit within us. Through your Son. Amen

“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:2

Jun

29

Step Out and Shine

By Julie B Cosgrove | Comments Off


“Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” 1 Samuel 10: 24

This is the  Old Testament story about how God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel. The people had prayed and prayed for a king to unite them. Finally God granted their wish and Samuel the prophet followed God’s  promptings and narrowed down His choice first by tribe, then clan, then to Saul of Kish. But where was Saul? God  knew.  He told Samuel he could find Saul hiding in the baggage!  When they brought him out, even as a young man he was the tallest in the crowd- he was unique. 

A funny story. But is that not how God works? The people He calls are unique. You are unique and so am I. We have potential that God knows He can use.  Perhaps like Saul, you have been hiding in the background. I imagine Saul had been the subject of ridicule by his peers because he was different.  Have you been? Christians are called to be different – to be like no one else in the crowd. The light of the Holy Spirit living in us makes us unique. It will draw some near, it will repel others, but everyone who comes in contact with a Christian whose light is bright will react. You can’t hide it under a bushel – or in the baggage of life. Doesn’t work. God will seek you out, just as He did Saul.

 The Good News.  You do not have to hide;  in fact it is useless to try. But with God as your strength and guide, you’ll be all right out in the open doing His will, just as long as you stay close to Him though prayer and the Word. Because when God is with you, who can be against you? Another Saul, who later changed his name to Paul learned that lesson, too. So come out in the open and shine!

Heavenly Lord, You seek us out. You have a plan for all your children to spread the Good News of Your Kingdom – to shine in a darkened world. Let us not draw away and hide from what You are calling us to do, or say or be. Instill in us the desire to serve You and to know that no matter what, You will always be right there beside us to comfort, strengthen and provide just as You promise in Your Word.  Amen.

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Jun

26

Unfailing Faith

By Julie B Cosgrove | 2 Comments


“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.”  Luke 22:31-32

Jesus spoke these words to Simon Peter just before he was arrested and Peter denied he knew him.  Our Lord knew what was going to happen and how Peter would react. Did Peter’s faith fail?   I don’t think so. It certainly took a nose dive, but Peter stayed in that Upper Room and when the women told him Jesus was not in the tomb, he was the first to run and see.  Even though he didn’t quite get it, a seed of faith still burned in his heart and he eventually became one of the greatest spreaders of the Good News.

Perhaps you feel as if you are being sifted by Satan.  If so, know that Jesus is praying for you today that you may not lose faith. Even faith as small as a mustard seed can, when applied with God’s grace, become powerful. Never doubt that you are loved, you are prayed over  and that all will work out for good.  Whatever  you go through, whatever you do, there is a God who loves you, is ready to forgive you and wants to strengthen you.  Just as He did with Peter, and does with me and every other of His children who has lived in this world.

And that is the beauty of it. Once we have been sifted, and our faith has endured, we can turn and reach out to our brothers and sisters and encourage their faith. Just as Peter did, just as Jesus knew he would.

Who can you encourage today?

“And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  Luke 22:32

Jun

25

Inexpressable Joy

By Julie B Cosgrove | 1 Comment


“Though you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you  do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressable and glorious joy…” 1Peter 1:8

How often have you been filled with inexpressable joy? Perhaps at a wedding, or a birth of a child, or when you  achieved a goal for which you have labored and prayed over. Hopefully when you received Christ as Lord of your life.  Was it in your prayer time alone with the Lord today?  Why not?

I have had to ask myself that.  Recently I was privileged to worship with thousands of people  from all over the world.  Tears of joy streamed down my face at the awe of it. It was an inkling of what Heaven will be like when millions upon millions will worship together and praise Him with one voice and with eternal joy. 

But everyday should bring me unspeakable joy  because through prayer  I can be in the presence of the Creator of the Universe who loves me more than anyone ever could and cherishes my attention.  I can feel His nearness and I know He is always there. I do not have to see Him to believe in Him, just as Peter says.  I can have what the children’s song says – “The joy,joy,joy,joy down in my heart to stay.”  I hope you tap into that today in your prayer time . Starting the day filled with inexpressable joy – how glorious!

Dear Lord, fill me with the joy of Your presence, knowing Iam Your beloved child. Let me look with anticipation on how You will guide me through the day – the new ways I can serve You, the ways You will stengthen and comfort me, the ways You will open my eyes to Your grace. And let me end the day with the same joy I began it, no matter what happens. Because, just having You near give me inexpressable and glorious joy.  Amen

“You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety.”  Psalm 4:7-8

Jun

24

God With You

By Julie B Cosgrove | 1 Comment


“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Cor 13: 14

I have heard many a pastor bless his flock with these words of Paul’s.  They are comforting words. Reassuring words.  Perhaps I like the verse because I am a Texan and Paul ends it the way we do – y’all. 

Seriously, when we realize we have perfected grace, love and fellowship in our lives, what more do we need?  With grace comes forgiveness, with love comes acceptance, with fellowship comes companionship.   No matter where we are, be it in a deafening crowd or alone in our room, the Triune God is there with us, if we believe.

Paul asked in his letter to the Romans that if God is with us, who can be against us? He went on to state  that nothing can separate us from His love.   Whatever you are going through, whatever lies in your future, trust in these words. You will find grace wrapped in love and served in fellowship if you will just call on His name.  That is His promise to you and to me. How great is that? How great is our God!

Dear God,  how wonderful and perfect Your love is towards us. You are always there, always present. May we seek You more earnestly every  day of our lives and feel Your presence so closely that we never doubt it exists.  Then we will expereince Your grace, bask in Your love and enjoy Your fellowship now and forever. Amen.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”  Romans 8:37-39

Next Page →