The Cornerstone ♦ New Year Thoughts ♦ Gail Kittleson

New Year Thoughts

from Gail Kittleson

Jesus, the Cornerstone

"The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:22-24 [NKJV]

 Another year almost past...everyone remarks how they go faster and faster as we age. It gets tough to remember what we were doing last year at this time...were we entertaining company on this date, or was that the year before?

Experts encourage us to focus on one day at a time—good idea, because that really gives us enough to take in at once. Although this Psalm refers to the full Gospel day—the coming of salvation to the world through Jesus’ death and resurrection, that “day” makes a pivotal difference in each twenty-four-hour period of our lives on this earth.

C. H. Spurgeon, in his sermon #1420, writes, “What day is this which the Lord has made? ...it is a Sabbath day, the beginning of a long line of Sabbaths. The day in which our Lord Jesus rose from the dead is now sacred to rest and holy joy. Let us keep it with reverent love and bless God for making it—...” (spurgeongems.org)

Others have delved into the meaning of the word sabbath, and hold various views on which day of the week to observe. But considering that sabbath refers to stopping and resting, we can gladly leave all that wearies us—for example, striving to win God’s favor or trying to please everyone.

Ahh...as the old Pepto Bismol ad says, “Oh, what a relief it is.” And this concept can bring us relief and joy every single day of the new year.

: When Gail’s not steeped in World War II research, drafting scenes, or deep in an edit, she does a limited amount of editing for other authors. She also facilitates writing and creativity workshops, both in Iowa and Arizona, where she and her husband spend part of the winter in the amazing Ponderosa pine forest under the Mogollon Rim. Favorites: walking, reading, meeting new people, hearing from readers who fall in love with her characters. 

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Now, sit back and enjoy this beautiful rendition of One Day At a Time by Lynda Randle, and be blessed. (Courtesy Bill and Gloria Gaither)

On the Clock God, Friday Morning Devotional with Alexis Goring

On the Clock God

A devotional written by Alexis A. Goring

This devotional was inspired by a scene from my real-life work as a seasonal sales associate. One day, I went to ask our on-duty manager a question and he stepped back with his hands raised in mid-air saying kindly “I’m off the clock.” Seconds later, the new manager on duty who was standing in his place while he was on break, stepped forward to address my concern.

This interaction, though very brief, taught me an important lesson. Apart from being more mindful about when a manager is off the clock, it taught me to remember that God is always on the clock and it gave me hope that we serve an “on the clock God”.

Sometimes, when looking for the perfect Bible verse to support a devotional that you’re writing, it’s necessary to share the entire chapter in the Bible because it’s beautiful and provides a strong support. This was the case when I set out to write this devotional “On the Clock God” and found Psalm 121 to be the best support for my message.

Before I delve deeper into my message, would you join me in reading this beautiful passage?

Psalm 121 (NIV)

A song of ascents.

 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

This beautiful passage of Scripture inspires my heart and comforts my soul. Why? Because, my dear friends, it reminds me that we were created by a God who is always on the clock! He never slumbers. He’s never on break. He’s there for us 24/7/365 no matter what, and He’s readily available to come to our rescue!

I find it so incredibly comforting that God is always there for me and that He’ll NEVER leave or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). It soothes my soul to know that not only is God available 24/7/365 but He’s also completely capable of helping me in EVERY situation! The Bible clearly says that the only thing God cannot do is fail (Joshua 21:45). He’s better than our fictional heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman because He’s REAL, He created us (so he knows us better than anyone here on Earth) and His life span is eternal (so He cannot and will not ever die).

So, my dear hearts, whenever you have a problem or concern in this life, don’t hesitate to take it to God first. He loves you with all of His divine heart and He wants to hear from you. He wants to be your first resort for any problem you may face. He wants you to trust Him and confide in Him like you would with your dearest friend or loved one. Since He never slumbers, don’t feel afraid or hesitant to call Him in your midnight hour. He will come to your rescue and help you in ways that our mere mortal selves cannot, but that doesn’t mean that He won’t use His people here on Earth to help you too. God is good and He loves to bless you through His servants (followers of Jesus Christ) throughout the world!

Aren’t you glad that we serve an ‘on the clock’ God?

God bless your hearts.

Love,

Alexis A. Goring

Founder of “God is Love” blog

http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com

  

Friday Morning Devotional ♦ Sherri Wilson Johnson

Come and Believe

 A devotional by Sherri Wilson Johnson

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 KJV

My stomach still feels full from Thanksgiving. How about yours? Although I was good about watching my sugar and gluten this year, I still ate more food than I should have. Truthfully, some of my “watching” involved watching the sugar and gluten (in the form of cobbler and macaroni and cheese) go directly into my mouth.

In my family, there’s never a doubt if there will be enough food on the table on Thanksgiving or Christmas. There’s always plenty. For that, I am extremely thankful. I know there are countless people in this world who go hungry every day.

There have been times throughout my almost thirty years of marriage that I wasn’t sure if I would have enough food to feed my hungry family of four due to unemployment or just simply too many bills to pay. During those times, I was thankful that we only had four mouths (plus a dog) to feed.

There have also been times in my life I felt starved for spiritual food and dehydrated from the lack of drinking in God’s Word. Even though I’ve attended church most Sundays since I was a toddler, with only brief periods of “churchlessness” in between, I’ve not always felt as full as I know I could be.

How is that even possible when Jesus says He is the bread of life, and we’ll never hunger or thirst?

I used to think that meant coming to church on Sunday, putting on your spiritual bib, fork and knife in hand, and waiting for the preacher to feed me. I thought it was up to him to give me something good enough to chew on all week. Sure, I’d read the little verse and fifty-word devotional they handed out in Sunday School, but still, I wanted more and wasn’t sure why I wasn’t getting it if Jesus said we could have it.

John 6:35 states it plainly: COME and BELIEVE.

We have to come to the Lord and partake of His goodness in order to be filled. We must believe and drink of His truth to have our thirst quenched.

The older I get, I understand more why my ancestors put God first in their lives daily, why they made it a habit (in a good way) to read the Word daily, to devote time to prayer, to love God and love their neighbors.

Living the Christian life is most fulfilling when we’re listening to and talking to God and also when we’re spending time with fellow believers loving them and nurturing them—and being nurtured by them.

We can be filled to overflowing to the point that we will never be hungry or thirsty again. Jesus is the solution. He stands with arms open wide to bring us into his family. He’s ready to give us all the satisfaction that earthly food and drink can never give us. He truly is the well that satisfies. I’m thankful for the Lord especially during this time of year. I pray you will be blessed and filled to the fullest.

About Sherri''s Book

Grafted into Deceit

Answers are hard to find when there's no one to trust.

Disappearing business funds and a missing dead body have Marina Acres doubting everyone — including the detective who can't solve his case without her help.

When Marina Acres launches an investigation to find her company's missing money, she becomes a killer's target and uncovers a tangled vine of deception in the process. Detective Steven Pennington, who suspects drugs are at the root of the problem, must keep Marina safe from the killer while keeping himself from falling for yet another victim. Marina refuses to believe that her business partner could be part of a drug trafficking ring, but when evidence points its finger at her, she must join the fight with Steven to weed out the killer.

About Sherri:

Sherri Wilson Johnson is a multi-published Inspirational Romance novelist, speaker, virtual assistant and self-publishing coach. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and is passionate about writing, publishing, and marketing.

She lives in Georgia with her husband and her Chihuahua. She loves spending time with her adult children and friends or curling up with a good book or her current work-in-progress. Sherri enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles in the winter, watching Bob Ross painting videos (although she can't paint), and counts the days every year until she can take another trip to the beach.

Where to find Sherri:

Website

Amazon Author Page

Grafted into Deceit: http://amzn.to/2iOgDiA

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Friday Morning Devotional - June Foster

Prayer for Others

by June Foster

I like to take time in the morning to read the Word and spend some time with the Lord. Then I pray for friends and family. Some, if I'm not sure of their salvation status, I lift them up before the Lord and reinforce my prayer with 1 Timothy 2:4. "The Lord wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

As each person drifted through my mind, I prayed for them. Then I hit a brick wall. One I'd prayed for multiple times in the past, came to mind. But tragically that person had died of cancer several months ago. The thought hit me. I could no longer pray for the individual. There's no hope after death.

Only God can judge a heart and only He knows where my family member is today. Maybe that person made a profession of faith earlier in life or on his deathbed. It wasn't for me to know. But the reality of the situation struck me. We only have this lifetime to receive God's grace through our Savior Jesus Christ. After death it's too late.

I think the situation has helped me to pray even more fervently for others. Ephesians 6:18 says to pray on all occasion with all kinds of prayers and requests. Salvation is a serious matter. Keep praying for others who may not know Him.

Sharing June's new release: Prescription for Romance

Pharmacist Stephanie McCoy grew up in an opulent home with an aeronautical engineer father who never had time for her and a socialite mother who put clubs and charities before her daughter. Now as an adult, Stephanie's looking for affirmation—and affection in the wrong place. Only thing, the guy she pursues is a Christian with solid moral values. When her mother becomes ill, Stephanie can't imagine life without her.

Scott Townsend teaches history at the high school in Oak Mountain, Alabama, and lifts weights after school hours. His younger brother borrows a large sum from Scott's father then disappears. But after Scott's sibling returns penniless, Scott is furious at his parents' acceptance of their wayward son. When Scott is invited to a welcome-home celebration, he drives to the house but refuses to come inside though his father pleads with him.

After Scott confides in Stephanie about his bitterness toward his brother, the beautiful pharmacist offers Godly encouragement he never expected. Can Scott relinquish his pride and forgive his brother? Will Stephanie find faith in Scott's God and allow Him to heal her heart? The sequel to Letting Go, this story is loosely based on the Biblical parable of The Prodigal Son.

About June:

An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and MA in counseling. June's book Give Us This Day was a finalist in EPIC's eBook awards and a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards for best first book. Ryan's Father was one of three finalists in the published contemporary fiction category of the Oregon Christian Writers Cascade Writing Contest and Awards. Deliver Us was a finalist in COTT's Laurel Awards.

 June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day, As We Forgive, and Deliver Us, and Hometown Fourth of July. Ryan's Father is published by WhiteFire Publishing. Red and the Wolf, a modern-day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, is available from Amazon.com. The Almond Tree series, For All Eternity, Echoes From the Past, What God Knew, and Almond Street Mission are available at Amazon.com. June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. 

 Recently June has seen publication of Christmas at Raccoon Creek, Lavender Fields Inn, Misty Hollow, Restoration of the Heart, and Letting Go. Visit June at junefoster.com.