12/31 Manna

DYSMAS CONDUIT

FREE FOOD

(Isa 55:1)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2009

Question for the day: What was the best and worst for you in 2009?

What can we pray with YOU about today?

Good morning,

This is just a reminder that every day, while we are studying God’s Word to add to our website, someone from our ministry, Dysmas Conduit, is holding you up before the Lord in prayer. May He greatly bless you today as you pursue His will and He is glorified through you.

God’s blessings, our love,

George & Sidney Granger

CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please continue to pray for Billy Hamburg. He had another surgery and two more tumors were discovered. Discussion is forthcoming concerning bladder removal. Please pray for the Lord’s Hand to help him overcome his anxiety as well as the cancer.

Joe Booth called me to update his situation. He had to go to the ER a second time so as to get medication and diagnosis. The first time he said they turned him away and told him it was just a head/chest cold. They said he now has Bronchitis and put him on a steroid and antibiotic. He is concerned about the Bronchitis getting worse and becoming Pneumonia since he acquires Pneumonia easily. Please pray that these meds work and that this will clear up without becoming Pneumonia. Thank you, and may God continue to bless you all, --Josh Burkhard

Linda Meyer's mother Crystal Drake went to be with the Lord December 29th at 9:15 am. Please keep Linda and her family in your prayers. --Tim Davidson

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TODAY

December 31, 2009

A Sweet Aroma

Tracie Miles

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love,

joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness."

Galatians 5:22 (NIV)

Devotion:

A sweet thing happened recently. It was Sunday morning at church, and the congregation was standing, singing hymns. My precious little boy was beside me with his arms wrapped around my waist.

Every few minutes, he pressed his face into my shirt. After several times, I finally determined he was sniffing me, so I leaned down and quietly asked why. He stood on his tip toes, put his face close to mine and whispered, "Because you smell like fruit, Mommy! It smells really good!" I smiled and knew what he smelled was one of my favorite perfumes which has a clean, sweet, fruity aroma.

God turned my thoughts to how we're to be a pleasing aroma to Him, through thoughts, actions and behaviors carried out in the Spirit. Ephesians 5:2 encourages us to "…live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (NIV).

What does that really mean? How can we offer a fragrant offering that is pleasing to God and be a fragrance to those around us?

There is a Hawaiian saying, "Tiny is the flower, yet it scents the grasses around it." What a great illustration of how the smallest things can have impacting results. The fact that the flower is small and seemingly insignificant, does not keep it from spreading the fragrance it was created to share. In fact, often the smallest flower can have the most potent fragrance!

Sometimes we may feel like a tiny flower. We wonder if we are really capable of doing anything big or important for Christ. Insecurities, feelings of unworthiness or life challenges prevent us from seeing how God can use us to bless Him and impact others. It is not the size of the actions that matter, but the aroma that is created by those actions. Each time we do something in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness we offer a fragrant offering to God. And we help others learn how to be a little fragrant flower too, in a big world that can be pretty stinky.

Each one of us can choose what fragrance we exude. It might be a good idea to ask from time to time, What type of fragrance am I leaving behind? How am I affecting the world around me with the gifts God gave me? Am I exuding a spiritual aroma that is a fragrant offering to Christ?

Our lingering fragrance should be one of love and kindness, not anger and harshness. Patience and faithfulness, not intolerance and selfishness. And lifting people's spirits with joy and peace, not leaving them discouraged and broken. Our fragrance should be sowing seeds that point to the goodness of Christ.

When God created flowers, He intentionally created them to give off a sweet aroma. And He created us just the same. So, what fragrance are you wearing today?

Dear Lord, teach me how to smell like You, in Jesus' Name, amen.

Application Steps:

"Spritz" on a sweet fragrance today that is pleasing to Christ.

Consider how you can "scent the grasses" in your life with God's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.

Reflections:

Think about the spiritual fragrance you have been wearing lately, and the impact it has on others.

Do you think God is pleased with your lingering fragrance?

Power Verses:

2 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (NIV)

…and…

Taking a trip on the Bible Bus

Hebrews 11:1—3

Listen to Scripture at

http://www.audiotreasure.com/webindex.htm

[1] Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. [2] This is what the ancients were commended for.

[3] By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Listen to Thru the Bible

Dr. J. Vernon McGee

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Thru_the_Bible_with_JVernon_McGee/

Please send your prayer requests to

dysmasconduit.@gmail.com

12/30 Manna

DYSMAS CONDUIT

FREE FOOD

(Isa 55:1)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2009

Question for the day: What can we pray with YOU about today?

What can we pray with YOU about today?

Good morning,

This is just a reminder that every day, while we are studying God’s Word to add to our website, someone from our ministry, Dysmas Conduit, is holding you up before the Lord in prayer. May He greatly bless you today as you pursue His will and He is glorified through you.

God’s blessings, our love,

George & Sidney Granger

CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please continue to pray for Billy Hamburg. He had another surgery and two more tumors were discovered. Discussion is forthcoming concerning bladder removal. Please pray for the Lord’s Hand to help him overcome his anxiety as well as the cancer.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TODAY

December 30, 2009

Return to Me

Marybeth Whalen

"Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘

Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty,

‘and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty."

Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

Devotion:

At first glance, this verse might seem like God is stand-offish and distant. Why do we have to make the first move? But actually, this verse depicts His great love for us. Like the prodigal's father, He waits patiently for our return. He doesn't find us, shake us and demand us to account for our whereabouts. Instead He scans the horizon for our return.

Hoping, but not forcing. Waiting, but not pressuring. Ultimately He gives us free will. We choose when and if we return. And when we do, He promises to return to us. He is a gentleman who doesn't force Himself upon us. God has to see us move of our own free will. That element of choice is intrinsic in His relationship to us.

Returning to God is a practice we will have to engage in over and over in life. The point is not how many times we return to Him, but that we make the effort to do so each time it is necessary. Perhaps you need to return to Him physically—recommitting to meeting with Him in church on a weekly basis. Perhaps you need to return to Him emotionally—determining to trust Him in a difficult time. Perhaps you need to return to Him spiritually—committing to regular prayer and time spent in His Word.

Whatever your return looks like, don't put it off any longer. And don't doubt that He will return to you. Don't believe lies that you are the exception or that you are asking too much of Him. His Word tells us differently. Hebrews 7:19 says, "…a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God" (NIV). God made the ultimate way for us to return—through His Son, whose death on the cross allowed us to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). By Him we draw near to God. Not because we are worthy, but because He is.

God wants us to return to Him. He stands waiting with open arms, at the ready to return to us. When He sees us coming, He runs to meet us. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20b, NIV).

Are you ready to make that first move today?

Dear Lord, I need to return to You. Thank You for making it my choice because You love me and want to be in a real relationship with me. I thank You for waiting for me with open arms. Today I am choosing to fall into those open arms again. Thank You that You gave Your Son so that I can always return to You without shame, in Jesus' Name, amen.

Application Steps:

Using your Bible concordance, look up the word "return." Spend time today reading what God has to say about returning to Him. Write down some of your favorite verses in a journal.

Reflections:

Do you need to return to Him? How will that look for you? What is holding you back?

Power Verses:

James 4:8a, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." (NIV)

Joel 2:12-13, "'Even now', declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.'" (NIV)

…and…

Taking a trip on the Bible Bus

Hebrews 10:26—39

[26] If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, [27] but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. [28] Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. [29] How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." [31] It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

[32] Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. [33] Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. [34] You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

[35] So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. [36] You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. [37] For in just a very little while,

"He who is coming will come and will not delay.

[38] But my righteous one will live by faith.

And if he shrinks back,

I will not be pleased with him."

[39] But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Listen to Scripture at

http://www.audiotreasure.com/webindex.htm

Listen to Thru the Bible

Dr. J. Vernon McGee

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Thru_the_Bible_with_JVernon_McGee/

Please send your prayer requests to

dysmasconduit.@gmail.com

12/29 Manna

DYSMAS CONDUIT

FREE FOOD

(Isa 55:1)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2009

Question for the day: Have you ever said, “God, why are you allowing this to happen to me?”

What can we pray with YOU about today?

Good morning,

This is just a reminder that every day, while we are studying God’s Word to add to our website, someone from our ministry, Dysmas Conduit, is holding you up before the Lord in prayer. May He greatly bless you today as you pursue His will and He is glorified through you.

God’s blessings, our love,

George & Sidney Granger

CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please continue to pray for Billy Hamburg. He had another surgery and two more tumors were discovered. Discussion is forthcoming concerning bladder removal. Please pray for the Lord’s Hand to help him overcome his anxiety as well as the cancer.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TODAY

December 29, 2009

Arise from the Wreckage

Micca Monda Campbell

"And we know that all things

work together for good to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to His purpose"

Romans 8:28 (KJV)

Devotion:

Recently I had an ah-ha moment as I was reading Acts 9. At first, the familiar story seemed dull. You know how it is when you've read or heard the same story over and over. Then a new revelation merged from the content. In my minds-eye I began to see the word "rejection," although it was not in written form. Perhaps I saw what I was feeling that day—rejected.

I was at the part of the story where Saul, a murderer, had just been transformed into Paul, a disciple of Christ. Even though Paul was a changed person, many rejected him because of his past reputation as a murderer. This was only the beginning of Paul's trouble. Throughout his ministry, Paul not only experienced rejection, but great suffering and harassment too. For a changed man, his adversity seemed unfair.

Paul was devoted to serving Christ. He sacrificed his education, his life, and remained single so he could better serve the Lord. And yet, he was shipwrecked on several occasions, falsely accused, and thrown into prison more than once. Doesn't that seem odd for a man called of God? Wouldn't God's favor protect him from such adversity?

I thought about an illness that lingered with me all summer. It was so severe I was all but bed-ridden for months, unable to do life and ministry. I began to feel rejected by God. It didn't make sense. I was serving God in more ways than I could count. Then, without warning, strong winds blew in. Clouds hung overhead and it began to storm. Before I knew it I was "shipwrecked." You've been there, too.

Some of us have been rejected by family, friends, and co-workers. Others have been falsely accused. Some are imprisoned by finances, or blown around by the consequences of someone else's sin. It seems so unfair. You've tried to live right. You walk in obedience the best you can. You take God at His Word and trust in His promises. Shouldn't faith like this call for smooth sailing, instead of stormy, shipwrecking seas?

Isaiah reminds us that God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts and plans are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8; paraphrased). It's tough to figure God out when He doesn't play by our rules or have the same agenda we have. We forget that God sees a much bigger picture.

If we follow Paul's journey, we find God working through the rejection, the trials, the prison time, and the shipwrecks. God used these hardships to position Paul. Not for fame, but to increase the Kingdom of God. Paul witnessed to the Pharisees through his rejection and imprisonment. People saw God's power at work when Paul survived the storms, when the snake bite didn't kill him, and when the jail shook, opening the doors and loosing chains. The Lord used these difficulties so others would witness His power and believe.

Paul allowed God to use him as a vessel. He didn't sit on the sidelines, full of self-pity and doubt. Instead, as Acts 16:22-31 tells us, after being stripped, beaten, severely flogged, thrown in the inner cell of a prison and his feet in stocks, Paul prayed and sang hymns to God. Others around him were listening. The power of God came in such a way, that the prison guard begged Paul to tell him, "What must I do to be saved?" He replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus" (NIV).

God doesn't waste our pain, our rejection or our "shipwrecks." He uses them to bring about His plan—to position us so that others can see His transforming power at work in our lives and believe in the living God.

If that's true, and it is, then our challenge is to rise from the wreckage, like Paul, so that our lives will give testimony that draws others to the Master. Today I will no longer sit on the sidelines of life full of self-pity. I choose to rise, pray and praise, so that God can position me to shine for His glory, and so that others will believe.

Dear Lord, forgive me for wallowing in self-pity and rejection. I trust that You see the bigger picture. I believe there is a purpose for my pain. Strengthen me to rise from my ashes so that others will see You are my help and my salvation, in Jesus' Name, amen.

Application Steps:

God has called us to live by faith, not by sight. Even though we don't always understand our difficulties, they don't have to overwhelm us. Choosing to trust God helps restore a sense of hope and stability to our lives, and also allows us to rise from our ashes.

Reflections:

What will you choose to do today: will you wallow in self-pity or rise and praise the Lord?

Power Verses:

Nahum 1:7, "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." (KJV)

Psalm 121:1-2, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth." (NKJV)

…and…

Taking a trip on the Bible Bus

Hebrews 10:9—36

[9] Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. [10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

[11] Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. [13] Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, [14] because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

[15] The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

[16] "This is the covenant I will make with them

after that time, says the Lord.

I will put my laws in their hearts,

and I will write them on their minds."

[17] Then he adds:

"Their sins and lawless acts

I will remember no more."

[18] And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

[19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. [25] Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

[26] If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, [27] but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. [28] Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. [29] How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." [31] It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

[32] Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. [33] Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. [34] You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

[35] So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. [36] You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Listen at

http://www.audiotreasure.com/webindex.htm

Listen to Thru the Bible

Dr. J. Vernon McGee

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Thru_the_Bible_with_JVernon_McGee/

Please send your prayer requests to

dysmasconduit.@gmail.com

12/28 Manna

DYSMAS CONDUIT

FREE FOOD

(Isa 55:1)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2009

Question for the day: Do you sometimes feel like you need a place to hide?

What can we pray with YOU about today?

Good morning,

This is just a reminder that every day, while we are studying God’s Word to add to our website, someone from our ministry, Dysmas Conduit, is holding you up before the Lord in prayer. May He greatly bless you today as you pursue His will and He is glorified through you.

God’s blessings, our love,

George & Sidney Granger

CURRENT PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please continue to pray for Billy Hamburg. He had another surgery and two more tumors were discovered. Discussion is forthcoming concerning bladder removal. Please pray for the Lord’s Hand to help him overcome his anxiety as well as the cancer.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TODAY

December 28, 2009

The Shelter

Melissa Taylor

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

Psalm 91:1 (NIV)

Devotion:

It happened again. My sweet ten year-old son came home from school deeply wounded. Some kids at school who were making fun of him and calling him names. My heart broke as I tried to comfort my worn down gift from God, my beloved son.

When Dylan was just one year-old, he had surgery on his head. This surgery left a scar that is visible. It really never bothered him much because he can't see it. He's always known it was there, but since it was out of sight, it was out of mind. Until someone else reminded him it was there, pointed out that it looked weird, and then a few others joined in. Their words pierced my son's heart and he needed a safe place to hide.

I prayed for Dylan and tried to explain why some people say things that are hurtful. I did all I could do to comfort him, but after all my efforts, he still came back to the same feelings of not fitting in. I will never forget how helpless I felt as a parent as I listened to him cry for hours begging God to take away the hurt.

My husband called Dylan upstairs to our bedroom. I noticed after a while how quiet it was in the house. Peace seemed to have settled over our home.

I walked upstairs to make sure everything was alright and what I saw brought tears to my eyes. There they were, father and son, tucked into a fort, a shelter, that Jeff had built for Dylan. He called it Dylan's Den. It was equipped with blankets, pillows, a roof, and the arms of his father. Dylan was lying in his daddy's arms with the most peaceful and content look on his face. The man Dylan trusts most of all came to his rescue and provided a refuge, a place of protection for him. What a beautiful example of our Father's love. I will never forget it as long as I live.

When the world is cruel, we need to remember that we all have our Father's shelter that we can run to. There He waits, ready and willing for us to come into His arms to provide us with the security and protection we need. And as our key verse states, when we dwell in His shelter, we will find rest. God never promises that we will be free from trouble, but He does promise His help whenever we experience trouble.

Are you experiencing doubt, disappointment, fear, or trouble? Remember that God's arms are open wide. The security of His shelter is there for you.

Dear Lord, Thank you for being my shelter and refuge that I can always run to. Help me to seek shelter and refuge in You alone, in Jesus' Name, amen.

Application Steps:

Find some time today to seek shelter in the arms of your Father. Tell Him all your are going through and then trust Him to take care of you.

Reflections:

When trouble comes your way, where do you seek shelter?

Do you trust God to protect you in all circumstances?

Isn't it a great feeling knowing that you have God as your refuge?

Power Verses:

Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)

Psalm 18:2, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (NIV)

…and…

Taking a trip on the Bible Bus

Hebrews 9:25—10:24

(25) Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. [26] Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. [27] Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, [28] so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 10

(1) The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. [2] If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. [3] But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, [4] because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

[5] Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but a body you prepared for me;

[6] with burnt offerings and sin offerings

you were not pleased.

[7] Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll--

I have come to do your will, O God.' "

[8] First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). [9] Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. [10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

[11] Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. [13] Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, [14] because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

[15] The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

[16] "This is the covenant I will make with them

after that time, says the Lord.

I will put my laws in their hearts,

and I will write them on their minds."

[17] Then he adds:

"Their sins and lawless acts

I will remember no more."

[18] And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

[19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Listen at

http://www.audiotreasure.com/webindex.htm

Listen to Thru the Bible

Dr. J. Vernon McGee

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Thru_the_Bible_with_JVernon_McGee/

Please send your prayer requests to

dysmasconduit.@gmail.com