January 28, 2010 ~ Watching And Waiting

I see the image of the farmer patiently waiting.

Today's Scripture:

See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

James 5:7-8

God's timing is always perfect. He parted the Red Sea when his people needed it most - when they were trapped between the rushing waters and an approaching army. God allowed the water to flow again, but only after Moses and the Israelites had made it safely across. God provided what the people needed at the precise moment that it would make the greatest difference.

From a human vantage point, it isn't always easy to recognize that opportune moment. Waiting for God's answer, when you own internal timer has already gone off, can make you feel as if God isn't listening or he simply doesn't care. When you find yourself in that situation, take a lesson from this important verse in James and put yourself in a farmer's shoes. You can't rush a perfect harvest or an answer to prayer. As a farmer waits for the fruit of his labor, he doesn't just sit around complaining about how long the growing season is. He continues to work. He trusts God, and his patience grows right along with his fruit.

Selah people' and friends James provides a valuable tip for those who wait. He advises you to establish your heart, which means "to firmly plant your life and expectations in the fertile soil of God's truth." There is a bountiful harvest as certain as the fulfillment of God's promises: the Lord will return; the hard times that you and I face will end; and

God will answer your prayers when the time is right.

"The image of a patient farmer provides an encouraging visual picture for prayer. I can see my wife's Uncle Eldridge as he shared with me one time that he need not even speak verbally to God when his field is dry he just looks up and knows that God here's his prayer. Join me in picturing every prayer as a seed planted in God's will. As you wait, picture them ripening, trusting in God's perfect harvest time."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC

http://selahchurch.com

Listen to our choir special led by Lee Ann Higgins and our sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

http://selahmedia.tripod.com

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:
http://selahchurch.blogspot.com

Story of Faith in the middle of tragedy - Haiti Quake

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=227e1273143fb8ad01d6&utm_source=newsletter012710&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weeklytopvideos

CNN supporting those who continue to search for information on those in Haiti and an inspiring story of one brother who was touched by the scripture in Psalm 46:2 while waiting on news of his two missing siblings. May God continue to touch those in need and may you continue to join me in praying for all those suffering.

In Christ Service,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC ~ http://selahchurch.com

January 27, 2010 ~ Piecing Life Together...

Join me as we like Paul pray for a more complete life!

Today's Scripture:

May God himself, the God who makes everything Holy and whole, make you Holy and whole, put you together - spirit, soul, and body- and keep you fit for the coming of our master, Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

A jigsaw puzzle is made up of multiple parts. It is only when these parts are put together, when the puzzle is whole and complete, that you see the picture it was designed to display. Your life is the same way. Your life is made up of many complex components: family life, job, hobbies, physical experiences, hopes for the future, relationship with God. It would be easy to feel that your life is fragmented, like unconnected pieces of a puzzle that don't seem to fit. But, that isn't the way you were designed.

God designed you and I to be whole and complete, where every part of your life interconnects with his love and his plan.

This doesn't happen automatically or overnight. That is why the apostle Paul asked God to help the people in the church at Thessalonica to continue to move closer toward wholeness in their lives. He recognized that people cannot achieve the process of maturity that leads to wholeness through self-effort. It requires the power of God. Paul's prayer is one you need to pray for yourself.

Selah people' and friends ask God to help pull the pieces of your life together according to his original design. As you choose to keep God at the center of your life, you'll find your own unique "picture" becoming more complete. Your job, your relationships, and your dreams work together, linked to one another because they are each solidly linked back to God.

"Let Paul's prayer make you more aware of the big picture behind what's going on in your life. Ask God to help you get a better glimpse of what that really is."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church

Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com

Listen to our choir special led by Lee Ann Higgins and our sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

http://selahmedia.tripod.com

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:

http://selahchurch.blogspot.com

January 26, 2010 ~ Job Description: Excellence

Where ever God has placed you

he wants you to DO YOUR BEST!

Today's Scripture:

In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.

Colossian 3:23

Work is a noble calling. God commends people for doing it well, and he also does work himself. I have learned much over the years beginning as a young scout, today as a senior pastor and in my secular work as a member of management at the pickle company. I have really come to learn that work regardless of what we do is not for the church, the company, for credit or for a payday. When God created the world, he worked. The excellence of his work is evident in everything he made and did. He even took a day off to review the results of his efforts and declared them "good." God continues to work, sustaining what he created that very first week in the world's history.

Since God created you and I in his image, work should be a part of our lives. Doing it reflects God's creativity and character. We work where He places us until He moves us in a new direction. You see it is easy, however, to lose your motivation when a job is difficult or you become bored or frustrated with dealing with the same thing day after day. Paul's words to Colossians can help you keep your work in its proper perspective.

Working the best you can literally means working "out from the soul."

You are not working simply to pay the bills, please your boss, or pass the time of day. God set this job in front of you. When you do your job well, God notices, even if no one else does.

It does not matter your position be it low or high. In my first green season at my company I was a seasonal worker making minimum wage working for the superintendent Ken Powell. It did not matter about the degrees from two different colleges I had hanging on the wall what mattered most was the work I did each day. God encourages us to work hard doing the best we can, where we are, with what He has given us and to do so in His name.

Selah people' and friends the section of Colossians I have shared with us today was originally directed toward slaves. It encouraged them to remain positive and productive, even if they were working in bondage under a tyrant. If a slave, who could be beaten even if he did a job well, could strive for excellence by maintaining a Colossians 3:23 perspective, that should inspire us in our jobs.

"Continually refocus on God's perspective throughout the day to help keep your efforts on the right track. Remember who we really work for and who "the man" really is."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC

http://selahchurch.com

Listen to our choir special led by Lee Ann Higgins and our sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

http://selahmedia.tripod.com

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:
http://selahchurch.blogspot.com

Are you tired and in need of rest?

Click link for video on Tangle.com:
http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=47f598bde7d37a5f655b

Scripture:
Matthew 11:28: ...I will give you rest.


SONG OF THE DAY: "All Ye"

Have you had your Coffey' today? Do feel beat down and unable to keep going it alone? Bring all your burdens as the scripture In Matthew reminds us to Him and he will give us rest. God be with you and your family as you battle the challenges that we call life. You are not alone!

In Christ service,
Rev Patrick Muston

January 25, 2010 ~ Stop, Look, Listen, And Trust

Remember always to trust in God our refuge...

Today's Scripture:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea..."Be still, and know that I am God."

Psalm 46: 1-2

The Psalms are a tapestry of human emotions. The poetry of prayer weaves together anger, fear, joy, longing, despair, praise, and passion. As a teen I can remember reading through Psalms while sitting in the infield during each of our track meets. Track is a team sport but most of our events were you all on you own to either be triumphant or more times than not come up a little short. Various times I would read a Psalm and think to myself how right on time the thought or emotion was with the way I was feeling. Anxieties would melt away knowing that someone else had experienced just what I was feeling and that the same God who helped pen the words in the scripture was with me awaiting my next event. You and I can see in this verse how it sums up God's response to those prayers. Its truth is the thread of peace and comfort that runs through the entire book of Psalms, as well as the rest of the Bible - and the life of every individual who walks with God.

God's answer to those who are emotionally troubled is brief and straightforward: STOP AND REMEMBER WHO IS ON YOUR SIDE.

Psalm 46 talks about earthquakes felling mountains, cities being destroyed, nations being in an uproar, kingdoms crumbling. I can't help but think of moments that we have experienced in recent years such as 911, the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and the recent destruction in Haiti. This word speaks about the final destruction of the world itself. The overall tone of the psalm is anything but quiet and still. One sentence, however, says to "be still," and the focal point of emotion changes from outside chaos to internal rest. That's why the psalm was written as a song. It proclaimed a message everyone needed to hear.

Selah people' and friends let the truth of this verse find a home in your heart today. When life gets busy or chaotic, it's easy to get distracted. You wind up focusing on problems instead of the One who holds the answer to your problems in his hands. When that happens, stop. Focus on who God is and how much he loves you. Share your own heartfelt psalm of prayer with the God of power and compassion. Be still and know God is near.

"The words in Psalm 46 hold incredible power when it comes to knowing God is near in any and every situation. Memorize them. Mediate on them. If you feel led sing them as you may do popular songs. Sing them to our Lord. Keep them close at heart for when you need them most. Wither it be your next jump attempt on the pole vault or a project at school or work."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church

Four Oaks, NC ~ http://selahchurch.com

Listen to our choir special led by Lee Ann Higgins and our sermon message each week via our Selah media website: http://selahmedia.tripod.com

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:

http://selahchurch.blogspot.com

January 24, 2010 ~Justin Timberlake-sings "Hallelujah"-Hope for Haiti

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=8723df473d8a8ee6907a

Please join myself and our Selah Church family as we continue to pray and support those who are facing terrible tragedy and destruction in Haiti. We took up a special offering for http://www.weekofcompassion.org/ to send and will take up one more special offering again on January 31st. Are simple gifts and prayers can be very powerful in the lives of those in need and our missionaries, military and red cross who are there trying to help.

In Christ service,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC ~ http://selahchurch.com/

Listen to our choir special and sermon each week via our Selah media website: http://selahmedia.tripod.com/

Daily scripture and devotion available through our church blog:
http://selahchurch.blogspot.com/