The Red Stuff

John 14:27 (The Message) "I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.

Dear Friend:

Happy New Year! I don’t know about you but after the Holidays, my brain is scattered with so many tasks. Tasks like returning/exchanging things, putting house back together, and decorations away. It sometimes gets tricky for me to make room for new stuff our family received as gifts. You know, find a place to put stuff. I had less time to do many things because the schedule was different with the kids home. Now that everything is getting back to “normal.” I think I can call it that, it definitely is quieter at home during the day.

I think I will start the New Year with a “New Focus” and that focus will be on “The Red Stuff.” I heard this sermon recently and it was so catchy. Hopefully you have a bible that has Jesus’ words written in red. Paying attention to what Jesus had to say is vital. Above is an example of him saying “he left us the Holy Spirit who makes everything plain to us, Peace, and we don’t have to feel abandoned or bereft.” If you want a New Focus for the New Year, just think about these life sustaining words. You can continue to read the red stuff and find hope, strength, relief from fear and LOVE! I write love because the red stuff is full of Jesus love for all mankind.

Let’s pray: Father in heaven thank you for bringing your son to earth. Help me to New Focus for the New Year to read “The Red Stuff.” In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Reading “The Red Stuff” with New Focus,
Elaine

Speaking Engagement

You are invited to

Ladies Night Out

Chinese dinner &
encouragement from
our speaker, Elaine James

Friday, at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $8.00

Happy New Year

Cornerstone Community Church
9008 Fairview
Brookfield, IL 60513
708 485-8730

Corner of Sunnyside & Fairview

Peace Out

Dear Friend:

In the last few days I have enjoyed family, shopping and laughing a lot. The joy has come from a little assignment the Lord laid on my heart this past week. I picked up my bible and felt stirred to read the book of Hebrews. As the words lay before me and I read the continuous plan God had for all mankind. The writer, explained over and over the love message of God and the identity of Jesus.

I can’t explain fully the strength and peace that I got from the words. God’s word! My message comes with joy and energy to encourage you to read for yourself the word. It does not always work to just imagine from memory the story of Jesus. It is powerful to just read it! Even if you think you know what it says, something about reading it again! Ugh! I wish I could explain it! But just know that it renewed my strength and has given me joy and hope. It is the hope of today! Jesus came! But for us, He is coming back! It is our hope in the midst of these days. It is a bigger thing to come and bigger than our circumstances and bigger than our lives. The Israelites had the hope and it was fulfilled. Some got it and some did not. We have been able to hear the story and know it was true and now wait, wait in anticipation for His coming again.

I leave you with what struck me as I read this morning these actions of Moses. He left His life of luxury with Pharaoh the king. He looked up to the bigger things of life and chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. Hebrews 11:25 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. Hebrews 11:26
What courage!
Let’s pray: Lord give me the courage, boldness, strength to look at your son Jesus as a greater value than things of life and fulfill what you have for me in the New Year. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

So as 2009 is behind us let approach 2010 with a NEW ATTITUDE!

Peace out,
Elaine

Slip Through Your Fingers

Hebrews 4:16 Now that we know what we have-Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God-let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all-all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. TAKE THE MERCY, ACCEPT THE HELP!

Dear Friend:
Our reality is that life can be hard and there is so much hurting, pain, not enough time and disease. Reality of what’s going on can throw you into asking “what is going on here?” The next step to that is usually panic and from panic we tend to run and ask “what can we do to make a solution to the circumstances?” Then we run for a solution. It is what the prodigal son did. His idea was to get his inheritance and then he could eat, sleep and be merry. But his idea failed. I can only repeat over and over what the word of God says “go to the throne before the phone.” Before you make a decision, pray, pray again and then pray again. Ask God to cover you daily with his thoughts and ways. He can examine your heart. Letting others examine your way could lead to pain and hurt. We must have the Spirit of God helping us with our daily “stuff.”

In this Christmas season we must be reminded of the great Immanuel who came to save us from separation from God. When we understand that Jesus is the only way to getting to God we enter into what the writer in Hebrews says is “REST.” (Hebrews 4:3) I pray that you when you read what Jesus did on the cross, that’s what will take you out of panic and back to reality. Reality is, God is in control and no matter what we go through, he will be with you, he will walk you through.

Bottom line message I think God is saying to you today:
I AM NOT OUT OF TOUCH WITH YOUR REALITY. YOU HAVE ACCESS TO ME-DON’T LET IT SLIP THROUGH YOUR FINGERS.
-GOD-
Let’s pray: Lord I take your mercy and accept your help. Thank you for the reminder of who Jesus is and why he came. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Resting,
Elaine