firstIMPRESSIONS
from Senior Pastor Timothy Satryan

Did you know that tiny flies can bring down the king of beasts?

The flies, known as “stomoxys,” will bite a lion and then keep biting its wounds, inflicting nagging, relentless pain. Over time, the lion dies of trauma. A few years ago, at least six lions in Tanzania’s world famous wildlife park were killed by swarms of these flies.

Our worries can do the same to us. Left unchecked, our anxieties will buzz around us like a swarm of blood-sucking flies, pestering us and distressing us until we collapse. Maybe we’re revealing more than we intend when we sigh and say, “I’m worried sick!”

As the late Corrie Ten Boom once noted, “Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” That’s why Jesus said, “Don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34, The Message)

Billy Graham wrote, “What is the opposite of fear? For the Christian there can be only one answer: The opposite of fear is trust — trust in God and His unchanging love. Once we realize God is in control and he holds us in his loving hands, we can meet life’s dangers and uncertainties with confidence. After all, if we can trust God for our eternal salvation, can’t we also trust him for our lives right now?”

The psalmist declared, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.” (Psalm 118:6) The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

I love how Romans 8:15-17 is rendered in The Message – “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us-an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!”

So, what are you worried about? What are you fearful of? Just remember – your Heavenly Father is with you, will never leave you nor forsake you, and will supply all you need according to His riches in glory!

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 7.27. Live for God, on purpose, walking in victory through Jesus Christ our Lord!

by Alan Smith

A 60-year-old couple was celebrating their 40th year of marriage. During the celebration, a genie appeared and said, “Because you have been such a loving couple all those years, I would like to give you each one wish.”

The wife quickly chimed in, “I want to travel around the world.” The genie waved his arms and, POOF!, she had the tickets in her hand.

Next, it was the husband’s turn. He paused for a moment, then said shyly, “Well, I’d like to have a wife 30 years younger than me.”  The genie waved his arms and, POOF!, he was 90 years old.

We seem to be fascinated by stories of magic genies granting wishes (why is it usually three wishes?). Which of us hasn’t sat and wondered at some point in time, “If a genie granted me three wishes, what would I wish for?”

God is not, as some imagine Him, a magic genie waiting at our beck and call to give us everything we ask for (see James 4:3). But there is certainly that level of power and ability at His disposal. Listen to these words of Paul:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)

God is able to do more than I ask of Him. That’s pretty amazing, considering that I have some pretty difficult requests. Furthermore (and this is really mind-boggling), God is able to do more than I can even imagine! I don’t know about you, but I can imagine quite a bit. Yet, Paul assures us that God is not only able to do all that we ask or imagine — he is able to do more, immeasurably more!

When things in life are beyond my control, I find comfort in knowing that God has such power — not the power of an imaginary genie but the power of a living awesome Father. Sometimes we offer to pray for others saying, “It’s the least I can do.” How wrong we are. Considering the power of God, it’s the most we can do!

This article by Alan Smith, Senior Pastor of the Helen Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville, North Carolina. You can visit his site at http://www.TFTD-online.com

(top)

Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed.

When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on the receptionist’s counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office.

The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in.

Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn’t heard any summons yet.

They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.

Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, “Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled.”

The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, “Wait a minute, I don’t understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That’s not fair!”

The employer said, “I’m sorry, but the last several minutes while you’ve been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code: ‘If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.’ None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his.”

We are so busy living in a world that is full of noise and clatter, like that office. People are distracted and unable to hear the still, small voice of God as He speaks in creation, in the Scriptures, and in the life and work of Jesus Christ.

So I ask you, as I ask myself, “Are you listening, or are you waiting to be called? Do you hear the Lord when he speaks to you?

(top)

He is God... He is the First and the Last, The Beginning and the End!

He is the Keeper of Creation and the Creator of all. He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all time. He always was, He always is and He always will be... unmoved, unchanged, undefeated and never undone!

He was bruised and brought healing! He was pierced and eased pain! He was persecuted and brought freedom! He is risen and brings power! He reigns and brings peace!

The world can’t understand Him, The armies can’t defeat Him, The schools can’t explain Him, and the leaders can’t ignore Him, Herod couldn’t kill Him, the Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him, and the people couldn’t hold Him. Nero couldn’t crush Him, Hitler couldn’t silence Him, The new age can’t replace Him, and no one can explain Him away.

He is light, love, longevity, and LORD. He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God. He is holy, righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure. His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging and His mind is on me.

He is my Savior, He is my Guide and He is my Peace! He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord and He rules my Life!

I serve Him because His bond is Love. His burden is light and His goal for me is abundant life. I follow Him because He is the Wisdom of the wise, the Power of the powerful, the Ancient of days, the Ruler of the rulers, the Leader of leaders, the Overseer of overcomers and He is to come.

And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size. His goal is a relationship with me! He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up! When I fail, He forgives! When I am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He is the Way! When I am afraid, He is my courage! When I stumble, He steadies me! When I am hurt, He heals me! When I am broken, He mends me! When I am blind, He leads me! When I am hungry, He feeds me! When I face trials, He is with me! When I face persecution, He shields me! When I face problems, He comforts me! When I face loss, He provides for me! When I face death, He carries me home!

He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way. He is God. He is faithful. I am His and He is mine! My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world. So if you are wondering why I feel so secure, understand this... He said it and that settles it. God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul. Everyday is a blessing for God is and He is to come! He is my love and my Life. AMEN

(top)

by Jim Liebelt

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? – Matthew 7:3 (NIV)

I recently read a story about a business owner who constantly complained about the dirty windows of his competitor’s store – directly across the street from his own. Perhaps it was just his pet peeve, but the storeowner complained continually to other business owners in the community about how his competitor’s dirty windows were a disgrace to the community – and how it could reflect poorly on his own business.

Another local shopkeeper, tired of hearing the owner’s ongoing complaints, suggested that he set a good example and wash his own store windows. The storeowner took the shopkeeper’s advice and washed his own windows. The following day, the two met for coffee and the storeowner, remarked, “You were right. It worked! As soon as I washed my windows, my competitor must have washed their store windows also! This morning I noticed from my store that they were clean and shining!”

The storeowner had simply suffered from blurred vision. He judged his competitor wrongly! When he cleaned the windows of his own store, he was able to see that his competitor’s windows were also clean!

Sometimes, we look at others with blurred vision. We see things in other people’s lives that we don’t think are right or acceptable and find fault with them. We judge them. Sometimes, like the storeowner, we complain to others about the faults we think we see. But, too often when we find fault in others it is simply because our own vision is blurry. I know, for example, when I find fault in others it is often regarding issues I have in my own life. I find that I have a tendency to project real faults in myself – onto others – who most likely don’t have those faults at all. Jesus warns us not to judge others (Matthew 7:1) and addressed the issue saying, ”...first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5).

Today, when you are tempted to judge or complain about someone, take a moment first to see if it is only your own vision that is blurred.

as seen in “Today’s HomeWord,” a daily devotional with Jim Burns. Visit them online at www.homeword.com

(top)

by Richard Innes

“Choose you this day whom you will serve.” – Joshua 24:15.

“We’re all self-made,” said one self-made philosopher, “but only the rich will admit it.”

The fact is life is a series of choices. I am where and who I am today and doing what I want to do because of choices I made many years ago. Furthermore, who I am and what I do tomorrow will be largely affected by choices I make today. To do nothing is also a choice even if it is made unconsciously.

As Brian Tracy puts it, “It’s choice, not chance, that determines our destiny.”

For example, I may have been victimized in the past but if I remain a victim that is my choice and in so doing I become a willing volunteer. No matter what my background was or what happened to me in the past, I am now fully responsible for what I do about it and for what I become.

With God’s help and the support of loving friends and, if needed, the help of a well trained counselor, I can become the person God wants me to be and fulfill the purpose he has for my life. It’s up to me, however, to find out what that purpose is and do my part in fulfilling it.

It boils down to choice. As Joshua said to the ancient Israelites, “Choose you this day whom you will serve ... As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” And he did for the rest of his life.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me to discover your purpose for my life and accept full responsibility for becoming the person you want me to be and for doing what you have planned for me to do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

as seen in Richard Innes’ “Daily Encounters.” © Copyright 2007 ACTS International. Visit them online at http://www.actsweb.org.

(top)

Christ for sickness, Christ for health,
Christ for poverty, Christ for wealth,

Christ for joy, Christ for sorrow,
Christ today and Christ tomorrow;

Christ my Life, and Christ my Light,
Christ for morning, noon and night,

Christ when all around gives way
Christ my everlasting Stay;

Christ my Rest, and Christ my Food
Christ above my highest good,

Christ my Well-beloved Friend
Christ my Pleasure without end;

Christ my Saviour, Christ my Lord
Christ my Portion, Christ my God,

Christ my Shepherd, I His sheep
Christ Himself my soul to keep;

Christ my Leader, Christ my Peace
Christ hath wrought my soul’s release,

Christ my Righteousness divine
Christ for me, for He is mine;

Christ my Wisdom, Christ my Meat,
Christ restores my wandering feet,

Christ my Advocate and Priest
Christ who ne'er forgets the least;

Christ my Teacher, Christ my Guide,
Christ my Rock, in Christ I hide,

Christ the Ever-living Bread,
Christ His precious Blood hath shed;

Christ hath brought me near to God,
Christ the everlasting Word

Christ my Master, Christ my Head,
Christ who for my sins hath bled;

Christ my Glory, Christ my Crown,
Christ the Plant of great renown,

Christ my Comforter on high,
Christ my Hope, draws ever nigh.

(top)

See if you can find 40 books of the Bible hidden in the following paragraph! Answers will appear in next week’s firstIMPRESSIONS!

This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a Mr. Valdez Raburn, in an airplane seat pocket, while on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. John Hess, who owns a beauty salon in N.J., ere... MI? Ah, it was N.Y.! He found it tucked in one of his beauty magazines. He spent so much time on this puzzle while eating at the local Deli, Saia Hess, his ex-wife, had no choice but to buy out Hess’ salon! I answered quite a bit of email from people that have seen this puzzle. A famous comic, a hilarious musician, sent an email that he studied the puzzle while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor was so mesmerized by this puzzle, she wrote a poem telling people not to fall victim; “O thy hidden books, which fail to be found, I look so hard and futile, I cannot put this puzzle down!” She judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some books that are really easy to spot, others near impossible! In fact, some people will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or a scholar to find some of them! At the worst, one should be able to find at least half of them. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books hidden in this paragraph. The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons, including Jude Raj, a local seminary professor. They agree this puzzle is one of the most difficult they have ever seen. Prof. Raj, on a Holy Bible, vowed to find all the books; rumor has it he’s still looking. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new record in sales. At an auto auction, where one HEMI, ahead of all other vehicles sold, received a record bid due to the buyer preoccupied with this puzzle while bidding! As Daniel Sherman, a humble priest at St. Luke’s medical center puts it, “The books are all right here in plain view, hidden from sight.” Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown where the books are found. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their preceding numbers. Also, keep in mind two things, punctuation and spaces... some proclaim these two bad. I, ahead of the game, knew that spaces and punctuation in the middle of a book would be normal! A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim they can find the hidden books faster. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus; there really are 40 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this text waiting to be found. God Bless and good luck!

(top)

A group of researchers led by the University of Tokyo has broken Internet speed records twice in two days. Operators of the high-speed “Internet2” network announced Tuesday that the researchers sent data at 7.67 gigabits per second, using standard communications protocols. The next day, using modified protocols, the team broke the record again by sending data over the same 20,000-mile path at 9.08 Gbps.”

Rumor has it that the first items received at this speed were an ad to get drugs at reduced prices and a request to help release a Nigerian inheritance.

As the calendar has changed to July, have you realized that this year is already more than half over? We are gearing up to make the second half of 2007 the best we can for expanding His Kingdom! Keep pressing forward for Him! Together, we will reach for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus!