opening Have you been earnestly praying for a good while about a very important, life-changing need in your life? And, while you have been praying, it seems as though others have gotten in the “fast lane” of prayer, passing you by, having their prayer answered, while your are still patiently waiting on the Lord? If so, you and Jairus have a lot in common!

Jairus was a well-known, powerful, wealthy individual who was the head of the local synagogue. When his 12-year-old daughter, his only child, was in great need, he sought out Jesus to heal her. We don't know whether Jairus was a believer in Jesus. As the head of the synagogue, he would have been a religious man. He probably had heard about Jesus. Maybe he had already put his faith in Him. But Jairus believed that Jesus could save his daughter's life. So he went and found the Lord and begged Him to heal his daughter. He placed his complete trust in Jesus.

But as they were on the way to his house, the news came that his daughter had died. The reason they did not get to his daughter more quickly was because a woman in need of healing came along and touched Jesus, and He stopped and demanded to know who it was that touched Him.

Yet Jairus did not complain. Rather, he committed himself to Jesus, believing that God knew what He was doing. Jairus had to wait.

Likewise, we have to wait! A lot of us grow impatient with God. In our impatience, we can foolishly take things into our own hands and make them far worse. Know this – God's delays are not necessarily His denials. We need to wait on the Lord. God's timing is just as important as His will!

He doesn't ask for us to understand. He just asks us to trust.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 9.28. Live for God, on purpose, trusting in Him, knowing that His timing is better than ours!

Accept No Substitutes!

Do you know what a “knock-off” is? They have been around for a long time, but today, especially due to the ease of communication through the internet, you can find them faster and easier than ever! A “knock-off” is a product produced to look and function very closely, if not nearly identically, to a more expensive, more exclusive, harder to attain, highly sought after item.

For years, a quick trip down the streets of New York City would find allow you to find very cheap “knock-offs” of very expensive purses, watches, and other highly sought after items. In some Asian countries, the sale of “knock-off” DVDs of movies that have just been released in the theater is as common as can be. There have even been some “knock-off” speculative items recently sold. An overseas manufacturer actually produced a “knock-off” “iPhone nano” – later to find out that no such real item was even going to be made!

People who acquire any of these knock-offs usually discover that they have a cheap substitute, that although may seem to pass for the real thing initially, it will quickly tarnish, break, and leave you with a very worthless piece of junk.

Unfortunately, it seems as though many people have taken this same “knock-off” idea, and applied it to areas of their Christian life! Some have substituted weak “knock-offs” for key areas in their walk in the Lord. There is no substitute for the Word of God, for a walk of faith and obedience, a lifestyle of strong character, anointed by the poser of God, a right relationship with God and others, and a repentance of things that displease the Lord.

The apostle Paul was unwilling to allow his ministry to be marked, as others had, but cheap substitutes. He says to the church at Corinth, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”

Is your walk with the Lord built on the genuine, or is it hindered by worldly “knock-offs?” This Sunday at WFA our message will address this question, as we urge you to “Accept No Substitutes!”

nobody You Are Not a Nobody

by Chuck Swindoll

1. Who taught Martin Luther his theology and inspired his translation of the New Testament?

2. Who visited Dwight L. Moody at a shoe store and spoke to him about Christ?

3. Who was the wife of Charles Haddon Spurgeon?

4. Who was the elderly woman who prayed faithfully for Billy Graham for over twenty years?

5. Who financed William Carey’s ministry in India?

6. Who refreshed the apostle Paul in a Roman dungeon as he wrote his last letter to Timothy?

7. Who helped Charles Wesley get underway as a composer of hymns?

8. Who found the Dead Sea Scrolls?

9. Who followed Hudson Taylor and gave the China Inland Mission its remarkable direction?

10. Who were the parents of the godly and gifted prophet Daniel?

Okay, how did you do? Over fifty percent? Maybe twenty-five percent? Not quite that good? Before you excuse your inability to answer the questions by calling the quiz “trivia,” better stop and think. Had it not been for those unknown people – those “nobodies” – a huge chunk of church history would be missing, and a lot of lives would have been untouched.

Nobodies.

What a necessary band of men and women... servants of the King... yet nameless in the kingdom! Men and women who, with silent heroism, yet faithful diligence, relinquish the limelight and live in the shade of public figures. What was it Jim Elliot, the martyred messenger of the gospel to the Aucas, once called missionaries? Something like a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody.

But don’t mistake anonymous for unnecessary. Otherwise, the whole Body gets crippled – even paralyzed... or, at best, terribly dizzy as the majority of the members within the Body become diseased with self-pity and discouragement. Face it, friend, the Head of the Body calls the shots. It is His prerogative to publicize some and hide others. Don’t ask me why He chooses whom He uses. If it’s His desire to use you as a Melanchthon rather than a Luther... or a Kimball rather than a Moody... or an Onesiphorus rather than a Paul, relax!

Better than that, give God praise! You’re among that elite group mentioned in I Corinthians 12 as: ...some of the parts that seemed weakest and least important are really the most necessary... So God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that might otherwise seem less important (vv. 22,24, TLB).

If it weren’t for the heroic “nobodies,” we wouldn’t have top-notch officers to give a church its leadership or quality sound when everyone shows up to worship or janitors who clean when everyone is long gone or committees to provide dozens of services behind the scenes or mission volunteers who staff offices at home or work in obscurity overseas with only a handful of people. Come to think of it, if it weren’t for the faithful “nobodies,” you wouldn’t even have this [paper] in your hands right now.

Nobodies... exalting Somebody.

Are you one? Listen to me! It’s the “nobodies” Somebody chooses so carefully. And when He has selected you for that role, He does not consider you a nobody. Be encouraged!

finding-self Finding Our Self-Esteem

by Alan Smith

A story is told about William "Speedy" Morris, who was head coach at La Salle University from 1986 to 2001. As the story goes, during a year in which LaSalle was having a pretty good season, Coach Morris was shaving one morning when the phone rang. His wife answered it and called out to him that Sports Illustrated wanted to talk to him.

Coach Morris was excited that his team was apparently about to receive national recognition in this famous sports magazine. As a matter of fact, he was so excited that he cut himself with his razor.

Covered with blood and shaving lather and running downstairs to the phone, he tripped and fell down the stairs. Finally, bleeding and bruised, he made it to the phone and breathlessly said, "Hello"?

The voice on the other end asked, "Is this Speedy Morris"?

"Yes, yes!" he replied excitedly.

Then the voice continued, "Mr. Morris, for just seventy-five cents an issue, we can give you a one-year subscription to Sports Illustrated."

We are often disappointed to find out that someone else doesn’t think we are as important as we think they ought to! Paul had something to say about this:

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

We’ve heard a lot in the past couple of decades about the importance of boosting the self-esteem of children in school, with the idea that getting rid of low self-esteem will help children to be happier and have better grades. And I fully appreciate the fact that some children (as well as some adults) do have poor self-esteem and view themselves as worthless, which is a bad thing. Paul doesn’t say that we need to have a poor view of ourselves, just that we need to have a “sober” or “sensible” view of ourselves.

But it seems to me that a bigger problem in our society is high self-esteem – people who think of themselves as more important than they truly are. Strangely enough, I don’t hear anyone talking about that problem! But Jesus did. He spoke a lot about the need to develop an attitude of humility, and he let us know that we find a right view of ourselves by seeing ourselves as servants. Jesus not only taught that view of self-esteem, but he demonstrated it.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)

Father, help me to find my self-esteem in you. Because of your sacrifice on my behalf, I understand my great value in your eyes. But forgive me when I try to elevate myself over others around me who are equally as valuable. Help me to develop the humble attitude of a servant. In Jesus‘ name, amen.

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

family-bible The Family Bible

Old brother Higgins built a shelf
for the family Bible to rest itself
lest a sticky finger or grimy thumb
might injure the delicate pages some.
He cautioned his children to touch it not
and it rested there with never a blot
though the Higgins tribe were
a troublesome lot.

His neighbor, Miggins, built a shelf,
"Come children," he said, "and help yourself."
His book is old and ragged and worn,
with some of the choicest pages torn,
where children have fingered
and thumbed and read.
But of the Miggins tribe I've heard it said,
each carries a Bible in their head.

choose Choose Something Better

by Jim Liebelt

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” – John 14:1-3

An article, "Cruise Ship Care: A Proposed Alternative to Assisted Living Facilities" by Lee A. Lindquist, M.D. and Robert M. Golub, M.D. appeared in the November 2004 issue of the Journal of American Geriatric Society. In it, the authors make a case that due to the high cost of assisted-living facilities, some seniors may actually fare better by choosing to move onto a cruise ship. There they can find many similar services to assisted-living care such as room and board, medical services, and exercise equipment while enjoying visits to exotic ports of call... and all quite possibly for less money.

Apparently, the idea is not too far fetched. Bea Muller, a retiree, has already opted for something she considers better than a retirement home: Cunard cruise line’s Queen Elizabeth 2, where she has been a permanent resident since January, 2000. Following her husband’s death, she sold her house and her possessions and booked herself on the ship where she has lived ever since. Muller said, “I've got full-time maid service, great dining rooms, doctors, a medical center (where she volunteers), a spa, beauty salon, computer center, entertainment, cultural activities and, best of all, dancing and bridge.”

Opting for something better sounds like a good plan! Too often people live their lives with only this life in view: You’re born, you live and you die. But, this life is not the end of the story. The Bible certainly makes it clear that there is life after death and that there is both a real heaven and a real hell. Everyone ends up somewhere! And, much like Mrs. Muller, we have the choice to opt for that best of all accommodations: Heaven. Choices of faith – to believe in Jesus, to love Him, to follow Him – ensure that you are booked on that fantastic journey. Be sure that you choose something better! Don’t miss the boat!

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

ABCs ABC’s for Success

Avoid negative people, places and habits.

Believe in yourself. Distance yourself from those who belittle and discourage you.

Clutter hinders efficiency. Get rid of any clutter in your home, workspace and the emotional clutter in your mind and spirit.

Develop financial intelligence and discipline. Save and spend wisely.

Endure the tough times. Don't give up! Trouble doesn't last always.

Family and friends are a treasure. Spend more time with those who matter.

Good character is wealth. Be someone other people can respect and depend on.

Health is a precious gift. Make some form of exercise, healthy eating, water and reduction of sugar, salt and fatty foods a life style priority.

Invest in your future, because that is where you will be the rest of your life.

Just do what matters. Remain focused on your priorities.

Keep the main thing – THE MAIN THING! Focus, concentration and perseverance pay off.

Let go of the heavy baggage of stress, worry, shame and anger.

Manage your time, money and emotions well.

Never lie, cheat or steal. Always be fair.

Optimism and hope can get you through the tough times. Anything is possible with faith and action.

Pray for strength, courage and wisdom to endure, excel and enjoy your life.

Quality produces success. How you do anything, is how you will do everything. Always do your best.

Read and learn something new every day to increase your chances for success.

Stop waiting. Procrastination is a thief! Action speaks louder than FEAR.

Take time to create balance in your life. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Understand yourself in order to better understand others. Heal your emotional wounds.

Value your self-esteem and choose wisely in your relationships.

Winners keep growing and going in spite of obstacles. "Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn."

eXcel in your efforts. Don't settle for the ordinary. Live and give above average.

You are a child of God. Maintain your self-esteem. Never compromise or discount yourself

Zero in on your target goals and ideas. GO FOR IT! The best is yet to come!

last-ipmress The Last Impression

George and his wife Marge went to the State Fair every year. Every year George would say, “Marge, I’d like to ride in that there airplane.”

And every year Marge would say, “I know, George, but that airplane ride costs ten dollars, and ten dollars is ten dollars.”

This year George and Marge went to the fair, and George said, “Marge, I’m 71 years old. If I don’t ride that airplane this year I may never get another chance.”

Marge replied, “George, that there airplane ride costs ten dollars, and ten dollars is ten dollars.”

The pilot, tired of hearing the annual argument said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you both up for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say one word, I won’t charge you, but if you say one word it’s ten dollars.”

George and Marge agree and up they go. The pilot does all kinds of twists and turns, rolls and dives, but not a word is heard. He does all his tricks over again, but still not a word. They land and the pilot turns to George, “By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell out, but you didn’t.”

George replied, “Well, I was gonna say something when Marge fell out, but ten dollars is ten dollars.”

We are looking forward to another great weekend here at WFA. If you are in North Delaware this weekend, you are most welcome to join with us for a tremendous time of worship and the Word. Wherever you may be, be sure to take time to worship Jesus on His day – the first day of the week – Sonday!