“I knew as soon as I heard the statement come from his mouth that my time there was limited.”

    We are going to look at 2 -August 17^th verses today that have a common theme. Deuteronomy 8 (I’d recommend reading it in full) is a great history lesson of Israel’s journey to the promised land through the wilderness and why God put them through that 40-year test. Verses 17 & 18 sum it up – ¹⁷ “and lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.” ¹⁸ But you shall remember Yahweh your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is today.”

God promises Israel prosperity but understands the tendency we all have to get puffed up and proud after we reap the benefits of God’s blessings. God wants us to remember that it is He, who provides all good things.  The absolute center of the Bible also makes this clear – Psalm 118:8 – “It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in man.”

Romans 8 is an absolute masterpiece of Biblical truth. The previous 2 days devotionals share some of those. In vs 17 we learn that not only are we children but actual “…heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…”  WOW.  That’s powerful. A sinner like me, destined for hell is now, completely by God’s grace – “entitled to His estate”.  Paul also includes that we will share in His sufferings and in His glory.

   What does the first sentence in this devotional have to do with these verses?  I used to work at a Christian conference center in the Guest Services department. A few months into my tenure the director (who had spent his entire life at this conference center) asked me to find someone to lead prayer before the meals. Another member of our staff was a Sr. Pastor at a local church who was working part time to make some extra $ so I asked him to pray. After he prayed, the director came up to me and scolded me saying that “I should have looked for someone else, someone who was a “person of significance”.

   That statement really, really, rubbed me the wrong way. According to today’s verses, our worth comes from God. Each and every believer is a co-heir with Christ. Paul doesn’t differentiate between Christians – there are not some believers who aren’t qualified. In God’s economy, we are all viewed the same because he is the One who allows us to prosper. If you are rich, it is a gift from God. If you aren’t as rich, it is a gift from God. Whatever we have obtained in this world comes from Him. Our status in society comes from our Creator. Hard work and effort do play a large role but I have seen countless saints of the Lord faithfully and tirelessly serve Him without reaping any of this world’s luxuries. The “elites” in this world may not understand that we will all stand before a Holy God one day and it won’t matter if you were a “person of significance” in this world. The only thing that matters at that time will be our relationship with God Almighty. Did we trust Him to save us from our sins? Or are we trying to get to heaven on our own efforts?

     As we live out the daily grind, please do not belittle anyone who may have a lower social status than us. Every believer is a sinner saved by grace and we are all “children of significance” in God’s eyes, regardless of your current social status.

My inability to play this political game for an elitist eventually cost me my job but I still have an amazing friend who is a wonderful Pastor. I am honored to be able to pray with him at anytime and anywhere.   

Dave R

  ’69 / ’83  Quarryville PA

Happy Happy Birthday to our Wonderful daughter Leanne

(For everyone born on the 16th or 2016 or 1916)

This week I have been pondering the answer to a question.  Which of Jesus’s promises do I treasure the most?  That is a hard question to answer.  Each one is important.  The promise that no one can snatch us out of His hand is so comforting.  But as of this moment I am so thankful for His promise to never leave us.  His presence is always with us.

  Do you remember the feeding of the multitudes?  Many people followed Him because of the gifts He gave them.  They were not particularly interested in His presence.  Now Mary wanted to be with Him, leaving her sister Martha to do the cooking.  Some wanted His presents and some really wanted His presence.

Sadly, in some families, the children care more about their father’s presents than they do his presence.  Especially in divorce situations.  “I need money for this.  I need money for this, too.  But I don’t need you.”  But are we any different when it comes to our heavenly Father?  We love His presents, but do we enjoy His presence?  Do we treat him like Santa?

Do we seek Him as Mary did or do we follow after Him because of the good things He gives us?

God’s promise to Joshua to be with him gave him the courage to lead the Israelites into the promised land.  God was with Joseph.  He could be patient while waiting.  He was with Daniel.  Daniel could be at peace sleeping in the midst of a den of lions, all of whom had closed mouths.

So, His promise of His continual presence gives us courage to do the hard things.  Those of us who are aging seem to face many hard things.  His presence fills us with peace during difficult times.  We can wait patiently because the One who is sovereign, all powerful, and holy is the One who will never leave us nor forsake us.

David knew contentment because of His presence.  Psalms 16:8,11. “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  In your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forever.”  Psalms 17:15 “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness, I will be satisfied with your likeness when I awake.”

What hymns give us comfort?  ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’ ‘No one understands like Jesus.’  His promises are the same today as they were yesterday.  As they will be the same tomorrow.  He indeed will never leave us nor forsake us.

Edie R

 ’43 / ’55   New Holland PA

Doris Jean H

’44 / ’55 Manheim PA

I remember as a kid on my birthday my father would come home from work and have a little something special for me. My father was someone I could always call on when I needed some wisdom or encouragement. That’s why Romans 8:15 reminds me of how special it is to be able to call on your Father when you need Him. I was born into my family and had no say in the matter. But this verse reminds us that as children of God we are chosen and adopted into His family. When we join the Family of God by Faith in Jesus the Holy Spirit indwells us and we are liberated from the captivity or slavery of sin. We owe the flesh nothing, but the Spirit will give us satisfaction. Look back in verse 14 and we see the Spirit guides us, draws us, and has authority. We are not obligated to the flesh, but we are adopted as children of God and our spirit will bear the resemblance of Abba Father. The benefits that we have are special and continuous. We are out of debt, we have been adopted, we will bear witness to the Father, we are joint heirs with Christ, we are His children. So, we don’t have to live in fear and go back to our old way of living. We move forward with God not backwards. Our salvation is not a matter of doing, it’s a matter of being. Today is your birthday and I would like to encourage you to cry out Abba! Father! He loves you and wants to hear from you today. God Bless you and Happy Birthday to you! 

Mike R

   ’67 / ‘ 83   Jacksonville  FL    

Doris Jean H

’44 / ’55 Manheim PA

Have you ever been so excited about something that you couldn’t wait to share it? When something incredible happens – like your birthday – you want to share your excitement. Paul so often in his letters, is so excited to write down the truths of God that his jubilation is very evident. Its almost like he is so psyched up that he is afraid he will forget the truths unless he gets them on paper ASAP. He is writing here to the Romans about avoiding sin and handling suffering. He says we have two choices: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”  So, we could orientate our lives around the things of the flesh or the things of the Spirit. We who have put our faith in Christ have the Spirit of God living within us and we who are followers of Christ should set our minds on the things of the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will never contradict His Holy Word. If you ever “feel” the Spirit telling you something that doesn’t match up with Scripture – it is not from the Spirit. Believers that are young in their faith may not choose to be led by the Spirit. but all children of God who have matured in the faith, will at some point have made the choice to be led by the Spirit of God. We are saved by God’s grace alone through our faith alone. Then the Spirit, also by God’s grace begins to set a new direction for our lives. Therefore, God leads his sons and daughters by His Spirit. If our faith is in Christ, as Christians we can know and Trust that the Father is guiding us, directing us, and leading us by his Spirit. Even in the hard times He is leading us and He is with us. Decide to set your mind on the things of the Spirit today. Turn off your phone, read God’s word, spend time alone with God, pray and listen. Afterall, your Father has some exciting things He wants to share.

Glenn C

   ’68 / ’87  Winter Garden FL

The beginning of this passage starts off the topic by saying, “We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” It then goes on to explain that even if a believer has the knowledge that something may not be a technical sin, in this case eating food offered to idols, they shouldn’t do it in the presence of someone who may be led to sin through eating that food based on their belief. By this they show love despite their knowledge. It ends with verse 13, that if meat causes another believer to stumble, I just won’t eat meat anymore. What I notice especially is that the goal Paul gives here isn’t to educate the other believers with more knowledge, to correct their erred beliefs. The first course of action is to love them, which will build them up rather than puff up myself. Correcting someone may make me feel better about my own knowledge, but it doesn’t mean that is what the Holy Spirit is asking at that moment. The first action should always be to love, which at times may mean giving up my own ‘rights’ that I have through knowledge, and instead willingly abstain from that right in order to love my brother or sister in Christ. When I was a teenager, my mom gave me a great example of this in her own life that has stuck with me. While she didn’t personally struggle with alcoholism or believe drinking alcohol in moderation was wrong, she has chosen to never drink in a public place. As she doesn’t know who may be around her and could see that she is drinking. She doesn’t want even a chance of causing someone to stumble, as for them a drink may not be innocent or benign. This is something she has done out of love for other beloved children of God, despite her knowledge that drinking alcohol in moderation is not a technical sin. I think this passage is meant to show that just because we have the right to do something, doesn’t mean we necessarily should. Just because an action might not hurt us personally, does not mean that it might not hurt someone else. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. And we have in the example of Jesus someone who gave up ALL his rights in order to love us fully, “who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7). So, my challenge to myself and to you is not to think in terms of what we are allowed to do, but instead what is useful for building up other believers in love and let that be our measuring stick for every action at every moment of the day. Don’t cause your brother or sister to stumble.

Brittany H

 ’94 / ’08  San Jose  Costa Rica

CoLaborers International Missionary

www.colaborers.com/Hynsons

When I was in the military, there were many times when we would have to conduct our operations in complete darkness. We were not allowed to use light of any kind to see what we were doing. We called it “light discipline”. There were nights when it was so dark that we could not see our hands in front of our faces. Thankfully, we were issued a tool that would enable us to complete our missions in such a challenging environment. Night Vision Goggles. With these goggles on, we were able to see everything around us and operate as if it were daytime. 

That useful tool recalls what Jesus said in John 8:12. “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Being surrounded by darkness can bring up many feelings. Fear, anxiety, frustration, even hopelessness to name a few. When we have Jesus in our hearts, we don’t have to live in that darkness. We can have the light of life and live our lives with even more peace and clarity than we had with night vision goggles on those dark nights. As you enjoy your special day, I pray that you have the light of life that is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do, I pray that you will reflect that light to those around you who may still be lost in the darkness. God Bless.

Frank H

  ‘80 / ‘94  San Jose  Costa Rica

Doris Jean H

’44 / ’55 Manheim PA

    If you’ve spent time on one of today’s social media platforms you’ve most likely come across one of the biggest video trends of the last couple of years. I am not 100% what they are called but for the sake of today’s reading, lets just call them did you know videos. Someone pops out with a DID YOU KNOW?  and it’s usually followed with a fun, random, strange fact, or tips on how to accomplish something. If you’re like me and a child of the 80s you know that is essentially how every episode of GI Joe ended. The danger here is sometimes, these did you knows, turn out to be something foolish or outright dangerous.  

In Proverbs 8:11 the immeasurable worth of wisdom is presented to us. Just as valuable treasures and precious jewels are sought after and cherished, so should wisdom be in our lives. Wisdom enriches us beyond material possessions, guiding our choices and actions. It opens doors to understanding, discernment, and a fruitful life. In seeking wisdom, we align ourselves with God’s purpose, for He is the source of all true wisdom. This wisdom is linked intrinsically to the character and nature of God. It’s also linked to the things that God cares deeply about. Justice, equity, mercy, righteousness, through reading Proverbs, all of these and more are linked and on display through the wisdom that God provides. Did you know that the writer of Proverbs also presents a cheap alternative for wisdom? Look at how Solomon describes wisdom and folly in Proverbs 9.

But for today as we pursue knowledge and insight, remember that wisdom is a gift that offers lasting rewards, both in this world and the next. It’s one that God gives freely to all who ask. Treasure it, nurture it, allow it to shape our character, so as we walk confidently on the path of righteousness, we reflect a little more of God’s goodness! Wisdom will always outweigh folly, and now you know…

Tim S

  ’81 / ’99 Middletown NY

Doris Jean H

’44 / ’55 Manheim PA

The subject of bumblebees came in my emails this week.  I try to avoid them when I am working in the yard, but they are one of those ‘God is amazing’ creatures. 

Scientists have known for a long time that honeybees communicate the location of yummy nectar to their hive mates.  That is quite amazing.  Now they have discovered that bumblebees and other stingless bees can also communicate among themselves.  Each species has its own language.  But each one can let its nest mates know the location of the food source.  One species runs zigzag over the combs and bumps into her mates.  Another species lays scent trails to the food source.  Another species buzzes her mates.  The height of the source is communicated by the speed of the pulses, and then she performs a circular dance that gives the rest of the instructions.  Absolutely incredible! 

Amazing how they do it.  Amazing that God has given them the gift of communication.  Amazing that they communicate the location of food.  They are indeed bringing glory to God. 

We have also been given the gift of communication.  Are we using it to bring glory to God?  Are we using it to communicate the source of the most important food anyone will ever know?  Jeremiah said he ate the words of God.  The Word of God is the source of everything we need to know for now and eternity, but especially eternity.

This week, our next-door neighbor passed away.  We would not have known it had not my husband seen it in the paper.  Our neighborhood had been close at one time.  In our defense, I could tell you that he was single, refused every invitation offered him, worked nights, and rarely saw him outside.  My husband did talk once to his parents about the Lord and was told they did not believe that.  But still could we have been more instant in our communication?  After all we have the words of life, and I fear he did not. 

Could we have lain scent trails as the bees do?  What would they look like? Perhaps we should have been more persistent- doing more bumping as the bees do.  What would you have done?  Do you remember the beggars who when they discovered all the food the fleeing army left knew they had to run and tell the starving people in the city that there was food available?  They could not keep it to themselves. 

Perhaps as our pastor said this morning that it will be our holiness that will attract them.  But we can start with a plate of cookies.  Them pray for opportunities to communicate the wonderful words of life.

Edie R

’43 / ’55 New holland PA

P.S.  Bumblebee info taken from Berean Call.

Doris Jean H

’44 / 55 Manheim PA

As a teacher it is my job to help students learn and become smarter, and not to hinder their learning. I am not there to make it harder for them to gain knowledge and understanding of information. Rather, I am there to assist them in the learning process. The same is true for Christians. The great commission is to go out and make disciples. We are here to help others know about Jesus and learn about Him. We are not here to push them away from Jesus but pull them close to Him.

We as Christians must make sure that our lives show love, mercy and grace so that we draw people closer and make them wonder why we are different. We must not let the grace and mercy that we receive make us think we are better than others. Also, that what we do does not affect others in their spiritual walk with God.

Leanne R

    ’95 / ’02    Jacksonville  FL

Doris Jean H

’44 / ’55 Manheim PA

Do we truly know what is growing in our lives? Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles current head coach) told his team that they are like flowers, they must let the roots grow first then they will become what they can be. The Eagles were playing horribly in 2021 (2-5) at the time, but he told his team that their roots are just growing deeper and to keep on doing the right thing. The results will take care of themselves. His plan worked since that time they have a record of 23-7. The best results are not always what happens the quickest, it can be the ones that trusted in the process. 

       In Luke 8:8 “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When Jesus said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” This parable is talking about the Word of God that is being thrown out (sown). The other sections talk about what happened to the other seeds and it is not good. They don’t truly grow into what they can become. This part is talking about the seeds that fall into the good soil, how they prosper, and they grow and yield a hundredfold. Hopefully we are in this soil, the one that no matter what happens we still trust in God, and we are not fading from him. We are growing in such a way that God is being glorified. The seed needs to grow, be natured, to become what it can be. We are growing others into their relationship with Christ. That is the hundredfold part. We do not truly know what is growing in other people’s lives, but we can pour into them and try to be that good soil and let our life shine and reveal Jesus’ light to others. By God’s grace, He has been able to use me as I have seen people and the impact God made on them through me. Leading a youth ministry, being a teacher, being a friend to people. I have seen others grow more than I ever thought they would in their relationship with Jesus. We need to focus on loving God and growing in our relationship with Him so we can be the seed in the good soil. We may not see immediate results, but we can just keep on growing, trusting in God, and showing others who God is. Grow in God.  

Dan R

   ’96 / ’02  Jacksonville FL