Family and Friends Supporting Our Military

10/26/2024

Day 299: A Devotional for the Love of God!

The Authority of Jesus Questioned:
27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him.28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

In yesterday’s post, I note that Jesus tells everyone, in verse 24: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” So, we have the invitation from Jesus to demonstrate that we acknowledge and accept his Authority, which comes from Our Gracious God! Will we acknowledge and accept or will we question his Authority? If Jesus is the Christ; The Messiah foretold by the Prophets and the manifested fulfillment of the Law, WE MUST ACCEPT HIS AUTHORITY. Any other response is denying the existence of THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD WHO IS INCARNATE IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST! To deny this is the only Unforgivable Sin; as stated by Jesus, HIMSELF!

Therefore: Because I wholeheartedly believe and fully accept that Jesus Christ was sentenced to die on a Wooden Cross, that he was buried, but rose from the grave and offers his blessed victory over death to all who believe, accept, and act upon that belief by sharing God’s Love through acts of compassion, kindness, and service to all those in need. “I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, (ask in the name of Jesus Christ), believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Don’t waste your time checking to see if it really happened! If we can trust that a cared for seed will grow, then we can trust that Jesus will deliver on this promise! (Do we constantly plant a seed-dig it up to check on its growth-replant the seed- repeat the cycle every day?) How strong is Your Faith?

My Prayer: Savior Jesus—please forgive our lack of faith. We say we believe, but not enough to let your miracles happen. Strengthen us-Guide us-Restore our health and provide for our needs. We understand that, the more we receive the more will be asked of us! We know that ALL REAL CHRISTIANS GET THIS! We ask your assistance in helping more and more people come to see the Love in your heart, day by day-all day-every day! We have so much to do and we thank you for trusting us to do it! AMEN

05/14/2024

Day 134: A Devotional for the Love of God!

Tomorrow is an interesting concept. It is a statement that allows us to dream, plan, and imagine what will come in our future. But because we have no promise of a physical future, it is imperative that we keep in mind that all of our plans must have a spiritual nature to them. To plan for our physical life without consideration for our eternal soul is foolish. But so many people do just that. Plan for their earthly future without regard for their eternal future.

“13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Final Words
14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:13-18.

Be very weary of those who teach hate, divisiveness, and disrespect. For the teachings of Jesus who is, was, and forever will be the Christ, is clear. He is taking note of those who rebel against the Love he brings through his promise of salvation. We have a Promise of Love that is Unconditional! All we have to do is accept the Gift. Do not be swayed by those who teach hate. Ignore those who tell you that there are people who are unworthy of our Love. Do you not remember, Jesus taught us that we are to not just Love those who agree with us, look like us, think like us, and pray like us! He commanded us to do the unimaginable, unthinkable, the incredibly difficult: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES!

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES! and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

My Prayer: Gracious God of All Creation, we praise you for the perfection you bring to our lives, hearts, minds, and Souls. It is a difficult command that You gave us through Your Child, Jesus who resides with You in our future, heavenly home. To LOVE OUR ENEMIES, that is how we will really know who is Godly among us! It will not be the ones who ignore what Christ said were the two Greatest Commandments! Teach us to love one another as you have loved us and asked us to do for each other. Teach us kindness, concern for others, and patience, oh patience is so important. Teach us to love unconditionally and to put aside our differences. You are the only reason we must do anything so help us focus on the positive and good and leave the negative behind. We ask these things in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! AMEN!

04/30/2024

Day 120: A Devotional for the Love of God!

What is Love? Love can be a noun, a verb, an adjective, an adverb, and can be all of these simultaneously. The love that we talk about in the Christian Faith is the Love that gives to others. It is a love that is freely given without any expectation of being repaid for the acts you provide to others from the core of that love. Even though the most commonly used quote about love in most modern Christian Wedding Ceremonies, this has nothing to do with romantic love, but everything to do with how we treat one another as human beings. This is, however, what should be the most important and fundamental aspect of every marital union between to people who choose to join together in matrimonial partnership.

1 Corinthians 13: 1-13

If I speak in the languages of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can comprehend every mystery and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
This Love is patient, this love is kind. This love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is “not self-seeking,” it is “not easily angered,” “it keeps no record of wrongs.” Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. “But the Greatest of these is love.”

You may ridicule my faith but you can never truly find fault with this statement about the foundation of our FAITH, which is this Love. When I remind myself of this Love as a foundation for our faith, I am immediately convinced that there is no other way to live a life of purpose! There is mother way, for that matter, for anyone to Live Their Life, PERIOD! This is the Mark of a Christian: “Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other." John 13:35. And: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5: 43-44. If you cannot do this, are you even a Christian at All?

My Prayer: Savior Jesus, you are needed now, more than ever before. I will not apologize for calling for the Love you so strongly advocate for. We have missed your message, your MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE! Teach us to love one another as you have loved us. Teach us kindness, concern for others, and patience, oh patience is so important. Teach us to love unconditionally and to put aside our differences. You are the only reason we must do anything so help us focus on the positive and good and leave the negative behind. We ask these things in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! AMEN!

10/29/2015

Only a couple weeks away! Get your RSVP in soon!

07/01/2015

Good Evening! (Sorry this is a day later than originally planned!) To find your results you can do one of 2 things: 1. See the attachment in the first comment section that gives just 1st-3rd place in each age division (for those of you who have not picked up your medal yet, use this method to find your placement); 2. go to https://runsignup.com/race/results/?raceId=17153 -10651 for your overall race placement and time. I will be at the FAFSOM office at 1189 N. Nottawa most of the day on Thursday for you to pick up your medal there. If you cannot come Thursday, I will will leave them at the Chamber office at 306 W. Chicago Rd to be picked up next week (as I will be on vacation). There are also shirts left over from registration as well that can be picked up on Thursday. If you need to pick up either of these things, please let me know what you need to pick up and when on Thursday (between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm) or what day next week you will be over to the Chamber to grab them so I can make sure they are left out with your names on them. If you do not comment below before Friday, you will have to wait until I come home from vacation to get your shirt and/or medal. Sorry for any inconvenience...but family time calls! -- Kari Hatt

Location Information Free Church Park (located on US12/E. Chicago Rd between Maple and Monroe) Sturgis, MI 49091 About This Event This 5K event is taking place on the final day of Sturgis Fest.  Last year, the event took place at the Sturgis Middle School on the cross country course.  This…

06/10/2015

It just so happens, that June 27th, the day of the No One Left Behind 5K...is also National PTSD Awareness Day. Is there a better way that we could honor our local men and women who may be suffering from this? I don't think so. Come on out and show your support!

06/08/2015

Our Annual 5K is coming up in 3 weeks. If you haven't signed up yet you can go about it in two ways. First, you can do it from the comfort of you r own home and register online (the link to do so is in the first comment section below). Second, you can stop by the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce at 306 W. Chicago Rd. in Sturgis, and fill in a form in person. The race is at 8:00 a.m. June 27th, starting at Free Church Park in downtown Sturgis. I hope to see you all there!

05/19/2015

Wounded Warrior returns to the Division to complete All American Week Run -

05/05/2015

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." Jose Narosky

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." - Jose Narosky

04/20/2015

What an awesome evening with Eric Hipple, and others at the Coming Home event for FAFSOM. All the presenters offered great information. Eric's presentation on depression and su***de was outstanding. Many said they got a lot of new and great information.

04/13/2015

Wow! Very inspiring!

See more about flags, summary and projects.

04/01/2015