Merri Dennis

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” – Acts 16:14

The Power of Purple

God used Lydia, a seller of purple to build a church. She was a networker and a creative thinker. She was a successful business woman with many contacts and was a seeker after God. Purple was a highly valued commodity and a seller of purple might have been a person of great influence. All human influence, power, and royal proclivities belong to God and are a reflection of His prerogatives

Let’s break down the word purple and examine how God might use people of purple in his kingdom.

P = Peace. Jesus instructed the first missionaries to find a man of peace in each city and to move into that person’s home as a base of operation. When Paul came to Philippi He discovered a circle of influence with receptive people who gathered around Lydia. There will always be people who can lead us to other people when we are on mission and doing evangelism.

U = Unity. Any sound work of God must be characterized by the unity of His people around a common purpose and truth. Lydia was already a worshiper of God. Paul brought a message that brought the people together around Jesus Christ.

R = Royalty. Purple is a royal color. Jesus is King. Jesus is Lord of all and some day; all will know and bow down before Him. That is a message that Paul would later declare though his letter to the Philippians.

P = People. Churches are built with people. There are few things we need to start a Bible study, church, or circle of influence. We need the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and space. Any space will do but we need PEOPLE! The lady of purple led the apostle to people.

L = Love. It is at the heart of the open heart that the purple lady had. It was at the heart of Paul’s heart for people. Love god; love others!

E = Easter hope. Paul preached resurrection and people believed. Proclaim Christ crucified, buried, and risen and wear your purple with purpose. It is beyond out imagination what God will raise up.

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?” – Numbers 20:10

Before the Rock

As Israel gathered before the rock in the wilderness, so the church gathers before the Rock, Christ Himself. Churches gather and scatter. When scattered, it is on mission. When gathered, it worships and prepares for mission. The church stands before the Rock and she listens.

Moses brought the people to the foot of the rock to hear God and see his glory. We stand before Him to receive the water of life. What is the rock before which the church gathers? Let us “spell it out”

R – The first letter could be for Revealed Reality. God discloses much of His power, beauty, and wonder in creation. Yet, it is only as He speaks through the scripture and His Living Word, Jesus, that we come to know the vital particulars. God reveals Truth at the Rock. The church teaches that Word. When we “come to church,” we stand before the Rock of Ages to receive instruction.

O – The second letter allows us to think about our part: Obedient Observation. We must give our attention to what God says as we gather before Him. We listen because we intend to obey. We listen carefully because we want to do it well.

C – Christ Himself is the “C”. The Bible says that they all drank of “ … the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (I Corinthians 10:4) . If the church is not continually coming into the presence of Christ, it has not life and no word to We come into His presence and realize what it means to be the body of Christ. We are the expression of His life. We represent the Rock to the world.

K – The final letter, “K” is for our Kingdom Calling. We have been assembled before God as a kingdom of priests. That is what He is building and He is building us not only before the Rock, but upon the Rock. We are firmly rooted in Him and we are to continue building what He is building through us.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 3:11

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.” – Numbers 16:14

Good Land

Wherever we are, where God has brought us, is a good land, a promised land, a land flowing with whatever we need to live. But there is a process for getting where we are going and we may not have arrived as yet. That does not mean that God is not at work.

The children of Israel were growing impatient in the wilderness. They knew what they had been promised and they wanted it immediately. We envision a brighter future as well and we sometimes grumble when we have to go through the wilderness places along the way.

They were looking for an inheritance and so are we.

How do we receive our inheritance as believers? We inherit what we sow; we inherit, also, what others bestow; and we inherit as we grow.

We inherit what we sow and we know that. As we sow, so shall we also reap. Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

One of the reasons the people were in the wilderness so long was that the nation had to learn some important lessons. They had to sow some seeds and some of those seeds had to take root within and among them.

Not only do we inherit what we sow, but we also inherit what others bestow. John 4:38 says “I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”

1 Corinthians 3:6 says, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

We cannot take credit for all the good things that come to us. We are always standing on the shoulders of giants and building upon the efforts of others who have contributed to our lives. When we arrive where we are going, we will have many people to thank.

Finally, we inherit as we grow. We must come into our own in order to receive the full promises of God. Some inheritances await our ultimate “glorification.” However, some are available in our own life and unfold for us as we progress in faith and in wisdom by following Jesus. Sow, receive, and grow!

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone …” – Song of Solomon 2:11

Seasons Change

We are constantly in transition and always looking for the next season.

Our eyes move to and fro, never affixed in the present, darting forth into the known unknown of inevitable surprise. Spring follows winter and summer chases spring. Fall gains upon summer and then, it is winter again.

Though we have known each season many times before, we are always caught off guard. Though we have experienced all, it seems we have never been in the same place the same way at any time except this time. Each season is like something entirely new. “The Winter of ’53,” we declare, “now that was some winter.”

“But wasn’t that some summer?”

“Yes, but it was an even better spring.”

“But a bitter fall.”

Like each of our children, every season is unique and holds the promise of something new about seasons to reveal.

How could Solomon have known with such certainty that winter had passed and the rains had ceased?

He knew by the signs he had come to expect. He knew because it was the right time of year. He knew that for all of life’s unpredictability, there is a pattern and that pattern demands obedience at its core.

Winter simply does not last. Hard times will come again, but no hard time will endure forever. We will either live to see it dissipate and disappear or we will grow so strong in the midst of it that it will lose its biting power.

“Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter. “ – Psalm 74:17

God has made the seasons of our earth and ordained the seasons of our lives. He has decreed that they be transitional and promised that in the midst of them all, He will be present.

That makes them all bearable. 

These words were written as church bulletin devotional for churches who offer Master Sunday Bulletins to their congregations.  May it serve as a source of encouragement to you today.

 

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” – 1 Peter 2:17

Towering Trees

Some people are like mighty trees. They tower above us and move into leadership as naturally as a hearty evergreen takes root in hospitable soil and rises above the horizons of our thinking. They are pacesetters who are willing to be visible, vulnerable, and vocal. In so doing they invite either admiration or condemnation, but seldom, indifference. These are our leaders, our presidents.

In the month of the birth of two great, towering trees, Washington and Lincoln, we have decided as a nation to honor all of our presidents. Years have passed and legends have arisen. We forget that their lives were never free from criticism. They were centers of controversy. They were easy targets.

The nation was new when Washington sought to bring mutuality to differing visions of our new country. The nation needed to be rebuilt when Lincoln led. He was assassinated for his success.

Leaders come and go. They set themselves apart. It takes ego perhaps, but it also takes courage and a willingness to serve. We do not always agree with them, but the scripture calls upon us to honor them.

They are not super-human. They are not perfect. They are not always right. Nor are they immune to criticism and scrutiny. We are a government of the people. It is our job to call on our leaders to listen and be subject to us even as we are subject to them. But we have a call to honor and respect them.

The Oval Office has the power to moderate and shape every man that has occupied it. From day one, the awesome responsibility of leadership weighs upon his soul. Men have grown old, as Washington said, in the service of their country. How can we respond?

As I write this, there is a presidential election ahead of us and no one knows who will win. For this purpose, it does not matter. Whoever occupies the White House is a person I will commit to respect, appreciate, hold accountable, and most of all, surround with my prayers for wisdom, for righteousness, for health, for God’s peace, and for His protection.

These words were written as church bulletin devotional for churches who offer Master Sunday Bulletins to their congregations.  May it serve as a source of encouragement to you today.

 

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” – Proverbs 10:23

The Power of Love

Love is a powerful force of nature. Beyond its power in nature, is its unnatural and supernatural capacity to overcome great obstacles in the path to peace and righteousness. “Charity,” the old English translation of “agape” love, has some amazing qualities according to I Corinthians 13:

It “suffereth long.” That means it is very patient, even when patience hurts.

It is kind and never envies what the other person has. Real love is truly after helping someone else win and experience all of God’s best.

It “vaunteth not itself” and it “is not puffed up.” In other words, it is neither boastful nor proud. The one who loves is not out to make herself look good to others or to be elevated beyond importance.

It “doth not behave itself unseemly.” If we are being fashioned by love, it will make us less obnoxious and unpleasant.

Because love “seeketh not her own,” we never need to worry about the ulterior motives of the person loving. Because it “is not easily provoked,” we do not have to be concerned about inadvertently saying the wrong thing and sending a person into a tirade. We don’t have to walk on egg shells around real lovers.

Because love “thinketh no evil,” there is no sense that we are being judged or condemned by the ones who love us.

Because agape love “rejoiceth in the truth,” there are no concerns about dishonesty and deceit. Because it “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things … “ and “never faileth,” love does not create an atmosphere of insecurity.

Love is powerful and, as powerful as it is, no one human being apart from Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God has ever been perfected in it. That is why the word from Proverbs is so important. One thing love does that nothing else can do is cover sins.

That is why Jesus, shedding His blood on the cross is the greatest expression of love in history. Valentine’s Day is a great reminder of the qualities of love. Good Friday is the extreme demonstration of what love costs and the extent to which it will go in order to manifest itself. God is love.

These words were written as church bulletin devotional for churches who offer Master Sunday Bulletins to their congregations.  May it serve as a source of encouragement to you today.

 

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“… the tree of the field is man’s life…” – Deuteronomy 20:19

Don’t Cut Down the Trees

God knew that Israel would be engaged in some fierce warfare during their conquest of the Promised Land. The territories would not fall without combat and resistance. Some battles would be long and hard and won only after significant sieges.

Adrenalin would be flowing, tempers might be high, and momentum difficult to contain. The impulse might be to destroy everything completely. But God says, in essence, don’t destroy the trees that you will later need to feed you.

It is one thing to fight life’s battles with total abandon and absolute commitment to victory. It is another to do so with reckless abandon and without regard to reason. It is in times of heightened intensity when we are completely engaged and unleashed in our personal fury that we most need to stop and think.

If there are rules of engagement and conduct in human warfare, how much more so do we need them as we traverse the mine fields, battles, and challenges of the spiritual life? We are pushed and pulled, tempted and tested along the way. We must muster all of the resources we can find and draw upon the powers of Heaven.

With such dynamism flowing through us, it is easy to lose perspective and go beyond the boundaries which are in our own best interest and those of the kingdom of God. It is called, “overkill.”

It happens when we burn bridges we will later need to cross, damage relationships we will later need to build upon, and chop down trees of life we will later need to sustain our lives.

Out of the very earthy, brutal, hard fought world of warfare comes a valuable life illustration. We should never be led entirely by our emotions.

To be led by the Spirit is a powerful thing. We must use that power with the grace and wisdom that the Spirit also provides.

These words were written as church bulletin devotional for churches who offer Master Sunday Bulletins to their congregations.  May it serve as a source of encouragement to you today.

 

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away..” – Psalm 90:10

Soaring Over

There is something about the scene that draws one in until one walks away. And then, it draws the same soul back into its questions.

Where is such a place? Where is such a formation of geographical contrast?

In the distance is a valley with evident trees. But then, it is not a valley, but a lower level of mountains, greener, more inviting than the craggy rocks at hand, overlooking a valley, a body of water, and an entirely different terrain.

On foot, it might take days to traverse from one place to the next. With each ascent or descent, there are different climates, temperatures, and challenges. The geographic formations call forth wonder and tell their own stories to those who can converse in their languages.

One formation might be a bridge or it might be a hole or it might be something else. What it is eludes the uninformed. Where does this scene lead? What are the distances? What are the dangers?

Then, as if unnoticed at the first viewing, something appears in the sky, rising above the elevations of earth, moving through the climates, and defying the distance it takes to travel to the heights.

It soars.

Someday, we shall also soar and render time and distance irrelevant along with every other temporal limitation.

While we live in the deserts, plains, valleys, hills, and river banks or even in the craggy hills, wondering how to pass upward, downward or through strange passages, we simply have to deal with our strength or lack thereof and cope with hard work and deep sorrow. But some day, this struggle will be over.

What seems like a cutting off will be a cutting free and we shall soar.

We shall fly away.

These words were written as church bulletin devotional for churches who offer Master Sunday Bulletins to their congregations.  May it serve as a source of encouragement to you today.

 

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.” – Proverbs 31:21

Winter Leaves and Fearless Living

Some regions of our country are not strangers to snow.

For others, it is a rarity that catches people off-guard.

For something made of water and cold and seemingly benign, snow can do a great deal of damage. Snow and ice can crack asphalt, break the resistance of mighty trees, cave in houses, bury entire villages, strand motorists, create avalanches which release irresistible force, and bury people alive until they are dead. People have also died of exposure in the snow or from hunger due to the inability to move about and find food.

Ask the Donner Party.

Snow, like trouble, gains strength in accumulation.

In places where snow is a rarity, there is very little preparation for the buildup of white powder that can. Roads become impassable and economies grind to a halt. There is a failure to be ready.

The dear wife and mother described in Proverbs 31 was prepared for Winter. Snow did not catch her by surprise. Whatever it took to be ready was what she did. She was prepared before the troubles accumulated. Therefore, she faced hard times without fear because she already anticipated them.

At some point in our lives, it will snow on the leaves of our circumstances. In other words, we will have trouble. Something will sneak up behind us and try to jar us from our confident tranquility. If possible, the blizzards of life will knock us down or freeze us in our steps, but it does not have to be that way.

The secret of building a wall of protection is to recognize that trouble may come and being spiritually equipped to face it. Mature faith does not live in the clouds, but is rooted in the ground of humanity where God lives and walks among us.

Mature faith knows that sudden storms may come, but that God’s resources are sufficient for every trial. In mature faith, we get as ready as we can for trouble and live in peace, believing in the Lord’s care and doing our part to appropriate it daily.

These words were written as church bulletin devotional for churches who offer Master Sunday Bulletins to their congregations.  May it serve as a source of encouragement to you today.

 

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.” – Psalm 102:3

Fire in the Hearth

We all see different things in a fire as we stare into the burning embers. Imaginary scenes appear. Miniscule creatures, conjured up by our minds, dance among the flames. Air pockets explode in tiny eruptions of sound. Twigs break and logs crackle. Smoke rises and carefully constructed stacks of wood fall.

The fire consumes and we behold its mysteries.

We are warmed and we are captivated by such fires. Cozy memories gather around the images provoked.

That is because we do not imagine ourselves being consumed by the fire. That is a different story.

If we think of ourselves as disintegrating in the hearth-fire that is not a pleasant thought. We prefer to think of our lives as lasting forever. We even, erroneously suspect that our bodies can remain intact. Especially, in our youth, we tend to feel invisible.

Fire reminds us that anything, with enough heat, can be consumed.

The Twin Towers shattered our illusions of invulnerability.

Anything can crack.

So, the fire in the hearth and the burning in our heart lead us to pray, “ Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.” – Psalm 102:1-2

He goes on to describe his brokenness, wounds, and utter weariness. Out of despair, amidst the flames, he prays, he cries out to God, and he comes to the conclusion of faith, “He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.”

Two things are true. The first is that we are consumable. But God declares, “thou shalt endure.” So the second truth is that with God in the fire, we are not consumed.

These words were written as church bulletin devotional for churches who offer Master Sunday Bulletins to their congregations.  May it serve as a source of encouragement to you today.

 

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars.” – Psalm 148:7-9

Snow on the Mountain

“Everybody’s talking about the weather, but nobody’s doing anything about it,” observed Mark Twain.

That was very true in Twain’s day and it is still mostly true. With very few and very limited exceptions, we cannot control the weather. We cannot make lightning. We cannot create hail upon the earth, nor snow, nor vapours, nor stormy winds. We just sit back and watch it snow.

We watch and we respond.

Sometimes we complain.

No matter how beautiful we deem a snow capped mountain from a distance, if we are on that mountain with our car stuck, we mutter, sputter, and flutter about in frustration. If we didn’t think we’d appear silly, we’d openly shake our fists at God about the matter.

We look at weather conditions from the point of view of our own plans. We discern the weather from the perspective of our personal convenience.

The Psalmist proposes an alternative approach. He suggests that we use the occasion to praise the Lord from the earth.

He says that all creation joins in the chorus of nature’s praise for God’s manifestation of His power and beauty in nature.

Each season embodies its own charm and promptings for worship.

Snow topped mountains are especially praise evoking for me.

We always have a choice as we do in every display of God’s authority in nature and life. We can smile or frown at God. When we smile, we find that even the fiercest forces and life forms in nature are smiling with us.

Praise the Lord!

These words were written as church bulletin devotional for churches who offer Master Sunday Bulletins to their congregations.  May it serve as a source of encouragement to you today.

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author

“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” – 2 Peter 3:13

Looking Forward

We are either looking forward, looking backward, or looking at our feet.

Only one sustained look makes much sense and it is the forward look. Anything else is out of balance and pointless. It distorts reality or relegates us to something static and unchangeable. Only with a future do the past and present make ultimate sense.

We are always in motion. We cannot stand completely still. We will progress or regress.

Years come; years go; time passes without mercy or hesitation.

For God’s people, the forward look has three characteristics.

First, we look forward based upon God’s promises. We do so with confidence, hope, and anticipation. We embrace the future because we believe in the God who has designed it. To look forward is an act of faith in a God we know and trust.

Second, we look forward for something new. New heavens and a new earth are actually beyond our capacity to imagine or design. They flow from the imagination of a creative God. They are outside of the box. They are unbounded and unlimited by human ingenuity.

Third, we look forward to a time of righteousness. What that means is that we believe and attest to our belief that in God’s new day, everything that is now wrong will be made right. Everything that is out of synch will be coordinated. Everything that is undone will be rewoven into the tapestry of His purposes. Everything that is broken will be mended.

God’s kingdom will come and His will shall indeed be done.

Each New Year moves us closer to that reality.

Therefore, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

These words were written as church bulletin devotional for churches who offer Master Sunday Bulletins to their congregations.  May it serve as a source of encouragement to you today. 

 

You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time non-commercial, local church, or educational use. Please include the copyright line printed below with any reproduction.

 

© Master Sunday Bulletins 2012. All rights reserved.

Published by Master Sunday Bulletins · Merri V. Dennis, Publisher · Thomas B. Sims, Author