The Story: Joshua 6:20-21

 The Story: Joshua 6:20-21 by ric gustafson

Have you seen something that looked impossible?. It seemed that capturing Jericho looked impossible. But God had other plans. According to Joshua 6, trumpets sounded and the army shouted. Then at the sound of a trumpet, men gave a loud shout. Then the army came into Jericho and took it. Everything was destroyed. Every living thing. Nothing is impossible with God.

research help: ' The Story 365 devotions' by Zondervan

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Trusting God: I Peter 3:3-4

 Trusting God: I Peter 3:3-4 by ric gustafson

What do we value more?. Is it inner or outer beauty?. According to I Peter 3, God wants us to concentrate on our inward beauty. This is the beauty of the heart. Looking nice is not a sin. God does not want us to focus solely on outward appearance. 

God wants us to keep everything in balance. That includes our inner and outward appearance. If we are good stewards of what God has given us, God will do his part too.

research help: ' Trusting God day by day' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Trusting God: Luke 13:24

 Trusting God: Luke 13:24 by ric gustafson

Usually in life, you want to take the easy path. God's path is not easy. The broad path leads to destruction. To be on this broad path, does not take much effort. Luke 13 says strive to enter by the narrow door. God's narrow path is harder to find. This path leads to life. 

We must push aside negativity. Some will try. Some won't. Some people do not want to take the effort. Jesus wants us to have a wonderful abundant life. Jesus wants us to have peace, joy, power and every good thing. 

We need to spend time and study God's Word. Jesus says choose life.

research help: ' Trusting God day by day' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

a great cloud of witnesses: Polycarp

 a great cloud of witnesses: Polycarp by ric gustafson

The Apostle John trained several young men to be leaders in the early church. One of these was a man named Polycarp. Polycarp later would become the bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp was an author of early church literature. Polycarp wrote to the Philippian Church. His goal was to encourage and comfort that church. Polycarp wanted to bind the church together with love preached by Jesus. 

When Polycarp became old, he was treasured as a last living link to the Apostles. At age 86, Polycarp was arrested. The Romans wanted Polycarp to renounce Jesus. Polycarp refused. He became a martyr for Jesus.

research help: ' Our Church Speaks' by Ben Lansing and D J Marotta

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

U-505 page 2

 U-505 page 2 by ric gustafson

It was August 26 1941. Standing next to his boat was Kapitanleutnant Axel Olaf Loewe. U-505 was formally being commissioned today. Loewe watched as his coat of arms was being painted on the submarine's tower. Loewe in German meant ' Lion'. So a rampaging lion became the sub's coat of arms. Compared to a lion, Loewe was the opposite. He was medium height with thick hair. He smiled under his captain's hat. He was known for his steady leadership.

As he stood on top of the boat's tower, he looked at his officer's and crew. He was proud of them already. The crew was inexperienced but eager. His second in command was Chief Engineer Fritz Forster. The first Watch Officer was Oberleutnant Herbert Nollau. Second Watch Officer was Gottfried Stolzenburg. 

As the boat began it's deep sea acceptance tests, Loewe watched from the cunning tower. He smiled. He was proud of the U-505.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 12

 Cain page 12 by ric gustafson

Cain knocked on a golden door.

" Enter".

Cain opened the door. It revealed a sparse chamber. On one stone throne sat the person Cain was eager to meet. Cain slowly began walking toward it.

" You are drawn to me".

Cain began to shake.

The Light Bringer sipped from a goblet. " You and I are from similar molds". 

" How so?".

" You want freedom". The Light Bringer smiled. " You wanted to come here".

" I was led here".

" You lie son of Adam".

Cain scratched his chin. " Why are you called the Light Bringer?".

Satan smiled. " That is just one of the names I go by".

Cain stared at Satan. " What do you want me to do for you?".

" Take care of my child". Satan grinned. " He will be called Abomination".

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

a great cloud of witnesses: Janani Luwum

 a great cloud of witnesses: Janani Luwum by ric gustafson

Archbishop Janani Luwum became an Anglican archbishop in East Africa in 1974. At the time, a military dictator named Idi Amin was spreading terror. Ugandans were being imprisoned, tortured and murdered. When Christianity was spreading in the region, Luwum became a Christian. Luwum became a preacher. Because of his devotion to Jesus, Luwum committed himself to helping the poor and oppressed. In 1977, Luwum spoke out against Amin in defiance. 

Amin arrested Luwum and then had him executed. Luwum became a Ugandan martyr. Because of martyr's like Luwum and others, the Christian church grew in 21st century Africa. 

research help: ' Our Church Speaks' by Ben Lansing and D J Marotta

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric