Have you ever come up short in your search for wisdom to discern the right thing to do in difficult circumstances? In Job chapter 28, Job asks, "But where can wisdom be found, And where is the place of understanding?" (v12). He emphasizes that wisdom's value is beyond human comprehension or acquisition, as it cannot be found in the natural world nor purchased with any earthly treasure, no matter how precious (v12-19).

So, where is true wisdom found? Job recognized that "God understands its way, and He knows its place" (Job 28:23). God, who sets "a weight for the wind, and measures out the waters" (Job 28:25), has the key to wisdom. It's not found in human intelligence but in God's revelation. Job concludes, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28). True wisdom is found in a relationship with God and giving up our own desires...

April is the time of the year when spring is in the air, longer days, new plant life, farmers planting their crops, birds building nests and flowers begin to bloom. Easter is also in April and the time of year we think of new growth in our spiritual lives as we reflect on all God has done for us. He gave the ultimate sacrifice of giving His life on the cross for you and I. If we are willing to lay down our lives and serve God, He has promised that we will live with Him in heaven someday. Let us share God’s love and Easter story of redemption to all we meet. God will bless each one that is willing to do this. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 - Glenn Zimmerman, Lititz Store Manager...

Spring is just around the corner as the snow is melting away and the rich brown earth is once again appearing.  The seeds that fell from the plants last fall will soon be turning everything a lush bright  green and then full of spring colors.  Some seeds, like acorns, need those cold temperatures of winter to best germinate, while other seeds need intense heat like Jack pine cones.  Either way there is discomfort before beauty.  As you look back over your past “winter season” , what seeds have fallen that you now have the chance to grow?  Turning pain or hurt or discomfort into some form of beauty for God?  Jeremiah 29:11 says this.  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  

Trust...

Having the correct tool for the job that you need to do is very important and saves a lot of time and frustration. Being in the hardware business, I enjoy seeing all kinds of tools that were made through the years to accomplish specific tasks. It is interesting to see antique tools and try to imagine how it was used and how effective it was for the task at hand. You know, God has given us tools to navigate life and to accomplish his specific plan for each of us. These tools are referred to as spiritual gifts, see Romans 12:6-7. Gifts of Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Encouragement, Giving, Administration, and Mercy are given to us by the Holy Spirit to edify and encourage those that we meet. Are you using the tools that God gave you to build his kingdom?

Having the correct tool for the job that you need...

This is your year!

Every 50 years the Hebrew calendar announced an amazing new beginning called the Year of Jubilee. With the sound of a ram's horn being blown like a trumpet, everyone knew a reset and a restoration was going to be taking place in a very tangible way! Slaves were going to be set free, debts were going to be forgiven and lands would be returned to their original owners. Read Lev 25:5-55

God commanded this event to bring physical restoration to His people then and to point to the day when spiritual restoration and forgiveness would be available through His Son, Jesus.  

I can only imagine the sound of the rejoicing of the children of Israel at this once in a lifetime happening. But did you know that the Bible tells us this is nothing compared to rejoicing in heaven when one person repents and finds forgiveness in Jesus? This IS our Year...

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7 Wow … Christmas time seems to come quicker and quicker each year! The hustle, the bustle, the gifts, the parties, food,  family gatherings. All of this seems to happen in a blur. It’s too easy to forget what we are actually celebrating. You may be familiar with the biblical account of the birth of Jesus from Luke chapter 2. The expectant mother Mary, and Joseph, are traveling due to a census when it comes time for Mary to deliver. Verse 7 tells us that Jesus was born and laid in a manger, and  there was no room for them in the inn. Ironically, there was no room for the Savior of humanity?!  I’ve read this many times over the years, and it's caused me to pause and reflect on my own path. Do I have room for Jesus? Or...

Are we excited about our home in Heaven? A family I know was moving to a new home, and they expressed how excited their boys were. The boys were telling their school friends about it, and what they were planning to do, and all the fun they would have, to the point that their friends wanted to see it too! God has promised a home in Heaven through Jesus. Are we excited to tell others? Are we ready to show them the way? Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 Do our life’s goals, actions, responses, love, and kindness stir their interest so they also want to learn more about Jesus and our heavenly home? “Always be prepared to answer everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15 - Ernie Zimmerman, ...

I was looking ahead into 2024 at this time last year, knowing what the upcoming year had in store for my family. We were anticipating the opening and closing of life’s chapters along with the normal daily grind. Chapters such as a graduation from college, one from high school, and another preparation for college, including athletics. We also faced hosting out-of-country family members for 6 weeks, which included graduation parties and remaining school activities and sports. Yet another chapter was my wife and I celebrating a silver wedding anniversary in the month of October. Add in other family, church, and work dynamics, and it all can be a melting pot for emotional and physical fallout. I have only scratched the surface. After the deluge of life's many chapters, I’m reminded; that Jesus gives true rest.

In Matthew 11:28-29 He says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden...

It was a late summer evening when a young lady’s car came to a sputtering stop in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. Confused, she looked at the fuel gauge and saw it was clearly on “E.” Frustrated and unsure of what to do, she began to dial a close friend to pick her up. But before she could hit call, she was startled by a pounding on the window. It was a rough looking man who was pounding, and now yelling at her. She couldn’t understand what he was saying, so she panicked and dialed 911. The man then smashed through the window, grabbed the young lady and yanked her out of the car just before a train smashed it and pushed it down the tracks! Many times in life it can feel like God doesn’t have our best interest in mind. We can begin to doubt God’s goodness when the trials of life are weighing us down. But just like the lady on the railroad tracks, we can be completely unaware of  the...

One day I realized I was missing a credit card I rarely use. After searching for the card to no avail, I called the provider to cancel it. To my surprise, the customer service representative informed me that the card had been reported lost several weeks prior and was put on hold. Someone had found the card and taken the time to make a phone call for the good of a stranger. Choosing to do the right thing often requires more effort than choosing the easiest thing. However, Jesus reminds us to treat others the way we want to be treated, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Mathew 7:12. May we be encouraged to choose the right way over the easy way, and receive the blessings that come from honoring the Lord with our choices. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not...

Summer Solstice (saal-stuhs) in Pennsylvania on June 20, 2024, will give us 5 hours 41 minutes more daylight than Winter Solstice on December 21, 2024. On that day in June, the sun is allotted the most time in a single 24-hour period to have its tremendous impact on the created world. When considering God's purpose for your life, when do you have the most positive impact on the people you influence? Jesus calls us to be His light: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matt 5:14-15. May we take this day of opportunity and consider Christ's warning: "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light...