Welcome to the ULC Minister's Network

Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

Recent Entries

  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. Mark 4:18–19 NLT &...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Lord God and Savior,   Jesus, You are my Day Star, how I love the hope and the light You bring into my life.   Your love is boundless.   Your example is perfect.   Your strength is mighty. ...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
  • Sapphries

    Signs Of The Blessing Wednesday, November 20, 2019 When I was a little boy, my great uncle began bringing me strange gifts. First, it was a dog leash. Then it was a six-pack of dog food. It went on like that for some time until one day, when I was six, I came home and there waiting for m...
  • Max Lucado

    What You Were Made to Do by Max Lucado   Many people stop short of their destiny. They settle for someone else’s story. Grandpa was a butcher, Dad was a butcher, so I guess I’ll be a butcher. Everyone I know is in farming, so I guess I’m supposed to farm. Cons...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 A Time to Think When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in hi...
  • Daily Prayers

    Dear Father in Heaven,   I need Your peace in my life today.   Jesus promised to give me peace...   Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let ...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14;27
  • Sapphries

    The Miracle Bread & The Changed Past Tuesday, November 19, 2019 What does Scripture mean when it says that Messiah multiplied bread? In order to have bread, you need bakers. For the bakers to bake, they need to have flour. To have flour, there must be first those who grind the grain. In ...
  • Max Lucado

    Two Fathers, Two Feasts by Max Lucado   The following is an excerpt from In the Eye of the Storm.   Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father (Col....
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Hebrews 2:18 NRSV A Time to Think Prayer trumps panic. Every. Time. —Rachel Wojo...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Heavenly Father,   Your Word gives me so much wisdom and so many precious promises from You that I can trust and cling to.   I especially love this promise from Jesus...   Whoever serves me must follow me; ...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:26
  • Max Lucado

    Spill Your Heart Before God by Max Lucado As a member of God’s family, come to Him— not as a stranger, but as an heir. Earnestly make your requests known to him; not because of what you have achieved, but because of what Christ has done! Jesus spilled his blood for you. You c...
  • Sapphries

    Bait And Switch Monday, November 18, 2019 There’s a deceptive sales practice called “Bait and Switch.” It consists of this: the seller offers a great bargain or savings. Then, when the customers come in, they try to sell them something more expensive. The enemy uses the...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. John 6:46   A Time to Think We may speak about a place where there are no tears, no death, no fear, no night; but those are just the benefits of heaven. The...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Father God,   I want to thank you for being such a loving heavenly father to me.   You know the challenges that all parents face.   You know the needs of all children.   I pray that you will he...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Father God,   I want to thank you for being such a loving heavenly father to me.   You know the challenges that all parents face.   You know the needs of all children.   I pray that you will he...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
  • Max Lucado

    A Big View of God by Max Lucado   Exactly what is worship? I like King David’s definition in Psalm 34:3, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Worship is the act of magnifying God, enlarging our vision of him, and observing how he w...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection From his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16 ESV   A Time to Think Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the n...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Father in Heaven,   Today I want to ask for Your special protection and blessing upon the people who work in Children’s Ministries in my church and in churches and schools around the world.   Please continue to work t...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God." Luke 18:16
  • Max Lucado

    You at Your Best by Max Lucado Call it what you wish. A talent…a skill set…a gift. The terms are different, but the truth is the same. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:7, “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.”   You aren&r...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 NIV   A Time to Think We savor these moments when we are conscious of love's presence, these holy moments of gratitude. And that is grace. —An...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Good morning Lord,   I am so thankful that You have rescued me and called me to Your divine purpose on this earth.   I am grateful for Your salvation in Jesus and the power You have given to me through Your Holy Spirit... &...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
  • Sapphries

    The Man In The Dungeon Friday, November 15, 2019 If you went to the castle of Herod Antipas at the beginning of the fourth decade of the first century, you would find the king living in luxury while a man in nothing but a garment of camel’s hair languished down below in the dungeon...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16–17 NRSV   ...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Father God, Are there any areas in my life that have not come under the lordship of Christ?   Is there any lack of obedience that will prevent me from being used fully by You?   Search me, God, and know my heart; ...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-34
  • Sapphries

    The Lord, Your Goel Thursday, November 14, 2019 The Hebrew Scriptures reveal the laws of the Goel. If a woman’s husband died leaving her no children, his brother or nearest male relative could redeem her life by marrying her and by giving her children. He would be called the &ldquo...
  • Max Lucado

    Dealing with Difficult Relatives by Max Lucado Does Jesus have anything to say about dealing with difficult relatives? Is there an example of Jesus bringing peace to a painful family? Yes, there is.   His own.   It may surprise you to know that Jesus had a ...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Lord,   I am aware of how the devil picks at me and tries to trap me all the time.   Please help me to stand strong against the schemes of the devil...   Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil ...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
  • Max Lucado

    A Great Grace by Max Lucado   I can bear witness to the power of God’s grace! I could take you to the church, to the section of seats in the church auditorium. I might be able to find the very seat in which I was sitting when this grace found me. I was a twenty-year-old c...
  • Sapphries

    The Scorpion And The Frog Wednesday, November 13, 2019 Here is an old folktale: There was a scorpion that wanted to cross a river but was unable to swim. The scorpion saw a frog and said to him, “Carry me across the river.” “No,” said the frog, “You’re...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. John 1:3   A Time to Think Faith is like radar that sees through the fog.—Corrie ten Boom   A Time to Act Find strength for today and hope...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Father God,   Thank You for Your Holy Spirit.   Thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit, for speaking to my heart and for guiding me.   Please help me to follow Your direction, to be strong enough to d...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:10
  • Max Lucado

    A Forever Home by Max Lucado For the last twenty years, I’ve wanted a dog. A big dog. But there were always problems. The apartment was too small. The budget was too tight. The girls were too young. But most of all, Denalyn was unenthusiastic. Her logic? She’d already marrie...
  • Sapphries

    The Waterfall & The Bottle Tuesday, November 12, 2019 If you put a bottle under a flowing waterfall, but you don’t remove the cap, nothing’s going to happen. Even though the water’s pouring out, the bottle remains empty and unchanged. So it is in the Spirit. You are the...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection Now, therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God,   I pray to You and ask that You will abundantly bless my family and me.   And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and ...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God ...
  • Sapphries

    Uncertainty Of Information Monday, November 11, 2019 From a classic book of military strategy comes a principle of successful warfare: “Uncertainty of information acts as an impediment to vigorous activity.” In the Battle of Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee lost communicatio...
  • Max Lucado

    Holiness by Max Lucado   John the Baptist would never get hired today. No church would touch him. He was a public relations disaster.   Mark 1:6 says he “wore clothes of camel’s hair and ate locusts and wild honey.”   His message was...
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  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:11   A Time to Think Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened. –Reverend Billy Graham,...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Lord Jesus,   You are the Almighty One.   Your Word tells me...   The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, b...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is r...
  • Max Lucado

    Greed Has Many Faces by Max Lucado   Our obsession with stuff carries a hefty price tag. We spend 110 percent of our disposable income trying to manage debt. Who can keep up? No one can!   Jesus warns in Luke 12:15, “Be on your guard against every form of g...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. Matthew 18:19   A Time to Think Where there is great love there are always miracles. – Willa Cather, author ...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Father God,   I want to praise You and thank You for this new Sunday...   O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! Psalm 8:1   T...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! Psalm 8:1
  • Max Lucado

    The Grace of Christ Max Lucado Guilt sucks the life out of our souls. Grace restores it. No one had more reason to feel the burden of guilt than did the apostle Paul. He had orchestrated the deaths of Christians—an ancient version of a terrorist. Yet, Paul gave his guilt to Jesus,...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16   A Time to Think I do not understand the mystery of grace—only that it meets us where we are, but does not...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Father God,   Please help me to think before I speak today...   Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. James 3:10   I pray that I will...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. James 3:10
  • Sapphries

    The Olive Tree & The Construction Project Friday, November 8, 2019 In Zechariah 4, the prophet is shown a vision of olive trees and a menorah - an oil lamp, being continually filled with oil. And then the prophet asks the angel what it all means. The angel answers, “This is the Wor...
  • Max Lucado

    Give Up Your Bag of Burdens Max Lucado   Worry is the burlap bag of burdens. It’s overflowing with “whaddifs” and “howells.” Whaddif after all my dieting, I find that lettuce is fattening and chocolate isn’t? Howell we pay our baby’s tu...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:24–25 NIV   A Time to Think Meet your fears with faith. —Max Lucado &nbs...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. let it shine, let it shine, let it shine...   Dear Father God,   Today, want to let the light of Jesus shine through me so that others will come to know Jesus, the li...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    The Straight and Narrow November 7, 2019 A narrow passageway leading to a gate Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.—Matthew 7:14 (KJV)   To keep on the right path of life, follow Jesus’ ...
  • Sapphries

    The Way And Not A Place Thursday, November 7, 2019 One of the earliest names for our faith in the Messiah, as recorded in the Book of Acts, is “The Way.” This name carries profound ramifications. The lives of most people, and even most believers, tend to be determined by thei...
  • Max Lucado

    God is Sovereign by Max Lucado   Many years ago I spent a week visiting the interior of Brazil with a long-time missionary pilot. Let me just say, Wilbur and Orville had a sturdier aircraft! I could not get comfortable. I kept thinking the plane was going to crash in the jungle...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Father in Heaven,   I'm thirsty for more of You.   I'm thirsty for Your living water of life, for Your anointing on my life and ministry...   "...but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him wil...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day "...but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14
  • Max Lucado

    Courteous Conduct by Max Lucado   Those who don’t believe in Jesus take note of what believers do. They make decisions about Christ by watching us. When we’re kind, they assume Christ is kind. When we’re gracious, they assume Christ is gracious. But when we&rs...
  • Sapphries

    Why I Ate The Whole Bag Wednesday, November 6, 2019 There have been times when I’m away from my home and I feel like I’m starving. I see junk food (often red hot chips) and I buy it. Then I’m driving and eating, and I’ll end up eating the entire bag. As I eat, my ...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV   A Time to Think When one has a grateful heart, life is so beautiful. —Roy T. Bennett   A Time to Act Be...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Lord Jesus,   You are my Lord and my God.   I worship You and thank You for giving up the glories of Heaven to come to earth to live in human flesh.   I accept and receive You even though others reject You. ...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Acts 10:36 New King James Version (NKJV) 36 The word which God sent to the [a]children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—   Footnotes: Acts 10:36 Lit. sons   New King Jam...
  • Max Lucado

    The Parable of the Sandwich Sign by Max Lucado   I am the voice of the one calling out in the desert: "Make the road straight for the Lord." John 1:23   The faces of the three men were solemn as the mayor informed them of the catastrophe. "The rains have wa...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11   A Time to Think Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop. –Wanda E. Brunstetter, author   A Time to Act Focus not...
  • Sapphries

    The Language Of Impossibilities Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Eliezer Ben Yehudah had a vision for the future state of Israel. He believed he was called to resurrect Hebrew to be the Jewish nation’s new language. He spent the rest of his life writing a dictionary of a language that no ...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Father God,   I desire a real relationship with You.   I want to hear Your voice, to feel Your presence, to walk with You each and every day.   Help me to put You first in my life.   But seek f...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33
  • Max Lucado

    Second Chances by Max Lucado   It was small enough to overlook. Only two words. I know I’d read that passage a hundred times. But I’d never seen it.   But I won’t miss it again. It’s highlighted in yellow and underlined in red. You might w...
  • Sapphries

    Not Even A Billion Monday, November 4, 2019 Once an interviewer asked the oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, “If you retired now, would you say your holdings would be worth a billion dollars?” Getty paused to do the math in his head. “I suppose so,” he said, “but rem...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26   A Time to Think When I have learned to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.&mdas...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Lord God,   You are my Hope and my Promise.   I pray that You will give me the patience I need to wait upon Your will and Your plans for me...   But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
  • Max Lucado

    See By Faith by Max Lucado   On the wall of a concentration camp, a prisoner had carved the following words:   “I believe in the sun, even though it doesn’t shine.   I believe in love, even when it isn’t shown.   I ...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11   A Time to Think If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.—Mary Engelbreit   ...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Today's Prayer is based upon Psalm 147   Dear Father God,   Oh, how I praise You!   Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful... Psalm ...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful... Psalm 147:1
  • Max Lucado

    Let God Have Youby Max Lucado How long has it been since you let God have you? I mean really have you? How long since you gave him a portion of undiluted, uninterrupted time listening for his voice? Apparently, Jesus did. He made a deliberate effort to spend time with God. Spend much time readin...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Psalm 143:8 NIV   A Time to Think Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people. &m...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear Lord God,   Like, You first disciples, please fill me with Your Joy and with Your Holy Spirit today...   And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52   Help me to brin...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day For I am the Lord your God. You shall, therefore, consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Leviticus 11:44
  • Daily Prayers

    Good morning Lord, Today I pray for the spouses and families of those who are ministers, pastors, elders, deacons, teachers and others serving in my church. I pray for healing, where needed; for protection from harm, evil, and discouragement; and for blessing in their lives. So oft...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1
  • Sapphries

    Making Use Of Your Mistakes Thursday, October 31, 2019 Proverbs 24:16 says, “A righteous man falls seven times, and rises again.” An example of this is Simon Peter. Peter was a righteous man who fell many times. But you don’t read about him continuing to make the same m...
  • Max Lucado

    We Are Valuable by Max Lucado   Value is now measured by two criteria: appearance and performance. Where does that leave the ugly or uneducated? Where hope does that offer the unborn child? The aged? The handicapped? Not much at all. We become nameless numbers on mislaid lists. ...
  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Daily Scripture & Reflection Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice. Psalm 55:17   A Time to Think How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself. So always think positively. —Norman Vince...
  • Daily Prayers

    Lighthouse Ministries Daily Prayer Dear God,   It's true...that I may be the only "Bible" someone ever reads.   Please help me be a living testament to others for You.   Please work through me and help me be a light and an encouragement for my non-...
  • Verse of the Day

    Lighthouse Ministries Verse of the Day Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. Isaiah 32:3
  • Max Lucado

    Be Honest — Honest to Godby Max Lucado Prayer really is simple. Resist the urge to complicate it. Don’t take pride in well-crafted prayers. Don’t apologize for incoherent prayers. No games. No cover-ups. Just be honest—honest to God. Climb into His lap. Tell Him everything ...
  • Sapphries

    The Woman Who Returned To Pompei Wednesday, October 30, 2019 When the volcano of Pompeii erupted, one of the city’s inhabitants, a rich and beautiful woman ran down to the harbor to escape by ship. It was a wise decision. However, before running down, she decided to stay behind jus...