Success Challenge

by Pastor Bill Scripture: Isaiah 26:12a "Lord, all our success is because of what you have done" NCV Seasons and preparations are two powerful words that help define ones purpose in the Kingdom of God. Seasons speak about a period of time --- Preparation tells us that there is an assignment just ahead. Major developments in the seasons of my life --- like a broken neck in a car accident season --- or the raising four children season --- helped me learn how Jesus defines  success. Preparation for a future Kingdom assignment was a daily grind kind of event. Just me thanking Jesus everyday for small successes in life. Preparation included asking for answers to prayer --- like "help my son Greg excel in his career." Or "Lord we need a good car for our daughter Jennifer to get to school and back." Or "Lord give us wisdom as a door is closing in this job and a new one is needed that is better financially and allows more family time." Or "Lord help me build a stronger bond of love and respect with Carol." Looking back there were exceptional times,  good times, sad times and the really bad times. But through them all it was thanking Jesus for the daily successes that made all the difference. Here are a few prayer examples of thanking Jesus for the successes I am grateful for today: Jesus --- Thank you for the time Carol and I spent shopping for new jeans. Jesus --- Thank you for the car cutting me offso I could learn patience. Jesus --- Thank you for doing math problems with my granddaughter Sarah. Each day Jesus provides success moments in this season of my life in preparation for the next season in my life. What Jesus success did you have today? --- Don't forget to thank him. Prayer: Father thank you that Jesus is always at work in my life with daily successes preparing me for Kingdom work. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! Happy Friday, Richard

Making Disciples!

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.'" - Luke 14:23

Most Old Testament Jews failed to grasp God's vision regarding their places of worship.  But King Solomon had a clear understanding of the temple and its purpose. Here is Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:27: "Will God really dwell on earth?  The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you.  How much less this temple I have built!" Solomon also had no desire to monopolize the knowledge of God and have this knowledge confined to Israel.  His prayer in 1 Kings 8:43 is that "all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you."

Solomon did not pray that all the nations of the earth might be subject to Israel and that he might reign over them, but that they might be subject to God and that God might reign over them.  This ministry of making the Lord known to all people was to be the great destiny of the Jewish nation. Somehow, they completely missed the boat.

As time went by, they kept trying to scale God down.  They tried to stuff their great and awesome God into this little temple and make Him their private possession. They tried to turn Him into a little tribal god to whom no one but them had access.  How easy it is to repeat that same mistake today.

We need a vision for our lives and churches like the vision Solomon had for the temple.  He understood it was not to be a little golden box in which the people could hide from the rest of the world, but a place where the nations of the earth might come and learn to pray to Him who would hear them and forgive their sin.

Prayer

"Lord, help me to see my church as more than a place where I go to be blessed.  Help me to see it as a place where all may come to be saved and equipped to minister.  Amen. "

We are to gather together to worship and to develop resources we can use to tell the world about salvation through Jesus Christ.

Have A Blessed Thursday,
Richard

The Sacred Us

by Amy Carroll

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:3-5 (NIV)

She didn't know I was watching. But I was. And what she did changed my heart and marriage.

Friends of mine told me about Deborah, a woman at our church who had decided not to speak negatively about her husband. Although I truly love my husband and think he is wonderful, he isn't perfect. So at the time, I didn't think there was much harm in occasionally complaining about him to friends and co-workers. After all, they had plenty to say about their husbands.

But something about Deborah's commitment challenged my heart. I began to watch her and her husband for signs of a difference. I also listened carefully to see if she really stuck to her commitment. She did, and the fruits of her faithfulness were obvious.

Deborah and John had been married far longer than I had and had three beautiful children. But they acted like they were still on their honeymoon. Their devotion was untarnished by the mistrust and bitterness caused by a critical heart and complaining lips.

Seeing the difference in them made me much more aware when I started to "vent" or complain about my husband. I thought about how terrible I would feel if I walked into a room and heard him speaking negatively about me. So I followed Deborah's lead.

It didn't take long before I started to see fruit in my marriage too. Lots of it! The more I spoke well of my husband, the more I thought well of him too. His virtues far overshadowed his few imperfections. Praising my husband to my friends actually grew my love for him. Plus, I never worried what might be repeated to him.

I have come to believe strongly in the "Sacred Us." My husband and I have a bond that is stronger than the bond I have with anyone else. There are things that only the two of us share.

Although I love to talk, I don't need to share everything going on between us with others. If there are problems, I can always pour out my heart to God, and Scripture encourages us to do that. I also have cultivated relationships with several godly, truth-telling women who love my husband as a brother in Christ as much as they love me. They will listen, offer godly counsel and tell me in a skinny minute if I'm the one who's wrong. Choose women who exemplify Titus 2:3-5 when you need to problem-solve or when you need focused prayer about a situation.

Without ever knowing it, Deborah changed many of the marriages in our church for the better. Let's all resolve to be the "Deborah" among our friends. I want my words and actions to make that kind of difference — to strengthen my marriage bonds, to encourage others and to glorify God.

Dear Lord, please help me control my tongue. I need Your help to praise my husband instead of criticize or complain. In times of crises or conflict, remind me to turn to You first. Bring godly women into my life who will join with me in this endeavor so that we can encourage each other. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now just for the wife to do, but also the husband... Even jokingly, I cab see now how words can harm, even when she smiles...

Have a Blessed Wednesday,

Richard 

Living in a World Gone Wrong

by Tracie Miles

"Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" Psalm 10:1 (NIV)

By the time I returned home that night, I was so agitated that sleep was impossible.

I had traveled six hours by car and made the mistake of listening to news channels rather than my usual Christian music station. Throughout the drive, I became increasingly frustrated and irritated, as I heard one bad news story after another. My mind was spinning with thoughts, and my heart filled with emotions.

The strongest emotion by far was sadness at the stark reality of our world gone terribly wrong.

Stories of abuse, death, disaster, political corruption and a general lack of integrity are everywhere. At times it seems the voices and desires of those who are against God's ways shout louder than those who love Him and promote His ways. It frustrates me that things are getting worse instead of better.

Driving down the interstate with my mind full of mental clutter, my heart felt heavy. I wondered what God's answer might be if I could ask Him, "God, what in the world is going on in this world? And when are You going to take action?"

In Psalm 10, David expressed this same type of frustration and confusion. He asked the Lord why it appeared He wasn't doing anything about the wickedness of the world, or taking control of the cruelty, violence and injustices that ran rampant through their corrupt society. He questioned why wicked people were allowed to get away with their wrongdoings.

David wanted to know when God was going to step in and do something. Anything. David prayed with a desperate heart, begging God's intervention.

Maybe you have felt that way too. Maybe you are struggling with difficult circumstances, and you feel as if God is standing far away, not intervening with help. Maybe you have struggled while walking in God's ways, while others with less-than-godly motives succeed. Or maybe you too are frustrated with the direction our world seems to be headed.

This is how David felt as well, but in Psalm 10:16-18a, we see his tone change from frustration to hope when he says, "The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed ..." (NIV). David took comfort in remembering and believing that God was with him, and in due time, He would prevail.

In prayer, David voiced his deepest fears and honest feelings. He solicited God's wisdom for greater understanding, yet surrendered to trusting that God sees all, knows all and would handle it all when the time was right.

Our world has gone wrong due to the existence of sin, but we have a choice in how we respond. Instead of letting despair pull us further from God, or cause us to doubt His goodness, we can choose to lean on our faith and draw closer to Him instead, just like David.

Let's choose to proclaim God's sovereignty today, trust in His ways and be a voice for His truths even when the ways of this world break our hearts.

Lord, help me remember that You are in control, no matter how out of control this world seems. Give me the desire to stay grounded in You no matter what I see on the news, or what challenges I personally face, and to trust You wholeheartedly. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Hope everyone had  a great Memorial Day Weekend... 

Happy Tuesday,

Richard

"Harmless" Little Lies?

by Glynnis Whitwer

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." (Luke 16:10 NIV)

My job was overwhelming, yet I was desperate to appear competent. As a young college graduate, I was grateful for the position. But over time, both the company and my work level grew to the point where I was drowning. And, as I fell further behind, I began to give misleading responses to my boss.

My employer was very hands-on and often called me into her office for an update on my projects. I dreaded those meetings, knowing she'd be displeased with my lack of progress. And that is when the lies started: "Yes, that project is coming along nicely." "I'm almost finished." "Just waiting for a few more pieces of information."

After our meetings, I'd rush back to my desk and frantically try to make my progress match the inaccurate response I'd just given. Over time, the lies and truth became jumbled. I'd crossed a line of personal integrity that nagged at the edges of my conscience, but not enough to make a change. Until one day my boss gave me another request: to lie for her.

She hadn't gotten something done, and asked me to lie to someone else. This wasn't right. She hadn't even started the project. And now I was supposed to cover for her? It was as if God made me do a 180 and stare at the line of integrity I had already crossed.

I'd compromised my character one half-truth, one excuse, one rationalization at a time. But no more. I had some decisions to make. Would integrity be a mask I put on at church and took off at work? Was my career more important than my character?

Those were heavy questions for a young woman. But they were necessary. God used this situation to help shape the person He wanted me to be.

Knowing I could lose my job, with humility and respect I told my boss I couldn't, no I wouldn't, lie for her. Amazingly, she didn't fire me. With a huff and a sigh, she accepted my decision.

While I wasn't up to confessing all my lies to her, I did confess them to God. And I made a commitment that day to honesty, no matter how personally difficult it was.

God cares about what may seem like harmless little lies: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much" (Luke 16:10).

God was watching me then, and He's watching me now. Which is why every word I speak is important. Choosing truth is hard, especially when it reveals a weakness. Yet with God's help, I'm making progress to become the woman of integrity He's called me to be.

Dear Lord, You are the source of all truth. Forgive me for the times I've been deceptive in order to manipulate the opinions of others. I want to be a woman who is filled with Your truth. Help me to uncover whatever stands in the way of becoming that woman. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Happy Sunday,

Richard

Words

by Lysa TerKeurst

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness." James 3:9 (NIV)

One day, two of my kids were having a growth opportunity, which is our family's way of saying "fight."

These two kids love each other, but didn't like each other very much in the heat of the moment. I pulled out my proverbial soap box, got my hand positioned just right on my hip, and told these two young teens to look outside the window of our home. I told them that outside our home a world of people exist who may or may not be nice to us. There are no guarantees.

"But, inside this house," I continued as I turned them toward one another, "there are certain guarantees. Since the day I birthed you, I have preached one sermon about the words spoken in our home. It is a simple sermon. Before you part your lips to speak, you must ask yourself this question: Are my words kind, necessary, and true?"

"If the answer to all three parts of that question is yes . . . proceed ahead."

"If the answer to any part of that question is no . . . stop the words from coming out."

Does that mean there is no room to address hard issues with one another? No. But in our home, it will always be done with a spirit of kindness using only words that are necessary and true.

I then ushered these precious teens outside to a bench in the front yard and instructed them to figure out their issues. But they were not going to bring words into our house unless they were kind, necessary, and true. Thank you very much. Have a nice time on this warm little bench on this warm little day.

There are some verses in the book of James I'm considering writing on the palm of my hand. Think of how handy it would be just to flash my palm up in the midst of my people's growth opportunities with this verse in bold ink: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be" (James 3 9-10 NIV).

That same chapter of James goes on to read, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice" (verse 16 NIV).

Have mercy. I do not want disorder and every evil practice to be invited into my home. And if envy and selfish ambition (which are where ugly words come from) are the key that opens the door for all that evil mess, then I will do everything with the power of Jesus in me to tame tongues.

Dear Lord, help me to know how to teach my children how to be more like You. Help me to model You in my actions, my reactions, and in every word I say. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have a Blessed Weekend,
Richard

Life Choices

Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? -Amos 3:3

In today's Scripture passage, we watch an entire nation take a dramatic turn for the worse. This downward spiral is directly related to the marriage of the new king, Jehoram. While his father and grandfather had been godly men, 2 Chronicles 21:6 tells us that Jehoram "walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord."

The Scriptures tie Jehoram's marriage and his conduct together. The lesson is clear: The choice of a marriage partner has far-reaching effects. If you're a young person feeling the tug of the Holy Spirit upon your life to serve the Lord, your marriage partner will either double your effectiveness for Christ or kill it. There is no in-between.

I heard of a young man whose wife is an encouragement and challenge to him. One of his unmarried friends asked him, "Where did you find a girl like that?" His answer was amazing. He said, "I asked God for a wife like that. Every day since junior high school I've prayed for God's perfect choice for me. And God has answered my prayers."

According to one recent book on marriage, the statistical improbability of a person finding the right mate is astonishing. The author based his mathematical calculations on six desirable qualities, including physical attractiveness, intelligence, and concern for others. He concluded that a person would have to meet more than fifteen thousand people before encountering one with all of the above requirements. If you consider other criteria like religion and age, the chances become even less optimistic. But we're dealing with the faithfulness of God, not the chances of finding the right person.

Prayer

Lord, I desire Your will for my life. Keep me in the palm of Your hand. Amen.

Are you asking God for His direction for your life?

Have a Blessed Friday,
Richard

Just Like You

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly... - James 5:17

If a person is going to accomplish anything in life, he's going to have to take action. And that's what I see in the life of Elijah the prophet, as we meet him in 1 Kings 17-19. At that time, Israel's sin was right out in the open, parading itself in the streets in defiance of the Word of God. And into this mess the Lord sent Elijah.

The book of James tells us Elijah was a man just like us, a man subject to like passions as we are. So often we think the people God uses are somehow different. They must have some special ability to resist temptation and stand up for what's right. But Elijah was a person with all the same emotions and struggles we have. He was also a man of action; he had a fiery spirit. He wasn't content to sit in his chamber and write memos to King Ahab. Elijah was right out there on the firing line, confronting the worst aspects of his world with the Word and the power of God.

Perhaps most important, Elijah was a man of prayer. His communion with God kept rain from the land for three-and-a-half years, then brought it back. His prayer called the fire of God down from heaven in a confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He wasn't just a loud, angry voice condemning the sins of the nation. He was a humble servant of God, on his knees, pleading with the Lord to work miracles so that his people might come to repentance.

That's exactly the kind of person God is looking for today--an ordinary person facing the same problems as everyone else, but a person of action and prayer.

Prayer

Lord, make my life count for You in the things I say and do. Amen.

God's power is perfected in our weakness.

Lean on HIM For Strength...
Happy Thursday,
Richard

Every Day with God

My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. - Psalm 108:1

Today's passage in Exodus, describing the tabernacle and the Holy of Holies, is a reminder of all that God has done to make it possible for us to have fellowship with Him. In the tabernacle, the veil separated the holy place from the most holy place. And into that Holy of Holies went the high priest once a year.

This veil was the very one that was torn from top to bottom when Jesus Christ died on the cross, indicating that the way now was open for the likes of you and me to enter into that close, intimate communion with God that for centuries was reserved for the high priest alone. It took the death of the Son of God to make that intimate fellowship possible.

Another special feature in the temple was a courtyard enclosed with hangings of the finest linens. The court was fifty yards long and twenty-five yards wide. This was the court David longed for and into which the people of God entered with praise and thanksgiving. The court could only hold a few worshipers.

But thanks be to God, in the New Testament times the enclosure was taken down, and today there is room for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus.

Tomorrow, when your alarm goes off, remember that Jesus Christ died to make it possible for you to come directly into the presence of the Lord, a privilege that once was reserved for a special few. Thank God that today there is room for every heart that longs to enter the place of prayer.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for that most precious of privileges--the priesthood of the believer, that gives me perpetual access to Your holy presence. Amen.

Many Christians are missing out on one of their greatest privileges as children of God--a daily quiet time with their Heavenly Father.

Happy Wednesday,
Richard

My Least Favorite Parable

Your Thought for Today

"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." - Zig Ziglar 
 
 My Least Favorite Parable

By Alan Smith

 A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama.

Then she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?"

A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence. "I think I'd throw up!"

I have to confess that the parable of the Good Samaritan is one of my least favorite parables. You may be thinking: "It's a beautiful story that teaches a strong lesson. What's there not to like?" But that's the problem. It teaches a very strong lesson and one that I can't escape. There's no way to explain this parable away, no way to come up with any fanciful interpretations that soothe my conscience.

Every time I read this parable, I realize my shortcomings in the area of meeting the needs of those around me. And the fact that I can relate so well to the priest and the Levite in the story leaves me squirming in my seat. Perhaps you understand what I mean. Allow the words of Jesus to pierce your heart once again:

"But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?' Then Jesus answered and said: 'A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you." So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?' And he said, 'He who showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Go and do likewise.”(Luke 10:29-37)

"Father, in a world where I am surrounded by pain and suffering, it is so easy to turn my head and shut my eyes. Please forgive me of the times when I have done just that. In Jesus' name, amen." 

Happy Tuesday,
Richard

Guilt Can Be Good For You

By Skip Heitzig

Have you noticed that people will do almost anything to avoid the feeling of guilt? Just think of the many “guilt-free” foods available at your local supermarket. Webster’s Dictionary defines guilt as having committed a breach of conduct, something violating law and involving a penalty. To modern society guilt is passé, puritanical, inhibiting, and downright cruel. But the Bible teaches that guilt can be good for you. Let’s look at how King David’s guilt did him a world of good.

In Psalm 51 David was in the depths of despair. You know the story; David committed adultery with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. Then he made matters worse by sending Uriah to the front line of battle where he was sure to be slain. The prophet Nathan confronted David with his actions and David finally admitted to God: “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:4). Yes, David sinned against Uriah by taking his wife and sending him to his death. He also sinned against Bathsheba by luring her into an adulterous relationship. But at the bottom of the blackness of sin is rebellion against God Himself.

In Psalm 32, David explained the blessings he had experienced when he confessed his sin: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2). Here David used three words to describe what God is willing to do when we confess our sin:

1) Forgiven means to lift up, like lifting a burden, or to take away. In other words, God carries it away. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

2) Covered means to conceal or hide from sight. This means that our sins are invisible! How is this possible? The book of Revelation tells us that Jesus “loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5). Our sins are covered with Christ’s precious blood.

3) Not impute is a bookkeeping term meaning that God does not place sin into our account. In other words, God cancels the debt of our sin. Paul put it this way: “What joy for those whose sin is no longer counted against them by the Lord” (Romans 4:8 NLT).

Despite society’s willingness to overlook wrongdoing, are you still feeling guilty? God wants to use that for your good. Regardless of the sin you’ve committed, God wants to forgive you. When you ask Him for forgiveness, you’ll experience the joy and freedom that comes from His plan for guilt-free living through faith in Jesus Christ.

Copyright © 2014 by Connection Communications. All rights reserved.

Have A Blessed Monday,

Richard

Not Finished With You

                                                                                           Author Unknown To Me

There are believers who see themselves as incomplete because they are conscious of their lack and imperfections. They say, “There are so many things imperfect about me! How can I be complete if there are so many things I am lacking in?” They see their weaknesses, condemn themselves and feel inferior to others. The good news is that God does not see the way man sees. Man sees the flesh. God sees the spirit. He sees us already complete in Christ. In spite of our imperfections, He sees us as new creations, partakers of His divine nature and more than conquerors over our faults. And He wants us to see ourselves the way He sees us. What we think we need or are lacking in, whether it is Godly character traits or physical health, we already have in Christ.  Now God in all his wisdom says, I'm not finished with you yet.

 

I wish my testimony was one of unwavering faith and steadiness. I wish that you could go and talk to anyone I went to school with and they would tell you about my commitment to Jesus and His Word, but they’ve seen me fall to sin and act prideful. In fact, I’d wager that many of us are this way. We wish that we could have another chance at past situations or seasons. But here's God’s answer to our self-disappointment: “I’m not done with you yet.”  Paul’s words, I’m not finished, He’s still making me! I’m still being molded and shaped and conformed to Jesus’ likeness (Romans 8:29). And so are we. God’s not done with us, we’re still being drawn and invited into relationship with Him. Jesus served us first, and from that place  of being served by Him, we can serve him and His Church. What God did for me was turn my focus from myself and toward Jesus. This may seem simple, but it is a monumental gift of change and transformation.

 

When our hearts are focused on Jesus we see his servanthood and selflessness, we see His love for the Church, we see the image to which we’re being conformed. This changes us because we join Jesus in His mission and work on the earth. This is the context in which this molding, shaping and transforming takes place. No matter where we’ve fallen or cracked, our Maker has a grand design and intention for us that is not yet complete. Rest in hope and turn your focus upward and outward. Let our Heavenly Father change our narrow scope from simply today, to that of eternity.

 

Have A Blessed Sunday,

Richard

Know Whose You Are

Your Thought for Today
"We have been forgiven by God much more than we have ever been accused by others." - Elmer Lehman 

Know Whose You Are

By Melanie Chitwood

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are." 1 John 3:1 (NAS)

One day at church when a man asked my five-year-old son his name, Zachary responded, "Zachary Patrick Chitwood, son of Scott Joseph Chitwood." I'm not sure what that little five year old was thinking or why he responded that way. I had certainly never heard this answer before, but I sure liked it! Zachary knew who he was. He knew who he belonged to!

How would you answer if someone asked you who you are? My first response would be that I am Melanie Chitwood: a wife, a mother, a daughter, a writer, a speaker, a teacher, a friend, and a child of God.

Yes, like Zachary, I know Who I belong to. I know I'm a child of God. When I was sixteen years old at a Young Life camp in North Carolina, I sat on a rock, gazed up at the stars in the night sky, and prayed a prayer that changed my life. 'Lord, I know that You love me and want me to be in a relationship with You. Thank You that You died on a cross to pay the penalty for my sins. Thank You that I am forgiven. I want You to be my Savior and Lord. I want to live for You.' From that day forward, I was a child of God.

The truth is sometimes I forget who I belong to. I forget that God alone gives me my identity. If I dig a little deeper and answer with complete honesty the question of who I am, my answer includes these responses: I am someone who struggles with losing the same ten pounds; sometimes I respond in fear rather than faith; I can be selfish and not want to serve others; I've made mistakes in the past and can carry them around like a ball and chain.

The truth is that sometimes I let my past, my feelings, and others' disapproval of me define me; rather than letting God and His Word define me. However, the closer I grow to the Lord, the more I understand that those other definitions are lies, not the truth. God's enemy, Satan, is a liar who wants to keep me from walking in the truth. The truth of who I am is found in God's Word. I know who I am when I know Whose I am.

Let these statements remind you of who you are and Whose you are:

- Nothing can separate you from God's love (Romans 8: 35 - 39).
- You are God's work of art, His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).
- God does not condemn you (Romans 8: 1,2).
- God loves you so much that the price He paid to have a relationship with you was His own life (1 Corinthians 6: 20).
- Jesus is your Daddy (Romans 8:15).
God's love for you is everlasting and unfailing. He wants you to have a relationship with Him where you grow closer to Him and look more like Him as you abide in His truth. Rest in the truth that His steadfast love never fails.

Prayer:
"Dear Father, I am so thankful that I am Your child and that You love me. I am thankful that Your love never changes and that nothing will take Your love away from me. Open my eyes to any lies I'm believing about myself and my life. Help me to believe only You - not Satan, not my feelings, not what anyone else says. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Application Steps:
Do you recognize any lies you're believing? Ask God to reveal them to you. When you are tempted to believe lies rather than God's truth, practice taking your thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). For example, if you begin to think to yourself, "God could never forgive me for this sin," recognize this is a lie. Replace the lie with a truth: Jesus has promised to forgive every sin - past, present, and future (Colossians 1: 13, 14).

Additional Verses:
Colossians 1:13, 14: "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (NAS).
Romans 12:2: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (NAS).
2 Corinthians 10:5: "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (NAS).  

Happy Saturday and Have a Blessed Weekend,

Richard

Battle in the Night

Lynn Cowell

"By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life." (Psalm 42:8 NIV)

How could this have happened? What could I have done to stop it?

One of my kids had made a decision that sent my emotions into a tailspin and another sleepless night was upon me; my mind wouldn't shut off. During the day I had managed to focus on God's promise to make all things work together for good. But as day faded into night, the struggle to trust became more than I could take.

Many nights as I lie in bed, my mind pulls me into a downward spiral of focusing on my troubles. It's then and there that the battle is most intense. A war wages between my faith and fears.

What if my loved one never knows Jesus?
Will my kids make the right choices with their peers?
What can I do for my friend who struggles with cancer?

Even though my body is still, my thoughts are at war.

Do you struggle in the quiet of the night? Maybe you have thoughts like these ... Nobody else has troubles. Other people are just enjoying their lives. Why is mine so hard? The battles we face are real, and rob us of joy as well as sleep.

This is why I love King David's encouraging words in Psalm 42. During the day he allowed the Lord's love to direct him. Knowing he was loved gave him the strength to make the hard choices that were the best choices. At night he put away all the words and hard thinking and devoted himself to praising God.

I want to do the same. When the lights are turned out, I want to choose a song of praise, arming myself with truth and worship for the only One who can carry and fix my troubles. When my mind tries to take a turn and go around that problem one more time, I want to make the choice to stop and sing (even if only in my head).

I gave this a try the other night while stewing over my worries. It reminded me of a sign my mom has in her home: "Give me all your troubles before you go to bed. I'm going to be up anyway."—God

Pick a song you can sing at night when trouble comes knocking and worry wants to run rampant in your heart and mind. Make your prayer a song to God and choose a song of praise to sing to Him all day long—from sunrise to late in the evening. Watch your heart go from fear to faith as you trust in the Lord.

Dear Lord, I feel stronger in the day than in the night. Bring to mind a song of praise I can sing that will lift my thoughts and strengthen my faith in you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Happy Friday,

Richard

Turn the Light On

Ann Spangler

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." Isaiah 60:1-3 (NIV)

If you are a news junkie like me, you're aware of all the bad news in the world. Or maybe hard things have come your way. Either way, most of us can resonate with how the prophet Isaiah colors the earth in Isaiah 60:1-3.

Rather than using stunning blues and greens to describe our world, Isaiah speaks of Earth's spiritual atmosphere in other terms. He says, "See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples . . ." (vs. 2a)

Not long ago, I received a touching email. "The death of children overseas and the senseless murder of people at their place of work, have been pockmarking and spray painting over what I knew to be true of God." The young woman who wrote me went on to explain that these things and more had been "defacing the image of Christ I have in my heart."

I was struck by the imagery she used. It made me wonder what had been marring my own view of God. In the midst of difficulties both near and far, how can I hold onto an image of God that highlights His power and goodness? So many questions come in the midst of darkness. "Why doesn't God do something?" "Why is there so much evil in the world?" And more personally, "Why doesn't God help me?"

Isaiah didn't offer answers to these questions. Instead, he listened for God's voice and then spoke the word God gave him. He painted a picture of an earth covered in thick darkness, yet he also spoke of a light so strong it would pierce the darkness. "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you." (vs. 1).

He spoke not so much of a happy present, but of a blessed future. Though he didn't know Jesus' name, the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of Jesus approximately 700 years before His birth. Jesus is our answer when we wonder where God is. He's the light that dispels the darkness and shows us God's great love.

Like Isaiah and the people he spoke to, we sometimes feel mired in gloom. There is so much darkness in the world. Fortunately, we are not left alone to stumble in the darkness. We have been given Jesus, the light by which we filter life's hardships.

Today, let's take a few moments to move our focus from the world's problems to God. As we do, let's ask Jesus, to give us a deeper vision of who He is, praying that His character will shine like a light through us. Let's also ask for His help in seeing tragedies and bad news through His eyes, trusting that He will work all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

As you pray, remember that darkness is nothing but the absence of light. It's a negative—a nothing. As soon as you flip the switch, the darkness vanishes. Today, ask God to turn the light on in you, so that others will see His power and come to know His goodness.

Lord, I need a deeper vision of who You are. As I seek You, please draw me close and fill me with Your presence. Then turn the light on in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Happy Thursday,

Richard

Hope for When You Feel Hard Pressed

Sharon Glasgow

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV)

We watched as our only working vehicle was hoisted onto the back of a tow truck. How would we manage without it?

In an attempt to be wise with our money, we had chosen the cheapest place around to fix the car. But week after week passed and the car wasn't finished.

Finally the repair shop called. Hope and relief faded instantly when the mechanic said, "No, your car isn't ready." He told me we needed to come and pay more because there was a leak. I was perplexed, as there hadn't been a leak prior to us taking it there.

As we pulled into the parking lot, I was shocked to see the car! The leak was the least of the new problems. Three of the four windows were gone or broken! Our car had been vandalized, and the shop didn't have insurance to cover it. How? What? Why? No!

Our trouble doubled when we learned our insurance deductible was higher than the cost of the new windows. Needing a working vehicle desperately, we ordered and paid for the windows out of pocket. Obviously, with the delays and windows, that repair shop was no longer cheap!

To top it off, the guys from the glass shop called. They'd never had this happen, but each window they ordered for us arrived broken!

These costly frustrations and time delays aggravated me to say the least. Everything in me felt like falling apart. Instead, I pressed pause before that could happen and tried to find perspective.

The only way I know to find any perspective when facing hardships is to view them in light of God's Word. When trials come, and they will, it helps me to confront them with truth from Scripture. Without this perspective, it's hard to triumph over feelings of despair, anger and worry.

God's Word reminds us that nothing surprises God, and nothing can overcome Him. A good place to turn for truth is our key verse today, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9:

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

The "treasure in jars of clay" referred to is the Word of God stored within us. The truth we find and believe in the pages of our Bibles gives us the perspective, hope and encouragement we need when we feel pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down.

I definitely could have felt pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down with all that happened. Not having a vehicle to get my family around was hard. Health issues and mounting medical bills compounded the situation. But using God's Word as my perspective reminded me that God is my provider (Matthew 6:26), and I shouldn't worry (Philippians 4:6-7). Trusting in His truths gave me freedom from despair.

We eventually got our car back — working and with all the windows — along with a pretty big bill. But we didn't have the stress and frustration, thanks to trusting in God and His Word.

Life will always have seasons where we are hard pressed on every side. Yet in the crushing moments, God's all-surpassing power will prevail. What a comfort to know that truth in the middle of trying times. In the midst of despair, let's combat trials with Scripture. When we do, we are triumphant!

Lord, open my eyes that I may see the wondrous things in Your Word while I'm in the middle of my trials. Help me to see Your glory and power. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain

     Savior, Savior,
     Hear my humble cry;
     While on others Thou art calling,
     Do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.

Refrain

     Savior, Savior,
     Hear my humble cry;
     While on others Thou art calling,
     Do not pass me by.

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Refrain

     Savior, Savior,
     Hear my humble cry;
     While on others Thou art calling,
     Do not pass me by.

Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?

Refrain

     Savior, Savior,
     Hear my humble cry;
     While on others Thou art calling,
     Do not pass me by.