Take What God Has Given You

JOSHUA 1:3 NKJ "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 

God told Israel the promised land was theirs. Yet it was possessed by others -- some were even giants (which made it look impossible for them to possess.) 

God had given them the land, but they had to go in and take it. God would enable them to take possession, if they would only cooperate by believing Him. Yet they focused on the seemingly impossible circumstances and took their eyes off God's promise. 

HEBREWS 3:19 NKJ  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 

Only one thing kept the people of Israel from taking possession of all their promised land -- unbelief! Maybe they felt incapable, but that was the devil's lie. Their capability was God! God had spoken! But they chose not to believe what God said to them. 

Today it is no different with us! 

The New Testament reveals many things which already belong to us because we are joined with Jesus Christ. These are not just promises, but statements of what is already ours because of God's wonderful grace. 

God has given us richly all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17, 2 Peter 1:3). Many of us are not enjoying much, but it is NOT God's fault. We are the ones who need to change. We need to change what we believe! 

Many expect Bible promises to just fall on them. But you have a part to play. Nothing automatically manifests in your life until you believe and act on God's Word. You must actively receive what the Bible says is yours. 

Very often in the New Testament the word "receive" translates the word "lambano," which means to actively receive. This word is often translated as "take." 

You must take possession of what God has given you. Without actively taking what belongs to you, you will not enjoy all God has provided for you. 

You must possess by your faith what God has given you by His grace. Remember that faith is the noun form and believe is the verb form of the same word in the New Testament.
So if your beliefs don't line up with God's Word, then you need to change them, for God's Word is truth. 

What you believe makes a big difference in the way you respond to something being taken from you. If you believe something belongs to you, you will not readily allow anyone to take it from you. 

So when you truly know what belongs to you because of the great price Jesus paid, you will quit allowing the devil to steal it from you. 

God's desire is that you take, and continue to possess, what Jesus paid for you to have and enjoy. 

SAY THIS: Because it pleases God, I will take what God says is mine, which is all that Jesus paid for me to have. 

In The News:

Boko Haram Beheads Six-Year-Old Boy for Christian Faith

Carrie Dedrick | Editor, ChristianHeadlines.com | Friday, August 29, 2014

---

Boko Haram militants have reportedly beheaded a six-year-old boy because he was a Christian. The attack occurred June 1 in Attagara, Gwoza district, an area that is now controlled by the Muslim extremist militants. 

 

During the attack, Attagara was swarmed by more than 100 Boko Haram members on a rampage to kill residents. Men women and children were attacked with machetes and militants opened fire at the village. 

 

The six-year-old child was wounded from machete slashes, but survived the initial attack. When a villager found him, Boko Haram militants swiped the boy from the villager’s arms and beheaded the child. The villager, Sawaltha Wandala, was then beaten and left to die. 

 

Two days later, Boko Haram returned to Attagara for another attack targeting Christians and Shiite Muslims. Christian resident John Yakuba was captured in the attack. 

 

Militants reportedly said, “We know you’re John. You must convert to Islam or else you will die a painful death.” 

 

Yakuba responded, “You can kill my body, but not my soul.” 

 

He was brutally attacked while tied to a tree, but miraculously survived. Yakuba now says he forgives the evil acts of the terrorists. 

 

According to Voice of the Martyrs, the two attacks on Attagara village killed approximately 200 people. 

 

 

Publication date: August 29, 2014

You Can Do All Things Through Christ

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 NKJ  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

God often makes statements in the Bible that go against what we feel like, or what it looks like to us at the time.
God is trying to move us to a higher plane of faith where we depend on Him and not on what we feel like. 

Others try to evade the issue by saying that a verse only applies to someone else -- like the Apostle Paul -- not to them. 

Well, if you don't believe, you won't receive help. But help is available. And that help and strength is just as available to you as it was to the Apostle Paul, because the Lord does not play favorites. 

Paul didn't say, "I can do all things because I am an apostle." No, it is "through Christ" that he was enabled to do what he needed to do. And you, as a believer, are in Christ just as much as the Apostle Paul was. 

You choose. Either step out in faith in God and say you can do it with His help, and watch God raise you up to that level. Or, cower back in fear, and say you cannot do it. 

SAY THIS: I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Don't Miss the Ride of Your Life

                                                                            by Leah Dipascal 
 "Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (HCSB)

I watched my family as they waited in line for the heart-pounding experience of riding the Griffon. We read about this roller coaster in the theme park brochure, but now it was time to put words into action.

My sons kept looking back from the line, motioning for me to join them for the cliff hanger thrill ride. With a convincing smile, I shook my head no and pointed to my camera. My reason for not riding was to take pictures of them during each upside down loop and heart-pounding free fall.

After their turn, my husband walked up with an exhilarating smile and said, "You missed out on an awesome ride!" As our sons shared the hair-raising moments and laughed about each other's reactions, I felt a twinge of sadness and disappointment.

Truthfully, saying no to my family's request that day had more to do with fear and less to do with capturing family photos. I was afraid of the unknown, and when given the opportunity, I opted to stay safely away from the risk and inside the padded walls of my comfort zone.

For years I was aware of this pattern in my life. When faced with adventurous opportunities, fear and uncertainty often held me securely within the boundaries of my comfortable space. Then I'd be disappointed that I missed out.

I longed to be brave but instead allowed the enemy to convince me I was a coward. I dreamed about being adventurous, but compared myself to others, which left me feeling less than and discouraged.

Then one day I came across Joshua 1:9 and the words resonated deep within me: "Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

I'd read this verse many times before, but that time I realized being brave wasn't just a personal want-to in my life. God was commanding me to live strong and courageous.

God originally spoke these words to Joshua (Moses' successor as leader of the Israelites) while presenting him with a new opportunity. Joshua's assignment was to lead more than two million people into a strange new land, claiming it as their promised territory.

Now that's what I call a hair-raising experience! And way more difficult than riding a roller coaster at a theme park.

God could have chosen someone else for this great task, but He specifically selected Joshua.

First, there was a command: "be strong and courageous ... do not be afraid or discouraged." And it was wrapped inside a promise: "for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

What if Joshua had allowed the unknown to keep him from saying yes to God? What if he gave insecurity and doubt permission to keep him firmly within his comfort zone?

Joshua would have missed out on the blessings. He would have missed his calling in life. He would have missed the adventure with God.

Is God presenting you with a new opportunity? Is He asking you to go back to school, start a new career or accept a new ministry position?

Without God it can be scary. But with God it can be a great adventure! Just as God was with Joshua, He promises to be with us. We may not conquer nations, but with God by our sides anything is possible.

I'm learning to be brave. To trust God more when He gives me new opportunities. I don't want to miss out on anything God has for me because of fear, doubt or insecurity.

Will you choose to be courageous and step out of your comfort zone? Will you say yes to God and no to fear when He opens the next door of opportunity?

What are you waiting for? The greatest ride of your life is just up ahead. So go get your seat next to God, strap into the safety of His presence and experience the adventure with Him!

Dear Lord, You are my greatest adventure. Help me to trust and follow Your lead. When I start to feel afraid or discouraged, strengthen me so I can fulfill the assignments You've chosen for me. Thank You for always being with me wherever I go. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

How to Pray for Your Enemy

                                                     by Larry Ollison Ministries

A few years ago, an elderly lady contacted me and told me a story about how a man had cheated her out of a large sum of money. After completing the story in great detail, she asked me what I thought she should do.

I explained to this Christian lady that according to the Word, she was commanded to pray for her enemies. (Matt. 5:43-48.) She immediately bowed her head and began to pray and her prayer went something like this. "Lord, You know that this man hurt me and he stole from me. So in the name of Jesus, I curse his finances and all that he possesses. May his well run dry and I send forth destruction," and she would have gone on and on if I hadn't interrupted her.

I immediately looked up, grabbed the woman by the hand and sternly said, "Stop!" She replied, "Why? I was only doing what the Bible said. I was praying for my enemy." It took a few minutes in the Word to explain to this dear saint that she wasn't praying for her enemy, she was attempting to place curses upon him and that's not what Jesus said to do.

In Luke 6:28 Jesus said, "Bless those who curse you and pray for those who spitefully use you." He did not say to curse and He did not to say to pray against. He said to bless and pray for. Then He goes on to say in verses 32 and 33 that if you only love those who love you, that you are no different than sinners in the world, because even sinners love those who love them.

In verse 36 He says, "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful." In verse 37, He goes on to say, "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

There will be a time of judging and there will be a time of punishment. There will be a payday someday. But we are neither the judge nor the executioner. While it is true we should never allow ourselves to be abused, that does not give us the right to execute judgment and attempt to curse and condemn our enemies. That is exactly the opposite of what our Lord and Savior told us to do.

When someone comes against you, remember this. We are to be imitators of our Lord and John 3:17 says that God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world. As believers, we are to be the ones who bless and not the ones who curse. But God is a God of justice and He is our Defender.

Why God Makes Me Do the Hard Stuff

Chrystal Evans Hurst

"... for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8 (NASB)

Recently, I went to the gym to get in some cardio. Cardio makes me sweat, and sweat means my fat is crying.

Hallelujah!

Then I decided to go for some strength training. I don't like strength training.

I found myself wandering around, trying to remember which machine did what and how much weight was the right amount. I looked like a lost puppy.

I just don't like weights. They are unfamiliar. They are hard.

My visit to the gym was the first time in a long while that I've attempted resistance training on my own.

At various times last year, I'd been at the gym, hitting the weights ... but not by myself.

Last year, my husband and I made a commitment to invest in our health and worked with a personal trainer.

It. Was. So. Hard. And it involved a lot of weights.

We were with someone who knew what they were doing, giving us direction.

Someone successful in getting both of us to try new machines, routines and levels of resistance.

Someone who worked us hard ... very hard.

I didn't like it.

Well, I didn't like it until I started seeing a change in my body.

There is something about being pushed to lift a weight you think is too heavy that brings a new level of physical and mental strength - challenging you to attempt more reps than you would on your own.

There is something about a person knowing what you are capable of doing, even when you don't know that for yourself.

There is something about a trainer.

In my spiritual life, I like to do what "works." I go to church. I pray. I read my Bible.

But sometimes I'm challenged in the gym of life to hit the heavy stuff. But not by myself.

When I made the commitment to have Jesus be the Lord of my life, I also committed to allow Him to be my personal Trainer.

And I'm not gonna lie. Sometimes it's been hard. And involved a lot of heavy lifting.

But I've learned that God is truly Someone who knows what He is doing.

Someone who gets me to try new experiences, routines or levels of resistance.

Someone who allows the hard ... the very hard.

And many times I don't like it.

That is, until I start seeing a change in my soul.

There is something about being pushed to lift a weight that we think is too heavy that brings us to a new level of spiritual maturity — challenging us to go for a few more days, weeks, months or years in a situation we wouldn't even attempt on our own.

There is something about a Person knowing what you are capable of even when you don't know that for yourself.

There is something about the Trainer.

Indeed, God the Master Trainer, has the health of our spirit and soul in mind.

And because He knows where I need to be tested, challenged and stretched, He will not allow me to stay in my comfort zone.

Although I could keep doing what "works" in my spiritual life, it's the uncomfortable situations God allows that strengthen and make me more "fit" in the faith.

So hang in there. God is the Master Trainer. He knows what He's doing.

Father God, I really don't like when life is hard. I don't like carrying heavy loads or pressing through difficult situations. Please help me see each and every uncomfortable circumstance You allow in my life as an opportunity for me to grow. Help me to trust that You are indeed the Master Trainer. Help me to believe and rest knowing that, even when life is tough, You know exactly what You are doing and have my spiritual strength and well-being at heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Believe The Entire Bible

Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

It's not in vogue to believe in angels nor demons in this day we live. We are told that belief is superstition, and, old fashion. That to believe in angels and such is a sign of ignorance and simple mindlessness. We are told angels and demons do not exist. Who are we to believe? Modern man and all his sophistication, or, our Bible ? Its our choice. I believe every word in our Bible. Our Bible speaks of angels and demons, so, I believe. I have experienced the condemnation of people and evil influences upon my life. I have also experienced the help and peace of the LORD in times of turmoil. Its at the time when I couldn't help myself that someone or an Angel from GOD came and helped when no one else there. What better way, for the devil to hide his evil work than, to encourage folks to NOT believe in him! 

What do you believe?

God Bless;
Walter D. Hill D. Min.

Faithful in Your Words

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

BIBLE MEDITATION:
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." James 5:12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
In June we take time to focus on fathers, and I've discovered in talking with teenagers that many of them harbor bitterness and resentment. Much of that resentment is directed toward their fathers over the serious matter of broken promises.

If you're a dad who wants to restore your relationship with your teenager, one of the best things you can do is to remember those broken promises. Then go and say to them with a remorseful spirit, "I've asked God to forgive me, and I want you to forgive me." Then ask this question, "Have I ever made a promise to you that I've failed to keep? If so, I want you to tell me because I want to repent. I want you to believe that your dad is a faithful man."

ACTION POINT:
Are you a man of your word? If not, start fresh today and make a commitment that you will stand behind your word.

Believe The Entire Bible

Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

It's not in vogue to believe in angels nor demons in this day we live. We are told that belief is superstition, and, old fashion. That to believe in angels and such is a sign of ignorance and simple mindlessness. We are told angels and demons do not exist. Who are we to believe? Modern man and all his sophistication, or, our Bible ? Its our choice. I believe every word in our Bible. Our Bible speaks of angels and demons, so, I believe. I have experienced the condemnation of people and evil influences upon my life. I have also experienced the help and peace of the LORD in times of turmoil. Its at the time when I couldn't help myself that someone or an Angel from GOD came and helped when no one else there. What better way, for the devil to hide his evil work than, to encourage folks to NOT believe in him! What do you believe?


God Bless;
Walter D. Hill D. Min.

Parents' Number One Assignment

by Max Lucado

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”

Straight teeth, straight As, or straight posture cannot hold a candle compared to placing a child on the straight spiritual path. The highest privilege and purpose you have as a parent is to lead your child in the way of Christ. The towering questions for Christian parents are these:

Do my kids know Christ?

Have they tasted His grace and found comfort at His cross?

Do they know their death is defeated and their hearts are empowered?

Parents, assignment number one is discipleship. Help your child walk in the way of the Master. What a phenomenal privilege is yours! Imagine the joy you will feel when you stand before Christ, flanked by your wife and children—when your child says, “Thanks, Dad.  Thanks for telling me about Christ.”

In The News:

Journalist Murdered by IS Was a Man of Faith

It seems as though we can’t go a day without hearing about more violence, another tragedy, more innocent lives lost. Most recently, friends, family and country are mourning the loss of freelance war correspondent James Foley, who was beheaded August 19th by the Muslim terrorist group Islamic State (IS) in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes. Foley was kidnapped in Syria in 2012. Before that, Foley had been captured in Libya in April 2011. He lived out his vocation tirelessly working to expose the world to the sufferings of the oppressed.
Friends and family describe Foley as a man of faith. At a press conference yesterday, his parent spoke of their faith as well as their pride in their son. “We thank God for the gift of Jim. We are so, so proud of him,” said his mother, Diane Foley.
His father, John Foley, said, “It's not difficult to find solace in this point in time…We know he is in God's hands, and we know he’s done God’s work.” He added, “We need the courage and prayers now to continue without him.”
According to the Women of Grace blog, during his detainment in Libya, Foley wrote a letter to his alma mater, Marquette University, in which he talked of his prayer life. Foley mentioned how his prayers gave him strength and helped his mind focus during his imprisonment. He went on to mention the prayers he and his fellow captives prayed, “together out loud. It felt energizing to speak our weaknesses and hopes together, as if in a conversation with God, rather than silently and alone.”
Foley’s death is just the latest in what has felt like a month of tragedy and violence. More conflict between Israel and Gaza, violent persecution in Iraq, Ebola outbreaks, and even in our own country, unnecessary deaths and riots. What can Christians do when faced with such overwhelming tragedy? Here are a few thoughts.
1. Give Thanks. After the devastating 2011 tsunami devastated Japan, Cliff Young wrote this about facing unimaginable hardship. “This tragedy has reminded me to be thankful each day for every blessing I have been given—Jesus, life, family, friends, health, peace, freedom, church, opportunities and the list goes on. Oftentimes the busyness of our life gets in the way of appreciating life itself.”
2. Be Intentional. Again, Cliff writes, “Over the past year, I have found two words stuck in my mind—deliberate and intentional. I believed God wanted me to be more deliberate and intentional about everything I did—not just ‘try to get by’ or complete things whenever I wanted to. I felt he was instructing me to have a specific meaning and purpose behind (almost) everything I did or what I wanted to accomplish, or else not do it. This past week’s events have caused me to reflect and evaluate how and what I am doing with that command and to recommit myself following through.”
3. Remember Who is in Control. The day after 9/11, Evangelist Luis Palau shared this about living in the midst of terrible tragedy. “Events never spiral out of God’s control, as if He somehow lacks the power or insight to direct the affairs of our little planet…Even when tragedies occur and innocent life is taken or maimed, God remains in ultimate control. Nothing happens that does not first pass through his loving hands.”
4. Turn toward Home. Perhaps the most comforting thing our minds can settle on right now is that this world, and all the chaos and evil in it, is temporary.  Palau writes, “When loved ones die in tragic accidents or at the hands of wicked men, it is good to remember that this world is not our final home.
We were created for eternity, and tragedy can never change that. This is only a transition period, a prelude, to what God really has in mind for us. But because we usually look only at the present, we often consider someone’s death premature or untimely. Our perspective is enormously limited. We tend to look only at what could have been (and in our minds, should have been) down here on earth. But God looks at all of eternity. If we are to cope with tragedy, we must learn to look at it through eternity’s lens.”
Kelly Givens is the editor of iBelieve.com.

Stormy Lives

He hath acquainted himself with my beaten path. When he hath searched me out, I shall come out shining (Job 23:10, free translation).

"Faith grows amid storms" -- just four words, but oh, how full of import to the soul who has been in the storms!

Faith is that God-given faculty which, when exercised, brings the unseen into plain view, and by which the impossible things are made possible. It deals with supernaturals. But it "grows amid storms"; that is, where there are disturbances in the spiritual atmosphere. Storms are caused by the conflicts of elements; and the storms of the spiritual world are conflicts with hostile elements. In such an atmosphere faith finds its most productive soil; in such an element it comes more quickly to full fruition.

The staunchest tree is not found in the shelter of the forest, but out in the open where the winds from every quarter beat upon it, and bend and twist it until it becomes a giant in stature this is the tree which the mechanic wants his tools made of, and the wagon-maker seeks.

So in the spiritual world, when you see a giant, remember the road you must travel to come up to his side is not along the sunny lane where wild flowers ever bloom; but a steep, rocky, narrow pathway where the blasts of hell will almost blow you off your feet; where the sharp rocks cut the flesh, where the projecting thorns scratch the brow, and the venomous beasts hiss on every side.

It is a pathway of sorrow and joy, of suffering and healing balm, of tears and smiles, of trials and victories, of conflicts and triumphs, of hardships and perils and buffetings, of persecutions and misunderstandings, of troubles and distress; through all of which we are made more than conquerors through Him who loves us.

"Amid storms." Right in the midst where it is fiercest. You may shrink back from the ordeal of a fierce storm of trial…but go in! God is there to meet you in the center of all your trials, and to whisper His secrets which will make you come forth with a shining face and an indomitable faith that all the demons of hell shall never afterwards cause to waver.
--E. A. Kilbourne

In The News:

Willie and Korie Robertson Respond to Duck Dynasty Ratings Drop, Will Let God Guide Future

Carrie Dedrick | Editor, ChristianHeadlines.com |

---

A&E’s hit reality show “Duck Dynasty” has seen a significant drop in ratings; the show that follows the lives of the duck-hunting Robertson family ended its sixth season last week with 50 percent less viewers than the previous season finale. 

 

Dynasty stars Willie and Korie Robertson responded to the decline in ratings with ease. 

 

"To some extent it's a natural cycle of any show. You have ups and you have downs... [This season] was aired in the summer which is when not as many people are watching TV,” Willie Robertson said in an interview. 

 

Korie Robertson said that the family uses the show as a platform to spread Christianity. "Doing the show and having this platform is absolutely worth it...if controversy comes with that, and it does, hopefully we handle it as a family the best way we can with love and the way God would want us to,” she said. 

 

Despite the recent slump in ratings, Willie Robertson maintains that the fans are still supportive of the show. "If you travelled around with us and saw the vigorousness of the fans' support you'll see that it certainly hasn't lost momentum," he said. 

 

The Robertsons say that they do not know what opportunities will come in the future, but they trust God for direction. 

 

"We'll let the Lord guide us where He takes us,” Willie Robertson said.

What it really means to surrender your life

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”  Isaiah 6:8 Over 200 years ago, a humble shoe cobbler by the name of William Carey stood before an austere group of ministers at a Baptist association in London, England. And he said to those men, “God has put it on my heart to reach the masses with the Gospel message and to take seriously the command of Christ to take the Gospel to the world.” Well, one rather pompous minister stood to his feet and said to Carey, “Young man, sit down. When God chooses to save the pagan, He’ll do it at His own time and in His own way.” But that would not suffice for William Carey. Bold in his faith, he went to India, led countless people to Jesus Christ, and sparked the modern missions movement! All it took was one little shoe cobbler in England to change the world for Christ. And he did it despite the fact that many people, even Christians, were against Him going. What a bold testimony of faith! What would your life look like if you served God with that kind of fervor? Where would you go? What would you do? Take a bold step of faith today and tell God, “Wherever… whatever… whenever… I’m yours!” SURRENDER YOURSELF TO GOD TODAY BY FOLLOWING HIS CALLING ON YOUR LIFE… WHATEVER IT MAY BE!

Parable of the Sparrows

Col 3:1-2 KJV  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Once upon a time a loaf of bread fell from a bakery truck and as it hit the ground a crumb broke loose. Three sparrows all eyed the crumb and swooped down to grab it, but began fighting over it.

Eventually one of the sparrows succeeded in scooping up the crumb in its beak and flew away with it--hotly pursued by the other two sparrows. A frenzied aerial fracas took place until the crumb was completely consumed.

The only thing these sparrows saw was the crumb. None noticed the loaf still on the ground.

How often we consume our energies squabbling over trivialities while the true riches of life go unnoticed and escape us. And how often we concentrate our energies on non-essential issues while the needs of the hurting are neglected and the lost go to hell!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the wisdom to see and the good sense to major on the majors and not get carried away majoring on the minors. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name. Amen."

Happy Wednesday Everyone... Have a Blessed Day...
Richard

You Are Never Alone

by Renee Swope

"Now he had to go through Samaria ... and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 'Will you give me a drink?'" John 4:4, 6-7 (NIV)

Alone again. That's what she must have thought as she walked alone to the well that day. No friend laughed by her side. No small fist gripped her skirt. No sister to help pass the time.

Maybe it was better that way. Being alone was easier than hearing the condemning words and seeing the scornful looks of others. But she wasn't alone for long. She didn't know who He was and couldn't help but wonder why He was talking to her, a Samaritan woman.

When He spoke, she heard gentleness in His voice. Kindness and humility in His simple request for a drink. In His eyes she saw acceptance, not judgment. Love, not hate.

Many of us know her as the Samaritan woman, but I like to call her Sam. It makes her feel more like the real woman she was. A woman who struggled with hurt, rejection and loneliness.

Today's key verse says Jesus "had to go through Samaria" (John 4:4). Yet theologians would tell us Jews considered Samaritans to be the scum of the earth and would do everything to avoid them. In fact, usually they would travel around Samaria — but not Jesus.

He had to go through Samaria. Could it be because He knew Sam would be there?

Typically women traveled together to the well in the cool of the day, escaping the heat of the sun since they carried heavy jars filled with water back to their homes. But Sam walked by herself during the hottest part of the day.

Instead of avoiding the scorching sun, many believe she went to the well at noon to avoid the scorching pain of others' rejection and judgment. Sam had been married five times, and now she was living with a man who wasn't her husband.

The weight of the water-filled jar in the heat must have been almost unbearable, but the weight of her neighbors' words, reminding her of her failed marriages, was more than she could take.

When Jesus met her, Sam was running an errand and running from those who knew of her failures, shame and imperfections. Pursuing her with His perfect love, Jesus timed it so she would run into Him.

He initiated conversation and asked her for the one thing she had to offer: water. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Sam stopped and listened. She let Him speak words of assurance and acceptance into the broken, insecure, empty places of her heart.

In the same way Jesus intentionally pursued Sam in one of the loneliest parts of her day, He is there in the midst of your sometimes lonely, imperfect life. He is there when your disappointments and failures leave you empty and make you doubt your worth and purpose.

He is there when you're going through the motions, aware of what needs to be done but unaware of how you're going to do it all.

He is there during endless days filled with projects, diapers or laundry when you're wondering if you'll ever find meaning in the monotony.

He is there when you're criticizing yourself and questioning whether you have what it takes to be a godly woman.

He sees you. He notices all you do, and He knows what you long for. In fact, Jesus is the only One who can meet your deepest need to be known, accepted and pursued simply because of who you are.

Today He is pursuing you with His gift of perfect love — love that is patient and kind, love that keeps no record of your wrongs, love that won't give up on you or me.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, He is there. Will you take time to stop and talk to Him and then quiet your thoughts so you can listen to His voice?

Dear Lord, thank You for pursuing me. I want to know and rely on the love You have for me and live in the security of it! When I feel afraid, insignificant or alone, help me turn to You and remember You are there! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Jeremiah 31:3b, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." (NIV)

The Bible

Received Monday, March 11, 2013, 12:33 PM

by Michael Ford Th.D.

Since a new miniseries began a week ago on the Bible several people had discussions with me on the inaccuracies portrayed in the show. Some people say I should not be so touchy about this sort of thing. But when one is handling the biblical record they are concerning themselves with something that has a holiness about it. After all, the Scripture itself is Holy.

"Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness." Psalm 119:40.

Even small things matter in the Word of God and we have a responsibility to teach our children and those not knowledgeable in the Scripture the truth. (Deuteronomy 6:7;11:19) How can we do this successfully when all around us the truth is being undermined by false teaching? (Psalm 11:3) It is by the pure word, not the distorted word that we persuade men to come to Christ.

"So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word." Psalm 119:42.

Inaccuracies and misunderstandings about even small things you find in the belief systems of cults. Islam is full of untruths and distortions about the Word of God. This error alone is currently set to send one billion of the more than six billion people alive in the world to hell and make many more miserable on earth in the process.

"I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word." Psalm 119:158.

It matters very much how many stones David picked up as well as how he came to be at the army camp of King Saul in the first place. It matters very much how the angels conducted themselves when they were come into Sodom to bring Lot out. It matters very much the things that went on between Rahab and the spies of Israel, and it matters how Jericho fell. It would take some time to go into each of these events in detail, but those acquainted with the word of God will recall certain key points related to each.

"I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil." Psalm 119:162

Change of Heart

by Dr. Gary Chapman

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  —1 PETER 4:8

The first time I cheated on a test, it was easy," Marilyn recalls. "The cheating itself, that is. But after I walked out of the classroom, I felt terrible. All I could think was, I've disappointed my favorite teacher. Then the test grades came out, and it felt great to be at the head of the class. So I did it again. And again.

"Somewhere near the end of that semester, the guilt got to be too much. I went over to Mrs. Marlow's desk, and before I could say anything, I burst into tears. She put her arms around me. I kept saying, ‘You don't understand,' because of course she wouldn't be comforting me if she knew what I'd done. I told her everything. The worst part was the look of sadness on her face as she listened.

"When I finished talking, she looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Marilyn, I forgive you. I'm glad you were able to tell me.'

"I received a C in physics that semester, after working hard with Mrs. Marlow after school and retaking the exams. Even with all that studying, I don't remember much about physics. I do remember how much Mrs. Marlow's forgiveness meant to me. When I became a Christian years later, I looked back at that moment as an important step toward realizing the forgiveness of Christ. Mrs. Marlow never knew what a difference her love made in my life. But she helped me see just how powerful words of forgiveness can be."

Thought 

When has someone offering you their forgiveness made a difference in your life later on?

Closer Still

by Berni Dymet

Eph. 1:17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him...

I was chatting with a couple of friends recently. And one of them, Tony, shared this with us. He said - "You know, every time I think that I'm as close to God as I can be, He takes me deeper - to a new level."

"I'm going through a tough time at the moment - and I realised I was praying about my finances and all the things that were stressing me out. And yet in the middle of it all, what I felt was Him tugging at my heart, drawing me closer to Him."

"And the closer He drew me, the more wisdom I had to deal with the issues. The closer He drew me, the more peace I had and the more joy I had."

"And there -right there in the middle of this mess, I discovered that God wanted to take me to a new level - not higher up.  Bit deeper.  Deeper in Him."

"I didn't realise that that's what I needed. But it's exactly, exactly what I needed."

I don't know - maybe Tony's onto something…

According to your Faith

For twenty years, I've studied the methods Jesus used to heal people. He always obtained permission or an act of agreement, from some responsible party, before he helped them. He did this, even in cases where persons were incapacitated, or dead, like Lazarus and the widow's son. Why did Jesus do this? In the beginning God gave each mankind authority over his own world.

The process of raising Lazarus began when Jesus first heard that he was sick. Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death". With these spiritual words Jesus released his faith out into the physical Earth. What do you say when you hear bad news? When he returned to Bethany, four days later, he asked Mary to believe that her brother would be raised from the dead. At the tomb, he asked for someone else to roll the stone away. (Notice Jesus didn't roll it away himself.) He was requiring others to perform some act to display their faith. When Mary protested, he reminded her to hold fast to her faith. Then standing at the tomb, he prayed, not for the Father to raise Lazarus, but saying, "Father I know that you always hear me.", referring to his own words four days earlier. This set the stage for his audacious act of faith. Jesus commanded a dead man to come out of his own tomb. 

Jesus met the funeral processing of the widow's son, he touched the bier. The procession stopped. Notice their agreement. Then he said to the boy's mother, "Weep not". Jesus was seeking an act of faith from the mother, the one in authority. This set the stage for his audacious act of faith. Jesus commanded a dead man to come out of his own bier.

In the entire Bible, no old people were ever raised from the dead. Recently I stood before the casket of a teenage neighbor. In the fleeting seconds afforded by the viewing line. My mind was racing, how could I get permission from a person in authority? The mother was Buddhist, the child claimed to be Catholic. I was holding up the line. Quietly, under my breath, I was commanding her to rise up and go home. A friend said quietly, "Move on Larry, don't do anything stupid." I lost the opportunity. I was afraid of embarrassment and ridicule.

If you desire to do the works of Jesus, you must follow his same steps, without doubting or fearing. Faith always demands an audacious act. If you don't have the guts to stand in faith, in the face of embarrassment or ridicule, then don't even bother trying to do the works that Jesus did.

 

by Larry Blakely

 



Have a Blessed Day,
Richard