By Greg Laurie
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8
One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side.” So they boarded their boat and were cruising across the Sea of Galilee, a large freshwater lake known for its unexpected storms. And sure enough, a storm came. This one was a doozy, because even the seasoned sailors were despairing of life.
Meanwhile, what was Jesus doing? He was asleep in the boat. The disciples woke Him up and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
(Mark 4:38 nkjv). In other words, “Hey, Lord, are You paying attention? Don’t you care that we are going through this? Wake up and do something.”
So Jesus rebuked both the storm and the disciples. He turned to the storm and said, “Peace, be still!” (verse 39 nkjv), and it stopped. But then He turned to His own disciples and said, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (nkjv). Jesus was saying, in effect, “Boys, you haven’t learned anything. I said, ‘Let’s cross over to the other side.’ I didn’t say, ‘Let’s go to the middle of the Sea of Galilee and drown.’ ” Jesus didn’t promise smooth sailing, but He did promise a safe passage.
It’s better to be in a storm with Jesus than anywhere else without Him. I would rather be in a fiery furnace with Jesus than in a palace without Him--or in a lion’s den with Jesus, or in a prison, or even shipwrecked. As long as I know the Lord is there, then I can get through it.
Remember, God is with you, regardless of what storm, regardless of what shipwreck you are going through right now. You are not alone. He cares. And He will never leave you or forsake you.
Heavenly Father, whatever storm life may bring our way, remind us to cling to you. For you are the one who calmed the seas with a single word. Amen.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
A Prayer for When You Don't Feel God’s Presence
by Dr. James MacDonald
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."
(Psalms 34:8 , ESV)
Sometimes we find ourselves in seasons of life when God’s goodness is hidden, when it’s either invisible to us or we’re blind to it. Let’s be honest enough to admit that those are real struggles. We’ve been in those times, and perhaps you’re in one of them right now. If you’re in such a season and can’t bring yourself to shout “hallelujah,” you don’t need to feel bad about it. I would never want to lay a guilt trip on someone for not feeling like shouting hallelujah at that moment.
But if we’re to walk in faith--if we’re to be people who truly live by faith--we must believe God is good even at times when we can’t see anything tangible pointing to it or giving evidence of it. Faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it, no matter how we feel, because God promises a good result.
Here’s what you may be tempted to do during times when you don’t feel His goodness: you may wonder whether you should take care of things yourself. You might be inclined to conclude what you suspected all along--If I want good things to happen, I’d better go out there and get them, because God sure isn’t guaranteed to do it . . . because He’s not good “all the time.”
And that’s just not true. He has promised us good, based upon His own goodness. God is good, He’s always been good, and He’ll always be good. Check out how consistently this is established in Scripture: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”
(Romans 8:28). In every situation, even in our darkest situations, we “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good”
(Psalm 136:1). In fact, “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18 ).
Father God, I know You are good. Even when my heart wavers and I don’t feel it, I know You are good. Thank You for being bigger than my feelings. Thank You even for entrusting me with these times when believing is hard, when faith requires looking without seeing. You have never failed, though I often fail. You have never proved untrustworthy, though I have proved so fickle and forgetful. So today, I put no trust in my emotions but only in what You have shown me through Your Word to be true--that You are good, all the time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Editor’s Note: Content adapted from Our Journey Onlinewith Dr. James MacDonald. Used with permission.
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."
(Psalms 34:8 , ESV)
Sometimes we find ourselves in seasons of life when God’s goodness is hidden, when it’s either invisible to us or we’re blind to it. Let’s be honest enough to admit that those are real struggles. We’ve been in those times, and perhaps you’re in one of them right now. If you’re in such a season and can’t bring yourself to shout “hallelujah,” you don’t need to feel bad about it. I would never want to lay a guilt trip on someone for not feeling like shouting hallelujah at that moment.
But if we’re to walk in faith--if we’re to be people who truly live by faith--we must believe God is good even at times when we can’t see anything tangible pointing to it or giving evidence of it. Faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it, no matter how we feel, because God promises a good result.
Here’s what you may be tempted to do during times when you don’t feel His goodness: you may wonder whether you should take care of things yourself. You might be inclined to conclude what you suspected all along--If I want good things to happen, I’d better go out there and get them, because God sure isn’t guaranteed to do it . . . because He’s not good “all the time.”
And that’s just not true. He has promised us good, based upon His own goodness. God is good, He’s always been good, and He’ll always be good. Check out how consistently this is established in Scripture: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”
(Romans 8:28). In every situation, even in our darkest situations, we “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good”
(Psalm 136:1). In fact, “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18 ).
Father God, I know You are good. Even when my heart wavers and I don’t feel it, I know You are good. Thank You for being bigger than my feelings. Thank You even for entrusting me with these times when believing is hard, when faith requires looking without seeing. You have never failed, though I often fail. You have never proved untrustworthy, though I have proved so fickle and forgetful. So today, I put no trust in my emotions but only in what You have shown me through Your Word to be true--that You are good, all the time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Editor’s Note: Content adapted from Our Journey Onlinewith Dr. James MacDonald. Used with permission.
Monday, January 29, 2018
Ship Ahoy
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
As people who have received mercy from God, we need to grant mercy to others who are fallible and in need of forgiveness. To be hospitable is to be evangelistic; to be forgiven is to be charitable; and to share Scripture is to speak of Christ. Sometimes it all comes together in a wonderful way.
Recommended Reading: John 3:10-17
One evening Dawson and Lila Trotman opened their home to some sailors, and after dinner Dawson asked everyone at the table to share a favorite Scripture verse. One Navy man was getting ready to share John 3:16 when the Trotman’s three-year-old daughter, Ruth, quoted it before it was his turn. The sailor was chagrined. But going back to the ship that night, he couldn’t get away from Ruth’s childlike recital of John 3:16, and he realized for the first time that he was part of the “whosoever.” Kneeling beside his bunk, he received Christ as Savior and soon thereafter wrote a letter telling Dawson and Lila what that evening had meant to his life.1
Our culture isn’t known for hospitality, forgiveness, mercy, and evangelism—but those have never gone out of style on God’s calendar.
I want to be a man who both knows the Bible from cover to cover and also lives it!
Dawson Trotman
1 Robert D. Foster, The Navigator: Dawson Trotman (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2012), 117-118, 220.
As people who have received mercy from God, we need to grant mercy to others who are fallible and in need of forgiveness. To be hospitable is to be evangelistic; to be forgiven is to be charitable; and to share Scripture is to speak of Christ. Sometimes it all comes together in a wonderful way.
Recommended Reading: John 3:10-17
One evening Dawson and Lila Trotman opened their home to some sailors, and after dinner Dawson asked everyone at the table to share a favorite Scripture verse. One Navy man was getting ready to share John 3:16 when the Trotman’s three-year-old daughter, Ruth, quoted it before it was his turn. The sailor was chagrined. But going back to the ship that night, he couldn’t get away from Ruth’s childlike recital of John 3:16, and he realized for the first time that he was part of the “whosoever.” Kneeling beside his bunk, he received Christ as Savior and soon thereafter wrote a letter telling Dawson and Lila what that evening had meant to his life.1
Our culture isn’t known for hospitality, forgiveness, mercy, and evangelism—but those have never gone out of style on God’s calendar.
I want to be a man who both knows the Bible from cover to cover and also lives it!
Dawson Trotman
1 Robert D. Foster, The Navigator: Dawson Trotman (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2012), 117-118, 220.
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Scripture to Comfort
by Meghan Kleppinger, Crosswalk.com Contributor
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 , NAS
If you have ever suffered a broken relationship and/or heart, the loss of a loved one, or any number of other devastations, than you know about "that" pain.
It's that pain that originates in the bottom of your stomach and initially feels like a big numb ball. Later it develops into a raw gnawing that can only be equated to burning stabs of fire. It makes it way up through the intestines and finally settles in the throat, choking out all attempted spoken words and creating such an excruciating sensation that tears are sure to follow.
Like any other person who has spent more than a few days on this planet, I know "that" pain well. It comes quickly and when it does, it's difficult to believe that it will ever go away. It brings about sorrow, grief, and as it eventually begins to fade away, it brings guilt.
This has been a tough year for my family. We've lost friends and recently, just a few short weeks ago, my grandfather. I know I'm not an anomaly and that people all over the world are suffering a similar pain, so as I began to pray about what I should write about for this week, I started thinking about what has really been helpful for me during these times.
Friends and family have been great, but most of all, scripture has been comforting me. My hope is that the scripture I share with you will be beneficial to you as you grieve or that you can use it to minister to others who are suffering.
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
(John 14:27 )
"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
(Romans 5:5 )
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed n spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
"The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever."
(1 John 2:17 )
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)
"And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
And finally...
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 )
Intersecting Faith & Life: Go to the Word of God for comfort. In the words of Matthew Henry, ""The Word of God gives us great help in attaining the peace we need. It is living, very lively and active in seizing the conscience of the sinner, in cutting him to the heart, and in comforting him and binding up the wounds of the soul. It is powerful. It convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully.""
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 , NAS
If you have ever suffered a broken relationship and/or heart, the loss of a loved one, or any number of other devastations, than you know about "that" pain.
It's that pain that originates in the bottom of your stomach and initially feels like a big numb ball. Later it develops into a raw gnawing that can only be equated to burning stabs of fire. It makes it way up through the intestines and finally settles in the throat, choking out all attempted spoken words and creating such an excruciating sensation that tears are sure to follow.
Like any other person who has spent more than a few days on this planet, I know "that" pain well. It comes quickly and when it does, it's difficult to believe that it will ever go away. It brings about sorrow, grief, and as it eventually begins to fade away, it brings guilt.
This has been a tough year for my family. We've lost friends and recently, just a few short weeks ago, my grandfather. I know I'm not an anomaly and that people all over the world are suffering a similar pain, so as I began to pray about what I should write about for this week, I started thinking about what has really been helpful for me during these times.
Friends and family have been great, but most of all, scripture has been comforting me. My hope is that the scripture I share with you will be beneficial to you as you grieve or that you can use it to minister to others who are suffering.
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
(John 14:27 )
"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
(Romans 5:5 )
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed n spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
"The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever."
(1 John 2:17 )
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)
"And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
And finally...
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 )
Intersecting Faith & Life: Go to the Word of God for comfort. In the words of Matthew Henry, ""The Word of God gives us great help in attaining the peace we need. It is living, very lively and active in seizing the conscience of the sinner, in cutting him to the heart, and in comforting him and binding up the wounds of the soul. It is powerful. It convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully.""
Saturday, January 27, 2018
How Old are You?
"And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun."
(Eccl 8:15)
I have another birthday coming up soon. With the card, cake, present and hugs will, of course, come the inevitable question, "How old are you?" I have gotten to the point now where I can honestly say, "I'm not sure." This body of mine is going to be 50 years old. This vehicle that carries around my soul will have been here half a century soon. Parts of it look younger and other parts of it feel older. My energy level has certainly gone to the dogs. Some of the time I feel like my two month old puppy who is chewing on my toes right now. Some of the time I feel like my twelve year old beagle who is napping by the fan. Mentally my age varies too. In some things I feel like a wise old sage. In other areas I feel like a first grader. Emotionally there are times when I feel like a five year old playing in the sunshine. There are other times when I feel like a nineteen year old looking forward to the rest of my life. There are still other times when I feel like a ninety nine year old wondering where all the years have gone. Spiritually it is just as confusing. I feel like the eternal soul that I truly am. Yet, that eternal soul is also forever young.
From now on then I am just going to live each day with all of the love, laughter, and joy that I possibly can and let the years take care of themselves. After all, it isn't the number of years you live that matters. It is how you live them. For all of us here the longest life is too brief. Why then should we waste a single moment not living our lives to the fullest? Why should we pass up a single opportunity to love, to share, to help, to care, to smile, to pray, to laugh, to sing, to dance, or to be kind?
How "old" are you? Are you the slowly aging body you see in the mirror or are you the forever young soul within it? Are you a collection of wrinkles and gray hairs that will one day turn to dust or are you a Child of God meant for an eternity of love?
Joseph J. Mazzella
(Eccl 8:15)
I have another birthday coming up soon. With the card, cake, present and hugs will, of course, come the inevitable question, "How old are you?" I have gotten to the point now where I can honestly say, "I'm not sure." This body of mine is going to be 50 years old. This vehicle that carries around my soul will have been here half a century soon. Parts of it look younger and other parts of it feel older. My energy level has certainly gone to the dogs. Some of the time I feel like my two month old puppy who is chewing on my toes right now. Some of the time I feel like my twelve year old beagle who is napping by the fan. Mentally my age varies too. In some things I feel like a wise old sage. In other areas I feel like a first grader. Emotionally there are times when I feel like a five year old playing in the sunshine. There are other times when I feel like a nineteen year old looking forward to the rest of my life. There are still other times when I feel like a ninety nine year old wondering where all the years have gone. Spiritually it is just as confusing. I feel like the eternal soul that I truly am. Yet, that eternal soul is also forever young.
From now on then I am just going to live each day with all of the love, laughter, and joy that I possibly can and let the years take care of themselves. After all, it isn't the number of years you live that matters. It is how you live them. For all of us here the longest life is too brief. Why then should we waste a single moment not living our lives to the fullest? Why should we pass up a single opportunity to love, to share, to help, to care, to smile, to pray, to laugh, to sing, to dance, or to be kind?
How "old" are you? Are you the slowly aging body you see in the mirror or are you the forever young soul within it? Are you a collection of wrinkles and gray hairs that will one day turn to dust or are you a Child of God meant for an eternity of love?
Joseph J. Mazzella
Friday, January 26, 2018
Sufficient Grace
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 KJV And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I thought the Christian life was going to be easier than this. Have these words ever entered your mind? Sometimes we come into the family of God thinking that our heavenly Father will fix all our problems and devote Himself to our happiness and comfort. However, that is not the reality portrayed in Scripture. Paul was a man whom the Lord used greatly, and yet his life was anything but easy.
In fact, at one point, the apostle thought his pain was too much to bear, and he begged God to remove it. There’s nothing wrong with asking the Lord to relieve our suffering, but what should our response be if He doesn’t? Paul probably had no idea that His experience would find its way into the Bible, to comfort and guide believers throughout the ages. The promise God gave him applies to us as well: “My grace is sufficient for you” (v. 9).
God’s grace could be defined as His provision for us at the point of our need. The problem is that sometimes it doesn’t seem as if the Lord truly is meeting our need. But He frequently sees deficiencies, outcomes, and complications that we don’t. His goals for us involve spiritual growth, the development of Christlike character, and strong faith. And trials play a vital role in achieving these.
The important issue is how we respond. If all you want is relief, you could descend into anger and doubt. But if your desire is to become the person God wants you to be, you’ll see each trial as an opportunity for Christ to display His character and strength in you.
From Dr. Charles Stanley
I thought the Christian life was going to be easier than this. Have these words ever entered your mind? Sometimes we come into the family of God thinking that our heavenly Father will fix all our problems and devote Himself to our happiness and comfort. However, that is not the reality portrayed in Scripture. Paul was a man whom the Lord used greatly, and yet his life was anything but easy.
In fact, at one point, the apostle thought his pain was too much to bear, and he begged God to remove it. There’s nothing wrong with asking the Lord to relieve our suffering, but what should our response be if He doesn’t? Paul probably had no idea that His experience would find its way into the Bible, to comfort and guide believers throughout the ages. The promise God gave him applies to us as well: “My grace is sufficient for you” (v. 9).
God’s grace could be defined as His provision for us at the point of our need. The problem is that sometimes it doesn’t seem as if the Lord truly is meeting our need. But He frequently sees deficiencies, outcomes, and complications that we don’t. His goals for us involve spiritual growth, the development of Christlike character, and strong faith. And trials play a vital role in achieving these.
The important issue is how we respond. If all you want is relief, you could descend into anger and doubt. But if your desire is to become the person God wants you to be, you’ll see each trial as an opportunity for Christ to display His character and strength in you.
From Dr. Charles Stanley
Thursday, January 25, 2018
What I Want
When I was a freshman just starting college I really wanted to be rich. I even had pictures of a big luxury car and a huge mansion that I had cut out of magazines and pasted in my notebook. I wanted to become a wealthy businessman or a best selling author. I wanted to be both famous and successful. Of course, I never did get any of those things and I thank God for that everyday.
You see, in time I realized that what I really wanted was the happiness that my swollen ego thought those things would bring me. It took me many years to realize that happiness comes from the love we give and not the things we get. It took me many years to shrink my ego, grow my humility, and accept what God wanted for me. As a result what I want now has become a lot different from what I wanted back then.
Now I want to do the things that fill my heart with love, my spirit with joy, and my soul with God. I want to start each morning with the prayer, "I love you God and I thank you for my life!"
I want to give my sons hugs and tell them how much I love them. I want to kiss my daughter's hair when she shares her problems with me. I want to play fetch with my puppy and laugh when he climbs on my lap and licks my face. I want to pet my old, gray cat and smile when she curls up on my chest to take a nap. I want to read and write inspiring words that help hurting hearts. I want to feel God's love when I look at the flowers of Spring, the sunsets of Summer, the leaves of Autumn and the snows of Winter. I want to share my smile, my strength, my laughter, and my love with the world and do everything I can to make Earth more like Heaven.
What do you want out of life? What do you want to give to life? Maybe they are the same.
Always remember that it is in giving that you receive. It is in loving that you are loved. It is in sharing your joy that you create happiness in the hearts of yourself, others, and God.
Joseph J. Mazzella
Today's Bible Verse:
"For although in heavy trial of affliction, their overbrimming happiness, even in spite of their deep poverty, abounded to the opulence of their unselfishness." 2 Corinthians 8:2 (MontgomeryNT)
You see, in time I realized that what I really wanted was the happiness that my swollen ego thought those things would bring me. It took me many years to realize that happiness comes from the love we give and not the things we get. It took me many years to shrink my ego, grow my humility, and accept what God wanted for me. As a result what I want now has become a lot different from what I wanted back then.
Now I want to do the things that fill my heart with love, my spirit with joy, and my soul with God. I want to start each morning with the prayer, "I love you God and I thank you for my life!"
I want to give my sons hugs and tell them how much I love them. I want to kiss my daughter's hair when she shares her problems with me. I want to play fetch with my puppy and laugh when he climbs on my lap and licks my face. I want to pet my old, gray cat and smile when she curls up on my chest to take a nap. I want to read and write inspiring words that help hurting hearts. I want to feel God's love when I look at the flowers of Spring, the sunsets of Summer, the leaves of Autumn and the snows of Winter. I want to share my smile, my strength, my laughter, and my love with the world and do everything I can to make Earth more like Heaven.
What do you want out of life? What do you want to give to life? Maybe they are the same.
Always remember that it is in giving that you receive. It is in loving that you are loved. It is in sharing your joy that you create happiness in the hearts of yourself, others, and God.
Joseph J. Mazzella
Today's Bible Verse:
"For although in heavy trial of affliction, their overbrimming happiness, even in spite of their deep poverty, abounded to the opulence of their unselfishness." 2 Corinthians 8:2 (MontgomeryNT)
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Jesus never gave any money!
( J.R. Miller , " Woman's Ministry ")
Many shrink from ministering to the poor, because they have no money to give. But money alone is the poorest alms ever bestowed! There are gifts which every true Christian, however poor, has to bestow--which are infinitely better than money.
The apostles gave no money. They had no silver nor gold to bestow.
Jesus never gave any money! We never read of Him giving a mite to any who were poor or in distress. And yet no man was ever such a lavish giver of beneficence as He. What Christ gave was loving service, pity, sympathy, compassion, tears and personal help.
These are the coins that the Christian should chiefly give. They are coins that bear the stamp of Heaven. The image and superscription of Jesus, our great King, are upon them. They were minted in Heaven! They are better than gold--for money is a poor thing to give, without love. "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames-- but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:3
Money will neither . . .
comfort the sad,
nor cheer the lonely,
nor lift up the fallen,
nor strengthen the faint,
nor support the tempted,
nor heal the broken-hearted,
nor soothe weariness,
nor wipe away tears.
Love-gifts are what the poor, suffering, and sorrowing most need. And these heavenly coins, the poorest Christian may scatter!
Jesus asked nothing nobler on earth than this--and He has made these lowly ministries forever glorious and divine.
Let Christians go out into the world, and repeat everywhere the tender, beautiful, helpful ministry of Jesus--and they will do more to bless the world, than if they opened a mine of wealth and made thousands rich!
Many shrink from ministering to the poor, because they have no money to give. But money alone is the poorest alms ever bestowed! There are gifts which every true Christian, however poor, has to bestow--which are infinitely better than money.
The apostles gave no money. They had no silver nor gold to bestow.
Jesus never gave any money! We never read of Him giving a mite to any who were poor or in distress. And yet no man was ever such a lavish giver of beneficence as He. What Christ gave was loving service, pity, sympathy, compassion, tears and personal help.
These are the coins that the Christian should chiefly give. They are coins that bear the stamp of Heaven. The image and superscription of Jesus, our great King, are upon them. They were minted in Heaven! They are better than gold--for money is a poor thing to give, without love. "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames-- but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:3
Money will neither . . .
comfort the sad,
nor cheer the lonely,
nor lift up the fallen,
nor strengthen the faint,
nor support the tempted,
nor heal the broken-hearted,
nor soothe weariness,
nor wipe away tears.
Love-gifts are what the poor, suffering, and sorrowing most need. And these heavenly coins, the poorest Christian may scatter!
Jesus asked nothing nobler on earth than this--and He has made these lowly ministries forever glorious and divine.
Let Christians go out into the world, and repeat everywhere the tender, beautiful, helpful ministry of Jesus--and they will do more to bless the world, than if they opened a mine of wealth and made thousands rich!
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
The Importance of Thanksgiving
I will give thanks to the Lord. - Psalms 9:1
Thanksgiving should always follow answered prayer, just as the mist of earth's gratitude rises when the sun of heaven's love warms the ground.
Has the Lord been gracious to you and inclined His ear to the voice of your prayer? Then thank Him as long as you live. Let the ripe fruit fall upon the fertile soil from which it drew its life. Do not fail to sing in praise of Him who has answered your prayer and has given you the desire of your heart.. To be silent about God's mercies is to incur the guilt of ingratitude; it is to act as poorly as the nine lepers who after they had been cured of their leprosy did not return to give thanks to the healing Lord. To forget to praise God is to refuse to benefit ourselves; for praise, like prayer, is one great means of promoting the growth of our spiritual lives. It helps to remove our burdens, to excite our hope, to increase our faith. It is a healthy and invigorating exercise that quickens the pulse of the believer and prepares him for new enterprises in his Master's service.
To bless God for mercies received is also the way to benefit our fellowmen; "let the humble hear and be glad."1 Others who have been in similar circumstances will take comfort if we can say, "Magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. . . . This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him."2 Weak hearts will be strengthened, and sagging spirits will be revived as the saints listen to our "shouts of deliverance."3 Their doubts and fears will be rebuked as we teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. They will also "sing of the ways of the LORD"4 when they hear us magnify His holy name.
Praise is the most heavenly of Christian duties. The angels do not pray, but they do not cease to praise both day and night; and the redeemed, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, are never tired of singing the new song, "Worthy is the Lamb."5
1 Psalm 34:2
2 Psalm 34:3,6
3 Psalm 32:7
4 Psalm 138:5
5 Revelation 5:17
Thanksgiving should always follow answered prayer, just as the mist of earth's gratitude rises when the sun of heaven's love warms the ground.
Has the Lord been gracious to you and inclined His ear to the voice of your prayer? Then thank Him as long as you live. Let the ripe fruit fall upon the fertile soil from which it drew its life. Do not fail to sing in praise of Him who has answered your prayer and has given you the desire of your heart.. To be silent about God's mercies is to incur the guilt of ingratitude; it is to act as poorly as the nine lepers who after they had been cured of their leprosy did not return to give thanks to the healing Lord. To forget to praise God is to refuse to benefit ourselves; for praise, like prayer, is one great means of promoting the growth of our spiritual lives. It helps to remove our burdens, to excite our hope, to increase our faith. It is a healthy and invigorating exercise that quickens the pulse of the believer and prepares him for new enterprises in his Master's service.
To bless God for mercies received is also the way to benefit our fellowmen; "let the humble hear and be glad."1 Others who have been in similar circumstances will take comfort if we can say, "Magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. . . . This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him."2 Weak hearts will be strengthened, and sagging spirits will be revived as the saints listen to our "shouts of deliverance."3 Their doubts and fears will be rebuked as we teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. They will also "sing of the ways of the LORD"4 when they hear us magnify His holy name.
Praise is the most heavenly of Christian duties. The angels do not pray, but they do not cease to praise both day and night; and the redeemed, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, are never tired of singing the new song, "Worthy is the Lamb."5
1 Psalm 34:2
2 Psalm 34:3,6
3 Psalm 32:7
4 Psalm 138:5
5 Revelation 5:17
Monday, January 22, 2018
Unaffected by Change
For I the Lord do not change. - Malachi 3:6
It is just as well for us that in all the variableness of life there is One whom change cannot affect, One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow inconsistency can make no furrows.
All other things have changed--all things are changing. The sun grows dim with age; the world is growing old; the final chapter of the worn-out vesture has begun; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they will perish--they shall grow old like a garment. But there is One who only has immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change.
The delight that the sailor feels when, having been tossed about on the waves, he steps again upon the solid shore is the satisfaction of a Christian when, in all the changes of this distressing life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth--"I the LORD do not change."
The stability that the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a solid hold is like that which the Christian's hope provides him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God "there is no variation or shadow due to change."1
Whatever His attributes were in the past, they are now; His power, His wisdom, His justice, His truth are unchanged. He has forever been the refuge of His people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and He is still their sure Helper.
He is unchanged in His love. He has loved His people with "an everlasting love";2 He loves them now as much as ever He did, and when the creation itself is set free from its bondage to decay, His love will still endure.
Precious is the assurance that He does not change! The wheel of providence revolves, but its axle is eternal love.
Death and change are busy ever,
Man decays, and ages move;
But His mercy waneth never;
God is wisdom, God is love.
1) James 1:17
2) Jeremiah 31:3
It is just as well for us that in all the variableness of life there is One whom change cannot affect, One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow inconsistency can make no furrows.
All other things have changed--all things are changing. The sun grows dim with age; the world is growing old; the final chapter of the worn-out vesture has begun; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they will perish--they shall grow old like a garment. But there is One who only has immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change.
The delight that the sailor feels when, having been tossed about on the waves, he steps again upon the solid shore is the satisfaction of a Christian when, in all the changes of this distressing life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth--"I the LORD do not change."
The stability that the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a solid hold is like that which the Christian's hope provides him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God "there is no variation or shadow due to change."1
Whatever His attributes were in the past, they are now; His power, His wisdom, His justice, His truth are unchanged. He has forever been the refuge of His people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and He is still their sure Helper.
He is unchanged in His love. He has loved His people with "an everlasting love";2 He loves them now as much as ever He did, and when the creation itself is set free from its bondage to decay, His love will still endure.
Precious is the assurance that He does not change! The wheel of providence revolves, but its axle is eternal love.
Death and change are busy ever,
Man decays, and ages move;
But His mercy waneth never;
God is wisdom, God is love.
1) James 1:17
2) Jeremiah 31:3
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Coincidence — Or God's Works?
I try to attend worship on Sundays in two different churches: one at 9:30 a.m., where I sing in the choir, and another at 11:00 a.m. I had been asked to sing at the second service. During my daily devotions, I read about living water. Suddenly, the words "Come to the water" popped into my head. Hmm, what is the name of that song? Using an online application, I was able to discover that the name of the song was "For those tears I died". I immediately called the church organist and asked if he had the music for this song. Later in
the week, we practiced the song, but it has an irregular rhythm, and it is difficult to sing. After practicing, I did not feel well prepared. Normally, I would have chosen something else to sing, but I really felt strongly that God wanted me to sing this song. There had been many losses — deaths and ill health — in this church, and I just felt God pushing me to share this message with the congregation.
I arrived at church for the 9:30 a.m. service — uncharacteristically early. I asked the organist what the choir was singing, and he replied that he had not yet chosen anything. I asked if he had the music for "For those tears I died". He did, and was pleased that I had volunteered to sing it. Before I sang, I shared with the congregation that I might stumble with this song, as I was not as well prepared as usual to sing it, nor was I planning to sing it for this congregation. Nevertheless, I felt God urging me to share this song. I shared that whenever we are going through a difficult period of loss, we feel alone and cry out to God, "Where are you?" This song responds that the Lord is standing right beside us. As I regarded the congregation, I saw numerous Kleenexes dabbing at eyes.
This is the first verse and chorus:
You said You'd come and share all my sorrows,
You said You'd be there for all my tomorrows;
I came so close to sending You away,
But just like You promised You came there to stay;
I just had to pray!
And Jesus said, "Come to the water, stand by My side,
I know you are thirsty, you won't be denied;
I felt ev'ry teardrop when in darkness you cried,
And I strove to remind you that for those tears I died."
- Marsha Stevens
After I finished singing, the guest minister stood up and said, "I continue to be amazed at how God works. If I had searched for the perfect song to accompany today's sermon, that would have been it. Over thirty years ago, that was the first Christian song that I learned. It brought a tear to my eyes then, and did so again today." He went on to preach an incredible sermon about those times when we are in pain, and we cry out, "Where are You, God?"
When we are tempted to think, "That was a happy coincidence," we need to remember that God's grace is constantly intervening in our lives.
Isaiah 55:8-9 – "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (NKJV)
Even in times when we are experiencing periods of illness, loss, and difficulty, and God seems distant, let us trust that He is right there beside us every step of the way.
Prayer: Lord of all life, it is easy to find Your hand in the large aspects of life. When we search, we can find You in the small activities of each day, sometimes providing answers to unspoken prayers. Thank You for all the times when You find us a parking spot when we are running late. Thank You for the times when we think, "I don't think I can face the busyness of this afternoon", and a commitment is rescheduled for another day. Thank You for Your whispers that urge us in Your direction. Thank You — to make up for all of the times when we have neglected to say thanks for Your intervention and guidance in the minutia of our daily lives. Amen.
Orlanda Drebit
the week, we practiced the song, but it has an irregular rhythm, and it is difficult to sing. After practicing, I did not feel well prepared. Normally, I would have chosen something else to sing, but I really felt strongly that God wanted me to sing this song. There had been many losses — deaths and ill health — in this church, and I just felt God pushing me to share this message with the congregation.
I arrived at church for the 9:30 a.m. service — uncharacteristically early. I asked the organist what the choir was singing, and he replied that he had not yet chosen anything. I asked if he had the music for "For those tears I died". He did, and was pleased that I had volunteered to sing it. Before I sang, I shared with the congregation that I might stumble with this song, as I was not as well prepared as usual to sing it, nor was I planning to sing it for this congregation. Nevertheless, I felt God urging me to share this song. I shared that whenever we are going through a difficult period of loss, we feel alone and cry out to God, "Where are you?" This song responds that the Lord is standing right beside us. As I regarded the congregation, I saw numerous Kleenexes dabbing at eyes.
This is the first verse and chorus:
You said You'd come and share all my sorrows,
You said You'd be there for all my tomorrows;
I came so close to sending You away,
But just like You promised You came there to stay;
I just had to pray!
And Jesus said, "Come to the water, stand by My side,
I know you are thirsty, you won't be denied;
I felt ev'ry teardrop when in darkness you cried,
And I strove to remind you that for those tears I died."
- Marsha Stevens
After I finished singing, the guest minister stood up and said, "I continue to be amazed at how God works. If I had searched for the perfect song to accompany today's sermon, that would have been it. Over thirty years ago, that was the first Christian song that I learned. It brought a tear to my eyes then, and did so again today." He went on to preach an incredible sermon about those times when we are in pain, and we cry out, "Where are You, God?"
When we are tempted to think, "That was a happy coincidence," we need to remember that God's grace is constantly intervening in our lives.
Isaiah 55:8-9 – "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (NKJV)
Even in times when we are experiencing periods of illness, loss, and difficulty, and God seems distant, let us trust that He is right there beside us every step of the way.
Prayer: Lord of all life, it is easy to find Your hand in the large aspects of life. When we search, we can find You in the small activities of each day, sometimes providing answers to unspoken prayers. Thank You for all the times when You find us a parking spot when we are running late. Thank You for the times when we think, "I don't think I can face the busyness of this afternoon", and a commitment is rescheduled for another day. Thank You for Your whispers that urge us in Your direction. Thank You — to make up for all of the times when we have neglected to say thanks for Your intervention and guidance in the minutia of our daily lives. Amen.
Orlanda Drebit
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Facing Adversity and Being in God’s Will
Ron Edmondson
Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. 1 Samuel 19:1
David was minding his own business one day, tending sheep, when God called him to be a king. Talk about a God moment.
He didn’t ask to be king, but God said he was the one. He turned out to be a great king. Imagine that? God made a good pick! David had a heart modeled after God’s, according to the Bible.
So, since God had chosen to bless David in such a way, why do we later find Saul trying to kill David?
In fact, for some time Saul chased David. David hid out, all alone, which is the setting we find him in during the writings of many of the Psalms. David was God’s choice for king and yet he was placed in incredible adversity.
What does this tell us?
I think it says to me that sometimes God’s will for us will find us in the middle of trials in life.
That’s right. His will for our lives.
Learn more about RevenueStripe...
More importantly, I am learning that I cannot determine whether I am in God’s will based on whether or not my life is peaceful. Just because I have trials in my life, doesn’t mean I am not in the center of God’s will for my life.
I love how Alistair Begg once said it.
“We should not seek to confirm God’s will by the absence of adversity.”
Think about Biblical characters who faced great trials.
All of these great servants of God faced persecution, heartache, and trials beyond most of our imaginations. Yet all them, during the adversity, were right where God wanted them to be, in the center of His will.
Yes, we would all like life to be peaceful. It is true that we can have inner peace and joy even in the middle of the storms of life. But God has not promised us a life free of problems.
In fact, we can be perfectly within His will and still be facing adversity. It is often through the process of life’s difficulties that God makes us more like Jesus, teaches us more about Him and ourselves.
Trust Him today, regardless of your circumstances! He is always working a plan!
Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. 1 Samuel 19:1
David was minding his own business one day, tending sheep, when God called him to be a king. Talk about a God moment.
He didn’t ask to be king, but God said he was the one. He turned out to be a great king. Imagine that? God made a good pick! David had a heart modeled after God’s, according to the Bible.
So, since God had chosen to bless David in such a way, why do we later find Saul trying to kill David?
In fact, for some time Saul chased David. David hid out, all alone, which is the setting we find him in during the writings of many of the Psalms. David was God’s choice for king and yet he was placed in incredible adversity.
What does this tell us?
I think it says to me that sometimes God’s will for us will find us in the middle of trials in life.
That’s right. His will for our lives.
Learn more about RevenueStripe...
More importantly, I am learning that I cannot determine whether I am in God’s will based on whether or not my life is peaceful. Just because I have trials in my life, doesn’t mean I am not in the center of God’s will for my life.
I love how Alistair Begg once said it.
“We should not seek to confirm God’s will by the absence of adversity.”
Think about Biblical characters who faced great trials.
All of these great servants of God faced persecution, heartache, and trials beyond most of our imaginations. Yet all them, during the adversity, were right where God wanted them to be, in the center of His will.
Yes, we would all like life to be peaceful. It is true that we can have inner peace and joy even in the middle of the storms of life. But God has not promised us a life free of problems.
In fact, we can be perfectly within His will and still be facing adversity. It is often through the process of life’s difficulties that God makes us more like Jesus, teaches us more about Him and ourselves.
Trust Him today, regardless of your circumstances! He is always working a plan!
Friday, January 19, 2018
What to do When it ALL Falls Apart...
"We have some good news and some bad news," the airline rep announced to those of us sitting at the gate.
We squirmed in our seats.
"The good news is that we identified the mechanical problem with the plane," she said. "The bad news is that we need to bring a part from Chicago. It will be at least two hours."
Groans of annoyance echoed throughout.
That meant I missed my connecting flight and the changes resulted in my 4-hour trip turning into 13 hours.
We waited for three hours. Then the lady seated to my left said, "Why weren't they honest with us? This is totally ridiculous."
The lady to my right let out a huge huff. "All my plans for the day fell apart. This is a horrible way to treat their customers."
And since I'm a mind-your-own-business kind of gal, I said to myself: Chill friends. This delay might be a way for God to protect us from a disaster while flying in the clouds.
Then, suddenly another announcement: "Those of you on flight 2049, approach the counter for a courtesy voucher for your inconvenience."
I knew it would be a lunch voucher, and navigating to make a line would be cumbersome with my white cane. So I turned to the lady to my left and said, "Would you be so kind as to get the voucher for me?"
"Not a problem," she said.
Later on, she came back and placed two slips of paper in my hand. "Here, we all got a $200 voucher toward our next flight."
Woo hoo! Thank you, Lord! I quickly stuffed it in my purse.
Next, I heard the same ladies talk on their cell phones, "You won't believe what happened. Because of the delay, I got a $200 voucher...I love this airline. It's the best."
I've done that. Maybe you have, too. We praise only when good things happen. When doors open, opportunities come, blessings show up, surprises happen, and good times appear...we praise God and we rejoice, right?
But when mechanical malfunctions in life cause all to fall apart, we're left stuck in sorrow, frustration, and anger. Who could blame us, we grumble and complain.
But the one who taught me not to fall for that trap is Habakkuk (I know, strange name). But when I get to heaven, he's on my list to give a big ol' hug because this is what he said when he found himself in the gate of emptiness because all his plans had fallen apart.
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior"
(Habakkuk 3:17-18).
In the waiting for answers, in the sadness of emptiness, and with broken plans, what rumbles in your heart and what slips from your lips?
Janet Eckles
We squirmed in our seats.
"The good news is that we identified the mechanical problem with the plane," she said. "The bad news is that we need to bring a part from Chicago. It will be at least two hours."
Groans of annoyance echoed throughout.
That meant I missed my connecting flight and the changes resulted in my 4-hour trip turning into 13 hours.
We waited for three hours. Then the lady seated to my left said, "Why weren't they honest with us? This is totally ridiculous."
The lady to my right let out a huge huff. "All my plans for the day fell apart. This is a horrible way to treat their customers."
And since I'm a mind-your-own-business kind of gal, I said to myself: Chill friends. This delay might be a way for God to protect us from a disaster while flying in the clouds.
Then, suddenly another announcement: "Those of you on flight 2049, approach the counter for a courtesy voucher for your inconvenience."
I knew it would be a lunch voucher, and navigating to make a line would be cumbersome with my white cane. So I turned to the lady to my left and said, "Would you be so kind as to get the voucher for me?"
"Not a problem," she said.
Later on, she came back and placed two slips of paper in my hand. "Here, we all got a $200 voucher toward our next flight."
Woo hoo! Thank you, Lord! I quickly stuffed it in my purse.
Next, I heard the same ladies talk on their cell phones, "You won't believe what happened. Because of the delay, I got a $200 voucher...I love this airline. It's the best."
I've done that. Maybe you have, too. We praise only when good things happen. When doors open, opportunities come, blessings show up, surprises happen, and good times appear...we praise God and we rejoice, right?
But when mechanical malfunctions in life cause all to fall apart, we're left stuck in sorrow, frustration, and anger. Who could blame us, we grumble and complain.
But the one who taught me not to fall for that trap is Habakkuk (I know, strange name). But when I get to heaven, he's on my list to give a big ol' hug because this is what he said when he found himself in the gate of emptiness because all his plans had fallen apart.
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior"
(Habakkuk 3:17-18).
In the waiting for answers, in the sadness of emptiness, and with broken plans, what rumbles in your heart and what slips from your lips?
Janet Eckles
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Are You Listening?
by Ryan Duncan, Crosswalk.com Editor
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. – Proverbs 12:15
It’s common to hear Christians say, "Speak the truth with love," but what about listening? I once read the story of a young man who was struggling with a number of problems. He was depressed, his faith was waning, and his parents eventually convinced him to sit down with their Church's pastor.. The day of the appointment, the pastor walked in and, before the young man could even open his mouth, began to speak about "How the grace of God was sufficient for all things."
"By the end of the meeting I knew a lot about him and what he believed, but he knew absolutely nothing about me," the young man would later recall.. Sadly, one of the most overlooked commands in the Bible is that we are to listen to others. Too often, in our zeal to share the word of Christ with others, we end up trampling them in platitudes and redundant scriptures. But listening can be a powerful tool. Listening builds understanding, diminishes fear, and can be comforting in a time of sorrow.
Look at this passage from the book of James,
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. – James 1:19-25
Listening is the first step in acting out the scriptures, not speaking. The Church has the potential to do so much good in the world, to share the love of Christ with so many people. However, in order to do this we must first stop talking, sit quietly, and get to know them. We need to hear their stories, understand their hurts, empathize with their anger, and then, when they have nothing else to say, that is when we speak our truth. It's time to start using our ears before we use our words.
Intersecting Faith and Life: Have you been listening to others?
Take a moment and consider how you are reflecting Christ.
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. – Proverbs 12:15
It’s common to hear Christians say, "Speak the truth with love," but what about listening? I once read the story of a young man who was struggling with a number of problems. He was depressed, his faith was waning, and his parents eventually convinced him to sit down with their Church's pastor.. The day of the appointment, the pastor walked in and, before the young man could even open his mouth, began to speak about "How the grace of God was sufficient for all things."
"By the end of the meeting I knew a lot about him and what he believed, but he knew absolutely nothing about me," the young man would later recall.. Sadly, one of the most overlooked commands in the Bible is that we are to listen to others. Too often, in our zeal to share the word of Christ with others, we end up trampling them in platitudes and redundant scriptures. But listening can be a powerful tool. Listening builds understanding, diminishes fear, and can be comforting in a time of sorrow.
Look at this passage from the book of James,
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. – James 1:19-25
Listening is the first step in acting out the scriptures, not speaking. The Church has the potential to do so much good in the world, to share the love of Christ with so many people. However, in order to do this we must first stop talking, sit quietly, and get to know them. We need to hear their stories, understand their hurts, empathize with their anger, and then, when they have nothing else to say, that is when we speak our truth. It's time to start using our ears before we use our words.
Intersecting Faith and Life: Have you been listening to others?
Take a moment and consider how you are reflecting Christ.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Trust ... But How?
By Lara Sadowski
Monday, January 15, 2018
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7 NASBMonday, January 15, 2018
I’ve been a Christian most of my life. But, sometimes, I have trouble trusting God. Can anyone else relate?
Unemployment has invaded this season of my life for the last nine months, and I must admit that I have been angry at God. Why won’t You provide a full-time position for me? What’s taking You so long? Maybe You need my help? (That one is my favorite.) These questions are but a few I have leveled at God lately.
You know what has bothered me the most through this time? I have witnessed people who have left jobs or who have gotten fired from jobs, and they immediately got another one. Practically no wait time. Ugh! Really? What about me? Where is my blessing?
I have joined every employment website known to man and have applied for countless writing, administrative, paralegal positions. I have scoured the internet for job fairs.
I have read through numerous rejection emails, thanking me for applying while, at the same time, telling me they hired someone else. Sisters, I have been weary.
You know what Satan loves to do with God’s children? Feed lies into our hearts. I know I have allowed him to do that to me. How? I have felt like a failure due to my unemployment. We wear many hats as women, don’t we? Mother. Daughter. Friend. Volunteer. Employee. Employer.
And when we cannot successfully juggle all our titles, we sometimes feel like failures. I admit that I have believed that lie about myself. Thankfully, The Lord stepped in and introduced me to a beautiful Scripture on which I have been marinating for many months now.
Here it is, friends:
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
And whose trust is the Lord.
For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.” -Jeremiah 17:7-8 NASB
God tells all of us through the prophet Jeremiah that when we trust the Lord and trust IN the Lord, we will not fear when hard times come calling. Anxiety will cease. We will bear fruit.
WOW! Sisters, I needed to be reminded of this in this season of my life. What great news!
Even though I am still not employed full-time outside of my home, God has been working mightily in my heart. He has given me wonderful ideas for home-based businesses. Old clients have contacted me to write a blog post or a press release for them. And, I get to write encouraging devotionals! ☺
Thanks to the fact I have more flexibility in my schedule, I have been able to help and “hang out” with my super-awesome retired parents as well as have coffee with people who need a listening ear. What blessings!
If I had a full-time job outside the home now, I would not be able to experience those times as easily as I can now.
How about you, friends? Are you having trouble trusting God with your circumstances, no matter what they might be? He is the God who provides. He can be trusted. Lay your hearts out to Him. He is always there for you and loves you with an everlasting love.
Pick out a favorite verse on trusting God and memorize it. Put it on post-its around your house and download it into your heart. God’s Word will give you instant peace no matter what your circumstances.
Dear Lord, Thank You for never leaving us nor forsaking us. When times get rough, we admit sometimes it can be hard to trust that You are there. Please speak to our hearts and beckon us to You. Help us to never forget that You love us with an everlasting love. Thank you so much for that! We love you dearly ... In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
(c) 2018 by Lara Sadowski. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Broken Dreams
"We both had dreams,"
they answered, "but there is no one to interpret them." Then Joseph said
to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams."
- Genesis 40:8
Do you have dreams that never came true?
* Maybe you were you told you had great talent--that you should go for it and make it to the top.
* Was your dream to be a star of stage or screen?
* Maybe your dream was to live a peaceful life teaching at a university with the security of tenure, writing a few bestsellers.
* Maybe
you believed that you’d grow up, easily discover the person God chose
for you, marry that person, make a lot of money, have great kids who
were never a problem, and continue to live happily ever after?
Think about your great dreams that haven’t come true--we all have some.
Yet our broken dreams are by no means the end of the story, because
they hold important lessons within them.
If you have faith in Christ, your final destination is secure. Our life
here on earth is a character-building journey full of opportunities--to
dream, to connect, and to love one another, and when there is
brokenness, to adjust your dream, to re-connect, and to continue loving
one another.
“Character cannot be
developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and
suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition
inspired and success achieved.” - Helen Keller (1880-1968)
Monday, January 15, 2018
Death Has Been Rendered Defeated
by shani4jc
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55
Today our family mourns the unexpected loss of a very dear loved one. Our hearts are broken over her passing and we know life will never be the same without her. However, we have the assurance that we will see her again and that will bring us great comfort over the next few hours, days, weeks, months, and years. Her death may sting for a time, but, it will not have the final word. Jesus and Jesus alone has the final word! He has already overcome the grave and rendered death defeated. Physical death is a very real part of this world, but because of Jesus, our spirit will never die. Today our hearts are heavy, but one day, our mourning will turn to joy when we will not only see our loved one again, but we will see the One who gives us eternal life face to face!
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55
Today our family mourns the unexpected loss of a very dear loved one. Our hearts are broken over her passing and we know life will never be the same without her. However, we have the assurance that we will see her again and that will bring us great comfort over the next few hours, days, weeks, months, and years. Her death may sting for a time, but, it will not have the final word. Jesus and Jesus alone has the final word! He has already overcome the grave and rendered death defeated. Physical death is a very real part of this world, but because of Jesus, our spirit will never die. Today our hearts are heavy, but one day, our mourning will turn to joy when we will not only see our loved one again, but we will see the One who gives us eternal life face to face!
Sunday, January 14, 2018
When You Ask “Why, God?”
By Dr. Jeff Schreve
"And about the ninth
hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'ELI, ELI, LAMA
SABACHTHANI?' that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?'"
-Matthew 27:46
-Matthew 27:46
We all grieve and mourn the brutal, unimaginable horror that took place
at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. A deranged and
demonized (if not demon-possessed) gunman shot and killed 26 people and
wounded 20 others in the worst church shooting America has ever
witnessed. The loss of life and utter decimation to individual families
and the church family at large are simply heartbreaking to contemplate.
In times like this, we naturally ask, “Why, God? What gives here? These people were worshiping You, and they were senselessly and viciously gunned down in cold blood. I cannot understand why, on earth or in heaven, You would have allowed this to happen.”
You know, it is normal and natural to ask God why. Jesus asked why when He was on the cross, dying for the sins of the world. We just need to know that God does not often answer our question of why. He is not in the business of explaining. He is in the business of sustaining. We will probably never know the answer to our whys this side of heaven. But, what we can know and cling to are these truths:
God is good.
God is love.
God is perfect.
God is in control.
God never makes a mistake.
God cares for us.
God allows things to happen in life that don’t make sense to us ... but they do make sense to Him. His understanding compared to our understanding is like the Pacific Ocean compared to a tea cup. When we ask God our why questions, His response is typically something akin to this, “My child, you would not understand even if I explained it to you. (Our teacup minds cannot begin to contain the enormity of the Pacific Ocean.) So how about this: just trust Me.”
TRUST AND PRAY
In the midst of this tragedy, may we trust God and pray that He would use this somehow and some way to further His Kingdom. May He use this as an opportunity for people like you and me to have spiritual conversations with those who do not know Christ. May we be faithful to pray for the families of those killed ... and for the church, the pastor and the entire community. May we remember that this fallen world is not our home. We are citizens of heaven who are to hold all things loosely while on this earth. Nothing really belongs to us, not even our own children. Everything belongs to God -- “Behold, all souls are Mine” (Ezekiel 18:4). We are simply the managers of His stuff. May we manage well, trusting Him to do “all things well” and “work all things together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
In times like this, we naturally ask, “Why, God? What gives here? These people were worshiping You, and they were senselessly and viciously gunned down in cold blood. I cannot understand why, on earth or in heaven, You would have allowed this to happen.”
You know, it is normal and natural to ask God why. Jesus asked why when He was on the cross, dying for the sins of the world. We just need to know that God does not often answer our question of why. He is not in the business of explaining. He is in the business of sustaining. We will probably never know the answer to our whys this side of heaven. But, what we can know and cling to are these truths:
God is good.
God is love.
God is perfect.
God is in control.
God never makes a mistake.
God cares for us.
God allows things to happen in life that don’t make sense to us ... but they do make sense to Him. His understanding compared to our understanding is like the Pacific Ocean compared to a tea cup. When we ask God our why questions, His response is typically something akin to this, “My child, you would not understand even if I explained it to you. (Our teacup minds cannot begin to contain the enormity of the Pacific Ocean.) So how about this: just trust Me.”
TRUST AND PRAY
In the midst of this tragedy, may we trust God and pray that He would use this somehow and some way to further His Kingdom. May He use this as an opportunity for people like you and me to have spiritual conversations with those who do not know Christ. May we be faithful to pray for the families of those killed ... and for the church, the pastor and the entire community. May we remember that this fallen world is not our home. We are citizens of heaven who are to hold all things loosely while on this earth. Nothing really belongs to us, not even our own children. Everything belongs to God -- “Behold, all souls are Mine” (Ezekiel 18:4). We are simply the managers of His stuff. May we manage well, trusting Him to do “all things well” and “work all things together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Editor’s Note: This post is adapted from "Why, God?" by From His Heart Ministries by Pastor Jeff Schreve.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Worry: The Enemy of Faith?
Chuck Swindoll
Do you know which sin is the subtle enemy of simple faith? Materialism and greed? Anger? Lust? Hypocrisy? No. All of these sins are certainly our enemies, but none of them qualify as subtle enemies.
The most notorious faith killer in all of life: worry. "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25).
Being something of a wordsmith, I find the term worry fascinating. To begin with, the word used by Matthew (translated here as "anxious") is the Greek term merimnao. It is a combination of two smaller words, merizo, meaning "to divide," and nous, meaning "the mind." In other words, a person who is anxious suffers from a divided mind, leaving him or her disquieted and distracted.
Of all the biblical stories illustrating worry, none is more practical or clear than the one recorded in the last five verses of Luke 10. Let's briefly relive it.
Jesus dropped by His friends' home in Bethany. Martha, one of those friends, turned the occasion into a mild frenzy. To make matters worse, Martha's sister, Mary, was so pleased to have the Lord visit their home that she sat with Him and evidenced little concern over her sister's anxiety attack.
As Luke tells us, "Martha was distracted with all her preparations" (Luke 10:40). But Martha didn't have help, and that was the final straw. Irritated, exasperated, and angry, she reached her boiling point, and her boiling point led to blame. "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me" (10:40).
But Jesus was neither impressed by her busyness nor intimidated by her command. Graciously, yet firmly, He said, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (10:41-42).
Worry occurs when we assume responsibility for things that are outside our control. And I love the Lord's solution: "only a few things are necessary, really only one." What a classic example of simple faith!
All Mary wanted was time with Jesus . . . and He commended her for that. Mary's simple faith, in contrast to her sister's panic, won the Savior's affirmation.
Worry and faith just don't mix.
Taken from "Our Savior Understands" by In Touch Ministries (used by permission).
Do you know which sin is the subtle enemy of simple faith? Materialism and greed? Anger? Lust? Hypocrisy? No. All of these sins are certainly our enemies, but none of them qualify as subtle enemies.
The most notorious faith killer in all of life: worry. "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25).
Being something of a wordsmith, I find the term worry fascinating. To begin with, the word used by Matthew (translated here as "anxious") is the Greek term merimnao. It is a combination of two smaller words, merizo, meaning "to divide," and nous, meaning "the mind." In other words, a person who is anxious suffers from a divided mind, leaving him or her disquieted and distracted.
Of all the biblical stories illustrating worry, none is more practical or clear than the one recorded in the last five verses of Luke 10. Let's briefly relive it.
Jesus dropped by His friends' home in Bethany. Martha, one of those friends, turned the occasion into a mild frenzy. To make matters worse, Martha's sister, Mary, was so pleased to have the Lord visit their home that she sat with Him and evidenced little concern over her sister's anxiety attack.
As Luke tells us, "Martha was distracted with all her preparations" (Luke 10:40). But Martha didn't have help, and that was the final straw. Irritated, exasperated, and angry, she reached her boiling point, and her boiling point led to blame. "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me" (10:40).
But Jesus was neither impressed by her busyness nor intimidated by her command. Graciously, yet firmly, He said, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (10:41-42).
Worry occurs when we assume responsibility for things that are outside our control. And I love the Lord's solution: "only a few things are necessary, really only one." What a classic example of simple faith!
All Mary wanted was time with Jesus . . . and He commended her for that. Mary's simple faith, in contrast to her sister's panic, won the Savior's affirmation.
Worry and faith just don't mix.
Taken from "Our Savior Understands" by In Touch Ministries (used by permission).
Friday, January 12, 2018
If God Answered Your Prayers From Today
by shani4jc
“The effective, fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:19
Today I heard someone on the radio ask the following question:
If God answered every prayer you prayed today, would anyone’s life be completely changed?
I think this is something we all need to seriously contemplate in our own prayer life. We need to ask ourselves some hard questions. Would my prayers make an eternal difference in anyone’s life? Would anyone come to know Jesus because of what I prayed for today? If God answered my prayers that I prayed today, how would the world be changed if at all? If He answered all of my prayers, would anyone even know? It’s so easy to just throw up some quick thank you’s and I need this or that and then mark prayer time off of our list of things to do, but do we ever truly stop to think about the incredible power housed in truly effective, fervent prayers? If we truly understood the power produced by effective and fervent prayers, do you think our prayer life would change?
Prayer is absolutely the most important thing we can do for the people around us, the situations around us, and the world around us. When we sincerely pour out our heart and soul before God, He goes into action like you would or believe. Nothing gets His attention faster or calls Hum to action like the prayers of His children. Take some time to invest in your prayer life and watch God do mighty and amazing things that are beyond your wildest dreams.
“The effective, fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:19
Today I heard someone on the radio ask the following question:
If God answered every prayer you prayed today, would anyone’s life be completely changed?
I think this is something we all need to seriously contemplate in our own prayer life. We need to ask ourselves some hard questions. Would my prayers make an eternal difference in anyone’s life? Would anyone come to know Jesus because of what I prayed for today? If God answered my prayers that I prayed today, how would the world be changed if at all? If He answered all of my prayers, would anyone even know? It’s so easy to just throw up some quick thank you’s and I need this or that and then mark prayer time off of our list of things to do, but do we ever truly stop to think about the incredible power housed in truly effective, fervent prayers? If we truly understood the power produced by effective and fervent prayers, do you think our prayer life would change?
Prayer is absolutely the most important thing we can do for the people around us, the situations around us, and the world around us. When we sincerely pour out our heart and soul before God, He goes into action like you would or believe. Nothing gets His attention faster or calls Hum to action like the prayers of His children. Take some time to invest in your prayer life and watch God do mighty and amazing things that are beyond your wildest dreams.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Running To And Fro
I spent a total of over eight months living in a camp in the desert of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. This included the Christmas season and the change of the year from 1965 to 1966. There were about forty of us living in a camp, and we were working on the first oil pipeline ever built in that country.
One of the problems that we had was what to do on the many days off that we had. Not only did we observe all the Christian and western holidays, but also all the many local Muslim holy days.
For a lot of us, these days off were tedious, because there was no place to go and not much to do. Many of us were bored and lonely, especially on days that to us were important to be with family and friends. New Year's Day was one of them.
A colleague decided that we should have a car rally on New Year's Day, an activity that would be interesting and take up a big part of the afternoon, and he asked me to help him lay it out. We took various signs out into the countryside and placed them in certain locations indicating where the driver and his companion should go. However, the signs were all to be read carefully. For instance, there was a sign that said, "Turn left at the three ginger ale cans hanging from a tree on the right hand side of the road." But in actual fact, there were three Pepsi cans in the first tree, and many turned left at that point and ended up lost because the three ginger ale cans were
further down the road, and that is where they should have turned. All the signs were like that, and they were all meant to mislead the drivers. The result was that the men in the car rally were "running to and fro", trying to find their way, because they had misread the signs.
And isn't that the way it is in life so often? People are looking for things to make their life more enjoyable. Some are searching for peace in their hearts, but so many are misreading the signs. They are turning at the wrong time, and many are running to and fro, trying to find their way.
The Bible tells us to look to Jesus.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28
NKJV)
"Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6 NKJV)
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, as we stand near the beginning of a new year, we pray that people will make a New Year's resolution to seek Your will in their lives, and that they will indeed find peace in their hearts through the words of Scripture. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
Joel Jongkind
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
Thanks to PresbyCan Daily Devotional
One of the problems that we had was what to do on the many days off that we had. Not only did we observe all the Christian and western holidays, but also all the many local Muslim holy days.
For a lot of us, these days off were tedious, because there was no place to go and not much to do. Many of us were bored and lonely, especially on days that to us were important to be with family and friends. New Year's Day was one of them.
A colleague decided that we should have a car rally on New Year's Day, an activity that would be interesting and take up a big part of the afternoon, and he asked me to help him lay it out. We took various signs out into the countryside and placed them in certain locations indicating where the driver and his companion should go. However, the signs were all to be read carefully. For instance, there was a sign that said, "Turn left at the three ginger ale cans hanging from a tree on the right hand side of the road." But in actual fact, there were three Pepsi cans in the first tree, and many turned left at that point and ended up lost because the three ginger ale cans were
further down the road, and that is where they should have turned. All the signs were like that, and they were all meant to mislead the drivers. The result was that the men in the car rally were "running to and fro", trying to find their way, because they had misread the signs.
And isn't that the way it is in life so often? People are looking for things to make their life more enjoyable. Some are searching for peace in their hearts, but so many are misreading the signs. They are turning at the wrong time, and many are running to and fro, trying to find their way.
The Bible tells us to look to Jesus.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28
NKJV)
"Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6 NKJV)
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, as we stand near the beginning of a new year, we pray that people will make a New Year's resolution to seek Your will in their lives, and that they will indeed find peace in their hearts through the words of Scripture. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
Joel Jongkind
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
Thanks to PresbyCan Daily Devotional
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Never Stranded
written October 11, 2017
Romans 8:37-39 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. People who travel for pleasure know that you can get a really good deal if you book your airline and hotel at the same time. People who travel for pleasure also know that the opening sentence is true only if you can trust your airline to pay for the hotel room.
Monarch Airlines, the fifth-largest carrier in Great Britain, was an airline which couldn't be trusted.
I use the past tense of the verb because last week Monarch Airlines filed for bankruptcy.
Sadly, Monarch was particularly nasty in the way they went belly-up.
• For instance, two days before they went under, Monarch began a promotional sale of tickets at discount prices.
• Then Monarch let people show up at the airport only to be told there that their flight had been cancelled. This was an especially nasty surprise to the couple who, with 30 family and friends, were traveling to an overseas location for their wedding. Ten minutes before boarding they were told their flight had been cancelled, and they had lost their money... and good luck booking a same-day flight for 30 people on another airline.
• Then there were the 110,000 travelers who were stranded in distant countries. They had no plane coming to take them home.
• Could it get worse? It could. Some of those folks staying in overseas locations had booked their hotels through Monarch. Sadly, Monarch never paid those hotels. As a result, all of those tourists are being charged a second time for their rooms. Some of them have been locked out of their rooms; some of them have been informed they will be arrested if they try to leave without paying; and all of them have been severely inconvenienced.
• Oh, I forgot to mention Monarch's 2,750 employees were suddenly out of a job.
Has it ever occurred to you that after Adam and Eve fell into sin, the Lord could have left humanity high and dry? After all, He had given us everything we needed; He had granted us a perfect life and made only one very small request.
In response, our ancestors rejected His request, disobeyed His Law, and followed an evil stranger.
Truly, the Lord would have been well within His rights to leave us, but He didn't. He sent His Son to save us, to carry our sins, to die our death, and change eternity for all who believe. Because Jesus has done everything necessary to save us, St. Paul was able to confidently write: "I am sure that neither death nor life ... nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
In short, God will never leave us high and dry.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in this sinful world, people may often let us down. Thankfully, You are different. For being there, always, even until the end of the age, accept our thanks. In Jesus' Name Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Richard Wheatstone on October 3, 2017 for The Sun.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Romans 8:37-39 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. People who travel for pleasure know that you can get a really good deal if you book your airline and hotel at the same time. People who travel for pleasure also know that the opening sentence is true only if you can trust your airline to pay for the hotel room.
Monarch Airlines, the fifth-largest carrier in Great Britain, was an airline which couldn't be trusted.
I use the past tense of the verb because last week Monarch Airlines filed for bankruptcy.
Sadly, Monarch was particularly nasty in the way they went belly-up.
• For instance, two days before they went under, Monarch began a promotional sale of tickets at discount prices.
• Then Monarch let people show up at the airport only to be told there that their flight had been cancelled. This was an especially nasty surprise to the couple who, with 30 family and friends, were traveling to an overseas location for their wedding. Ten minutes before boarding they were told their flight had been cancelled, and they had lost their money... and good luck booking a same-day flight for 30 people on another airline.
• Then there were the 110,000 travelers who were stranded in distant countries. They had no plane coming to take them home.
• Could it get worse? It could. Some of those folks staying in overseas locations had booked their hotels through Monarch. Sadly, Monarch never paid those hotels. As a result, all of those tourists are being charged a second time for their rooms. Some of them have been locked out of their rooms; some of them have been informed they will be arrested if they try to leave without paying; and all of them have been severely inconvenienced.
• Oh, I forgot to mention Monarch's 2,750 employees were suddenly out of a job.
Has it ever occurred to you that after Adam and Eve fell into sin, the Lord could have left humanity high and dry? After all, He had given us everything we needed; He had granted us a perfect life and made only one very small request.
In response, our ancestors rejected His request, disobeyed His Law, and followed an evil stranger.
Truly, the Lord would have been well within His rights to leave us, but He didn't. He sent His Son to save us, to carry our sins, to die our death, and change eternity for all who believe. Because Jesus has done everything necessary to save us, St. Paul was able to confidently write: "I am sure that neither death nor life ... nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
In short, God will never leave us high and dry.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in this sinful world, people may often let us down. Thankfully, You are different. For being there, always, even until the end of the age, accept our thanks. In Jesus' Name Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Richard Wheatstone on October 3, 2017 for The Sun.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Expect HIM
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside, of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush ( Exod. 3:1,2 ).
The vision came in the midst of common toil, and that is where the Lord delights to give His revelations. He seeks a man who is on the ordinary road, and the Divine fire leaps out at his feet. The mystic ladder can rise from the market place to Heaven. It can connect the realm of drudgery with the realms of grace.
My Father God, help me to expect Thee on the ordinary road. I do not ask for sensational happenings. Commune with me through ordinary work and duty. Be my Companion when I take the common journey. Let the humble life be transfigured by Thy presence.
Some Christians think they must be always up to mounts of extraordinary joy and revelation; this is not after God's method. Those spiritual visits to high places, and that wonderful intercourse with the unseen world, are not in the promises; the daily life of communion is. And it is enough. We shall have the exceptional revelation if it be right for us.
There were but three disciples allowed to see the transfiguration, and those three entered the gloom of Gethsemane. No one can stay on the mount of privilege. There are duties in the valley. Christ found His life-work, not in the glory, but in the valley and was there truly and fully the Messiah.
The value of the vision and glory is but their gift of fitness for work and endurance. --Selected
The vision came in the midst of common toil, and that is where the Lord delights to give His revelations. He seeks a man who is on the ordinary road, and the Divine fire leaps out at his feet. The mystic ladder can rise from the market place to Heaven. It can connect the realm of drudgery with the realms of grace.
My Father God, help me to expect Thee on the ordinary road. I do not ask for sensational happenings. Commune with me through ordinary work and duty. Be my Companion when I take the common journey. Let the humble life be transfigured by Thy presence.
Some Christians think they must be always up to mounts of extraordinary joy and revelation; this is not after God's method. Those spiritual visits to high places, and that wonderful intercourse with the unseen world, are not in the promises; the daily life of communion is. And it is enough. We shall have the exceptional revelation if it be right for us.
There were but three disciples allowed to see the transfiguration, and those three entered the gloom of Gethsemane. No one can stay on the mount of privilege. There are duties in the valley. Christ found His life-work, not in the glory, but in the valley and was there truly and fully the Messiah.
The value of the vision and glory is but their gift of fitness for work and endurance. --Selected
Monday, January 8, 2018
Looking Up
By
Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
How many people, even Christian people, live in fear these days! They consider how we have gone from atom bombs to hydrogen bombs to nitrogen bombs, with megatons of explosive power. They read about all the deadly weapons being perfected by countries all over the world, and they fear that frightful destruction may at any time overtake them.
It does indeed appear that this world is headed toward the prophesied destruction, but true believers should understand that God has clearly predicted that He will recall His ambassadors before giving the world up in judgment. Paul, the apostle of grace, made it clear that no one can tell how long the dispensation of grace will last, but he did declare that this age would close with the coming of our Lord for His own.
Thus Paul reminded the Thessalonians how they had “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven…” (I Thes. 1:9,10). Thus too he reminded the Philippians: “Our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). And thus, finally, he instructed Titus to be looking for that blessed hope, and the appearing in glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:13).
How many people, even Christian people, live in fear these days! They consider how we have gone from atom bombs to hydrogen bombs to nitrogen bombs, with megatons of explosive power. They read about all the deadly weapons being perfected by countries all over the world, and they fear that frightful destruction may at any time overtake them.
It does indeed appear that this world is headed toward the prophesied destruction, but true believers should understand that God has clearly predicted that He will recall His ambassadors before giving the world up in judgment. Paul, the apostle of grace, made it clear that no one can tell how long the dispensation of grace will last, but he did declare that this age would close with the coming of our Lord for His own.
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.In the next chapter, we have the prediction of the pouring out of God’s wrath on the world but the believer in Christ will escape this.
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (I Thes. 4:16-18).
Thus Paul reminded the Thessalonians how they had “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven…” (I Thes. 1:9,10). Thus too he reminded the Philippians: “Our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). And thus, finally, he instructed Titus to be looking for that blessed hope, and the appearing in glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:13).
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Patience is Virtue
James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Trials are not given to make us weak, but to make us learn to wait. Jesus Christ wants to develop our faith, and He rarely develops it in the normal circumstances of life. It is most often through the interruptions, the heartbreaks, and the discouragements that our faith progresses.
A young black girl living in poverty in Philadelphia enjoyed singing in her Union Baptist Church choir. The adults noticed latent talent in her voice and began "The Fund for Marian Anderson's Future." They raised one hundred twenty-six dollars in pennies, nickels, and dimes, and she began taking singing lessons.
When she was eighteen she auditioned with a famous instructor, but was rejected. Those who continued to believe in her planned a concert in a town hall in New York City. However, the critics were brutal in their reviews. While on a European concert tour, she was well-received, but in Washington, D.C., she was not allowed to sing in Constitution Hall because of her race.
For many years, Marian Anderson wallowed in self-pity. Her mother finally said, "Marian, I want you to think about your troubles and your failures a little--and pray a lot." Then her mother said something that Marian never forgot: "Marian, you must learn that grace comes before greatness."
Marian Anderson became a well-known opera singer, performing for the Eisenhowers and their guests in the White House, being appointed a delegate to the United Nations, and winning a Medal of Freedom. All of this came only after learning the valuable lesson that her mother had taught her.
This is the same lesson delivered throughout Scripture. Learning to fail, yet to persevere, comes as we learn to live a life of faith. Times of trial are not only necessary to teach us humility, but they remind us where our true possessions lie--in Christ.
What better example than Christ--the Model--who shows us that grace comes before greatness... humility before honor.
Prayer Point: Take time to do the unthinkable: thank God for something painful in your life, whether a broken relationship, the death of a loved one, a failing grade, an illness, or a difficult circumstance. Pray that God will give you strength to persevere during the test, no matter how long it takes--even a lifetime. Remember that trials are given for your good, and even the painful times are a gift from God.
Extra Refreshment: Read Philippians 2 and James 1
.. Notice what these Apostles had to say about the purpose of trials in the lives of believers and the necessity of humility.
Trials are not given to make us weak, but to make us learn to wait. Jesus Christ wants to develop our faith, and He rarely develops it in the normal circumstances of life. It is most often through the interruptions, the heartbreaks, and the discouragements that our faith progresses.
A young black girl living in poverty in Philadelphia enjoyed singing in her Union Baptist Church choir. The adults noticed latent talent in her voice and began "The Fund for Marian Anderson's Future." They raised one hundred twenty-six dollars in pennies, nickels, and dimes, and she began taking singing lessons.
When she was eighteen she auditioned with a famous instructor, but was rejected. Those who continued to believe in her planned a concert in a town hall in New York City. However, the critics were brutal in their reviews. While on a European concert tour, she was well-received, but in Washington, D.C., she was not allowed to sing in Constitution Hall because of her race.
For many years, Marian Anderson wallowed in self-pity. Her mother finally said, "Marian, I want you to think about your troubles and your failures a little--and pray a lot." Then her mother said something that Marian never forgot: "Marian, you must learn that grace comes before greatness."
Marian Anderson became a well-known opera singer, performing for the Eisenhowers and their guests in the White House, being appointed a delegate to the United Nations, and winning a Medal of Freedom. All of this came only after learning the valuable lesson that her mother had taught her.
This is the same lesson delivered throughout Scripture. Learning to fail, yet to persevere, comes as we learn to live a life of faith. Times of trial are not only necessary to teach us humility, but they remind us where our true possessions lie--in Christ.
What better example than Christ--the Model--who shows us that grace comes before greatness... humility before honor.
Prayer Point: Take time to do the unthinkable: thank God for something painful in your life, whether a broken relationship, the death of a loved one, a failing grade, an illness, or a difficult circumstance. Pray that God will give you strength to persevere during the test, no matter how long it takes--even a lifetime. Remember that trials are given for your good, and even the painful times are a gift from God.
Extra Refreshment: Read Philippians 2 and James 1
.. Notice what these Apostles had to say about the purpose of trials in the lives of believers and the necessity of humility.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Taking God At His Word
by
Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
Because of a failure to understand God’s purposes as outlined in the Scriptures some have felt it necessary to alter many of the plainest statements of Holy Writ. Supposing that God could not have meant exactly what He said, they have concluded that these things must be interpreted in a “spiritual” sense.
Actually there is nothing spiritual about failing to take God at His Word, and seeking to explain away difficulties by arbitrarily altering what He has plainly said.
First, this would leave us at the mercy of theologians. If the Scriptures do not mean what they say, who has the authority to decide what they do mean? And how can we turn to the Word of God for light if it does not mean what it says, and only trained theologians can tell us what it does mean?
Second, this altering of the Scriptures affects the veracity of God. It is a thrust at His very honor. If the obvious, natural meaning of the Old Testament promises are not to be depended upon, how can we depend upon any promise of God? Then, when He says: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13), He may also mean something else instead of what He actually says.
Third, this “spiritualizing” of Scriptures endorses apostasy, for it allows men to alter the meaning of God’s Word according to their will.
The path to a true understanding and enjoyment of the Bible is not in altering but in “rightly dividing” it (II Tim. 2:15).
Those who have resorted to the “spiritualization” of the prophetic Scriptures because they cannot account for the seeming cessation in their fulfillment, will find the solution to their problem in a recognition of the unique character of Paul’s apostleship and message. Recognize “the mystery” revealed through Paul and there will be no need to alter prophecy.
Because of a failure to understand God’s purposes as outlined in the Scriptures some have felt it necessary to alter many of the plainest statements of Holy Writ. Supposing that God could not have meant exactly what He said, they have concluded that these things must be interpreted in a “spiritual” sense.
Actually there is nothing spiritual about failing to take God at His Word, and seeking to explain away difficulties by arbitrarily altering what He has plainly said.
First, this would leave us at the mercy of theologians. If the Scriptures do not mean what they say, who has the authority to decide what they do mean? And how can we turn to the Word of God for light if it does not mean what it says, and only trained theologians can tell us what it does mean?
Second, this altering of the Scriptures affects the veracity of God. It is a thrust at His very honor. If the obvious, natural meaning of the Old Testament promises are not to be depended upon, how can we depend upon any promise of God? Then, when He says: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13), He may also mean something else instead of what He actually says.
Third, this “spiritualizing” of Scriptures endorses apostasy, for it allows men to alter the meaning of God’s Word according to their will.
The path to a true understanding and enjoyment of the Bible is not in altering but in “rightly dividing” it (II Tim. 2:15).
Those who have resorted to the “spiritualization” of the prophetic Scriptures because they cannot account for the seeming cessation in their fulfillment, will find the solution to their problem in a recognition of the unique character of Paul’s apostleship and message. Recognize “the mystery” revealed through Paul and there will be no need to alter prophecy.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Not Equipped for the Cold
by Shani4jc
Many
of us in the southern United States are currently experiencing an
extremely unusual occurrence- an actual few days of winter. Temperatures
where I live have been in the high teens to low twenties in the morning
and not getting too much above freezing if it makes it above freezing
at all. Now, to those in the north, I know we seem like a bunch of whiny
babies, but give us a break. I know we start to bundle up if it gets
below 60, but our bodies are accustomed to 90 degrees and up. Hot, humid
days are the norm for us and they don’t bother us too much. But, cold
temperatures are an entirely different thing. We don’t know how to
handle cold! We don’t have proper clothing for the cold. Most of us
don’t even own a coat and wool is not a fabric of choice around these
parts. In fact, when it snowed a few weeks ago (another totally bizarre
event for us), I had to improvise and put socks on my grandson’s hands
because we don’t have gloves. We are just not equipped for this weather,
so when we say we are freezing to death, cut us some slack! We are
fighting a battle we are not prepared to win! In much the same way, many
of us are fighting battles in our every day lives that we are not
equipped to fight. We go out to fight and don’t have the first bit of
armor on. We go out blind with no battle plan whatsoever to follow. We
are defeated before we even begin because we are unprepared for the
enemy. We have to wise up and prepare for battle. We have to wear the
right armor and follow the right battle plan or we will be defeated. Our
enemy is stronger, smarter, and much more ruthless than we are. He
knows exactly where to aim his arrows to destroy us. He knows how to
taunt us and cripple us to the point where we are his for the taking.
However, he is NOT stronger, smarter, or more prepared than our Heavenly
Father. He may know our weaknesses and how to exploit them, but God
know his weaknesses and how to exploit them. God has given us the battle
plan in His Word and if we follow it, victory is ours for the taking.
He has told us exactly what armor to wear for protection. If we put it
on, we render Satan defeated. It’s only when we go out unequipped that
Satan gets the upper hand. I wised up today and added some additional
layers after freezing all day yesterday abd I wasn’t nearly as cold. May
we all wise up in our other battles and put on the full armor of God
abd stand ready to defeat our enemy.
”Stand
therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the
breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the
preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of
faith with which you will quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God...” Ephesians 6:14-17
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Beliefs
What we play is life. -- Louis Armstrong
Some beliefs matter more than others, of course. It's not a big deal if
you believe it’s going to be sunny today and it turns out to be cloudy.
On the other hand, if you don't believe that you have cancer but you
actually do, the consequences can be much more severe.While many of our beliefs will have greater or lesser earthly consequences, none of them matter more than our beliefs in God. Throughout Scripture, belief in God is directly tied to the most valued aspects of our existence--to things like joy, peace, and purpose. Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. (Romans 4:3) It's interesting to note here that Abraham's righteousness did not come just from a belief in God. Abraham didn't just believe that God existed; he actually believed what God had told him. That's a subtle, but powerful, distinction that has led to big transformation in many people's lives. Yes, it's one thing to believe that God exists. The demons actually believe in Him, but this knowledge terrifies them. We, on the other hand, can embrace and believe what He says. O God, I don't want to just believe that You exist. I want to believe what You have revealed through the Bible. Speak to me clearly through Your living Word so that I can know what is true about You, so that I can then know You more intimately on a real, personal level. Amen.
Listen to Pete, Jill & Stuart Briscoe on the Telling the Truth broadcast at OnePlace.com
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Wednesday, January 3, 2018
When You Come to the Iron Gate
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Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Worship and Work
Imagine if you were to suddenly hear a bunch of cars outside. When you look out your window, you see a motorcade pulling up. Out steps a person of great importance, who walks up your sidewalk and rings your doorbell. When you answer the door, the dignitary says, “We were just driving through the neighborhood and were wondering if we could come in and have a bite?”
One day, the Creator of the universe showed up at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Of course, Martha wanted to make something for Him, but Mary wisely recognized it as a unique opportunity. Instead of going and helping her sister prepare a meal for the Lord, Mary sat at His feet to drink in every word.
Meanwhile, Martha was growing increasingly frustrated because there was so much work to do. Finally, she walked in and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40).
Jesus told her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (verses 41–42). In other words, “Martha, you are too busy. You’re cumbered about with too much serving. Your sister has chosen the better part.”
True worship will produce work, but work should never take the place of worship. If you are really in fellowship and communion with God, you will want to do things that please Him. Mary seized the moment and sat at His feet.
There is a time to work, and there is a time to worship. There is a time to be active for the Lord, and there is a time to sit at His feet.
Copyright © 2017 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
from Pastor Greg Laurie
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