TOO BUSY TO STUDY AND PRAY?

By Sheila Gosney 

 Does your schedule keep growing beyond control
Till you're just running around day after day?
And you know you need to, but you just can't see how
To take time to study and pray.

For you take kids to school five days a week
With appointments and deadlines to keep.
Then you have club activities and baseball practices
With barely enough time to sleep.

Most of the time, you feel like you are "running on empty"
Or on "fumes" from the last sermon you heard.
But the God who loves you wants to energize you each day
From the pages of His Holy Word.

And if you'd make time each day to seek Him and pray
He'd grant a peace when you're frazzled and sore.
For He wants you to grow in the midst of your busyness
And to hunger for Him even more.

So if your life is that hectic, you need to shift gears
And make time with Him a priority each day.
Then you'll be so blessed, convinced and refreshed
That you can't afford not to study and pray.

 
"I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes; I will not forget thy Word.”  Psalm 119:15-16

Today's Thought:
"Meditation on God's Word has given me the help and strength to pass peacefully through deep trials. What a difference there is when the soul is refreshed in fellowship with God early in the morning! Without spiritual preparation, the service, the trials, and the temptations of the day can be overwhelming." - George Mueller
 
 

Remembering Our Spiritual and Political Heritage

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.” Psalm 78:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
On June 8, 1845, Andrew Jackson said, “The Bible is the rock upon which our Republic rests.” Just a few years prior, in 1820, another of our forefathers, Daniel Webster, said, “Let us not forget the religious character of our origin.” In the days of our founding fathers, people didn’t quibble about the Bible’s importance. Our forefathers brought hither their high veneration for the Christian religion, being journeyed in its light and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate, listen to, and infuse its influence through all their institutions: civil, political, and literary.

ACTION POINT:
American heritage is important, but so is your personal spiritual heritage as a believer and as a family. Why not take some time this week to write down the spiritual heritage of your family?

God's Independence Day

By Beth Patch

Most Americans have celebrated Independence Day in their lifetime. The smell of burgers and hotdogs sizzling on the grill outside and the bursting of fireworks in the sky become familiar on July 4th. We eat, maybe the Star Spangled Banner is played or the National Anthem, and then everyone watches fireworks and goes home. It’s become rather commonplace, another day for big sales events and flying an American flag.
However, an Independence Day celebration approaches that will include and impress the whole world! We don’t know the date and shouldn’t believe anyone who tells us they do. But, no one on earth or in heaven will miss its importance, and it will mark a day of freedom from the greatest oppressor ever – Satan.

It is the day of the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It is the beginning of real freedom, like no one has ever had before (except Adam and Eve before they sinned). Those who have believed in Christ’s atoning blood for their sins and have trusted and believed in Him, might have what an old preacher of mine used to call "a Hallelujah breakdown!"

This Independence Day will release Christians from the many sins that keep them entangled. Imagine, no more sickness, no more addictions, no more gossip, no more unkindness, no more anything that does not reflect the positive attributes of the love of our Father God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Currently, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, to strengthen us, to comfort us, and to give us power through Christ’s death and resurrection. However, we are still tripped up by sin as long as we live in this fallen world. When Jesus comes, all our ungodliness along with our negative baggage goes away. I can’t think of a better freedom than that.

Actually, the whole scene of Jesus’ return sounds so incredible that I doubt there are words to describe the immense emotional, spiritual, and physical response people will have.

The Bible tells us that Jesus will return to earth just like He left, through the clouds (Acts 1:11b), with his angels (Matt 16:27), with the trumpet call of God and a loud command (1 Thess 4:16). Scripture says believers in Christ will be changed in a twinkling of an eye and Jesus will destroy all dominion, authority and power that stands in opposition to Almighty God (1 Cor 15:52, 1 Cor 15:24).

Our earthly minds are limited in their comprehension of this miraculous time. It’s a God thing, and try as we may, we can’t peg down the details on how God will accomplish the return of Jesus Christ and the destruction of evil.

Picture in your mind the sky filled with God’s mighty angels, the sound of God’s trumpet, which has to be the most beautiful and loudest sounding instrument, and our Lord Jesus shining radiantly as He leads His mighty angelic troop in the earth’s sky.

Envision getting to see the victory as Christ and his angels capture Satan and his demons and justice is completed. It will be more graphic and stirring than any riveting movie that Hollywood could ever think of producing.

Many theologians have studied the return of Christ and not all have agreed about the order of when things happen or exactly how they happen. These varied opinions on the return of Christ and the disappearance of believers from the earth have created divisions among believers who desperately want to cling to one decided order of the end times.

My response to such division is that it won’t matter how we interpret end times scriptures when God’s day of Independence comes. Everything will be revealed in God’s perfect timing. The Independence Day of our God will come when we least expect it and we are instructed to be ready as if it were the next moment. So, in case it happens to be today, Happy Independence Day!

Humor:


A minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building.

Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances."

During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."

At that moment, the substitute organist played, "The Star Spangled Banner."

Have A Safe and Joyous 4th,
Richard

Stop And Look Up

"Be still, and know that I am God." – Psalm 46:10

I sat belted into my seat, waiting in of a row chairs that were attached as part of a simulator. The room became dark and the machine rose into position. Soon, I felt as if I were riding in the sky as my seat gently moved to make the trip seem more real. The scenery on the screen around me was beautiful, as was the accompanying music. But after a time, I noticed I was not feeling too well. I had become too engrossed in the ride and had not closed my eyes enough or looked elsewhere in the room to avoid getting dizzy. By then it was too late. I just sat and endured until the ride was over and I once again had my feet on the floor.

All too often, this can be what happens to us in life. We can become so focused on the cares of the world—the things we want to accomplish and our hectic daily schedules—that we neglect the well-being of our souls. The result is that we begin to feel sick and disoriented in our hearts, even depressed by the thought of continuing on. We begin to endure life because we must, rather than truly enjoying it.

God did not intend for us to just endure life. He meant for us to feel joy and contentment, and to take pleasure in the fruit of our labors. (See Ecclesiastes 3:13.) However, to do that, it is important for us to remember the Source of true joy. Psalm 16:11 tells us, "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." If we do not keep our focus on God as we go about our daily business, we will become disoriented spiritually and will suffer as a consequence.

We can enjoy peace in our hearts every day if we will just look away from our cares for a short quiet-time with the Lord. Have you ever tried sitting down in a comfortable chair, closing your eyes, and simply talking to God? Thank Him for the good things you enjoy. Turn your cares over to Him. Let His peace fill your soul.

Does life ever make you feel as though you are on a rollercoaster or merry-go-round? Do you feel there is no way to change? Try taking an occasional break. Stop and talk to the best Friend you will ever have. He is waiting to hear from you.

Celebrating the Fourth

Some religious sects, believe Scripture teaches we should not keep such things as holidays in remembrance. They arrive at this opinion through misinterpretation of Scripture. We should not observe occasions dedicated to pagan gods, but other events like birthdays, anniversaries, and historical events help us to remember who we are as well as remember and sometimes relive the movement of God in the lives of men through time. This is important for one of the ways God is revealed is through His dealing with mankind in the events of history. God even uses the Feasts of Israel, which are annually kept in remembrance in the fulfillment of His prophetic timeline.

One of the important events within my family tradition is the Fourth of July. As I learned more about my family history over the years, I grew in knowledge about why this was such an important date to us. Sadly our past had not been retold from generation to generation. The closed mouthedness had come about because even the family name had been born in flight and hiding from persecution. So eventually our generations became hidden even from themselves. Only certain peculiar traditions remained such as the overwhelming love of freedom and independence.

Within my own house we have developed some traditions for the fourth. For instance we love to watch or listen to the 1812 Overture. There was one year the Boston Pops was perfectly synced with Army cannoneers, and it was a beautiful thing unequaled since. I would be perfectly content to watch that performance over and over. We missed that this year unfortunately, but my wife and I enjoyed the movie 1776. It is a musical about the Declaration of Independence and while not totally accurate quite enjoyable.

One of the things I noticed this year, that I had missed in preceding years about the movie was it contains Benjamin Franklin's warning against swapping freedom for security. In the end you have neither. Another thing that is emphasized in the movie is that freedom is not derived from the ruler but emanates from God. In the Declaration of Independence the opening says "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with one another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitles them…" As Kerry L. Morgan states it, "By invoking the "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" the 56 signers of the Declaration incorporated a legal standard of freedom into the forms of government that would follow. The theory of freedom adopted was simply that God's law was supreme and gave freedom. The phrase "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" referred to the laws that God in his capacity as the Creator of the universe had established for the governance of people, nations and nature. These laws are variously described as the laws of Creation, God's Creation laws or as the framers elected to refer to them, as the laws of nature and of nature's God. This body of law, whatever it is called, can be ascertained by people through an examination of God's creation, the text of the Bible, and to a certain degree, instinct or reason."

As I told my beloved wife as we closed our day, "In all of human history there has never been a nation the like of this one. And when it falls we shall not see its like again." I believe it is a country God made for a specific purpose, would to God we fulfill it.

Chosen Vessels

"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." (Acts 9:15) 

The Lord here was speaking to Ananias concerning the apostle Paul, calling him a "vessel" that was to be filled with spiritual treasures for the nations. We may not be chosen for such a great work as that of Paul, but each of us is a chosen vessel to carry the message to someone. 

First, however, we have to be prepared as vessels by the great Potter, "that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory" (Romans 9:23). This verse speaks of God's mercy, for He must also endure "with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction" (Romans 9:22). 

We are only earthen vessels, at least to begin with, but God does entrust a portion of His heavenly treasures to us, especially "the light of the glorious gospel of Christ" shining in our hearts. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2 Corinthians 4:4, 7).
If we are faithful in the small things, He may one day entrust us with greater treasures. "In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (2 Timothy 2:20-21). 

Each one is a vessel in the master's hand. Some are vessels of wrath, suited only for destruction; some vessels in His house are of wood and dirt, vessels of dishonor. May God help us, however, to be beautiful vessels of great value, sanctified to the master's use, and to every good work.

Sorry about the delay this morning... Spent over an hour just trying to connect... Changed Devotional and then I connected...
Happy Wednesday,
Richard

Grief of Mind

Today’s Readings: Job 14; Acts 9:22-43

Grief of Mind

When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. And they were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah. Genesis 26:34-35

Do you have relationships in your life that are "a grief of mind"? Think about those people who really challenge your thoughts. It is as if you just cannot get along with them no matter how hard you try and you cannot accept who they are or what they do no matter how much you pray. However, for some reason, you cannot escape the relationship either. These people quench our peace and rob us of joy. Why can we not just live life without personality conflicts?

The answer has to do with the two greatest commandments. We must love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength and we must also love others as ourselves. Jesus says in Luke 6:32-36 that, if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

God wants us to learn mercy, kindness, thankfulness and love. We cannot love God with everything we have and then not love others. We can have people in life that are a grief of mind but God desires that we learn to love with His heart, touch with His hands and see through His eyes. We can only do that through a dependency on the Lord through His Holy Spirit. God wants us to be more like Him and He can change us if we work with Him through all this.

To overcome these personal conflicts, try stepping back from the issues and pray that you can have a discernment to change the dynamics of the relationship. That person may not ever change but you can. Be proactive in prayer if you know that you will be interacting with that person and ask the Lord to check your spirit before you act out in the flesh. Slowly but surely, you will begin to have victory and God will receive the glory.

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.

When Your Life Feels Like a Mess

Renee Swope

"But while Joseph was there in prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." Genesis 39: 20b-21 (NIV)

Do you ever feel like your days are filled with one messy relationship and situation after another? During those times, it's easy to label my circumstances and myself as "a mess," then wonder how God could ever use me, or my experiences, for good.

To protect my heart from discouragement, I often ask God to remind me of times when He has worked in ways I couldn't have imagined, in my life and the lives of others. Recently He reminded me of Joseph's story (Genesis 37-50). It reads like a series of very unfortunate events!

Imagine being beaten and thrown into a pit, sold as a slave and then relocated to a foreign country where you are falsely accused of a crime you didn't commit and banished to die in prison. And to make matters worse, what if your siblings had initiated this evil against you?

That's only the beginning of what happened to Joseph.

Looking behind the scenes of stories like his helps me see how God specializes in using messes to transform people into masterpieces of His grace. That's exactly what He did here:

"[Joseph's brothers] saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him ... they stripped him of his robe ... and they threw him into a pit" (Genesis 37:18, 23b–24, ESV).

Joseph was then taken to Egypt where he was sold as a slave to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Could things get worse? They did when Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him, and despite Joseph resisting her advances, she accused him of attempting to rape her:

" ... she called to the men of her household and said to them, 'See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.'"

"As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him ... his anger was kindled. And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison ..." (Genesis 39:14-15, 19-20a).

In Potiphar's house, Joseph learned servant leadership and integrity; in prison, Joseph learned forgiveness, wisdom and patience. He had been wronged multiple times, yet he experienced God's guidance through the darkness that helped Joseph get out of prison:

"And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. ... And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed" (Genesis 39:22-23, ESV).

In a messy pit, the house of Potiphar and a cold dark prison, God prepared Joseph for the amazing future and role he would play in rescuing God's people and eventually bringing his family back together.

Through it all, Joseph stayed close to God and allowed his difficult circumstances to make him more dependent on the Lord. And in turn, God molded Joseph's character into a great and godly leader — who was humble, loving, forgiving, patient and wise.

Friend, you might feel like you're in a pit right now just like Joseph was, but don't despise the mess you're in — God is doing some behind-the-scenes work. He is preparing to unleash His limitless power in and through you!

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me that You are always with me, just like You were with Joseph. When I face hard circumstances, I want to lean in and depend on You for wisdom, patience and grace. In all these things, I will remember that I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have a Blessed Monday,

Richard

The Bible’s Most Popular Verse

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” - (Matthew 7:1–2)

There was a time when probably the best-known Bible verse would have been John 3:16: “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.” It seemed as though everyone either knew this verse or knew a little bit about it.

But that is no longer the favorite verse of most people, especially nonbelievers. In fact, I believe the nonbeliever’s favorite verse is Matthew 7:1. I don’t think they know the actual reference, but they love to quote it: “Judge not, that you be not judged.”

That is usually what they say to a Christian who has the audacity to hold a biblical worldview. If we dare say that something is right or wrong, or if we make an evaluation about something, they will shoot back, “How can you say that? That is so judgmental! That is so narrow-minded! That is so bigoted! Doesn’t the Bible say, ‘Judge not, lest you be judged’?”

Don’t be put off by that. A better translation of this verse would be, “Condemn not, that you be not condemned.” I am not in the position to say who will get into heaven or who will end up in hell. Ultimately that is up to God.

But I am to make judgments in life. Every day, I make judgments. If I am stepping into the street, I look both ways to make sure it is safe. That is a judgment. If I see a dog and decide to pet it, only to change my mind when he suddenly bares his teeth and growls, then that is a judgment.

So I am to make judgments and evaluations as a follower of Jesus Christ. We must make judgments. But we must not condemn.

No, After You

Karen Ehman

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13 (NIV)

"I call shotgun, Mama Karen!" the strapping teen yelled as he approached my car after football practice.

"No way, Javari! Get in the back. She's my mom, dude. I get the front!" my son Spencer hollered back, trying to jockey for the prime piece of vehicle real estate known as the front passenger seat. Then, while the two of them playfully argued over whose turn it was to ride next to me, their friend Grant quietly slipped in front, grinning with a smile of victory.

Kids like to get their own way. So do adults. During my substitute teaching years, I spent many days getting children to take turns at recess or not cut in line at lunch. I broke up fights over seats in the library and over who was going to be captain during flag football.

A morning commute in traffic will showcase how adults also like to get their own way and be first. Horns honk and nasty looks are exchanged as drivers vie for their spot on the road, sometimes speeding or cutting others off in the process. But how refreshing it is to meet a kind person in a traffic jam, one who waves you on and allows you to move over a lane. And when they do it with a smile, this rare gesture restores faith in the human race.

I used to read today's key verse about laying down our lives, and thought of it as a person actually dying for another, which of course is the greatest love of all. But I have also come to think of "laying down my life" as the little choices which put others first.

Putting others first doesn't come naturally to us. Our innate tendency is to reach for the biggest slice of pie rather than offer it to a family member. It takes a conscious effort to allow others to go before you or to let them have what you really want. This is why I have always been impressed at those who seem to do it regularly.

My mother is one who made selfless choices, when as a single mom on a tight budget, she would wear the same threadbare coat winter after winter in order to make sure her children had warm jackets.

I also think of Alma, whom I've known since she was the Sunday school teacher for the preschool class when my adult daughter was young. Conversations with this sweet woman are sure to revolve around you and your family. She rarely talks about herself, but instead wants to know how she can be praying for you and your loved ones. She is known by many as "the nicest woman in the world."

Then there's the man at church who opens doors for others, helps visitors find a cup of coffee or locate a classroom, and does it all with a genuine smile. He is not an official usher. Just a kind soul.

But I also know people who've given more. Like Andrew, my friend Tami's son. I first knew Andrew as an energetic toddler. Throughout his life he wanted to serve. To protect. To save. It was evident in his play as a child and with his future goals as a teen. Then one day, as a 19-year-old soldier, he laid down his life for his country on a battlefield far away.

Most likely we won't ever be called to make the ultimate sacrifice, but could we vow to put others first a little more often? To intentionally look for ways to meet their needs while we put ours on hold? To, in a sense, lay down a little of our lives daily for another?

When we do, we will be modeling Christ to a watching world as we learn to live a life that says, "No, you first."

I'm in. Are you? If we ever meet in person someday, I'll hold the door open for you with a smile. Why, I just might even let you take the biggest piece of pie. {Maybe.}

Dear Lord, help me to be unselfish, to intentionally look for ways to put others first in the little things in life. Maybe even in making the ultimate sacrifice if ever I'm called upon. When people look at me, I want them to see You instead. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Patiently Wait

Patiently wait for God alone, my soul! For he is the one who gives me confidence. — Ps 62:5 

Our too general neglect of looking for answers to what we ask, shows how little we are in earnest in our petitions. A husbandman is not content without the harvest; a marksman will observe whether the ball hits the target; a physician watches the effect of the medicine which he gives; and shall the Christian be careless about the effect of his labor?

Every prayer of the Christian, made in faith, according to the will of God, for which God has promised, offered up in the name of Jesus Christ, and under the influence of the Spirit, whether for temporal or for spiritual blessings, is, or will be, fully answered.

God always answers the general design and intention of His people’s prayers, in doing that which, all things considered, is most for His own glory and their spiritual and eternal welfare. As we never find that Jesus Christ rejected a single supplicant who came to Him for mercy, so we believe that no prayer made in His name will be in vain.

The answer to prayer may be approaching, though we discern not its coming. The seed that lies under ground in winter is taking root in order to a spring and harvest, though it appears not above ground, but seems dead and lost.
—Bickersteth

Delayed answers to prayer are not only trials of faith, but they give us opportunities of honoring God by our steadfast confidence in Him under apparent repulses.
—C. H. Spurgeon

In The News

Meriam Ibrahim Re-Arrested at Sudan Airport

by Carrie Dedrick

One day after Sudanese Christian Meriam Ibrahim was released from prison, she has been re-arrested by authorities. The world applauded the freedom of Ibrahim and the recission of her death penalty sentence; now Ibrahim is back in the hands of police. 

Ibrahim had been in prison since February on apostasy charges.

Ibrahim was detained at the airport by about 40 security agents reports BBC News. The former prisoner was planning to travel to the United States with her husband and two young children; Ibrahim's husband, Daniel Wani, holds U.S. citizenship. 

It is said that Ibrahim is being held at the headquarters of a Sudanese security agency.

 

Publication date: June 24, 2014

 

HELP LORD, I'M STUCK!

Bretheren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do:  forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Some years ago, Debbie and I took the girls (ages 10, 8, and 6 at the time) to Breckenridge, Colorado for a vacation in the snow.  Although neither of us ski, we thought it would be fun to play in the snow, sled, drive snowmobiles, and just enjoy the winter wonderland as a family.

Our “welcome to your rather expensive winter vacation” was an unkind slap in the face, however.  Our condo was on the third floor.  We nearly passed out in the thin air as we hauled the luggage upstairs.  The girls raced outside to play while Debbie and I got things situated in the condo.  Within minutes, our middle daughter Amy lost her glove and got snow in her boots.  She was crying, “I just want to go home!” UGH!

I told the girls we would find a hill to sled down and it would be great fun.  But as I was searching for where to go, I got the rental car stuck in the snow.  To say the least, I was not a happy camper.  In fact, I was spitting nails and wanted to join Amy in her lament, “I just want to go home!”  And then it happened.  Debbie’s “nervous laugh” kicked in.  It was the last thing I needed to hear at that moment.  I was stuck in the snow and wanted to pull the plug on the vacation from hell.

STUCK IN LIFE?

It is one thing to get stuck in the snow, but quite another to get stuck in life.  Truth be told, that is the case for many people.  They are stuck in life.  Could that be true of you?  Have you gotten stuck in the ditch, so to speak, unable to move forward because of adverse circumstances or failures of the past?  Are you holding on to hurts and heartaches from days gone by?  Do you find yourself longing for the “good old days” while the present days continue to march on without you?  What can be done when you are stuck in life?

Mark it down:  God takes no pleasure in a derailed, ditch-dwelling Christian, living forlornly in the past.  He wants you to forget what lies behind.  He wants you to get back on track with Him, moving forward as a force for Jesus Christ.

God is the Great I AM, not the Great I Was.  As such, He desires for you and me to live in the present, not the past.  There is a call to every Christian to press on with the Lord in obedience and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never come.  All we have is today.  And God says to you today, “My child, walk with Me.  Let Me shine like the sun through you as you yield yourself to Me.  I have good works for you to do this day that will let people know I am real and alive in you.”

You don’t have to be stuck one more day.  You can get your life out of the ditch as you take the hand of Jesus and begin pressing on with Him.  Remember, He can forgive all sin.  He can give you beauty for ashes.  He can work all things together for good.  He is waiting for you to call on His name.

PRAYER TO GET UNSTUCK

Dear God, I don’t want to live stuck in the past, feeling like my life has lost meaning and purpose.  I want to press on with You.  Forgive me, Lord, for wallowing in guilt, resentment, and self-pity.  Thank You for the valleys and victories of days gone by.  Let me learn from them … and move forward.  Thank You that You have big plans for me this day.  I choose to walk with You by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.


Love,

Jeff Schreve

I'm a Meddler

Lynn Cowell

"... aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you." 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (ESV)

I did it again. Stepped in to a situation that didn't concern me. I told myself I was helping, but it wasn't my place to speak up. As usual, it backfired.

Contemplating all that had happened that evening, Jesus spoke to me. Of course, not literally spoke to me, but He nudged my heart: You're a meddler, Lynn, and you need to be done with it. When you meddle, you are not trusting. When you meddle, you are saying I can't handle it. You know I can. So be done with it. No more.

I'm a meddler.

I like to say I'm a "fixer." That's what I have called it in the past, but truth is, that's just a nicer way of putting it.

Not a gossiper. No, that is someone who intentionally separates and that's not my heart. I want to help. Really I do.

I'm a meddler. Dictionary.com defines the verb "meddle" this way: "To involve oneself in a matter without right or invitation; interfere officiously and unwantedly."

Without right or invitation. That's what I do. Seeing an unhappy, unhealthy or unholy situation I listen to the whisper in my head. Since I see it, I think I'm instructed to do something about it.

But most often, I am not. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says "... aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you."

My place is to be quiet and pray. But I still prefer to fix, manipulate and get involved.

In other words, I meddle.

So, there you have it. Now that I see my actions for what they are, it's my responsibility to change. And in order to change, I will have to slow down before I take action or open my mouth. I'll have to ask myself: Are you meddling?

Will I be tempted to meddle? Every day. Will I mess up? I hope not, but it's highly probable. I'm human. My desire, though, is to mind my own affairs and let Jesus get involved. I will ask Him for prayers to pray, not words to say.

This change is going to be hard. But I know Jesus is serious about not meddling. Proverbs 26:17 says, "Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears" (ESV). In other words, meddling isn't smart! And that is not what I want to be; I want to be wise.

Any other meddlers out there? Can you think of times when you got involved and you shouldn't have? Especially when the thing Jesus wanted you to do was to pray — and only pray? Let's pray for each other and ask Jesus to open our eyes to see and leave our troubles up to Him.

Jesus, I'm a woman who wants to be a fixer. But that's not really my place; it's Yours. Open my eyes before I step in, and empower me to resist the temptation to get involved. Teach me to pray instead, Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Every Job's Important

(Author Unknown, Provided by Student Discipleship Ministries, TX)  
Do you ever feel that what you do in the church is not important? Do you think that only the "big" jobs like teaching, singing, preaching, etc., are worth having?
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV) says:
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."
During World War II, England needed to greatly increase its production of coal, one of the country's major sources of energy. Winston Churchill called labor leaders together to enlist their support. He asked them to imagine a parade which would be held in Piccadilly Circus after the war. First in line in the parade, Churchill said, would be the sailors, who had fought the war at sea. Then would come the foot soldiers. Then the pilots, who had driven the German Luftwaffe from the sky, would follow. "Last of all," he said, "would come a long line of sweat-stained, soot-streaked men in miner's caps. Someone would cry from the crowd, 'And where were you during the critical days of our struggle?' And from ten thousand throats would come the answer, 'We were deep in the earth with our faces to the coal.'"
God says that every job in His church is important. Write down two ways God can use you in the lives of other people in your church. Next to each write, "THIS IS AN IMPORTANT JOB!" 

Thought for Today
"Church-goers are like coals in a fire. When they cling together, they keep the flame aglow; when they separate, they die out." - Billy Graham 

I Just Unfriended My Friend

Nicki Koziarz

"My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them for they will refresh your soul." Proverbs 3:21-22a (NLT)

"Women are ridiculous," I said to my husband as I crawled into bed, tears dripping. He gave me an agreeable stare, since he had no words to console my aching heart.

I'd just learned a friend lied to me. It was about something senseless, which just made it worse. As the hours ticked by, I wrestled through troubling thoughts.

Why would she lie about THAT?

Were we ever really friends?

The combination of hurt and middle-of-the-night thinking was toxic, forming a very self-centered attitude in me. I decided I no longer had room in my life to deal with someone who had lied to me. So in my heart, I just unfriended this friend.

I have other people I can be friends with, I thought as I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning I realized how my emotions had distorted my perceptions. It concerned me how quickly I was willing to write off this friend, since we had been through a lot together. And I really did value our relationship.

So I pondered the emotions swirling in my heart.

In our cyber culture today, it's easy to sit behind computer screens and smartphones while we reject the reality of many things, including friendships.

My profile on Facebook says I have 900 "friends." Social media convinces me I have hundreds of people in my corner. But in reality, I don't have 900 friends I could call in the midst of a crisis or even go meet for a cup of coffee.

And that "unfriend" button is mighty tempting when someone hurts me. But the truth is, ending a relationship is much more complex than the way social media convinces me it can happen — as easily as clicking an icon.

Social media is a relational tool, but it's not a relational reality.

More than ever, I need to see my friendships through the lens of reality, and this verse helps me do this: "My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them for they will refresh your soul," (Proverbs 3:21-22a).

God has given us two trustworthy filters to help us see things as what they really are: common sense and discernment.

In this situation with my friend, common sense, reminded me: You don't really have 900 friends, but you do have one or two people you can really count on. And you need to cultivate those relationships through good times and bad.

When I wanted to reject our relationship because I was hurt, discernment said: Your friend is human. At the core of her heart she cares about you and didn't mean to hurt you.

We will always be susceptible to flawed perceptions in our friendships. But when we hang on to the realities God offers us through common sense and discernment I believe we will be much wiser with our perceptions.

Using God's Word as my filter, rather than my emotions, allowed me to work through the hurtful issue with my friend. That experience made me a more compassionate friend and it strengthened our friendship, so that when I mess up (and I'm sure I will), hopefully she'll forgive me.

God, we are so grateful for Your gifts of common sense and discernment. Give us the grace to use these filters when things get foggy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Don't Get Stuck

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. - Psalm 25:8-9 

 

Have you ever strayed from the Lord and wandered down the wrong path? John O’Neil of Huntington, New York has.

 

The 73 year-old man left a bar late one night in February and walked down a very narrow opening between two buildings. Unfortunately for Mr. O’Neil, there wasn’t enough space to accommodate him and he got stuck. He was wedged so tightly between the buildings that he could not move and spent the night waiting for help. In the morning, the Fire Department was summoned and had to pluck Mr. O’Neil from above. 

 

When we take our eyes off the Lord, we can very easily get ourselves stuck in a place where we don’t want to be. That is why it is so important that God is the focus of all we do.

 

I challenge you today to assess your direction. Is God at the center of your life and are you allowing Him to direct your path? If you are not, I urge you to do so before you get yourself stuck in a very undesirable place.  

 

“Every day, I find countless opportunities to decide whether I will obey God and demonstrate my love for Him or try to please myself or the world system. God is waiting for my choices.” -Bill Bright (1921-2003)
 

Happy Saturday

“The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God.” —William Bernard Ullanthorne (1806-1889)

If you’ve been around Christians much, you’ve probably heard us mock a very popular motto: “God helps those who help themselves.” Yeah, we make fun of it; I mean, it’s not even a Bible verse. Not only is it non-biblical, it is contra-biblical—the exact opposite of what Scripture teaches. So we laugh at it... and then turn around and live by it.

Be honest, now. Doesn’t something deep down inside you feel that God is more likely to help you, love you, accept you, and deliver you if you are trying your hardest? Don’t you fear that He is likely to leave you stranded and alone if you haven’t done your best? … or am I the only one?!

Listen, I believe that we are destined to be doers of God’s Word. We were created to be our part in the Body that is living in grace and sharing His grace with the world (see Romans 10:13-15 for how this works). God’s involvement is a given.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and selfdiscipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. —2 Timothy 1:7-10

His grace saved us, and His grace calls us to a holy life. One result of this holy life is that I join with others in suffering for the Good News. I want to do that because I want other people to experience His grace. But it’s “not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace.”

Who does God help? God helps those who are completely helpless, which, by the way, is you and me and everyone else.

Lord of the Harvest, I come to You helpless today. I give up trying to help myself. Thank You for forgiving me when trying to earn Your help by works. So, I rest in You now. I claim the spirit of power and love You have placed in me. Live a holy life through me by Your grace according to Your purposes. Amen.

Pause and Breathe

Tracie Miles

"So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea." Psalm 46:2 (NLT)

Recently as I was waiting to board a plane, I felt a little twinge of anxiety.

I looked tentatively at the other passengers at the gate, wondering if any posed a threat. I found myself reading their faces, looking at their carry-on bags and speculating if anything dangerous might have slipped through.

You see, the horrific events of previous months were heavy on my heart. My mind had been filled with school shootings, the Boston Marathon bombing, massive floods in the Southwest, the plant explosion in Texas, tornados, and tragedies overseas. As the news broadcasts so many calamities, innocent lives lost and people injured, it's easy to harbor fear and wonder: What's happening to our world? Why are people so evil? Can we ever feel safe?

In that airport terminal, my mind was on the verge of drifting to a thousand what-ifs and whys when I remembered God's promise in Psalm 46. As I allowed His truth to sink in, I paused to take comfort in the fact that there was no need to fear, because no matter what, God is with us.

Verses 1-3 assure us that "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!" Interlude

God is our Protector. He is where we find strength to get through tough times when we are afraid. When the earth crumbles, floods abound, avalanches roar, tornados threaten—He is our refuge.

Yet, sometimes in the face of tragedy and heartache, we question God, doubting His promise of protection. Although God does have the authority and ability to protect us from every trouble, sometimes He uses the trials we go through to teach us, purify us and draw us closer to Him. Although at times it may seem that God has not protected us in the way we need or desire, we can rest in knowing that He is protecting us in the way He knows is best for us to learn to fully depend on God.

Psalm 46:4-7 says, "A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress." Interlude

While I love the ocean, I don't long to dig my toes in the shorelines when there's a storm. But I wouldn't mind sitting on the banks of a peaceful river, even during a rainstorm. Just like the calm, flowing waters of a river, God weaves His peace and provision throughout our lives even in chaos.

Psalm 46:8-11 says, "Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress." Interlude

Although the world is in disarray, God is still God. He is still on the throne. Still mighty. Still faithful. Still sovereign.

In all three sections in this passage, each one ends with the word Interlude. The definition of interlude is to pause, break, breathing space, or rest.

When we pause to focus on the truth that God is God, we find rest.

If fear has been creeping into your heart lately, pause and remember that God is your protector; His presence is with you, and He is in the highest position of authority over this broken world. Ask Him to settle the anxiousness in your heart. Then, just breathe.

Dear Lord, thank You for being a safe place to flee, for always providing peace in the face of anxieties. Fill us with joy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The Happiest of Fridays,

Richard

A Little Girl's Dance

Lysa TerKeurst

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NIV)

My touch has always comforted my youngest daughter, Brooke.

I remember running errands when she was a baby, knowing we should have been home an hour earlier for her nap. But also knowing there were things that had to get done, I pressed on, hoping for the best. She started getting fussy. Soon, whines and whimpers escalated into a full-blown meltdown.

Although I couldn't do much to comfort her while driving, I could reach my arm into the backseat and gently pat her leg. It took a few minutes, but eventually she settled down and reached out her tiny hand to hold mine.

A few years later, Brooke had a performance with her praise dance team from school. She loved getting on a stage, so I expected her to be full of smiles and giggles. But just a few minutes before the performance began, a very distraught Brooke made her way to the audience to find me.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, she explained that the teacher had moved her from the front row to the back row, and she didn't know the back row's part. I reassured her, "Honey, just get up there and watch the other girls for cues and follow in step. You know this dance. You'll be fine."

She sobbed back, "I won't be fine if I mess up, and I know I'm going to mess up."

That's when it occurred to me. She would need my touch to get through this. But we both knew it would be impossible for my arm to reach all the way up to the stage. So I quickly whispered, "Brooke, lock your eyes with mine, and Mommy will touch you with my smile. Don't look at anyone else. It doesn't matter if you mess up. What matters is that you keep your eyes on me the whole time. We'll do this together."

Quietly she asked, "The whole time, Mommy?"

"The whole time, Brooke," I replied as I watched my brave girl walk away to take her place.

Several times during the dance, Brooke fell out of step. She knew her steps weren't perfect, so her eyes brimmed with tears. However, the tears never fell. With her eyes perfectly locked on my smiling face, she danced.

My smile was not based on her performance. My smile was born out of an incredible love for this precious, courageous little girl. As she kept her attention focused solely on my smile and the touch of my gaze, it was as if the world slowly faded away and we were the only ones in the room.

This is the way God wants me to dance through life.

Though I can't physically see Him, my soul pictures Him so clearly. In my mind's eye He is there. The touch of His gaze wraps about me, comforts me, assures me, and makes the world seem strangely dim. As long as my gaze is locked on His, I dance and He smiles. The snickers and jeers of others fade away. Though I hear their razor-sharp intentions, they are unable to pierce my heart and distract my focus. Even my own stumblings don't cause the same feelings of defeat.

My steps so often betray the desire of my heart, but it is not my perfect performance that captures His attention. Rather, it is my complete dependence on Him that He notices.

He then whispers to my heart, hold on to Me and what I say about you. For My words are the truth of who you are and the essence of what you were created to be. I then imagine Him pausing as He adds, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).

His truth frees me from the chains of doubt and insecurity. His truth frees me from feeling unable and inadequate to try and pursue God. His truth washes over me as I tentatively whisper, "I want to be a woman who says 'yes' to God."

And in that moment, with my eyes locked on His, I am.

Dear Lord, I want to keep my eyes on You as I dance through the highs and lows of my life. Direct my steps today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Happy Thursday,

Richard