For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
Psalm 16:10
It is commonly known that in many surveys of people’s greatest fears, fear of public speaking ranks higher than the fear of death. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld observed that most people are more afraid of delivering a eulogy at a funeral than of being in the casket. Something seems wrong with these surveys. Given the choice, right now, would most people rather die—actually die—than speak in public? That seems unlikely.
Death has always been humanity’s greatest unknown and thus man’s greatest fear. We tend to fear what we don’t understand and can’t control. Religions have made attempts through the centuries to unravel the mystery of death. But no explanation of death satisfies reason and intellect, and gives hope to the heart, like the Christian explanation. Very simply, Jesus Christ defeated death by returning to life. Had the resurrection not happened, we Christians would look foolish with our Gospel of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:14, 18).
But the resurrection did happen! Death has been defeated! And we Christians, in Christ, have been given the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).
The resurrection of Christ is the most important article of our faith.
John Calvin
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Friday, March 13, 2015
Coping with Consequences
by Charles R. Swindoll
2 Corinthians 4:10-11, 16-18
I have found great help from two truths God gave me at a time in my life when I was bombarded with a series of unexpected and unfair blows (from my perspective). In my darkest hours these principles still become my anchor of stability, my only means of survival.
Because they work for me, I pass them on to you. Memorize them. Write them on a card and carry it at all times.
• Nothing touches me that has not passed through the hands of my heavenly Father. Nothing. Whatever occurs, God has sovereignly surveyed and approved. We may not know why, but we do know our pain is no accident to Him who guides our lives.
• Everything I endure is designed to prepare me for serving others more effectively. Everything. Since my Heavenly Father is committed to shaping me into the image of His Son, He knows the ultimate value of this painful experience. It is being used to empty our hands of our own resources, our own sufficiency, and turn us back to Him---the faithful Provider. And God knows what will get through to us.
Things may not be logical or fair, but when God is directing the events of our lives, they are right.
2 Corinthians 4:10-11, 16-18
I have found great help from two truths God gave me at a time in my life when I was bombarded with a series of unexpected and unfair blows (from my perspective). In my darkest hours these principles still become my anchor of stability, my only means of survival.
Because they work for me, I pass them on to you. Memorize them. Write them on a card and carry it at all times.
• Nothing touches me that has not passed through the hands of my heavenly Father. Nothing. Whatever occurs, God has sovereignly surveyed and approved. We may not know why, but we do know our pain is no accident to Him who guides our lives.
• Everything I endure is designed to prepare me for serving others more effectively. Everything. Since my Heavenly Father is committed to shaping me into the image of His Son, He knows the ultimate value of this painful experience. It is being used to empty our hands of our own resources, our own sufficiency, and turn us back to Him---the faithful Provider. And God knows what will get through to us.
Things may not be logical or fair, but when God is directing the events of our lives, they are right.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Danger Ahead
| "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. —Ephesians 4:26-27 A study of nine thousand British civil servants, reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that prolonged anger is bad for one's health. Participants who were involved in hostile, critical relationships were 34 percent more likely to have a heart attack or chest pain compared to participants who had emotional support and frequent opportunities to voice their feelings in a healthy way. Anger in itself is not necessarily wrong. But impatient anger that fails to take the other person's needs into account can be destructive. That's one of the reasons why it's so important to show patience in our words and actions, even when we are upset with someone. Patience gives us a chance to apply reason to the emotions that might otherwise cause us to do or say something unloving. Ephesians 4:26-27 reminds us that controlling our anger is a spiritual issue. When we fail to control our anger, we give Satan an opportunity to attack us—and our minds, bodies, and relationships all take a beating. Action Step Picture a situation you sometimes find yourself in that triggers anger. Now, commit yourself to take a step—such as counting to ten, leaving the room, or putting your hand over your mouth—that will help you use patience to control your anger. Dr. Gary Chapman is the beloved best-selling author of The Five Love Languages and Love as a Way of Life. |
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Reviving an Abandoned Dream
Glynnis Whitwer
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
I sat on the couch during small group, dabbed the tears dripping down my face, and hoped the others wouldn't notice my emotional response to the message.
While watching a DVD teaching about God-given dreams, a tender, hidden spot in my heart was coming to life. It was uncomfortable. Scary, in fact. I wanted to move toward it and away at the same time.
The teaching wasn't on night-time dreams, but rather those dreams that often start in childhood when anything seemed possible. And we were unhindered by the realities of genetics or abilities. We were sure to be ballerinas or fashion models, ignoring the fact that we couldn't do the splits, or that our height/weight ratio might be less than desirable for the runway.
Personally, I imagined the day my favorite band would invite me on stage. Hairbrush in hand, I practiced my moves and vocal range preparing for my big break.
That day at small group, the dream fuelling my simmering emotions wasn't the desire to sing. For years another dream had been stirring in my heart, a dream that had been dampened by doubts and the logistics of adulthood. My dream was to write.
Pain and excitement mixed as I allowed the dream to come to life, much like a foot that's fallen asleep when the blood flow returns. Doubt whispered around every thought. Was this dream from God or me? Did I have anything worth saying?
My heart felt vulnerable every time I pondered the idea. If I told someone my dream, would they give voice to the litany of taunts in my head? I wondered. And yet the more I prayed, the more convinced I became that God was asking me to write for Him. When I finally accepted that truth, my attitude changed. Writing wasn't just an interesting idea, it was an assignment.
I wish I could say I immediately started writing. But I didn't.
Tucking the dream in my heart, I procrastinated. For months. Which turned into years. Thinking about my dream was much easier than acting on it, because it was going to take a lot of work and sacrifice. And there was always a handy excuse.
Until one Sunday, my pastor opened prayer time with these words: "God has asked some of you to do something and you haven't done it yet."
The Holy Spirit was playing the drums on my heart as I shifted from foot to foot. There was no question; God was calling my name. A flood of people headed to the front alongside me to address their own abandoned assignments.
My pastor's challenge was what I needed to shift from a passive to an active approach in my writing. To move from disobedience to obedience. To step into an unfamiliar world believing that if God had called me to it, He wouldn't abandon me.
God often gives directions through dreams. Yet, those can be the hardest to embrace because they seem too big for us to accomplish on our own. And sometimes they seem downright selfish. So we let them drift away.
But dreams are also how God increases our faith. When we step into active obedience of an audacious assignment, we see God move and do things only He can do. Our key verse shows that God has the power to accomplish any dream He gives us: "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20, NLT).
It was 10 years ago when I embraced my dream as an assignment, and God has shown His power time and time again. There are still doubts and barriers to overcome, but my faith has grown each time God proves Himself faithful.
Did God put a dream in your heart years ago? Maybe your dream was to adopt a child or go on a mission trip. Maybe it was to open your home to neighbors or lead teens at church. At the time your dream seemed too big or came with too many barriers. Now it's a hazy memory.
May I offer the same challenge my pastor gave years ago? God has asked some of you to do something and you haven't done it yet. Will today be your day to accept your assignment?
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me a dream to serve You and others through my gifts and talents. Help me see this dream as an assignment from You, and I ask for Your power to help me take the next step. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
I sat on the couch during small group, dabbed the tears dripping down my face, and hoped the others wouldn't notice my emotional response to the message.
While watching a DVD teaching about God-given dreams, a tender, hidden spot in my heart was coming to life. It was uncomfortable. Scary, in fact. I wanted to move toward it and away at the same time.
The teaching wasn't on night-time dreams, but rather those dreams that often start in childhood when anything seemed possible. And we were unhindered by the realities of genetics or abilities. We were sure to be ballerinas or fashion models, ignoring the fact that we couldn't do the splits, or that our height/weight ratio might be less than desirable for the runway.
Personally, I imagined the day my favorite band would invite me on stage. Hairbrush in hand, I practiced my moves and vocal range preparing for my big break.
That day at small group, the dream fuelling my simmering emotions wasn't the desire to sing. For years another dream had been stirring in my heart, a dream that had been dampened by doubts and the logistics of adulthood. My dream was to write.
Pain and excitement mixed as I allowed the dream to come to life, much like a foot that's fallen asleep when the blood flow returns. Doubt whispered around every thought. Was this dream from God or me? Did I have anything worth saying?
My heart felt vulnerable every time I pondered the idea. If I told someone my dream, would they give voice to the litany of taunts in my head? I wondered. And yet the more I prayed, the more convinced I became that God was asking me to write for Him. When I finally accepted that truth, my attitude changed. Writing wasn't just an interesting idea, it was an assignment.
I wish I could say I immediately started writing. But I didn't.
Tucking the dream in my heart, I procrastinated. For months. Which turned into years. Thinking about my dream was much easier than acting on it, because it was going to take a lot of work and sacrifice. And there was always a handy excuse.
Until one Sunday, my pastor opened prayer time with these words: "God has asked some of you to do something and you haven't done it yet."
The Holy Spirit was playing the drums on my heart as I shifted from foot to foot. There was no question; God was calling my name. A flood of people headed to the front alongside me to address their own abandoned assignments.
My pastor's challenge was what I needed to shift from a passive to an active approach in my writing. To move from disobedience to obedience. To step into an unfamiliar world believing that if God had called me to it, He wouldn't abandon me.
God often gives directions through dreams. Yet, those can be the hardest to embrace because they seem too big for us to accomplish on our own. And sometimes they seem downright selfish. So we let them drift away.
But dreams are also how God increases our faith. When we step into active obedience of an audacious assignment, we see God move and do things only He can do. Our key verse shows that God has the power to accomplish any dream He gives us: "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20, NLT).
It was 10 years ago when I embraced my dream as an assignment, and God has shown His power time and time again. There are still doubts and barriers to overcome, but my faith has grown each time God proves Himself faithful.
Did God put a dream in your heart years ago? Maybe your dream was to adopt a child or go on a mission trip. Maybe it was to open your home to neighbors or lead teens at church. At the time your dream seemed too big or came with too many barriers. Now it's a hazy memory.
May I offer the same challenge my pastor gave years ago? God has asked some of you to do something and you haven't done it yet. Will today be your day to accept your assignment?
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me a dream to serve You and others through my gifts and talents. Help me see this dream as an assignment from You, and I ask for Your power to help me take the next step. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
The Lost Lamb
(By musician Peder Eide, http://www.pedereide.com)
"Daddy, are we gonna check with lost and found at the hotel when we get there?" asked my 10 year old daughter, Allison as we drove down the interstate on our way to a three day family getaway at a Wisconsin Water Park. "Can we check right when we get there dad?" Allison continued remind me that we needed to go find Baby, the toy stuffed baby lamb that she had lost a year ago in the room we stayed in at this same Resort. Since we go once a year she thought we should go check again in person with the staff of the hotel as soon as we got checked in.
Mind you, this was not just any soft little toy bedtime companion. This was Baby. Allison had this little, well-worn lamb since she was born. You could see it was loved by the wear and tear and worn out exterior. Baby was loved, adored, prayed for and so very missed. Even mom and dad were very determined to find Baby.
After we settled into our rooms, made some sort of schedule for the three days, Allison and I were off to find Baby. We first started at the front desk, which directed us to another front desk on the complete, other side of the resort. Being this was a completely enclosed resort of water parks, rooms, condos, and it was 10 below outside, Allison and I walked through all sorts of walkways, turns and skywalks, walkways, turns, and finally we arrived at another front desk. When we finally arrived, there was a line of other people needing help with their stay. (I assumed no one else was looking for a lost stuffed animal but you never know.) The line seemed to be moving slow and I could tell my daughter was a bit anxious so I asked if she wanted to come back later. She very clearly stated she was willing to wait because she did not miss this chance in getting her little lamb back. 20 plus minutes later we talk to the person behind the counter who kindly informed us he is not the person to talk to regarding any lost and found items. We were then sent to another part of the water park and I again asked Allison if she wanted to keep searching since she would be missing some of her swim time. "Keep going, I want to find Baby." Okay.
Almost an hour later we finally find the right person who listened to our story. We tell about how we left this precious stuffed animal here last year and we are back trying to find some answers and to find this little lamb named Baby. The hotel employee listened and with gentleness but authority tells my Allison that they only keep lost items for 6 months and after that they are disposed of.
My stomach just sank. I could just feel the wind in my little princess disappear. She secretly reached and grabbed my hand and with amazing maturity says to the staff person "no problem, thank you for your time." I was a bit caught off guard by Allison's calmness and was somewhat impressed. As we walked away and went around the corner to head back to reunite with the family for swimming, I looked down and said "I'm sorry they didn't have Baby, Allison." Before the words even left my lips, knowing no one else was around; Allison wrapped her arms around me, buried her face in my shirt and cried. I mean the kind of cry that hurts to hear, hurts to feel, hurts to let out.
I just held her. She was broken. It probably sounds like a lot of drama for a stuffed animal but it meant more to her than that. It meant a whole lot of history, memories, family tradition and the specialness because of where it came from and from who; all this was now gone. We walked the long corridors and hallways back to the wave pool and the whole time my hurting hearted little princess just held my hand. No words. Just walking with her fingers intertwined with mine. It was not how I expected it to turn out. Definitely not what Allison expected either.
It is hard to think what its like for God. The Bible says that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. The result of Jesus being born, living, teaching, dying, rising from the dead so that those who believe could say "I once was lost but now am found."
Do you think it hurts God when there are so many who deny Him, mock Him, ignore Him? The atonement is complete, love is abounding and yet there are ones who hear the message of Jesus and say "who cares?"
What does God do?
He keeps pursuing them. He keeps revealing His glory to them. He keeps loving them. He will not stop no matter how long it takes because when you love something as much as God loves them, you keep on seeking the lost.
How about you? Have you asked the Lord for a heart for the lost? I have some pastor friends who have planted churches with a great passion for those who want nothing to do with the church, faith, or Jesus.
Yet, they keep on going, keep on preaching, keep on loving and are willing to do whatever it takes.
Do you know anyone who might be considered lost? What is your heart towards them? Do you feel like giving up and would rather go be with "the rest of the family and swim." Or are you willing to keep loving them, serving them, pursuing them with kindness.
Search your heart my friends...plain and simple. Don't wait too long...
"Daddy, are we gonna check with lost and found at the hotel when we get there?" asked my 10 year old daughter, Allison as we drove down the interstate on our way to a three day family getaway at a Wisconsin Water Park. "Can we check right when we get there dad?" Allison continued remind me that we needed to go find Baby, the toy stuffed baby lamb that she had lost a year ago in the room we stayed in at this same Resort. Since we go once a year she thought we should go check again in person with the staff of the hotel as soon as we got checked in.
Mind you, this was not just any soft little toy bedtime companion. This was Baby. Allison had this little, well-worn lamb since she was born. You could see it was loved by the wear and tear and worn out exterior. Baby was loved, adored, prayed for and so very missed. Even mom and dad were very determined to find Baby.
After we settled into our rooms, made some sort of schedule for the three days, Allison and I were off to find Baby. We first started at the front desk, which directed us to another front desk on the complete, other side of the resort. Being this was a completely enclosed resort of water parks, rooms, condos, and it was 10 below outside, Allison and I walked through all sorts of walkways, turns and skywalks, walkways, turns, and finally we arrived at another front desk. When we finally arrived, there was a line of other people needing help with their stay. (I assumed no one else was looking for a lost stuffed animal but you never know.) The line seemed to be moving slow and I could tell my daughter was a bit anxious so I asked if she wanted to come back later. She very clearly stated she was willing to wait because she did not miss this chance in getting her little lamb back. 20 plus minutes later we talk to the person behind the counter who kindly informed us he is not the person to talk to regarding any lost and found items. We were then sent to another part of the water park and I again asked Allison if she wanted to keep searching since she would be missing some of her swim time. "Keep going, I want to find Baby." Okay.
Almost an hour later we finally find the right person who listened to our story. We tell about how we left this precious stuffed animal here last year and we are back trying to find some answers and to find this little lamb named Baby. The hotel employee listened and with gentleness but authority tells my Allison that they only keep lost items for 6 months and after that they are disposed of.
My stomach just sank. I could just feel the wind in my little princess disappear. She secretly reached and grabbed my hand and with amazing maturity says to the staff person "no problem, thank you for your time." I was a bit caught off guard by Allison's calmness and was somewhat impressed. As we walked away and went around the corner to head back to reunite with the family for swimming, I looked down and said "I'm sorry they didn't have Baby, Allison." Before the words even left my lips, knowing no one else was around; Allison wrapped her arms around me, buried her face in my shirt and cried. I mean the kind of cry that hurts to hear, hurts to feel, hurts to let out.
I just held her. She was broken. It probably sounds like a lot of drama for a stuffed animal but it meant more to her than that. It meant a whole lot of history, memories, family tradition and the specialness because of where it came from and from who; all this was now gone. We walked the long corridors and hallways back to the wave pool and the whole time my hurting hearted little princess just held my hand. No words. Just walking with her fingers intertwined with mine. It was not how I expected it to turn out. Definitely not what Allison expected either.
It is hard to think what its like for God. The Bible says that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. The result of Jesus being born, living, teaching, dying, rising from the dead so that those who believe could say "I once was lost but now am found."
Do you think it hurts God when there are so many who deny Him, mock Him, ignore Him? The atonement is complete, love is abounding and yet there are ones who hear the message of Jesus and say "who cares?"
What does God do?
He keeps pursuing them. He keeps revealing His glory to them. He keeps loving them. He will not stop no matter how long it takes because when you love something as much as God loves them, you keep on seeking the lost.
How about you? Have you asked the Lord for a heart for the lost? I have some pastor friends who have planted churches with a great passion for those who want nothing to do with the church, faith, or Jesus.
Yet, they keep on going, keep on preaching, keep on loving and are willing to do whatever it takes.
Do you know anyone who might be considered lost? What is your heart towards them? Do you feel like giving up and would rather go be with "the rest of the family and swim." Or are you willing to keep loving them, serving them, pursuing them with kindness.
Search your heart my friends...plain and simple. Don't wait too long...
Monday, March 9, 2015
What Is Salvation?
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” - 1 John 5:1
What is salvation? Not a creed. You say, “Well, I believe the plan of salvation.” You can believe the plan of salvation and go straight to hell. You’re not saved by the plan of salvation, you’re saved by the man of salvation.
Salvation is not a creed. It’s not a code. You say, “Well, I believe if you live right you’ll go to heaven.” If you could be saved by living right, then Calvary was a blunder. It’s not a cause. You say, “I’m a member of a good, fundamental, Bible believing church.” It’s not any of these things. It’s Christ.
Salvation is not believing something, it is receiving Someone. The true gospel is one that centers in Jesus Christ.
Ask God to give you a divine opportunity to boldly share Jesus with someone today. Maybe it’s a co-worker, maybe it’s your child. Maybe it’s a stranger that sits next to you at a restaurant. Be strong and of good courage, God will go before you to prepare the way.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
THAT'S INCREDIBLE
"The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious... who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin." Exodus 34:6-7
In the early 80’s, a new show hit the airwaves. It was called That’s Incredible!,
and it featured hosts Fran Tarkenton, John Davidson, and Cathy Lee
Crosby. Real life guests would come on the show and perform jaw-dropping
stunts and feats of skill, strength, and courage. The incredible –
that which couldn’t be believed because it was beyond credible – became
an awesome reality as performer after performer beat the odds and
completed the often life-threatening act.
GOD IS INCREDIBLE
The God of the universe is incredible in much the same way. He is almost too good to be true … but He is true and totally faithful and trustworthy.
One of the most wonderful, incredible things about God is that He forgives sinners like you and me. As someone well said, “He forgives from the gutter-most to the uttermost.” No matter what you have done, it is not greater than the precious blood of Jesus. That blood, shed freely on Calvary’s cross for fallen humanity, washes away the worst of sins.
When God revealed His glory to Moses on Mount Sinai, He proclaimed His name, His very character and nature to him. It is clear that God is a good, gracious, and forgiving God. His forgiveness is complete, as the three-fold delineation in Exodus 34:7 reveals (and more fully understood through a Hebrew word study). First of all, He forgives iniquity – the twisted, crooked evil in our hearts that lusts and longs and plans out our sin. He forgives transgression – the rebellious acts of disobedience. Lastly, He forgives sin – the guilt that accompanies the disobedience and wrong committed.
DO YOU NEED FORGIVENESS?
I have found that many Christians live in the spiritual doghouse, so to speak. They live under a heavy load of guilt over their sins of the past. Even though they have confessed those sins to God, they still can’t seem to get the victory over the guilt and shame. What is the problem? Does God not forgive us when we confess and repent? Yes, He does.
He forgives completely. He forgives incredibly. Your challenge and mine is to make sure the incredible doesn’t become something we can’t believe, but rather something that is wonderful, awesome, and jaw-dropping.
BUT I CAN’T FORGIVE MYSELF!
I hear that a lot. How could I possibly forgive myself over ______________? Whether your great sin is fornication, or adultery, or homosexuality, or abortion, or theft, or destroying your family, or whatever … the truth is you don’t have to forgive yourself. What you have to do is believe and receive His complete and total forgiveness. Your standards cannot be higher than the standards of Almighty, Most Holy God, can they? If He forgives you, you are forgiven. End of story. Once you have truly confessed and turned from your sin all that is left for you to do is to believe the promise in His Word and trust Him for that incredible forgiveness. Will you do it?
PRAYER
Dear God, I come before you a wretched sinner. I have done __________________. It was ugly and wrong and has brought me such shame and heartache. I am guilt-ridden over it, and I am so sorry for sinning against You, Lord. Today, I make the choice to believe your Word and claim Your compassion, grace, mercy, and three-fold forgiveness. You say you will take away my sins as far as the east is from the west (an infinite distance), and I believe it and receive it! Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving me of my wicked heart, my sinful act, and my guilty conscience! I am forgiven and free. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Love,
Jeff Schreve www.fromhisheart.org
GOD IS INCREDIBLE
The God of the universe is incredible in much the same way. He is almost too good to be true … but He is true and totally faithful and trustworthy.
One of the most wonderful, incredible things about God is that He forgives sinners like you and me. As someone well said, “He forgives from the gutter-most to the uttermost.” No matter what you have done, it is not greater than the precious blood of Jesus. That blood, shed freely on Calvary’s cross for fallen humanity, washes away the worst of sins.
When God revealed His glory to Moses on Mount Sinai, He proclaimed His name, His very character and nature to him. It is clear that God is a good, gracious, and forgiving God. His forgiveness is complete, as the three-fold delineation in Exodus 34:7 reveals (and more fully understood through a Hebrew word study). First of all, He forgives iniquity – the twisted, crooked evil in our hearts that lusts and longs and plans out our sin. He forgives transgression – the rebellious acts of disobedience. Lastly, He forgives sin – the guilt that accompanies the disobedience and wrong committed.
DO YOU NEED FORGIVENESS?
I have found that many Christians live in the spiritual doghouse, so to speak. They live under a heavy load of guilt over their sins of the past. Even though they have confessed those sins to God, they still can’t seem to get the victory over the guilt and shame. What is the problem? Does God not forgive us when we confess and repent? Yes, He does.
He forgives completely. He forgives incredibly. Your challenge and mine is to make sure the incredible doesn’t become something we can’t believe, but rather something that is wonderful, awesome, and jaw-dropping.
BUT I CAN’T FORGIVE MYSELF!
I hear that a lot. How could I possibly forgive myself over ______________? Whether your great sin is fornication, or adultery, or homosexuality, or abortion, or theft, or destroying your family, or whatever … the truth is you don’t have to forgive yourself. What you have to do is believe and receive His complete and total forgiveness. Your standards cannot be higher than the standards of Almighty, Most Holy God, can they? If He forgives you, you are forgiven. End of story. Once you have truly confessed and turned from your sin all that is left for you to do is to believe the promise in His Word and trust Him for that incredible forgiveness. Will you do it?
PRAYER
Dear God, I come before you a wretched sinner. I have done __________________. It was ugly and wrong and has brought me such shame and heartache. I am guilt-ridden over it, and I am so sorry for sinning against You, Lord. Today, I make the choice to believe your Word and claim Your compassion, grace, mercy, and three-fold forgiveness. You say you will take away my sins as far as the east is from the west (an infinite distance), and I believe it and receive it! Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving me of my wicked heart, my sinful act, and my guilty conscience! I am forgiven and free. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Love,
Jeff Schreve www.fromhisheart.org
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Accepting God's Gift of Love
by Dr. Charles Stanley
Many people simply can't believe that the Lord loves them. Others
believe that He loves them, but only when they are pleasing Him in some
way. Why is it so hard for us to accept His unconditional love?
One reason is that we have a hard time loving others without condition.
We might say the words "I love you" to our spouse, children, friends,
co-workers, or fellow believers but all too often are calculating in our
mind whether or not they've lived up to our standard. We sometimes
excuse ourselves from loving certain people because their behavior
upsets or annoys us. The fact that we place restrictions on extending favor causes us to wrongly assume that the Lord does likewise.
Another reason is poor self-image. Considering ourselves unworthy, we
refuse to accept God's love. You know what? None of us are worthy of the
heavenly Father's goodness and mercy—so you can let go of that excuse
once and for all. We're not coming to Him based on our worth. Rather,
we're coming to Him based on His grace, and our position is secure in
Christ. To put yourself down as "beneath His grace" is to trample on His
loving, generous gift. God arranged an awesome divine way for us to be
reconciled to Him, and His greatest desire is for relationship with each
of us.
If you feel unloved or struggle to accept yourself, ask the Holy Spirit
to reveal the truth of our heavenly Father's love for you—and to sink
it deep into your heart. Receive the truth that He reveals. It will be a
completely different story about your value as an individual.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Camping Out
By Skip Heitzig
If you've ever gone camping, you know it's a lot of fun...but not for
very long. I once went camping for three months when I took a trip
around the United States. I had a truck and a tent, and I'd set it up
every night. You know, honestly, I had fun, but I'm over it. After a few
days, you start longing for things like a shower, walls, a real bed.
It's a temporary situation.
In 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, Paul compared our physical bodies to a tent. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (v. 1).
When we leave earth as Christians, we go to heaven. When we move from this tent, this physical body, we go to a permanent temple, a house. Paul was a tentmaker, and his analogy was simple. In the Middle East, there are nomadic peoples who live in tents. They pitch their tent for a while and then move on to somewhere else. So, the analogy in this passage is clear. One is temporary (the tent); one is permanent (the house, the building). One is flimsy; one is sturdy. One is weak; one is strong.
Your body is like a tent: it's temporary. After a while, the threads start to unravel, the flaps become more prominent, and it starts to leak. It's just the nature of this temporary body. It's interesting how some people want to make their tent look like it's a brand-new model, younger than it really is. So they'll stretch the flaps, and nip and tuck, and dye the threads. But it's only temporary.
James went a step further and said, "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).
Our bodies are not meant to last. The tent will be taken down. In the last letter Paul ever wrote, he said, "The time of my departure is at hand" (2 Timothy 4:6). In the Greek, the word departure connotes that it's time to take down the tent and move on.
And we trade in the tent for "a building from God." This is not referring to a mansion in heaven; in context, the building must be a reference to our glorified, resurrected body.
We are sure that's really going to happen because verse 5 says, "He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." The word guarantee could be translated down payment or first installment. If you give a down payment, it means you're going to pay the rest off. Or if you give your girl an engagement ring, it means there's going to be a wedding. And we've been given the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of us. You've noticed that you've changed since you gave your life to Christ. You have new desires, new hopes—the hope of heaven. All of that is a foretaste of what's to come.
And, as Paul said in verse 8, we're confident, whether we're in this body or in heaven. Because those are the only two places where God's people can be—not soul sleeping somewhere or in purgatory. You're on earth as a believer, and the moment you leave this earth, you are in God's presence.
We are only camping out here. There'll come a time when the vapor will disappear, when the tent will be taken down for something more permanent. Those who don't know God will have a body fit to endure everlasting punishment, and those who do know Him will have a body fit to experience and enjoy everlasting heaven. I pray if you don't personally know Jesus, that in this interim we call time, you would make a choice to follow Him.
In 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, Paul compared our physical bodies to a tent. "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (v. 1).
When we leave earth as Christians, we go to heaven. When we move from this tent, this physical body, we go to a permanent temple, a house. Paul was a tentmaker, and his analogy was simple. In the Middle East, there are nomadic peoples who live in tents. They pitch their tent for a while and then move on to somewhere else. So, the analogy in this passage is clear. One is temporary (the tent); one is permanent (the house, the building). One is flimsy; one is sturdy. One is weak; one is strong.
Your body is like a tent: it's temporary. After a while, the threads start to unravel, the flaps become more prominent, and it starts to leak. It's just the nature of this temporary body. It's interesting how some people want to make their tent look like it's a brand-new model, younger than it really is. So they'll stretch the flaps, and nip and tuck, and dye the threads. But it's only temporary.
James went a step further and said, "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).
Our bodies are not meant to last. The tent will be taken down. In the last letter Paul ever wrote, he said, "The time of my departure is at hand" (2 Timothy 4:6). In the Greek, the word departure connotes that it's time to take down the tent and move on.
And we trade in the tent for "a building from God." This is not referring to a mansion in heaven; in context, the building must be a reference to our glorified, resurrected body.
We are sure that's really going to happen because verse 5 says, "He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." The word guarantee could be translated down payment or first installment. If you give a down payment, it means you're going to pay the rest off. Or if you give your girl an engagement ring, it means there's going to be a wedding. And we've been given the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of us. You've noticed that you've changed since you gave your life to Christ. You have new desires, new hopes—the hope of heaven. All of that is a foretaste of what's to come.
And, as Paul said in verse 8, we're confident, whether we're in this body or in heaven. Because those are the only two places where God's people can be—not soul sleeping somewhere or in purgatory. You're on earth as a believer, and the moment you leave this earth, you are in God's presence.
We are only camping out here. There'll come a time when the vapor will disappear, when the tent will be taken down for something more permanent. Those who don't know God will have a body fit to endure everlasting punishment, and those who do know Him will have a body fit to experience and enjoy everlasting heaven. I pray if you don't personally know Jesus, that in this interim we call time, you would make a choice to follow Him.
Copyright © 2015 by Connection Communications. All rights reserved.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Made Right with God
by Max Lucado
How would you fill in this blank? A person is made right with God through_____. Don’t let its brevity fool you. How you complete it is critical; it reflects the nature of your faith.
One might say a person is made right with God through... being good. Giving sandwiches to the poor. Some say Christian conduct is the secret. Perhaps suffering is the answer. Sleep on dirt floors. Malaria. Poverty. Bare feet. The greater the pain, the greater the saint. No, no, no, another contends. The way to be made right with God? It’s doctrine. Air-tight theology which explains every mystery. Inspiration clarified.
Yet, how are we truly made right with God? All the above are tried. All are demonstrated. But none are from God. Romans 3:28 says, “A person is made right with God through faith.” Through faith in God’s sacrifice on the cross.
It’s not what you do, it’s what He did.
From And the Angels Were Silent
How would you fill in this blank? A person is made right with God through_____. Don’t let its brevity fool you. How you complete it is critical; it reflects the nature of your faith.
One might say a person is made right with God through... being good. Giving sandwiches to the poor. Some say Christian conduct is the secret. Perhaps suffering is the answer. Sleep on dirt floors. Malaria. Poverty. Bare feet. The greater the pain, the greater the saint. No, no, no, another contends. The way to be made right with God? It’s doctrine. Air-tight theology which explains every mystery. Inspiration clarified.
Yet, how are we truly made right with God? All the above are tried. All are demonstrated. But none are from God. Romans 3:28 says, “A person is made right with God through faith.” Through faith in God’s sacrifice on the cross.
It’s not what you do, it’s what He did.
From And the Angels Were Silent
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Contentment
There was a father who was known by his
family to be a chronic growler. He complained about everything. He was
sitting one day with his family in the presence of a guest in the living room
when the subject of food came up.
One of the children, a little girl, was telling the guest what food each member of the family liked best.
Finally, it came to the father's turn to be described. "And what do I like, Nancy?" he asked.
"You," said the little girl slowly, "well, what you like most is anything we haven't got."
There are some people like that, who simply are never content. If they're served one food, they want something else. If it's hot outside, they want it to be cold. If it's cold, they want it to be hot. And they'd rather be ANYWHERE else other than where they're living right now!
To the young man Timothy, Paul wrote, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, we shall be content." (I Timothy 6:6-8). Since most of us seem to need far more than that to be content, we are challenged by Paul's words!
But, to Paul, they weren't just words to be spoken and discussed. They were words to be lived out. Despite the fact that Paul was writing from prison, he was able to say, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." (Philippians 4:11). In the next verse, he said that he had learned to be content with a lot (which would be easy for most of us), but he was also content with little. The reason he could be content because he had Jesus Christ, and that was all he needed to bring contentment.
Do you have food? Do you have clothing? More importantly, do you have Jesus?
Have a contented day!
One of the children, a little girl, was telling the guest what food each member of the family liked best.
Finally, it came to the father's turn to be described. "And what do I like, Nancy?" he asked.
"You," said the little girl slowly, "well, what you like most is anything we haven't got."
There are some people like that, who simply are never content. If they're served one food, they want something else. If it's hot outside, they want it to be cold. If it's cold, they want it to be hot. And they'd rather be ANYWHERE else other than where they're living right now!
To the young man Timothy, Paul wrote, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, we shall be content." (I Timothy 6:6-8). Since most of us seem to need far more than that to be content, we are challenged by Paul's words!
But, to Paul, they weren't just words to be spoken and discussed. They were words to be lived out. Despite the fact that Paul was writing from prison, he was able to say, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." (Philippians 4:11). In the next verse, he said that he had learned to be content with a lot (which would be easy for most of us), but he was also content with little. The reason he could be content because he had Jesus Christ, and that was all he needed to bring contentment.
Do you have food? Do you have clothing? More importantly, do you have Jesus?
Have a contented day!
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Question: "What are some modern forms of idolatry?"
Answer:
All the various forms of modern idolatry have one thing at their core: self. We no longer bow down to idols and images. Instead we worship at the altar of the god of self. This brand of modern idolatry takes various forms.
First, we worship at the altar of materialism which feeds our need to build our egos through the acquisition of more “stuff.” Our homes are filled with all manner of possessions. We build bigger and bigger houses with more closets and storage space in order to house all the things we buy, much of which we haven’t even paid for yet. Most of our stuff has “planned obsolescence” built into it, making it useless in no time, and so we consign it to the garage or other storage space. Then we rush out to buy the newest item, garment or gadget and the whole process starts over. This insatiable desire for more, better, and newer stuff is nothing more than covetousness. The tenth commandment tells us not to fall victim to coveting: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). God doesn’t just want to rain on our buying sprees. He knows we will never be happy indulging our materialistic desires because it is Satan’s trap to keep our focus on ourselves and not on Him.
Second, we worship at the altar of our own pride and ego. This often takes the form of obsession with careers and jobs. Millions of men—and increasingly more women—spend 60-80 hours a week working. Even on the weekends and during vacations, our laptops are humming and our minds are whirling with thoughts of how to make our businesses more successful, how to get that promotion, how to get the next raise, how to close the next deal. In the meantime, our children are starving for attention and love. We fool ourselves into thinking we are doing it for them, to give them a better life. But the truth is we are doing it for ourselves, to increase our self-esteem by appearing more successful in the eyes of the world. This is folly. All our labors and accomplishments will be of no use to us after we die, nor will the admiration of the world, because these things have no eternal value. As King Solomon put it, “For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 2:21-23).
Third, we idolize mankind—and by extension ourselves—through naturalism and the power of science. This gives us the illusion that we are lords of our world and builds our self-esteem to godlike proportions. We reject God’s Word and His description of how He created the heavens and the earth, and we accept the nonsense of evolution and naturalism. We embrace the goddess of environmentalism and fool ourselves into thinking we can preserve the earth indefinitely when God has declared the earth has a limited lifespan and will last only until the end of the age. At that time, He will destroy all that He has made and create a new heaven and new earth. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:10-13). As this passage so clearly states, our focus should not be on worshipping the environment, but on living holy lives as we wait eagerly for the return of our Lord and Savior, who alone deserves worship.
Finally, and perhaps most destructively, we worship at the altar of self-aggrandizement or the fulfillment of the self to the exclusion of all others and their needs and desires. This manifests itself in self-indulgence through alcohol, drugs, and food. Those in affluent countries have unlimited access to alcohol, drugs (prescription drug use is at an all-time high, even among children), and food. Obesity rates in the U.S. have skyrocketed, and childhood diabetes brought on by overeating is epidemic. The self-control we so desperately need is spurned in our insatiable desire to eat, drink, and medicate more and more. We resist any effort to get us to curb our appetites, and we are determined to make ourselves the god of our lives. This has its origin in the Garden of Eden where Satan tempted Eve to eat of the tree with the words “you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). This has been man’s desire ever since—to be god and, as we have seen, the worship of self is the basis of all modern idolatry.
All idolatry of self has at its core the three lusts found in 1 John 2:16: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” If we are to escape modern idolatry, we have to admit that it is rampant and reject it in all its forms. It is not of God, but of Satan, and in it we will never find fulfillment. This is the great lie and the same one Satan has been telling since he first lied to Adam and Eve. Sadly, we are still falling for it. Even more sadly, many churches are propagating it in the preaching of the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel built on the idol of self-esteem. But we will never find happiness focusing on ourselves. Our hearts and minds must be centered on God and on others. This is why when asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). When we love the Lord and others with everything that is in us, there will be no room in our hearts for idolatry.
All the various forms of modern idolatry have one thing at their core: self. We no longer bow down to idols and images. Instead we worship at the altar of the god of self. This brand of modern idolatry takes various forms.
First, we worship at the altar of materialism which feeds our need to build our egos through the acquisition of more “stuff.” Our homes are filled with all manner of possessions. We build bigger and bigger houses with more closets and storage space in order to house all the things we buy, much of which we haven’t even paid for yet. Most of our stuff has “planned obsolescence” built into it, making it useless in no time, and so we consign it to the garage or other storage space. Then we rush out to buy the newest item, garment or gadget and the whole process starts over. This insatiable desire for more, better, and newer stuff is nothing more than covetousness. The tenth commandment tells us not to fall victim to coveting: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). God doesn’t just want to rain on our buying sprees. He knows we will never be happy indulging our materialistic desires because it is Satan’s trap to keep our focus on ourselves and not on Him.
Second, we worship at the altar of our own pride and ego. This often takes the form of obsession with careers and jobs. Millions of men—and increasingly more women—spend 60-80 hours a week working. Even on the weekends and during vacations, our laptops are humming and our minds are whirling with thoughts of how to make our businesses more successful, how to get that promotion, how to get the next raise, how to close the next deal. In the meantime, our children are starving for attention and love. We fool ourselves into thinking we are doing it for them, to give them a better life. But the truth is we are doing it for ourselves, to increase our self-esteem by appearing more successful in the eyes of the world. This is folly. All our labors and accomplishments will be of no use to us after we die, nor will the admiration of the world, because these things have no eternal value. As King Solomon put it, “For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 2:21-23).
Third, we idolize mankind—and by extension ourselves—through naturalism and the power of science. This gives us the illusion that we are lords of our world and builds our self-esteem to godlike proportions. We reject God’s Word and His description of how He created the heavens and the earth, and we accept the nonsense of evolution and naturalism. We embrace the goddess of environmentalism and fool ourselves into thinking we can preserve the earth indefinitely when God has declared the earth has a limited lifespan and will last only until the end of the age. At that time, He will destroy all that He has made and create a new heaven and new earth. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:10-13). As this passage so clearly states, our focus should not be on worshipping the environment, but on living holy lives as we wait eagerly for the return of our Lord and Savior, who alone deserves worship.
Finally, and perhaps most destructively, we worship at the altar of self-aggrandizement or the fulfillment of the self to the exclusion of all others and their needs and desires. This manifests itself in self-indulgence through alcohol, drugs, and food. Those in affluent countries have unlimited access to alcohol, drugs (prescription drug use is at an all-time high, even among children), and food. Obesity rates in the U.S. have skyrocketed, and childhood diabetes brought on by overeating is epidemic. The self-control we so desperately need is spurned in our insatiable desire to eat, drink, and medicate more and more. We resist any effort to get us to curb our appetites, and we are determined to make ourselves the god of our lives. This has its origin in the Garden of Eden where Satan tempted Eve to eat of the tree with the words “you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). This has been man’s desire ever since—to be god and, as we have seen, the worship of self is the basis of all modern idolatry.
All idolatry of self has at its core the three lusts found in 1 John 2:16: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” If we are to escape modern idolatry, we have to admit that it is rampant and reject it in all its forms. It is not of God, but of Satan, and in it we will never find fulfillment. This is the great lie and the same one Satan has been telling since he first lied to Adam and Eve. Sadly, we are still falling for it. Even more sadly, many churches are propagating it in the preaching of the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel built on the idol of self-esteem. But we will never find happiness focusing on ourselves. Our hearts and minds must be centered on God and on others. This is why when asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). When we love the Lord and others with everything that is in us, there will be no room in our hearts for idolatry.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Facing Adversity Over and Over
By Alan
Smith
[Minor editing]
Did you hear about the teacher who was helping one of her kindergarten students put his boots on? He asked for help and she could see why. With her pulling and him pushing, the boots still didn't want to go on. When the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat. She almost whimpered when the little boy said, "Teacher, they're on the wrong feet." She looked and, sure enough, they were.
It wasn't any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on-this time on the right feet. He then announced, "These aren't my boots."
She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, "Why didn't you say so?" like she wanted to. Once again, she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off. He then said, "They're my brother's boots. My Mom made me wear them."
She didn't know if she should laugh or cry. She mustered up the grace to wrestle the boots on his feet again. She said, "Now, where are your mittens?" He said, "I stuffed them in the toes of my boots..."
As I read that, I thought about how many of our frustrations come about as the result of having to do something over and over. Let me give you an example. A number of years ago, I was having some back trouble and the doctor told me I needed surgery. I counted down the days until I could find some relief. The surgery went well (in fact, I went home less than 12 hours after surgery), but the recuperation didn't go as planned. Instead of getting relief, I found myself back under the doctor's knife six weeks later.
I remember that the greatest source of frustration wasn't the surgery itself. It was the fact that I thought I was getting better, but I had to start all over again. Just when I thought I was making progress, I encountered a setback. I was able to easily muster the emotional strength to face the first surgery, but it was much tougher the second time.
I've seen the same thing happen in a number of different areas. I suspect you have, too. Maybe you were hoping to get bills cleared up only to be hit with an unexpected dentist bill or car repair. Maybe it's harsh criticism you're dealing with, a situation at work that's making it difficult to maintain your Christian standards, or perhaps the struggles of dealing with a rebellious child. You think, "I can handle the difficulty I'm going through as long as I can see the light at the end of the tunnel". Only just when you're about at the end of the tunnel and you feel you've taken about all you can take, you realize that there's more adversity ahead and the light is barely visible. I understand; I've been there.
The Christian life is long and sometimes difficult. There are times we feel we just can't take it anymore and we want to give up, especially when we've had to face the same adversity over and over and over again. May this passage serve as a source of comfort and strength to you:
"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." (Isa. 40:29-31)
I pray that your strength will be renewed this day as you wait upon the Lord. Hang in there!
[Minor editing]
Did you hear about the teacher who was helping one of her kindergarten students put his boots on? He asked for help and she could see why. With her pulling and him pushing, the boots still didn't want to go on. When the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat. She almost whimpered when the little boy said, "Teacher, they're on the wrong feet." She looked and, sure enough, they were.
It wasn't any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on-this time on the right feet. He then announced, "These aren't my boots."
She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, "Why didn't you say so?" like she wanted to. Once again, she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off. He then said, "They're my brother's boots. My Mom made me wear them."
She didn't know if she should laugh or cry. She mustered up the grace to wrestle the boots on his feet again. She said, "Now, where are your mittens?" He said, "I stuffed them in the toes of my boots..."
As I read that, I thought about how many of our frustrations come about as the result of having to do something over and over. Let me give you an example. A number of years ago, I was having some back trouble and the doctor told me I needed surgery. I counted down the days until I could find some relief. The surgery went well (in fact, I went home less than 12 hours after surgery), but the recuperation didn't go as planned. Instead of getting relief, I found myself back under the doctor's knife six weeks later.
I remember that the greatest source of frustration wasn't the surgery itself. It was the fact that I thought I was getting better, but I had to start all over again. Just when I thought I was making progress, I encountered a setback. I was able to easily muster the emotional strength to face the first surgery, but it was much tougher the second time.
I've seen the same thing happen in a number of different areas. I suspect you have, too. Maybe you were hoping to get bills cleared up only to be hit with an unexpected dentist bill or car repair. Maybe it's harsh criticism you're dealing with, a situation at work that's making it difficult to maintain your Christian standards, or perhaps the struggles of dealing with a rebellious child. You think, "I can handle the difficulty I'm going through as long as I can see the light at the end of the tunnel". Only just when you're about at the end of the tunnel and you feel you've taken about all you can take, you realize that there's more adversity ahead and the light is barely visible. I understand; I've been there.
The Christian life is long and sometimes difficult. There are times we feel we just can't take it anymore and we want to give up, especially when we've had to face the same adversity over and over and over again. May this passage serve as a source of comfort and strength to you:
"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." (Isa. 40:29-31)
I pray that your strength will be renewed this day as you wait upon the Lord. Hang in there!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
I'm Changing the Way I Pray
Wendy
Pope
"His divine power has given us everything we need for
a
godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and
goodness." 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
The darkness of the morning filled the room. With my
head
bowed and eyes closed, I started to pray.
The usual words fell from my lips: Thank You for
another day, for waking me up and for this time I have with
You.
Then I leapt straight from thanking to
asking.
Father, I pray for my friend. Be
with
her today as she has surgery. Go before her; take care of all her needs.
Prepare
the room for her. Guide the surgeon's hands during the
surgery.
I pray for my other friend. She
has
great financial needs right now. Her burden is heavy. Will You make
provisions
for her needs?
I heard a whisper. Not audibly, but that nudging in my
heart that I have come to recognize over time as God interacting with me:
"Stop asking Me for what I am already
doing!"
With a brow arched my mind replied, What, Lord?
What
did You say?
I heard nothing, so I continued my
prayer.
I pray for one more friend. You
know
the loss she has experienced and the pain she has endured. Help her as she
faces
the battle.
Then another whisper, "Stop asking Me for what I
am
already doing!"
I paused again. More whispers from God
followed.
"I am already with her ... I am
Emmanuel."
"I have her healthcare under
control
... I am Jehovah Rapha."
"I have already provided what she
needs ... I am Jehovah Jireh."
"I see her battle. I am her
banner
... I am Jehovah Nissi."
Still puzzled by the interrupting whisper, I closed my
prayer time with a meaningful "Amen" and went on with the rest of my day's
activities.
Later, in the busyness of the day, I experienced the
"aha"
of His whisper. I remembered 2 Peter 1:3, "His divine power has given us
everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called
us
by his own glory and goodness." It all became clear. If God is
providing,
then I needed to stop asking and start praising.
God's Word always confirms His
whispers.
My prayers had indeed become tired and mechanical. I
often
wondered if God even heard my prayers.
God was challenging me to examine my prayer list to
find
ways He was already working, and then praise Him! Praise Him for how He is
already providing for my friends' and loved ones'
needs.
Taking God up on this challenge has given me
confidence in
my prayer life. I know my prayers are being heard and
answered.
What if we paused to examine our requests to see how
God
is already working, then praised Him for what He is already doing? It's a
radical thought. It might mean readjusting our usual prayer time to make
room
for His whispers. He may ask us to talk less and listen more so we can be
more
intentional with our prayers.
Maybe God wants to interrupt your prayers, too. He
doesn't
want you to stop praying, but instead be faithful to press pause and start
praising.
Dear Lord, help me examine each situation I am
currently
praying about, so I can praise You for what You are already doing. In Jesus'
Name, Amen.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
The Moments We Don't Capture With Pictures
by Lysa Terkeurst
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
Some moments of life are amazing. Beyond amazing. They create blessed memories of sheer joy.
Then there are other moments, the ones not often discussed, the ones when we feel like complete failures. Those are the moments that taste bitter, not sweet. The ones that won't make it into a scrapbook of fun memories.
It's in those moments we wonder if we really have what it takes to do the assignments placed before us. Yes, those kinds of unglued heart moments aren't the ones we capture in pictures. But there's a silver lining in those moments, a compassionate kind of wisdom I can't get any other way.
Wisdom is our silver lining. Wisdom will help us not repeat the mistakes we've made but rather grow stronger through them.
How do we find it? We come to the Lord and ask Him for it. We set aside our excuses, our habits and our justifications and whisper, "I need Your perspective, God. I come before You and humbly admit my desperate dependence on You." As Psalm 11:2 reminds us, "with humility comes wisdom."
Yes, humility.
But wisdom can also come from times of humiliation.
Remember King David? He had an affair with a married woman named Bathsheba. When Bathsheba sent word to David she was pregnant with his baby, he panicked and had her husband killed. Then David quickly married Bathsheba.
David's choice brought calamity upon his house, and the son born from the union with Bathsheba died. Sin and consequences always walk hand in hand. And David surely suffered the consequences of his choices for years to come. But mixed in with the heartbreak and the humiliation, something else happened. When the repentant David went to comfort Bathsheba, she became pregnant with Solomon.
From this relationship wrapped in humiliation came the man the Bible describes this way:
"God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite — wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. From all nations people came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom" (1 Kings 4:29-34, NIV).
Did you catch that? Solomon was wiser than anyone else!
In a situation that seemed unlikely to produce a hopeful outcome, God was faithful. From humiliation, great wisdom came.
Humility and humiliation, silver linings that can lead to wisdom even in the midst of the moments we don't capture in pictures.
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your guidance. Meet me where I am today as I face moments that I don't want to capture with pictures, Lord. Give me Your strength to learn from each struggle and situation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
Some moments of life are amazing. Beyond amazing. They create blessed memories of sheer joy.
Then there are other moments, the ones not often discussed, the ones when we feel like complete failures. Those are the moments that taste bitter, not sweet. The ones that won't make it into a scrapbook of fun memories.
It's in those moments we wonder if we really have what it takes to do the assignments placed before us. Yes, those kinds of unglued heart moments aren't the ones we capture in pictures. But there's a silver lining in those moments, a compassionate kind of wisdom I can't get any other way.
Wisdom is our silver lining. Wisdom will help us not repeat the mistakes we've made but rather grow stronger through them.
How do we find it? We come to the Lord and ask Him for it. We set aside our excuses, our habits and our justifications and whisper, "I need Your perspective, God. I come before You and humbly admit my desperate dependence on You." As Psalm 11:2 reminds us, "with humility comes wisdom."
Yes, humility.
But wisdom can also come from times of humiliation.
Remember King David? He had an affair with a married woman named Bathsheba. When Bathsheba sent word to David she was pregnant with his baby, he panicked and had her husband killed. Then David quickly married Bathsheba.
David's choice brought calamity upon his house, and the son born from the union with Bathsheba died. Sin and consequences always walk hand in hand. And David surely suffered the consequences of his choices for years to come. But mixed in with the heartbreak and the humiliation, something else happened. When the repentant David went to comfort Bathsheba, she became pregnant with Solomon.
From this relationship wrapped in humiliation came the man the Bible describes this way:
"God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite — wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. From all nations people came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom" (1 Kings 4:29-34, NIV).
Did you catch that? Solomon was wiser than anyone else!
In a situation that seemed unlikely to produce a hopeful outcome, God was faithful. From humiliation, great wisdom came.
Humility and humiliation, silver linings that can lead to wisdom even in the midst of the moments we don't capture in pictures.
Dear Lord, I praise You for Your guidance. Meet me where I am today as I face moments that I don't want to capture with pictures, Lord. Give me Your strength to learn from each struggle and situation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Number Our Days
(By Debbie ?)
"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (NKJV) Psalm 90:12
An old friend of mine was in town this weekend and I met her for dinner. We only visited for an hour; I had plans for most of the weekend and she had many more friends she had to visit. As we rushed to catch up, we both remarked at how busy we were; too busy to call or e-mail each other (much less write), even too busy to spend more than an hour together the entire weekend. What do you think was keeping us so busy? Well, we couldn't say. We tried to figure it out, hoping our time was spent serving God; ministering to hurting friends, helping those who were sick or in need, or perhaps long hours of prayer and time in the Word. Unfortunately, the most concentrated amount of time we could account for was spent was at work. She was working 12 and 14 hour days and I was working 10 hour days.
How are you spending your days? Can you remember what you did last month or last week or even last night? When was the last time you checked in on a hurting friend, or spent time in a church ministry. Are you frantically rushing around doing everything and nothing? What does your time with God look like? When was the last time you asked God what he wanted you to do?
We have all been created specifically with a special, unique purpose to fulfill. Take out your daytimer and spend some time with God, reviewing your schedule. Ask Him to help you "number" your days, to spend each precious day He gives you doing His will. Why not give God your daytimer?
"Dear Lord, help me to extend my hand in Christian fellowship and service to others. "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (NKJV) Psalm 90:12
An old friend of mine was in town this weekend and I met her for dinner. We only visited for an hour; I had plans for most of the weekend and she had many more friends she had to visit. As we rushed to catch up, we both remarked at how busy we were; too busy to call or e-mail each other (much less write), even too busy to spend more than an hour together the entire weekend. What do you think was keeping us so busy? Well, we couldn't say. We tried to figure it out, hoping our time was spent serving God; ministering to hurting friends, helping those who were sick or in need, or perhaps long hours of prayer and time in the Word. Unfortunately, the most concentrated amount of time we could account for was spent was at work. She was working 12 and 14 hour days and I was working 10 hour days.
How are you spending your days? Can you remember what you did last month or last week or even last night? When was the last time you checked in on a hurting friend, or spent time in a church ministry. Are you frantically rushing around doing everything and nothing? What does your time with God look like? When was the last time you asked God what he wanted you to do?
We have all been created specifically with a special, unique purpose to fulfill. Take out your daytimer and spend some time with God, reviewing your schedule. Ask Him to help you "number" your days, to spend each precious day He gives you doing His will. Why not give God your daytimer?
"Dear Lord, help me to extend my hand in Christian fellowship and service to others. "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
Thursday, February 26, 2015
The Power of Patience
Everyone struggles with some degree of
impatience. We’re born with this trait—think about a three-month-old who
wants
milk in the middle of the night. The inborn reaction is to fuss at the first
hint of discomfort and to keep at it until the need is met. Patterns from
our
old “flesh” nature make this a continual battle for most people, but one
that is
very worthwhile to fight.
Let’s consider the biblical definition of
patience. It can mean both long suffering and
perseverance, or not giving up and yielding under pressure. In
either
case, it reveals itself when we are willing to wait without frustration
while
suffering or experiencing some strong desire. In other words, we accept
difficult situations without giving God deadlines. What’s more, patience
means
accepting what the Lord gives, on His timetable—or what He chooses not to
give.
This quality results in inner peace and lack of stress. Meanwhile, we should
pray, obey, and persist as we seek God’s direction.The danger of impatience is that we might miss the Lord’s perfect plan and His blessing. Only when we trust our Father’s will and timing can we rest peacefully.
What causes you stress? Carefully examine
whether
you are taking matters into your own hands or releasing the circumstance to
almighty God. Listen to Psalm 37:7, which says,
“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Seek His
way
and His timing. Anything else can be destructive.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Where More Loving Relationships Begin
by Erin Smalley
"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." Galatians 5:22-23a (TLB)
Anyone who gets married, soon becomes very aware of his or her spouse's problematic attitudes and behaviors — and thinks their input, directly or subtly, can fix their spouse.
Believe me, I've tried with all my might to let my husband, Greg, know that he should stop watching as much television, or work a little less or put his dishes in the dishwasher. I've often done this covertly. But when subtle input didn't work, I would get frustrated and feel like giving up. In my heart, I knew I couldn't change him.
I used to say things like, "I can't change Greg. He's going to do what he's going to do." But then the Lord would say ever so gently to me, "No, you can't change him, but I can. And I can also change you." Ouch.
Honestly, it was much easier, more fun and self-justifying to talk about what my husband was or wasn't doing in our relationship. That definitely kept the focus off me. But ultimately it kept me from growing as a person. It kept me from having to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Many of the things I disliked about Greg reflected things I disliked about myself. But I couldn't see my flaws until I stopped looking at my husband and started looking at myself. Learning to focus on the ways God wants to change me has been an ongoing process.
That's really the bottom line: A more loving relationship with our spouses (or with other family members and friends, for that matter) begins with us. It begins with the realization that we cannot change anyone — including our husbands.
Each of us can, however, take a penetrating look at ourselves and ask, "How can I become the best wife I can be? How can I approach my relationship with my husband differently? What can I do to nurture a more vibrant, loving relationship with him?"
Once we've embraced the truth that a more loving relationship with our spouses begins with us, we may find that our hearts aren't all that thrilled about taking the first steps toward change.
In fact, the condition of our hearts is often the first change that needs to take place.
Change, like love, is a matter of the will. But it also involves the heart. And heart-level change doesn't happen overnight. It takes time.
Disillusionment and broken dreams may have caused many of us to wrap our hearts in thick, self-protective layers of armor, closing them off from our husbands for years. Hurt and resentment may have grown deep roots. We may long for more loving relationships with our husbands, but before we can truly open our hearts again, the armor needs to be stripped away, and our stony hearts need to soften.
For many of us, letting down our guard and softening our hearts may seem impossible. Thankfully, we belong to a God who is a heart specialist. Just as He alone can change the hearts of our spouses, He alone can change our hearts.
An amazing thing happens when we allow God to change our hearts. He fills us with His unconditional love and enables us to reach out to our husbands wholeheartedly without demands or preconditions.
Romans 5:5b reminds us, "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit" (NIV-1984). As we focus on becoming more like Jesus, the fruit of His Spirit will grow in our hearts, and His love will flow through us to influence our marriages and our spouses.
"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." Galatians 5:22-23a (TLB)
Anyone who gets married, soon becomes very aware of his or her spouse's problematic attitudes and behaviors — and thinks their input, directly or subtly, can fix their spouse.
Believe me, I've tried with all my might to let my husband, Greg, know that he should stop watching as much television, or work a little less or put his dishes in the dishwasher. I've often done this covertly. But when subtle input didn't work, I would get frustrated and feel like giving up. In my heart, I knew I couldn't change him.
I used to say things like, "I can't change Greg. He's going to do what he's going to do." But then the Lord would say ever so gently to me, "No, you can't change him, but I can. And I can also change you." Ouch.
Honestly, it was much easier, more fun and self-justifying to talk about what my husband was or wasn't doing in our relationship. That definitely kept the focus off me. But ultimately it kept me from growing as a person. It kept me from having to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Many of the things I disliked about Greg reflected things I disliked about myself. But I couldn't see my flaws until I stopped looking at my husband and started looking at myself. Learning to focus on the ways God wants to change me has been an ongoing process.
That's really the bottom line: A more loving relationship with our spouses (or with other family members and friends, for that matter) begins with us. It begins with the realization that we cannot change anyone — including our husbands.
Each of us can, however, take a penetrating look at ourselves and ask, "How can I become the best wife I can be? How can I approach my relationship with my husband differently? What can I do to nurture a more vibrant, loving relationship with him?"
Once we've embraced the truth that a more loving relationship with our spouses begins with us, we may find that our hearts aren't all that thrilled about taking the first steps toward change.
In fact, the condition of our hearts is often the first change that needs to take place.
Change, like love, is a matter of the will. But it also involves the heart. And heart-level change doesn't happen overnight. It takes time.
Disillusionment and broken dreams may have caused many of us to wrap our hearts in thick, self-protective layers of armor, closing them off from our husbands for years. Hurt and resentment may have grown deep roots. We may long for more loving relationships with our husbands, but before we can truly open our hearts again, the armor needs to be stripped away, and our stony hearts need to soften.
For many of us, letting down our guard and softening our hearts may seem impossible. Thankfully, we belong to a God who is a heart specialist. Just as He alone can change the hearts of our spouses, He alone can change our hearts.
An amazing thing happens when we allow God to change our hearts. He fills us with His unconditional love and enables us to reach out to our husbands wholeheartedly without demands or preconditions.
Romans 5:5b reminds us, "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit" (NIV-1984). As we focus on becoming more like Jesus, the fruit of His Spirit will grow in our hearts, and His love will flow through us to influence our marriages and our spouses.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Don't Cry Over Spilled Shampoo
by Tracie Miles
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." James 1:2 (NLT)
What began as a simple plan to renovate a bathroom in dire need of updating, quickly morphed our entire house into a disaster zone.
Due to unanticipated electrical and plumbing issues, the mess extended beyond the bathroom, affecting multiple rooms in the house. Due to bad advice and disappointing work, the project dragged on for months.
I could write my name in the layer of sheetrock dust on all the furniture, despite how many bottles of furniture polish I used. Then our old air conditioning unit kicked the bucket, and our checking account was about to do the same. But it was a bottle of spilled shampoo in the one bathroom my family of five had been sharing that pushed me over the edge.
The day after splurging on an oversized bottle of moisturizing shampoo, I found it on the floor of the bathroom with half the contents spilled into a huge gooey puddle. I cleaned it up in silent aggravation. But the following day when I found it on the floor again, in yet another big puddle, tears began to spill as easily as that shampoo had from the bottle.
Later that day, I whined to a friend about my frustrating circumstances. She gently suggested I read James 1:2. I confess, I wasn't in the mood to look up a Bible verse. But thankfully I did, and reading this verse prompted me to pause, think and refocus.
James 1:2 says, "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy."
I thought about how blessed we were to have lived in our home for 17 years, where we've raised all our children. I thought about the sweet memories our home held, despite its condition. I thought about the lessons we were learning as a family about tolerance, closeness, consideration and perseverance. I thought about the blessing of being able to afford the renovation.
As I focused on my blessings, all the small annoyances suddenly seemed much less important. I had countless reasons to be thankful, but had allowed daily frustrations and disappointments to steal my joy. In fact, my problems were nothing compared to the people James was addressing in today's key verse.
James wrote to Christians who were experiencing severe persecution, facing various trials and sufferings. They endured difficult adversities and injustices, and were juggling an array of emotions including fear, mourning, confusion and loneliness. Some were sick. Others had fled their homes for safety.
These Christians had serious reasons to complain. In his letter, James acknowledged their suffering but also reminded them of reasons to rejoice in spite of it.
James encouraged them to pause and refocus on their faith, even when life was hard. He knew that such times presented the opportunity to persevere and practice finding joy in Christ, despite their circumstances.
Most of us don't experience direct religious persecution, but often life can make us feel persecuted, whether it's small aggravations like crying kids, unkind co-workers and messy houses, or major problems involving marriage, finances, health or employment. These daily problems can cause us to lose focus on things that really matter, and fill our hearts with fear, sorrow, frustrations, hopelessness and anger — things that steal our joy in Christ.
Sometimes we allow trivial things to steal our joy, such as a bottle of spilled shampoo. At other times we may reach a breaking point for much more serious reasons. But whether our problems are big or small, James 1:2 reminds us to purposely and intentionally choose joy in Christ, even in the midst of our troubles.
Joy comes from choice, not problem-free circumstances, and James wanted us all to know that.
Instead of writing my name in the sheetrock dust on my furniture, I think I'll just smile and etch in another word instead: joy.
Lord, help me find joy in You every day, despite my circumstances. Fill me with peace and help me choose joy on purpose. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." James 1:2 (NLT)
What began as a simple plan to renovate a bathroom in dire need of updating, quickly morphed our entire house into a disaster zone.
Due to unanticipated electrical and plumbing issues, the mess extended beyond the bathroom, affecting multiple rooms in the house. Due to bad advice and disappointing work, the project dragged on for months.
I could write my name in the layer of sheetrock dust on all the furniture, despite how many bottles of furniture polish I used. Then our old air conditioning unit kicked the bucket, and our checking account was about to do the same. But it was a bottle of spilled shampoo in the one bathroom my family of five had been sharing that pushed me over the edge.
The day after splurging on an oversized bottle of moisturizing shampoo, I found it on the floor of the bathroom with half the contents spilled into a huge gooey puddle. I cleaned it up in silent aggravation. But the following day when I found it on the floor again, in yet another big puddle, tears began to spill as easily as that shampoo had from the bottle.
Later that day, I whined to a friend about my frustrating circumstances. She gently suggested I read James 1:2. I confess, I wasn't in the mood to look up a Bible verse. But thankfully I did, and reading this verse prompted me to pause, think and refocus.
James 1:2 says, "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy."
I thought about how blessed we were to have lived in our home for 17 years, where we've raised all our children. I thought about the sweet memories our home held, despite its condition. I thought about the lessons we were learning as a family about tolerance, closeness, consideration and perseverance. I thought about the blessing of being able to afford the renovation.
As I focused on my blessings, all the small annoyances suddenly seemed much less important. I had countless reasons to be thankful, but had allowed daily frustrations and disappointments to steal my joy. In fact, my problems were nothing compared to the people James was addressing in today's key verse.
James wrote to Christians who were experiencing severe persecution, facing various trials and sufferings. They endured difficult adversities and injustices, and were juggling an array of emotions including fear, mourning, confusion and loneliness. Some were sick. Others had fled their homes for safety.
These Christians had serious reasons to complain. In his letter, James acknowledged their suffering but also reminded them of reasons to rejoice in spite of it.
James encouraged them to pause and refocus on their faith, even when life was hard. He knew that such times presented the opportunity to persevere and practice finding joy in Christ, despite their circumstances.
Most of us don't experience direct religious persecution, but often life can make us feel persecuted, whether it's small aggravations like crying kids, unkind co-workers and messy houses, or major problems involving marriage, finances, health or employment. These daily problems can cause us to lose focus on things that really matter, and fill our hearts with fear, sorrow, frustrations, hopelessness and anger — things that steal our joy in Christ.
Sometimes we allow trivial things to steal our joy, such as a bottle of spilled shampoo. At other times we may reach a breaking point for much more serious reasons. But whether our problems are big or small, James 1:2 reminds us to purposely and intentionally choose joy in Christ, even in the midst of our troubles.
Joy comes from choice, not problem-free circumstances, and James wanted us all to know that.
Instead of writing my name in the sheetrock dust on my furniture, I think I'll just smile and etch in another word instead: joy.
Lord, help me find joy in You every day, despite my circumstances. Fill me with peace and help me choose joy on purpose. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Monday, February 23, 2015
When Faith Wavers
from In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
James 1:5-8
If we believe that God is who He says He is and will do what He has promised, why do so many of us habitually waver in our prayers? Instead of exercising bold faith, we come to the Lord “hoping” He will hear us and answer our requests, but we’re just not sure He will. With this kind of thinking, we cannot expect to receive anything from Him.
One reason we are so prone to doubt is that we fail to see God at work in our circumstances. We asked, and nothing happened. But the Lord is not some cosmic bellhop who jumps in response to our requests. He sees past, present, and future and knows the right time for every answer. His invisible hand is already at work on our behalf—arranging situations to accomplish His will, opening hearts,
and preparing us to receive what He wants to give.
Another cause for uncertainty is ignorance. If we don’t know God’s ways, we will be disappointed in His response. All too often our prayers are accompanied by expectations of how He will work. When He fails to intervene according to our timetable or anticipated method, we start to doubt. But placing our faith in the Lord and trusting in His good and perfect ways gives us stability as we wait for His answer.
To overcome doubts, spend time in the Word to learn God’s principles and ways. Then you’ll begin to grasp what He wants to achieve in your life and how He goes about it. Examine your past from a biblical perspective—faith will grow as you see the unexpected ways He answered your prayers.
James 1:5-8
If we believe that God is who He says He is and will do what He has promised, why do so many of us habitually waver in our prayers? Instead of exercising bold faith, we come to the Lord “hoping” He will hear us and answer our requests, but we’re just not sure He will. With this kind of thinking, we cannot expect to receive anything from Him.
One reason we are so prone to doubt is that we fail to see God at work in our circumstances. We asked, and nothing happened. But the Lord is not some cosmic bellhop who jumps in response to our requests. He sees past, present, and future and knows the right time for every answer. His invisible hand is already at work on our behalf—arranging situations to accomplish His will, opening hearts,
and preparing us to receive what He wants to give.
Another cause for uncertainty is ignorance. If we don’t know God’s ways, we will be disappointed in His response. All too often our prayers are accompanied by expectations of how He will work. When He fails to intervene according to our timetable or anticipated method, we start to doubt. But placing our faith in the Lord and trusting in His good and perfect ways gives us stability as we wait for His answer.
To overcome doubts, spend time in the Word to learn God’s principles and ways. Then you’ll begin to grasp what He wants to achieve in your life and how He goes about it. Examine your past from a biblical perspective—faith will grow as you see the unexpected ways He answered your prayers.
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