Down in the Valley

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me ...” Psalm 23:4

Until the fourth verse in this psalm, David has been talking about the Lord. “The Lord is my Shepherd. He maketh me to lie down. He leadeth me. He restoreth my soul.” But now when he's in the valley, he's no longer talking about the Lord--he's talking to Him. “Thou art with me.... Thy rod, Thy staff...”

Nothing will bring you face to face with God more than the dark valleys of life. But when you get in the dark valleys, you're going to know what Jesus meant when He said, “I will never leave thee or forsake thee,” and, “I will be with thee always, even to the end of the age.”

Is the Lord your Shepherd? Here’s how to find out. Ask yourself: “Is the Shepherd my Lord?” You see, the only way you can say “The Lord is my Shepherd” is to be able to say, “The Shepherd is my Lord.” Not everyone can recite Psalm 23 and claim it for their own. It belongs to those who’ve found a personal relationship with the Lord--a personal, permanent, protected relationship that will endure for all eternity.

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From Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers

How to Prepare Yourself for God’s Abundant Blessings

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”

Luke 16:10-11

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that my parents sent me off to college at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. I met several friends my first year who aspired to be pastors. Many of them talked about how they’d love to have a nice big church and a powerful ministry to thousands.

But there were some of these guys who had big visions for ministry, but didn’t want to be faithful with the little they had. On many Sunday mornings, they were the ones who slept through church. They weren’t actively involved in any kind of ministry. It seemed like they wanted all the benefits of being a great pastor without putting in any of the work.

It’s not surprising then that today, I never hear about any of those guys. That’s because the biblical adage is true that whoever is faithful with a little will be faithful with much. That’s why God will rarely entrust much to those whom aren’t first faithful with the little He gives them.

Whether in your career, at home, or in ministry, be faithful with the little you have now. Doing so will prepare you to be faithful in abundance if God chooses to bless you. Practice faithfulness in the small things today for the big things tomorrow!

BE FAITHFUL WITH A LITTLE TODAY TO PREPARE YOUSELF FOR ABUNDANCE TOMORROW!

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From PowerPoint Ministries and Dr. Jack Graham

Seeking to Turn Away from the Faith

- Acts 13:4-12

INTRODUCTION

Satan is always at odds with God because Satan refuses to place himself in submission to the Almighty. Likewise, there are always two spirits at work: the Holy Ghost and a satanic or false spirit. While the Lord seeks to give life, and joy, and peace, the forces of evil seek to turn men away from the truth. Barnabas and Saul, while on their missionary journey, had the opportunity to declare the word of God to Sergius Paulus, the deputy of the country. As the Holy Ghost worked in the deputy’s heart, another spirit began to work. Elymas the sorcerer withstood them, seeking to turn the deputy from the faith (Acts 13:8
). What does this reveal to us? Sorcerers and all other forms of witchcraft are the enemies of all righteousness (Acts 13:10
).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Jannes and Jambres were magicians who sought to defeat the effect Moses had upon Pharaoh (2 Timothy 3:8
  ; Exodus 7:10-12 , 20-22; Exodus 8:7
  ). Satan is behind all such opposition, deceit, and trickery (John 8:44
  ; Luke 8:11-12 ). God is against such acts (Deuteronomy 13:1-5 ).
• (For everyone): What did Saul, also known as Paul, call Elymas the sorcerer (see Acts 13:10
  )? What does this suggest about those who practice various forms of witchcraft?
• God judged Elymas by blinding him for a season. How did this physical judgment match Elymas’ spiritual condition? Which is worse: to remain physically blind or to remain spiritually blind?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to open your eyes to the wickedness of witchcraft.
• Thank the Lord for giving you the truth.

The Love of Money

- Acts 16:16-24

INTRODUCTION

The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10
). One should take notice that witchcraft, magic, and similar practices are very lucrative industries. Many have foolishly imagined that these things have some redeeming value. However, the world cares most for the temporal profits and not for the ultimate consequences of polluting the minds and hearts of the masses. As Paul and Silas ministered, they were followed by a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination (Acts 16:16
). After many days, Paul turned and rebuked the spirit, setting the damsel free (Acts 16:18
). Instead of rejoicing in the damsel’s new found peace, her masters incited violence against Paul and Silas.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Preachers are to preach God’s word (2 Timothy 4:2
  ) which is the truth (John 17:17
  ). They are not to preach to make money (Titus 1:7-11 ; 1 Peter 5:2
  ; 2 Peter 2:1-3 ). Consider Paul's example (Acts 20:33-34 ; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:9
  ). God took care of him. Paul never charged for helping people.
• (For everyone): How did the love of money affect the response of the damsel’s masters? What was their major concern? How can this be related to similar practices in our day?
• How are witchcraft and similar practices lucrative today? Why would they keep producing such things at the risk of harming the minds and hearts of young and old alike?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to show you the true motives behind witchcraft.
• Ask the Lord to help you repent of any evil associations.

Putting Holes in the Darkness

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16, nkjv

One night when Robert Louis Stevenson was a small boy, his nanny called him to come to bed. Oblivious to her summons, he was staring at something outside his nursery window. The nanny walked over, stood at his shoulder, and inquired patiently, “Robert, what are you looking at?” The little boy, without taking his eyes away from the window, exclaimed in wonder as he pointed to the lamplighter who was lighting the streetlamps, “Look, Nanny! That man is putting holes in the darkness!”

You and I may not be able to change the world, but surely each of us can put a hole in the darkness! Turn on the Light! Share what Jesus means to you and give God’s Word to someone else!

All through the ages, men and women have done just that! They have turned on the Light so that a living faith in God has been passed from generation to generation. Not everyone has been attracted to the Light, but one by one people have come to Him for truth, wisdom, hope, salvation, and eternal life.

Just Give Me Jesus, (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2000). 

(c)2004 Anne Graham Lotz. All rights reserved.

Trusting GOD

But the dove found no rest for or the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him... And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf (Genesis 8:9-11). God knows just when to withhold from us any visible sign of encouragement, and when to grant us such a sign. How good it is that we may trust Him anyway! When all visible evidences that He is remembering us are withheld, that is best; He wants us to realize that His Word, His promise of remembrance, is more substantial and dependable than any evidence of our senses. When He sends the visible evidence, that is well also; we appreciate it all the more after we have trusted Him without it. Those who are readiest to trust God without other evidence than His Word always receive the greatest number of visible evidences of His love. --C. G. Trumbull Believing Him; if storm-clouds gather darkly 'round, And even if the heaven seem brass, without a sound? He hears each prayer and even notes the sparrow's fall. And praising Him; when sorrow, grief, and pain are near, And even when we lose the thing that seems most dear? Our loss is gain. Praise Him; in Him we have our All. Our hand in His; e'en though the path seems long and drear We scarcely see a step ahead, and almost fear? He guides aright. He has it thus to keep us near. And satisfied; when every path is blocked and bare, And worldly things are gone and dead which were so fair? Believe and rest and trust in Him, He comes to stay. Delays are not refusals; many a prayer is registered, and underneath it the words: "My time is not yet come." God has a set time as well as a set purpose, and He who orders the bounds of our habitation orders also the time of our deliverance. --Selected

A lost emphasis

by Selwyn Hughes
For reading & meditation: Malachi 3:13-18
"Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other '" (v.16)

Although in Psalm 73 the psalmist is beset by doubt, he begins, nevertheless, on a triumphant note: "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart." Preachers usually leave their conclusion until the end of their sermon - but here the psalmist begins with it! It might seem strange to some that the psalmist should begin with a conclusion, but this is often seen in the book of Psalms. And the reason is this: the psalmist is so convinced of the fact that God is good that he decides to start right there. It is as if he is saying: "I want to tell you how I moved from doubt to faith, but the thing I want you to get right away is this: God is good." Some commentators believe that in the Temple services there was a time of open testimony and worship, similar to that which featured in the old Methodist class meetings, when individuals gave testimonies to their fellow believers of God's dealings with them. This is one of the most powerful ways of building the spiritual life of the Church, but regrettably it does not seem to be widely practised today. If this psalm was part of the psalmist's testimony during an open time of worship, one can imagine the impact it would have made upon the hearers as he related how he emerged from crippling doubt to renewed confidence in the goodness of God. I know of nothing more motivating in the Christian life than for believers to identify and share the spiritual principles which have enabled them to overcome attacks on their faith. When we ignore this principle we do so at our peril.

 

Prayer:

O Father, show us clearly how sharing with each other what You are doing in our lives not only inspires and motivates us, but greatly strengthens the Body. Help us restore this lost emphasis wherever it is missing. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

For further study:

John 3:25-36; John 3:25-36; John 3:25-36; Acts 20:24

1. When was the last time you publicly testified to the goodness of God?

2. When will be the next time?

Acquire Wisdom!

 “Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.” (Proverbs 4:5–6) 

How sad to see a young man or woman who have failed to heed the instruction of this Proverb.  It is not hard to find the one who turned from these words, who forsook wisdom and understanding.

The easy path is foolishness and ignorance. For a time, they have their reward: relaxation, friends, folly, and the pleasures of sin for a season. In time, time that passes all too quickly, the rewards disappear and “pay day” arrives.

Wisdom and understanding are expensive commodities that pay handsome dividends. They do not come cheap! To master a subject means untold hours of grapling with hypotheses, digging into truths, and wrestling with realities. This is true should your subject be doctrines of the faith or principles of physics.

Today, remember that the investment is worth the cost!

In His Grace,

Dr. Randy White

Our Great Mission

Matthew 28:18-20

If you’re a believer, you are part of the awesome body of Christ, which is called to bring His light to the world both individually and corporately. Though many see the church as a social organization, that’s not what the Bible says it is. Sometimes we forget that our purpose isn’t simply to have fellowship, sing, preach, and worship. Jesus entrusted us with good news of the true life He offers to everyone. This calling isn’t just for foreign “missionaries”--it’s for every believer. Your mission field includes your family, friends, coworkers, and perhaps even a people group God puts on your heart, often right in your community.

Before returning to heaven, Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission, in which He promised to be with believers to the end of the age. That pledge still stands. He doesn’t send us out to do His work on our own. Vowing never to leave us, He gave the assurance that all tasks He assigns will be achieved through us by His Holy Spirit.

What an honor to be included in the Lord’s redemptive plan for the world! He invites you to have a vital part in His kingdom work of transforming what is broken and giving new life. Everything you do in obedience is an opportunity for His Spirit to work powerfully through you!

He is still speaking His message of assurance to us: You’ll have Me as your companion, your captain, your victory. You’ll have Me as your resource, your energy, your anointing. Everything you need, you’ll find in Me. How does recognizing the greatness of your calling change the way you see your daily life?

From Dr. Charles Stanley

A Prayer against Depression

By John Barnett
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” - Deuteronomy 31:8

If you've ever felt trapped, imprisoned, or helplessly caught by life, then you share the emotions of David in the midst of life in the Cave of Adullam.

Things had gotten so bad that David makes a confession that is packed with meaning to us today. In the form of an urgent prayer offered to God, and captured for us on paper, David explains that his soul is in prison. The setting is so graphic, look at it with me in I Samuel 22.

David is in the midst of his life on the run, under immense stress in verses 1-4:
"David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me." So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold."

David describes this time as when he felt trapped, with nowhere to escape in Psalm 142. Here in this Psalm written from a cave, David reflects on the circumstances all around him that made him have.

When we get depressed, life really does feel like an endless pursuit of nothingness. Such daily struggles are a far cry from the expectations of those who heard this type promise before they became a Christian: "Just get saved and everything will be great from then on!" But that's not always true, is it?

Even saved people can go through emotionally imprisoning cave times like David experienced. Trigger that can start a slide downward emotionally are: family conflicts; losing a job; losing a home; moving to a new location under duress; working with a tough crowd; being betrayed by friends; being wronged in a business deal; suffering the sudden loss of a family member, friend, or finances, and so forth.

Suffering from depression is a very common malady. In fact, although most of the Bible is in the major key (saints fearlessly witnessing as churches valiantly serve against all odds), side-by-side with all those wonderful testimonies is the minor key where God's Word contains true glimpses into the weaknesses and frailties of some of His greatest saints.
“Heavenly Father, please strengthen our hearts, and remind us to encourage one another when the troubles of life start to overwhelm us. Please guard our hearts from depression. Give us the strength up to rise up each day and fight against the struggles which seek to weigh us down.”
Editor’s Note: The following is an abridge version David's Life in the Minor Key: Is Depression Sin? by John Barnett.

Sailing through the Storm

By Greg Laurie

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8

One day Jesus said to His disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side.” So they boarded their boat and were cruising across the Sea of Galilee, a large freshwater lake known for its unexpected storms. And sure enough, a storm came. This one was a doozy, because even the seasoned sailors were despairing of life.

Meanwhile, what was Jesus doing? He was asleep in the boat. The disciples woke Him up and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
(Mark 4:38 nkjv). In other words, “Hey, Lord, are You paying attention? Don’t you care that we are going through this? Wake up and do something.”

So Jesus rebuked both the storm and the disciples. He turned to the storm and said, “Peace, be still!” (verse 39 nkjv), and it stopped. But then He turned to His own disciples and said, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (nkjv). Jesus was saying, in effect, “Boys, you haven’t learned anything. I said, ‘Let’s cross over to the other side.’ I didn’t say, ‘Let’s go to the middle of the Sea of Galilee and drown.’ ” Jesus didn’t promise smooth sailing, but He did promise a safe passage.

It’s better to be in a storm with Jesus than anywhere else without Him. I would rather be in a fiery furnace with Jesus than in a palace without Him--or in a lion’s den with Jesus, or in a prison, or even shipwrecked. As long as I know the Lord is there, then I can get through it.

Remember, God is with you, regardless of what storm, regardless of what shipwreck you are going through right now. You are not alone. He cares. And He will never leave you or forsake you.

Heavenly Father, whatever storm life may bring our way, remind us to cling to you. For you are the one who calmed the seas with a single word. Amen.

A Prayer for When You Don't Feel God’s Presence

by Dr. James MacDonald

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."
(Psalms 34:8 , ESV)

Sometimes we find ourselves in seasons of life when God’s goodness is hidden, when it’s either invisible to us or we’re blind to it. Let’s be honest enough to admit that those are real struggles. We’ve been in those times, and perhaps you’re in one of them right now. If you’re in such a season and can’t bring yourself to shout “hallelujah,” you don’t need to feel bad about it. I would never want to lay a guilt trip on someone for not feeling like shouting hallelujah at that moment.

But if we’re to walk in faith--if we’re to be people who truly live by faith--we must believe God is good even at times when we can’t see anything tangible pointing to it or giving evidence of it. Faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it, no matter how we feel, because God promises a good result.

Here’s what you may be tempted to do during times when you don’t feel His goodness: you may wonder whether you should take care of things yourself. You might be inclined to conclude what you suspected all along--If I want good things to happen, I’d better go out there and get them, because God sure isn’t guaranteed to do it . . . because He’s not good “all the time.”

And that’s just not true. He has promised us good, based upon His own goodness. God is good, He’s always been good, and He’ll always be good. Check out how consistently this is established in Scripture: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”
(Romans 8:28). In every situation, even in our darkest situations, we “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good”
(Psalm 136:1). In fact, “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18 ).

Father God, I know You are good. Even when my heart wavers and I don’t feel it, I know You are good. Thank You for being bigger than my feelings. Thank You even for entrusting me with these times when believing is hard, when faith requires looking without seeing. You have never failed, though I often fail. You have never proved untrustworthy, though I have proved so fickle and forgetful. So today, I put no trust in my emotions but only in what You have shown me through Your Word to be true--that You are good, all the time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Editor’s Note: Content adapted from Our Journey Onlinewith Dr. James MacDonald. Used with permission.

Ship Ahoy

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

As people who have received mercy from God, we need to grant mercy to others who are fallible and in need of forgiveness. To be hospitable is to be evangelistic; to be forgiven is to be charitable; and to share Scripture is to speak of Christ. Sometimes it all comes together in a wonderful way.

Recommended Reading: John 3:10-17

One evening Dawson and Lila Trotman opened their home to some sailors, and after dinner Dawson asked everyone at the table to share a favorite Scripture verse. One Navy man was getting ready to share John 3:16 when the Trotman’s three-year-old daughter, Ruth, quoted it before it was his turn. The sailor was chagrined. But going back to the ship that night, he couldn’t get away from Ruth’s childlike recital of John 3:16, and he realized for the first time that he was part of the “whosoever.” Kneeling beside his bunk, he received Christ as Savior and soon thereafter wrote a letter telling Dawson and Lila what that evening had meant to his life.1

Our culture isn’t known for hospitality, forgiveness, mercy, and evangelism—but those have never gone out of style on God’s calendar.

I want to be a man who both knows the Bible from cover to cover and also lives it!

Dawson Trotman

1 Robert D. Foster, The Navigator: Dawson Trotman (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2012), 117-118, 220.

Scripture to Comfort

by Meghan Kleppinger, Crosswalk.com Contributor

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 , NAS

If you have ever suffered a broken relationship and/or heart, the loss of a loved one, or any number of other devastations, than you know about "that" pain.

It's that pain that originates in the bottom of your stomach and initially feels like a big numb ball. Later it develops into a raw gnawing that can only be equated to burning stabs of fire. It makes it way up through the intestines and finally settles in the throat, choking out all attempted spoken words and creating such an excruciating sensation that tears are sure to follow.

Like any other person who has spent more than a few days on this planet, I know "that" pain well. It comes quickly and when it does, it's difficult to believe that it will ever go away. It brings about sorrow, grief, and as it eventually begins to fade away, it brings guilt.

This has been a tough year for my family. We've lost friends and recently, just a few short weeks ago, my grandfather. I know I'm not an anomaly and that people all over the world are suffering a similar pain, so as I began to pray about what I should write about for this week, I started thinking about what has really been helpful for me during these times.

Friends and family have been great, but most of all, scripture has been comforting me. My hope is that the scripture I share with you will be beneficial to you as you grieve or that you can use it to minister to others who are suffering.

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
(John 14:27 )

"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
(Romans 5:5 )

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed n spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

"The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever."
(1 John 2:17 )

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)

"And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

And finally...

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 )

Intersecting Faith & Life: Go to the Word of God for comfort. In the words of Matthew Henry, ""The Word of God gives us great help in attaining the peace we need. It is living, very lively and active in seizing the conscience of the sinner, in cutting him to the heart, and in comforting him and binding up the wounds of the soul. It is powerful. It convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully.""

How Old are You?

"And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun."
(Eccl 8:15)

I have another birthday coming up soon. With the card, cake, present and hugs will, of course, come the inevitable question, "How old are you?" I have gotten to the point now where I can honestly say, "I'm not sure." This body of mine is going to be 50 years old. This vehicle that carries around my soul will have been here half a century soon. Parts of it look younger and other parts of it feel older. My energy level has certainly gone to the dogs. Some of the time I feel like my two month old puppy who is chewing on my toes right now. Some of the time I feel like my twelve year old beagle who is napping by the fan. Mentally my age varies too. In some things I feel like a wise old sage. In other areas I feel like a first grader. Emotionally there are times when I feel like a five year old playing in the sunshine. There are other times when I feel like a nineteen year old looking forward to the rest of my life. There are still other times when I feel like a ninety nine year old wondering where all the years have gone. Spiritually it is just as confusing. I feel like the eternal soul that I truly am. Yet, that eternal soul is also forever young.

From now on then I am just going to live each day with all of the love, laughter, and joy that I possibly can and let the years take care of themselves. After all, it isn't the number of years you live that matters. It is how you live them. For all of us here the longest life is too brief. Why then should we waste a single moment not living our lives to the fullest? Why should we pass up a single opportunity to love, to share, to help, to care, to smile, to pray, to laugh, to sing, to dance, or to be kind?

How "old" are you? Are you the slowly aging body you see in the mirror or are you the forever young soul within it? Are you a collection of wrinkles and gray hairs that will one day turn to dust or are you a Child of God meant for an eternity of love?

Joseph J. Mazzella

Sufficient Grace

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 KJV   And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.


I thought the Christian life was going to be easier than this. Have these words ever entered your mind? Sometimes we come into the family of God thinking that our heavenly Father will fix all our problems and devote Himself to our happiness and comfort. However, that is not the reality portrayed in Scripture. Paul was a man whom the Lord used greatly, and yet his life was anything but easy.

In fact, at one point, the apostle thought his pain was too much to bear, and he begged God to remove it. There’s nothing wrong with asking the Lord to relieve our suffering, but what should our response be if He doesn’t? Paul probably had no idea that His experience would find its way into the Bible, to comfort and guide believers throughout the ages. The promise God gave him applies to us as well: “My grace is sufficient for you” (v. 9).

God’s grace could be defined as His provision for us at the point of our need. The problem is that sometimes it doesn’t seem as if the Lord truly is meeting our need. But He frequently sees deficiencies, outcomes, and complications that we don’t. His goals for us involve spiritual growth, the development of Christlike character, and strong faith. And trials play a vital role in achieving these.

The important issue is how we respond. If all you want is relief, you could descend into anger and doubt. But if your desire is to become the person God wants you to be, you’ll see each trial as an opportunity for Christ to display His character and strength in you.

From Dr. Charles Stanley

What I Want

When I was a freshman just starting college I really wanted to be rich. I even had pictures of a big luxury car and a huge mansion that I had cut out of magazines and pasted in my notebook. I wanted to become a wealthy businessman or a best selling author. I wanted to be both famous and successful. Of course, I never did get any of those things and I thank God for that everyday.

You see, in time I realized that what I really wanted was the happiness that my swollen ego thought those things would bring me. It took me many years to realize that happiness comes from the love we give and not the things we get. It took me many years to shrink my ego, grow my humility, and accept what God wanted for me. As a result what I want now has become a lot different from what I wanted back then.

Now I want to do the things that fill my heart with love, my spirit with joy, and my soul with God. I want to start each morning with the prayer, "I love you God and I thank you for my life!"

I want to give my sons hugs and tell them how much I love them. I want to kiss my daughter's hair when she shares her problems with me. I want to play fetch with my puppy and laugh when he climbs on my lap and licks my face. I want to pet my old, gray cat and smile when she curls up on my chest to take a nap. I want to read and write inspiring words that help hurting hearts. I want to feel God's love when I look at the flowers of Spring, the sunsets of Summer, the leaves of Autumn and the snows of Winter. I want to share my smile, my strength, my laughter, and my love with the world and do everything I can to make Earth more like Heaven.

What do you want out of life? What do you want to give to life? Maybe they are the same.

Always remember that it is in giving that you receive. It is in loving that you are loved. It is in sharing your joy that you create happiness in the hearts of yourself, others, and God.

Joseph J. Mazzella

Today's Bible Verse: 
"For although in heavy trial of affliction, their overbrimming happiness, even in spite of their deep poverty, abounded to the opulence of their unselfishness." 2 Corinthians 8:2 (MontgomeryNT)

Jesus never gave any money!

( J.R. Miller , " Woman's Ministry ")

Many shrink from ministering to the poor, because they have no money to give. But money alone is the poorest alms ever bestowed! There are gifts which every true Christian, however poor, has to bestow--which are infinitely better than money.

The apostles gave no money. They had no silver nor gold to bestow.

Jesus never gave any money! We never read of Him giving a mite to any who were poor or in distress. And yet no man was ever such a lavish giver of beneficence as He. What Christ gave was loving service, pity, sympathy, compassion, tears and personal help.

These are the coins that the Christian should chiefly give. They are coins that bear the stamp of Heaven. The image and superscription of Jesus, our great King, are upon them. They were minted in Heaven! They are better than gold--for money is a poor thing to give, without love. "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames-- but have not love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:3

Money will neither . . .
comfort the sad,
nor cheer the lonely,
nor lift up the fallen,
nor strengthen the faint,
nor support the tempted,
nor heal the broken-hearted,
nor soothe weariness,
nor wipe away tears.

Love-gifts are what the poor, suffering, and sorrowing most need. And these heavenly coins, the poorest Christian may scatter!

Jesus asked nothing nobler on earth than this--and He has made these lowly ministries forever glorious and divine.

Let Christians go out into the world, and repeat everywhere the tender, beautiful, helpful ministry of Jesus--and they will do more to bless the world, than if they opened a mine of wealth and made thousands rich!

The Importance of Thanksgiving

I will give thanks to the Lord. - Psalms 9:1

Thanksgiving should always follow answered prayer, just as the mist of earth's gratitude rises when the sun of heaven's love warms the ground.

Has the Lord been gracious to you and inclined His ear to the voice of your prayer? Then thank Him as long as you live. Let the ripe fruit fall upon the fertile soil from which it drew its life. Do not fail to sing in praise of Him who has answered your prayer and has given you the desire of your heart.. To be silent about God's mercies is to incur the guilt of ingratitude; it is to act as poorly as the nine lepers who after they had been cured of their leprosy did not return to give thanks to the healing Lord. To forget to praise God is to refuse to benefit ourselves; for praise, like prayer, is one great means of promoting the growth of our spiritual lives. It helps to remove our burdens, to excite our hope, to increase our faith. It is a healthy and invigorating exercise that quickens the pulse of the believer and prepares him for new enterprises in his Master's service.

To bless God for mercies received is also the way to benefit our fellowmen; "let the humble hear and be glad."1 Others who have been in similar circumstances will take comfort if we can say, "Magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. . . . This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him."2 Weak hearts will be strengthened, and sagging spirits will be revived as the saints listen to our "shouts of deliverance."3 Their doubts and fears will be rebuked as we teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. They will also "sing of the ways of the LORD"4 when they hear us magnify His holy name.

Praise is the most heavenly of Christian duties. The angels do not pray, but they do not cease to praise both day and night; and the redeemed, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, are never tired of singing the new song, "Worthy is the Lamb."5

1 Psalm 34:2
2 Psalm 34:3,6
3 Psalm 32:7
4 Psalm 138:5
5 Revelation 5:17

Unaffected by Change

For I the Lord do not change. - Malachi 3:6

It is just as well for us that in all the variableness of life there is One whom change cannot affect, One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow inconsistency can make no furrows.

All other things have changed--all things are changing. The sun grows dim with age; the world is growing old; the final chapter of the worn-out vesture has begun; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they will perish--they shall grow old like a garment. But there is One who only has immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change.

The delight that the sailor feels when, having been tossed about on the waves, he steps again upon the solid shore is the satisfaction of a Christian when, in all the changes of this distressing life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth--"I the LORD do not change."

The stability that the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a solid hold is like that which the Christian's hope provides him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God "there is no variation or shadow due to change."1

Whatever His attributes were in the past, they are now; His power, His wisdom, His justice, His truth are unchanged. He has forever been the refuge of His people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and He is still their sure Helper.

He is unchanged in His love. He has loved His people with "an everlasting love";2 He loves them now as much as ever He did, and when the creation itself is set free from its bondage to decay, His love will still endure.

Precious is the assurance that He does not change! The wheel of providence revolves, but its axle is eternal love.

Death and change are busy ever, 
Man decays, and ages move; 
But His mercy waneth never; 
God is wisdom, God is love.

1) James 1:17
2) Jeremiah 31:3