Why Shopping Will Never Satisfy

Leah DiPascal

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

We only had ten days to get everything packed and ready for the movers. Shipping boxes, wrapping paper and rolls of tape were everywhere. Every room called for attention, and I didn't know which direction to go first.

With a squeezing economy and company cutbacks, our family made the hard decision to sell our home and do some major downsizing. Deep inside I knew it was the right choice, but the process was hard. Although I tried to put on a happy face, my heart was aching.

Dragging myself from room to room, the amount of accumulated stuff overwhelmed me. Clothes, furniture, linens, accessories and enough kitchen appliances to open a diner filled every room.

As I viewed all the things left to pack, I thought about my past shopping sprees where I'd picked up so many of the items. The early-bird door busters and all those neon yellow clearance stickers lured me in. The endless rows of shiny metal racks, boasting 50-percent-off treasures sealed the deal.

I had prided myself thinking of all the money I saved buying everything on sale. Who was I kidding?

The truth was our checking account balance was shrinking, yet I kept wanting new things and buying more. All the while, insisting these were purchases we "needed."

But now, all of these bargains had to be boxed up, moved and put into storage. My "treasures" had become burdens. As I looked around at all the clutter, I wondered if it was my heart, not my home, needing to be de-cluttered.

It was time to make some major adjustments in my thought life and begin living out today's verse in Hebrews 13:5, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"

God spoke to me that day with gentle conviction that it was time to stop making excuses for buying so much and be content with less.

Kneeling in my storage room, I prayed and asked God to forgive me. I told Him I wanted to change but I needed His help. The process wasn't easy, but it was necessary.

Ten days later when the movers arrived, everything was boxed and ready to go. Instead of heading to a storage facility, we delivered many of those boxes to a local children's home in desperate need of household items and clothing.

It felt freeing to give away more and keep less. To experience the Giver instead holding onto the material gifts. To trust the Provider and stop worrying about having enough. To simply be content.

Maybe you struggle sometimes with contentment too. Do you ever find yourself buying something you really don't need? I know, it was probably on sale.

Perhaps God is asking you to keep less and give away more. To be content with what He's given you and not feel like you have to buy more to be more.

Friend, don't fall for the lies I did. Trust that God will provide what you need when you need it. If you have extra items, consider giving them away to someone in need and experience the freedom of being content with less.

Dear Lord, You know me better than I know myself. Help me to be content with what You've given me. Take away my cravings for always wanting more. Teach me to desire You above all else. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

We'll Work Until JESUS Comes

O land of rest, for thee I sigh!
When will the moment come
When I shall lay my armor by
And dwell in peace at home?

Refrain

     We’ll work till Jesus comes,
     We’ll work till Jesus comes,
     We’ll work till Jesus comes,
     And we’ll be gathered home.

To Jesus Christ I fled for rest;
He bade me cease to roam,
And lean for comfort on His breast
Till He conduct me home.

Refrain

     We’ll work till Jesus comes,
     We’ll work till Jesus comes,
     We’ll work till Jesus comes,
     And we’ll be gathered home.

I sought at once my Savior’s side;
No more my steps shall roam.
With Him I’ll brave death’s chilling tide
And reach my heav’nly home.

Refrain

     We’ll work till Jesus comes,
     We’ll work till Jesus comes,
     We’ll work till Jesus comes,
     And we’ll be gathered home.

 

Trust and Obey

And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the Lord will deliver it into the king's hand." Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement." And Micaiah said, "As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak." - 1 Kings 22: 12-14 

One day, the king of Israel said to the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to fight at Ramoth Gilead" (verse 4). Jehoshaphat agreed to go and fight with him to get this land back. However, Jehoshaphat suggested that they hear from the Lord first and get His Word on what they should do. The king of Israel summoned his prophets and they all (about 400) proclaimed victory for the nation and king of Israel. Jehoshaphat was not so convinced and inquired of another prophet, Micaiah, who was known for speaking the truth. The king of Israel did not want to hear the truth; he wanted to hear that his plan would work.  In the end, despite the king's efforts to the contrary, the king of Israel died in the battle. His heart was too hardened to hear and obey the words of God, even when those words would have saved his life.

How often do we ask for the truth but really do not want to hear it? How often are we told the truth yet refuse to act on it? These issues usually only matter when the truth is bad news. Good news is great to hear and much easier to respond to. Selective truth is not our option, especially in our walk with the Lord. The Lord is always ready and willing to lead and guide us. But are we willing to do what He tells us to do? When His answers do not match what we expect, we must make the decision right then to obey His Word. Otherwise, we allow the enemy time to deceive our thoughts. Pride, selfishness and a hard heart destroy our obedience to God. The bottom line: we ask, God answers, we obey. None of this, "but God" stuff will work.

If our hearts are truly set on following the Lord, then our relationship with Him will be one of surrender, faith and obedience. God is so good to listen to us and to grant us answers to our prayers; however, God is still God. Be reverent in how you seek His will for your life and be honest with Him about your struggles in how to obey. Do not try to manipulate His answers or escape His requests for obedience. Be willing to surrender your pride, be honest about your fears and seek the Lord's help in the next step of whatever He is telling you to do. 

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

Trust and Obey

1. When we walk with the Lord 
 in the light of his word, 
 what a glory he sheds on our way! 
 While we do his good will, 
 he abides with us still, 
 and with all who will trust and obey. 
Refrain:
 Trust and obey, for there's no other way 
 to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 

2. Not a burden we bear, 
 not a sorrow we share, 
 but our toil he doth richly repay; 
 not a grief or a loss, 
 not a frown or a cross, 
 but is blest if we trust and obey. 
 (Refrain) 

3. But we never can prove 
 the delights of his love 
 until all on the altar we lay; 
 for the favor he shows, 
 for the joy he bestows, 
 are for them who will trust and obey. 
 (Refrain) 

4. Then in fellowship sweet 
 we will sit at his feet, 
 or we'll walk by his side in the way; 
 what he says we will do, 
 where he sends we will go; 
 never fear, only trust and obey. 
 (Refrain) 

Love Alone

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. —Psalms 32:1-2

When David, the second king of Israel, committed adultery with Bathsheba and then plotted the death of Bathsheba's husband, God loved him too much to let him live with his sin. Here is how David described God's conviction:"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me" (Psalms 32:3-4). God knew that only when David confessed his sin could he live out his calling.

When we follow God's example, love alone prompts us to confront someone who has done wrong, receive his apology, and grant pardon. We forgive because we want our offender to be free. We celebrate with him when he confesses, because we know God celebrates with us when we confess.

That's why the first step in becoming a loving person is to acknowledge our own sinful behavior. That helps us avoid turning an opportunity to forgive into a moment of superiority. We cannot give what we have not received. When we have experienced the love that leads God to pardon our sins, we are able to extend that love to others.

Prayer:
Father, sometimes I forget that you convict me of sin because you love me. Thank you for wanting me to be more like you.

Dr. Gary Chapman is the beloved best-selling author of The Five Love Languages and Love as a Way of Life.

No One Is Smarter Than Mom
My son came home from school one day, with a silly grin on his face, he thought he was smarter than me, his Mom, and could put me in my place.

HE SAID:
Guess what I learned in Civics Two, that's taught by Mr. Wright, It's about the laws of the land today, 
its called THE CHILDREN'S BILL OF RIGHTS.

IT SAID:
I don't have to clean my room, I don't have to cut my hair. Nobody can tell me what to eat, My freedom of speech is guaranteed.
Its my choice of what I read, or watch on TV.

I have freedom of religion, and regardless of what you say, I don't have to ask your God for help ---
I DON'T HAVE TO PRAY.

I can wear an earring in my ear, And, if I want, can pierce my nose. It's my choice if I so desire, to tattoo satan's numbers across my toes.

AND if you try to spank me, I will charge you with the crime, and I can back up all my charges, with the marks on my behind.

HE SAID:
Don't ever touch me, this body is only for my use, not for your hugs and kisses and stuff, that's just another form of child abuse.

HE CONTINUED WITH: Don't fill my head with morals, like your mama did to you, That's what's called mind control, And it's illegal too!

Mom, I have these children's rights, you can't do a thing to me, I can call Children's Services, better known as C. S. D.

MY TURN!!!!

My very first impression was, to toss this boy out the door, But here was a chance to teach him a lesson, for once and ever more.

I took my time and mulled it over, I couldn't let this go. This kid of mine didn't realize, that he was messing with a pro!

AND AWAY WE GO.............
The next day we went shopping, and in spite of every plea, I didn't buy him 501s or shoes designed by Nike.

I had called and talked to C. S. D., they said they didn't care, if I bought him K-Mart shoes, or a pair of Nike Airs.

AND THEN: I canceled his appointment to test his driving skills, I'd probably be dead by now, if only looks could kill!

I SAID: There's no time to stop and eat, or pick up stuff to munch, I think you should follow C. S. D.'s advice, And make yourself a sack lunch.

So, what if you are too hungry, to wait 'til dinner time? Well, we're having liver and onions, Cause it's a favorite dish of mine.

He ASKED:
Can we stop to get a movie, so I can watch it on the VCR? Absolutely not! I sold the TV in your room and bought new tires for my car.

I also rented out your room, you really don't need a bed. C.S.D. says all that's required of me is to put a roof over your head.

I only have to buy your clothes, and the food that you must eat, The money you used to get for an allowance, will buy me something neat.

No more eating after we shop, no more joking along the way, I too have a BILL OF RIGHTS, that goes into effect today!

What's the matter, are you crying? Are you down on your knees? Why are you asking God for help?......... WHY NOT CALL THE C.S.D.?

(Author Unknown)

The moral of the poem is that no one is smarter than mom. 

Enjoy A Blessed Sunday & Happy Mother's Day,
Richard

More Than Fair-Weather Christianity

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“If we believe not, yet He abides faithful: He cannot deny Himself.”  2 Timothy 2:13

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Are you a fair-weather Christian? There are some who, if their children get sick, will stop tithing. If they get a bad report from the doctor, they stop praising. If somebody hurts their feelings, they stop going to church.

You can tell the commitment level of a Christian by their “fair weather” gauge. The test is, when everything goes wrong or doesn’t add up, what will you do?

I’ll give you some hints. Keep giving. Keep praying. Keep praising. Keep witnessing. Keep worshiping. Don’t fail to be faithful.

ACTION POINT:
Think of three things you can do today to bring the light of God’s Son to someone who may be struggling with his or her faith. Then go do it!

Happy Saturday,
Richard

So Many Questions...

Are we seasoned with salt?  Does our vine have leaves of grace? Do we practice what we preach or do we preach what we don’t practice? 

HMMMM……. Thinking we have all the answers, placing ourselves in a position of leadership over others because we believe what we are “called” to do, preaching/teaching while behind a facade that gives other people a false idea of our true feelings or situation,  “do we practice what we preach or do we preach what we practice”?  It sounds nearly the same but it’s not. There is a difference.   In all reality the question should be: How can we preach what we don’t practice?

Is our witness for Christ a counterargument for our own actions?  Are we practicing what we preach or claiming to live our lives according to the Word of God without the heart and deeds that follow?  Or, does what we preach show duplicity in our life because it is not what we practice? (saying one thing and doing another is hypocrisy).  Can we afford to be a hypocrite?  It is almost impossible to get others to do what we aren’t willing to do.  Truly, this is not a leader.  Preaching what we practice speaks volumes before we even say a word.  Who we are, what we do speaks volumes about our character.  If we claim to have Christ as Lord of our life, if we claim to follow Jesus, if we claim we are a “Christian” we should be asking ourselves what our life preaches.  Is it consistent with the Word of God?  Is it consistent period, or do we have one face for one person and another face for another.  Preaching what we practice is really a testimony to celebrate what God does through our life.  Preaching what we practice is preaching/ teaching with experience behind it.  Preaching what we practice pushes us forward to experience more of God, in order that there is more to preach/teach.

Question for all of us:  Do we resemble the cup washed on the outside but not the inside? Beautiful on the outside but full of hypocrisy on the inside?  Character matters.  Compassion matters.  Do we practice what we preach or do we preach what we practice?

County Zoning Law Could Ban Home Bible Study Says Virginia Man

Carrie Dedrick | Editor, ChristianHeadlines.com 

---

Fairfax County, Virginia has proposed a new zoning law that one man believes will outlaw the Bible studies held in his home. Matthew Clark argues that the new law violates the First Amendment right of freedom to assemble. 

The zoning law states that regular gatherings 50 people or more cannot meet more than three times in 40 days. 

“These gatherings can create parking, noise and other concerns for the neighborhood,” reads the Fairfax County website. It goes on to explain that occasional parties and gatherings will continue to be permitted, but regular meetings “detract from the residential nature of a neighborhood.”

According to Christian News Network, six Fairfax County residents have filed complaints about large gatherings, but Clark believes those issues could be addressed without issuing a new zoning law. 

“If they park illegally tow the cars. If they cause a noise violation, issue them a warning or citation. If they litter, ticket them. If they trespass or damage property, arrest them. But don’t violate my precious First Amendment rights to prevent something I’m not doing and can easily be remedied in any of the above ways,” Clark wrote. 

County supervisor Pat Herrity also addressed concerns over the proposed law.

“This is yet another instance where we appear to be punishing the many for the actions of the few. I believe the county is risking a lawsuit and/or a Constitution challenge by interfering with peoples’ right to assemble,” she said. 

The county will be holding a public forum to address concerns of residents Wednesday evening.

Be Blessed,

Richard

The Moment

Lysa TerKeurst

"And yet I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:1 NIV)

Each morning, I have a routine with my husband. It's simple. Nothing profound. Nothing for which we'd ever stop and snap a picture.

It's just a moment.

He asks me to help him pick a tie. He then goes away to fuss with this fixture of his professional job. Soon, he returns with a flipped up collar and a pressed down, knotted tie. He needs gentle hands to fold the collar over. Actually, he doesn't need. He wants gentle hands to fold the collar over.

And I do.

It's just a moment.

But it's a moment when we follow the "excellent way" of love. In the intersection of this moment, we're once again saying to each other: I love you; I love you too.

Now, please don't get an overly idyllic picture in your head of our marriage. Heavens, no. We have plenty of those "growth opportunity" moments too.

But this moment with the tie, it's like a spot of glue ever tightening the bond between us day by day. It's so simple, and yet something I would miss with the deepest ache imaginable if today were the last of the moments.

If today.

Tears slip as I think about this. Dear God, help me think about this. Let me snap a hundred of these moments with the lens of my heart to be stored and appreciated and thought of as the great treasure they are.

Let my mind park there.

Let my heart relish there.

Let my mouth dare to whisper what a joy this is. I love you. I love us. I love this moment each day.

Our relationship isn't perfect; no relationship is perfect. We're two very strong-willed people with vastly different approaches to life. And, oh, how easy it would be to list all the differences. He likes the towel hanging in the same spot. I am more creative. But I stop the list there.

I stop because great love isn't two people finding the perfect match in one another. Great love is two people making the choice to be a match. A decision. To fold his collar and snap the heart lens and find myself grateful to the point of tears. Tears of relishing today are so much better than tears of what was missed.

It's just a moment.

Or is it?

Dear Lord, help me to appreciate each moment given to me. I want to park my mind on the daily moments I too often take for granted. Thank You for this joy, so simple but so sweet. In Jesus' name, Amen

Supreme Court Votes in Favor of Prayer at Public Meetings

A 5-4 Supreme Court vote on Monday (May 5) decided that prayer would be allowed at public meetings.

The decision follows a debate regarding a small town in New York that opens its meetings with prayer reports the Christian Examiner. Greece, New York had been accused of “affiliating the town with Christianity,” upsetting a Jew and an Atheist in the town. But in the case of Town of Greece v. Susan Galloway and Linda Stevens, the high court determined that prayer did not violate the First Amendment’s separation of church and state. 

“The inclusion of a brief, ceremonial prayer as part of a larger exercise in civic recognition suggests that its purpose and effect are to acknowledge religious leaders and the institutions they represent, rather than to exclude or coerce nonbelievers,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote. 

Supporters of religious expression were pleased with the results. 

“This is a victory for all of those who believe in the freedom of speech, including religious speech, as a prized part of our God-given religious liberty,” Russell D. Moore, Ethics and & Religious Liberty Commission president wrote. 

Thursday's Blessing,

Richard

Voices of Accusation

Melissa Taylor

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 (NIV)

Do you ever hear the whisper of condemnation? It hisses: you're not what you should be ... your past sins define you ... you'll never change.

Unfortunately I do. Self-condemnation is a default for me. If I let it, it can wipe out my confidence as a woman, wife and mom.

Thankfully, I'm just as familiar with God's truth as I am with Satan's lies. My heart has heard Jesus' gentle reminders of His love and goodness, like "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).

Although I know this truth God speaks over me, I've learned it's up to me to respond correctly. If I don't keep my ears tuned to His voice and my mind set on His thoughts, I forget God's truths.

Condemning thoughts come back and drown out the confidence I have through Christ.

One morning I was struggling with self-condemning thoughts when I read these words written in my morning devotion: "Do not listen to voices of accusation for they are not from Me [God]."*

I opened my journal and responded from my heart:

Hello Lord, I often feel disappointed in my decisions and who I am and call myself names. But my negative thoughts aren't the only ones I hear. My feelings have been hurt by someone else's comments that cut me down and stole my confidence. Instead of feeling worthy, I feel like a loser. I hear You telling me not to listen to voices of accusation. Thank You for this reminder right when I needed it.

The devotion continued, "Pause before responding to people or situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me."

Again, I reached out to God:

Lord, I spoke unkind words back to my friend. Thank You for gently reminding me to "pause before responding." You are so faithful to remind me of what You want from me.

If left to defend ourselves from self-condemnation or the condemnation of others, we'd be defeated every time. Thankfully, we have the greatest defender in God and His Word. His truths re-build the confidence that condemnation breaks down.

Our part is to know God's promises and believe and apply them! Staying saturated in His Word and taking time to listen to the Holy Spirit is the best way to overcome condemnation. We can supplement these through reading devotions, digging into books on our specific area of struggle, and participating in Bible studies. All these things help re-build our confidence that is in Christ.

As we take the time to listen to Him today, let's ask God to remind us that He is with us; He loves us, and His Word is true: "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." That means you and me!

Dear Lord, when I forget, please remind me that because of the cross and because You are my Savior, I am not condemned. Help me keep my eyes and thoughts on You. And to accept Your Word as truth so my confidence stays strong in You. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Happy Wednesday...
Be Blessed,
Richard

A Grace Place

Lysa TerKeurst

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

"Does God ever get tired of my issues?"

I've asked myself this question many times throughout my lifelong struggle with emotional eating.

Over the course of my journey, I've whined to God, gotten mad at God and often ignored God. And I've worried I was going to use up all my grace with God.

I felt He would be justified to say, "Enough! Go away. I'm tired of your issues. Figure it out for yourself!" That is, until I read again the "first story" of God's grace with fresh eyes.

We often think of God's grace beginning at the cross. But as I read through the Scripture from the point of view of someone struggling with food issues, I saw a revelation of God's grace right from the start in Genesis.

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the forbidden tree and ushered sin in to the world. God handed down the consequences of their actions, which included banishment from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). They must have believed they had pushed past the boundaries of God's grace. After all, He was sending them out of the garden.

Whenever I've read that story, I thought they had to leave paradise because God was punishing them. God was disappointed in them. God was giving them what they deserved. But I was wrong. Their relocation was not a place of abandonment — it was a place of grace.

You see, there were two special trees in the Garden of Eden. One was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; this was the one with the forbidden fruit. The other was the tree of life. This was the one that gave Adam and Eve perpetual life — no diseases, no death, no sagging body parts. (Okay I'm not sure about that last benefit, but I'm banking on this reality in heaven.)

Anyhow. When they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, sin entered in. Sin corrupted everything. And at that point, it was God's absolute love and most tender mercy that ushered Adam and Eve out of the garden. Not His anger or retaliation. They had to leave.

If they'd been allowed to stay, they would have kept eating from the tree of life and lived forever, wallowing in sin. Wallowing in all the brokenness sin brings with it: disease, fear, heartbreak, separation from God.

An unending life of shame and sin would have been their fate.

God couldn't stand that for the people He loved. So, His love made them leave and allowed them to die. So that they could experience the resurrected life His Son would one day provide.

Brokenness to redemption.

God did not run out of grace at the dawn of humankind. And He will not run out of grace for you or for me. He does not want us to ever stay in a perpetual state of sin and despair. We were not created with a food struggle or physical cravings because God is angry at us. It is because He loves us so much that He allows our struggle with food to be a physical indication of a spiritual situation.

God is asking for us to go to a new place as well — and it is a place of grace!

Receive grace and let it wash away all shame and guilt from every unhealthy choice you've ever regretted and fretted over. Yes, there is work to do and progress to be made, but we will walk from here with a clean slate.

This grace and the unfathomable depth of God's love settle me. Breathes hope into my dread. And trust into my doubts.

So when I stumble along on this journey, I know this grace is there for me, and I will come running back. And once again, it will give me a soft place to land.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your grace. Help me to rely on You in the midst of my struggle today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have a Blessed Tuesday,

Richard 

When Your Mess Becomes Your Message

Micca Campbell

"Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." (Jeremiah 17:14 NIV)

For twenty years, my brother was absent from our family because of drug addiction. Countless times, we thought he was dead; according to drug abuse statistics, he should have been. However, my brother is living proof that God is in the restoration business. It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, or what has been done to you. God is willing and able to turn any tragedy into triumph.

After entering many treatment programs with hopes of success and end results of failure, my brother finally found the answer: Jesus. It wasn't until he met the Lord that he experienced lasting healing and life change. Suddenly, all things became new.

My brother didn't have the strength, willpower, or ability to free himself from bondage, but that changed when he surrendered his life to Christ. The same is true for us. No matter what the bondage is—drugs, lust, gluttony, pride, anger, or fear—until we renounce our sickness and surrender to Christ, we will never experience freedom. On the other hand, when we are willing to give King Jesus our mess, He turns it into our message. And that's exactly what happened to my brother. Not a day goes by that my brother doesn't look for opportunities to brag on God and share His message of hope.

Such an opportunity arose one evening when my sister, brother, and I met together for dinner at a local restaurant. Our server was twenty-six-year-old Tiffany. Right away, we noticed two things about Tiffany. She had a natural gift for putting people at ease, and she was very pregnant. While we enjoyed her kind service, we had no idea that God would soon call us to serve her.

It started when my sister refused to allow my brother to pay for her dinner. While my sister loves to give to others, she's not so good at receiving. I, on the other hand, understood that it gave my brother great pleasure to pick up the check. The Lord knows I didn't want to deny him his blessing!

Poor Tiffany found herself caught in the middle. Eager to win her over to his side, my brother said to Tiffany, "You see, I was a drug addict for years. During that time, my sisters did a lot for me. Now, I just want to bless them."

Tiffany's eyes widened. "You were a drug addict?" she inquired. "I would have never guessed."

"Yes, I was," my brother replied. "But Jesus changed all that." Then he told Tiffany his life-changing story.

"I went from being lost to being found; from being homeless to being a homeowner; from being an employee to owning my own business; from being bound by drugs to being set free in Christ."

Tears filled Tiffany's eyes as we shared God's love with her. That's not all. Later that week, we confirmed God's love to her by presenting her with a gift for her baby.

When you and I—like my brother—allow God to turn our mess into our message, He not only changes our lives, but He changes the lives of others too.

Dear Lord, Your mercy astounds me. Give me opportunities to speak of Your hope so others may know Your goodness and salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Monday, Monday...

Have a Blessed Day,

Richard

Letting God Fill My Empty Places

Renee Swope

"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

It was a source she'd come to depend on. A place she went to get her needs met. But it was never enough; every day she came back for more.

Filling her jar with water, the woman looked up and heard Him ask her for a drink. He offered her something in return: living water. Unlike the water she came to get that day, He said the water He offered would satisfy her so deeply she'd never thirst again.

But she had a hard time believing His promise. "You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?" (John 4:11 NIV) She asked.

What she didn't realize was that Jesus wanted to satisfy a deeper thirst in her heart—a longing He'd created to lead her heart to Him: the One and only Source that could satisfy her soul.

All He needed to draw with was His Spirit, for it would draw her near to Him. And as far as the depth of the well, it was her heart He was looking into. She was the only one who could stop Him from reaching the empty places in her heart.

I know that place of needing Jesus to look into my heart and show me the emptiness only He can fill.

Like the woman at the well, I've depended on other means to get my needs met. Yet when I look to them, instead of Him, they are never enough.

I've looked to people: family and friends, bosses and boyfriends, teachers and mentors, my husband and my kids. I've longed for their approval and the affirmation that comes with it.

I've also looked to possessions and positions and accidentally put my hope in recognition. I've thought "if only I had or could ... then I'd be fulfilled."

But no matter how much I do or get, it's never enough to fill me up. And it's not supposed to be.

Why? Because the empty places in our hearts were created to be filled by God alone. The deepest thirst of our souls can only be quenched by Him.

We see this deep thirst even in King David, who had everything: the highest position, unlimited possessions, and great power, yet none of it was enough. He described himself as parched and thirsty for God:

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. (Ps. 63:1 NIV)

Then David went on to describe what he experienced when he drank deeply of God's love:

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live and in your name I will lift up my hands. (vv. 2–4 NIV)

And the same thing happened to the woman Jesus met at the well that day. She drank deeply of His love and was filled to overflowing, and we can be too.

Just like the woman at the well, God put a longing in our hearts that was intended to lead us back to Him. Only His unconditional acceptance, approval, and affirmation can fill the empty places in our hearts-the deepest thirst of our souls. Until God's love and acceptance is enough, nothing else will be.

Dear Lord, show me the empty places in my heart and the ways I try to fill them. Then lead me back to You and show me how I can position my heart to be filled and fulfilled by Your promises and the power of Your love. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Have A Blessed Sunday,

Richard

Be Happy Now

Valorie Burton

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

"I'm not happy with my job. I'm not happy with my body. I'm not happy with my life."

It seems that at some point in our lives, we each struggle with unhappiness, a spirit of discontentment, with wanting more. I remember a couple of years ago being frustrated as I sat in my comfy living room chair, Bible open, listening to the Lord. Well, maybe it was more like talking at Him, telling Him what I wanted.

What I wanted was to be happily married and have a family of my own. At 38, my "clock" was ticking, and I was still faithfully believing God for marriage and family.

If God would just give me the desires of my heart, I knew I could be happy. That's when this thought came to me: Be happy now. If you don't learn to be happy while you're waiting for what you want, you'll never be happy when you get what you want.

To be clear, happiness cannot be the sole aim of our existence. Living out my purpose by serving and loving others as Christ does is my ultimate goal. When I stop focusing so much on what I want, and focus my gaze on what God wants to do in and through me, contentment follows.

In fact, happiness is an external indication of internal contentment.

This realization stopped me in my tracks. The list of things I felt I needed to check off my list for me to be happy was tiring. The idea that I could choose happiness was refreshing. The first step was to embrace life exactly as it was; in other words, to be content. I counted my blessings more, started traveling, and did things that being single uniquely afforded me. Most importantly, I decided to wholeheartedly trust God.

When Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, the word he used for "content" actually means to be contented with one's lot in life. We can spend so much energy pushing against our reality when life doesn't turn out the way we planned it. But resisting what is, and trying to control what is beyond our control, can cause anxiety. Frustration takes over. Anger prevails.

Instead of making the most of our circumstances, it's easy to lament the fact that things are not where we believe they should be.

What if we stopped pushing against what is and learned to embrace our present circumstances?

When that shift is made, it feels like a heavy burden is released from our shoulders. It can also feel scary at first. But truly accepting where we are helps us relax and see the good God has in our present circumstances. We cast our cares, content in trusting that all things indeed will work together for our good.

When I embraced what is, I discovered happiness greater than any I'd experienced before. Just like Paul tells us to do in Philippians 4, I made intentional choices to be content with my present circumstances—and in the lot God had given me for that season. I stopped making happiness a destination and began making it my way of journeying through life.

Lord, help me embrace what is and live each day with thankfulness for the life I've been given. Give me the grace to be happy while I wait for what I want, rather than insist that I cannot be happy until I attain it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Happy Saturday,

Richard