I'm so glad that the Lord is not done with me! "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it!" TGIF-----LL
From His Heart - Week of Nov. 30
AMAZING GRACE
On the night Jesus was betrayed, He told His disciples what was going to happen. He let them know that He would be delivered up... and they would all fall away from Him.
The disciples could not believe their ears. If Jesus were to be arrested and in need, no way would they ever desert Him! Why Peter kept saying repeatedly, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You! With You, I am ready to go to prison and to death!"
Of course, you know the story. Peter did not live up to his commitment. When push came to shove, he succumbed to the pressure and the fear of man. He vehemently denied three times that he even knew Jesus, even cursing and swearing on the last denial to convince his audience. How horrible he felt when the Lord turned and looked at him with a look of wounded love... and then the cock crowed. The Bible says that Peter "went out and wept bitterly."
CAN YOU RELATE?
I can so relate to Peter, can you? There have been so many times that I have promised the Lord this, that, and the other... only to fail miserably and fall woefully short of my commitments. In my 26 years as a Christian, I have surely experienced the guilt and bitter tears associated with denying Jesus through my attitudes, actions and reactions.
Maybe you have made a huge mess of your life by disobeying and denying God. Maybe you have trashed your marriage, or your family, or your purity, or your good name by your sins and selfishness. What do you do when it seems like you have sinned too greatly for even God to forgive?
No doubt that is EXACTLY how Peter felt. He denied even knowing the Lord in the Lord's greatest hour of need. What a HUGE sin!
THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU!
One of the greatest lines in all the Bible was delivered by the angel at the empty tomb, "But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He said to you'" (Mk 16:7). Peter felt so worthless and rejected because of what he did, yet God was not through with him. The Lord singles him out that resurrection morning to let Peter know that He still loved him and still had a plan for him.
The same is true for you! No matter what you may have done in your life, the cross and empty tomb shout from the highest mountain, "You can be forgiven!" Though you may have failed miserably, you do not have to languish in that failure. Just like Peter, God wants you to get up and get back in the game. You are NOT destined to be a second class Christian. You can be restored and made new.
BE ENCOURAGED
Take courage, my friend. The Lord still loves you. He still has a wonderful plan for your life. His blood is still able to cleanse the worst of sins. That is the story of Easter - you can receive a new life and a new start with the Lord.
Why not thank Him right now for his AMAZING GRACE! Put your life in His hands and let the resurrected Christ arise in you.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Awakening
Today is a new day for me---an awakening and refreshing of my spirit! I had a great time with my friend last night and she encouraged me to own the fact that regarding Tony---I've done my part as his parent. It's time to let him go----and he needs to be on his own to learn the next part of growing up. There's nothing more I need to say-----it's been said, modeled, taught, prayed over, etc.
So I feel like today is the day I start my next chapter in life---- by letting go of Tony. Surrendering him to the Lord---and even though I still love him and will be there for him---I am releasing him and assuming no direct responsibility for him. It feels both scary and liberating!--LL
A Woman's Walk - Week of November 25
Awakening Margaret D. MitchellWeek of November 25, 2007
“Wake up, Deborah, wake up! Wake up, wake up, and sing a song! Arise, Barak! Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!” ~ Judges 5:12
God suddenly alerted Deborah to speak a battle command to Barak, Israel’s military leader, that would free their nation from 20 years of captivity and oppression.
Like Israel, how long and how often have we found ourselves held captive by ruthless consequences of sin? Perhaps by our own volition or that of others. Perhaps even by generational iniquity. Did it not it feel like an eternity? And did we not cry out for God to rescue us, just like the Israelites?
Indeed, God hears our cries. And in His time, His gavel falls. And when it does, it is swift. Because He loves us, He not only puts an end to our suffering by driving a tent peg through the enemy’s head, He revives us (Judges 4:21). And we begin anew.
An awakening is a revival or renewal of something. It is the beginning of a new beginning, a spring season in bud. In Deborah and Barak’s case, it was the beginning of a renewed freedom for Israel, a complete turnaround.
Awakenings are a call to action that give us a sudden, glorious opportunity to remove the grave clothes, shake off the dust and get it right. They are rooted in God’s infinite mercy and His heart of love for us.
Consider Peter. Acts 12:7 tells us, “Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel tapped him on the side to awaken him and said, ‘Quick! Get up!’ And the chains fell off his wrists.”
As in Peter’s case, divine awakenings offer us miraculous opportunity for escape, and they reposition us to fulfill God’s plan. Awakenings awe us and burst open doors of opportunity for us to receive God’s abundance of life. In divine awakenings, we are quickly relieved of burdens. We are reminded that God’s yoke is light (Matt. 11:30).
Divine awakenings send our hearts singing out of gratitude and joy.
Just last week, while sitting in my office, I noticed a bird singing right outside my window. I don’t often hear birds singing this time of year, and when I heard it’s lovely chirp, I immediately sensed a spring season in my spirit.
This occurred a few more times during successive days, which prompted me to pray about what God was telling me. He responded by showing me the word, “Awakening.” As I continue to seek His heart, I believe the Lord will reveal what type of awakening He has at hand.
Are you in need of God’s awesome awakening, His miraculous and “sudden” turnaround? Spend time in His presence seeking His heart, worshipping Him, and ask Him for one. God can reverse your circumstances in an instant and can reset you on a path of freedom to complete your divine destiny. He can awe you!
So I feel like today is the day I start my next chapter in life---- by letting go of Tony. Surrendering him to the Lord---and even though I still love him and will be there for him---I am releasing him and assuming no direct responsibility for him. It feels both scary and liberating!--LL
A Woman's Walk - Week of November 25
Awakening Margaret D. MitchellWeek of November 25, 2007
“Wake up, Deborah, wake up! Wake up, wake up, and sing a song! Arise, Barak! Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!” ~ Judges 5:12
God suddenly alerted Deborah to speak a battle command to Barak, Israel’s military leader, that would free their nation from 20 years of captivity and oppression.
Like Israel, how long and how often have we found ourselves held captive by ruthless consequences of sin? Perhaps by our own volition or that of others. Perhaps even by generational iniquity. Did it not it feel like an eternity? And did we not cry out for God to rescue us, just like the Israelites?
Indeed, God hears our cries. And in His time, His gavel falls. And when it does, it is swift. Because He loves us, He not only puts an end to our suffering by driving a tent peg through the enemy’s head, He revives us (Judges 4:21). And we begin anew.
An awakening is a revival or renewal of something. It is the beginning of a new beginning, a spring season in bud. In Deborah and Barak’s case, it was the beginning of a renewed freedom for Israel, a complete turnaround.
Awakenings are a call to action that give us a sudden, glorious opportunity to remove the grave clothes, shake off the dust and get it right. They are rooted in God’s infinite mercy and His heart of love for us.
Consider Peter. Acts 12:7 tells us, “Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel tapped him on the side to awaken him and said, ‘Quick! Get up!’ And the chains fell off his wrists.”
As in Peter’s case, divine awakenings offer us miraculous opportunity for escape, and they reposition us to fulfill God’s plan. Awakenings awe us and burst open doors of opportunity for us to receive God’s abundance of life. In divine awakenings, we are quickly relieved of burdens. We are reminded that God’s yoke is light (Matt. 11:30).
Divine awakenings send our hearts singing out of gratitude and joy.
Just last week, while sitting in my office, I noticed a bird singing right outside my window. I don’t often hear birds singing this time of year, and when I heard it’s lovely chirp, I immediately sensed a spring season in my spirit.
This occurred a few more times during successive days, which prompted me to pray about what God was telling me. He responded by showing me the word, “Awakening.” As I continue to seek His heart, I believe the Lord will reveal what type of awakening He has at hand.
Are you in need of God’s awesome awakening, His miraculous and “sudden” turnaround? Spend time in His presence seeking His heart, worshipping Him, and ask Him for one. God can reverse your circumstances in an instant and can reset you on a path of freedom to complete your divine destiny. He can awe you!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Is My Jesus Enough
Encouragement for Today - Nov. 28, 2007
November 28, 2007
Is My Jesus Enough?
By Lysa TerKeurst
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
I was stopped in my tracks the other day as I was mindlessly singing a beautiful praise song. I say mindlessly not because I wasn't focusing on God. I was definitely lifting up my heart to Him. But the mindlessly part came when I realized I had no clue of the weight of the words in this song. Did I really mean what I was singing? The song said this: "(Jesus) You're all I want. You're all I ever needed."
Really? Did I really mean those words? Is my Jesus enough? Ultimately the question should be: Is my relationship with Jesus in such a place that if He was truly all I had today, would I still stand and sing those powerful song lyrics?
My husband Art is flying on a small private plane today. You know the ones you hear about that crash with no survivors... yes that kind of plane. As I kiss him goodbye in a few minutes can I send him off with full confidence that no matter what, Jesus is enough?
My son Jackson just got his driver's license and will be driving to a friend's house to watch the football game in a few minutes. His friend lives less than five miles from our house. But don't the statistics show that most car accidents happen on the roads we are most familiar with, closest to our homes? Will I be able to smile, tell him to be careful and let him drive down our driveway with full confidence that no matter what, Jesus is enough?I don't know what kinds of twists and turns might come during my life journey. But, I know the only way to travel with a joyful peace is to settle in my heart the answer to this question once and for all. So, today, I declare Jesus is enough.
Before I even know in what way this declaration will be tested, I've made the decision to say it, believe it and settle it.
Jesus is enough. I think this is why one of my favorite portraits of a godly woman in the Bible says, "she can laugh at the days to come," (Proverbs 31:25). She was filled with such incredible joy not because life was perfect but simply because she had decided to make laughter, peace, and true happiness the hallmark of her life. Proverbs 31:30 goes on to say this was a woman to be praised because she so reverenced God in the shrine of her heart that she knew without a doubt, He was enough.
Dear Lord, Thank You that in this world we don’t have to live consumed with fear of the unknown. For You know all things. Nothing will happen to us that does not first pass through your hands. May I find peace in Your love that is so consuming for us that You only have our best interests in mind. Help us to believe and trust that truth no matter what. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
November 28, 2007
Is My Jesus Enough?
By Lysa TerKeurst
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)
Devotion:
I was stopped in my tracks the other day as I was mindlessly singing a beautiful praise song. I say mindlessly not because I wasn't focusing on God. I was definitely lifting up my heart to Him. But the mindlessly part came when I realized I had no clue of the weight of the words in this song. Did I really mean what I was singing? The song said this: "(Jesus) You're all I want. You're all I ever needed."
Really? Did I really mean those words? Is my Jesus enough? Ultimately the question should be: Is my relationship with Jesus in such a place that if He was truly all I had today, would I still stand and sing those powerful song lyrics?
My husband Art is flying on a small private plane today. You know the ones you hear about that crash with no survivors... yes that kind of plane. As I kiss him goodbye in a few minutes can I send him off with full confidence that no matter what, Jesus is enough?
My son Jackson just got his driver's license and will be driving to a friend's house to watch the football game in a few minutes. His friend lives less than five miles from our house. But don't the statistics show that most car accidents happen on the roads we are most familiar with, closest to our homes? Will I be able to smile, tell him to be careful and let him drive down our driveway with full confidence that no matter what, Jesus is enough?I don't know what kinds of twists and turns might come during my life journey. But, I know the only way to travel with a joyful peace is to settle in my heart the answer to this question once and for all. So, today, I declare Jesus is enough.
Before I even know in what way this declaration will be tested, I've made the decision to say it, believe it and settle it.
Jesus is enough. I think this is why one of my favorite portraits of a godly woman in the Bible says, "she can laugh at the days to come," (Proverbs 31:25). She was filled with such incredible joy not because life was perfect but simply because she had decided to make laughter, peace, and true happiness the hallmark of her life. Proverbs 31:30 goes on to say this was a woman to be praised because she so reverenced God in the shrine of her heart that she knew without a doubt, He was enough.
Dear Lord, Thank You that in this world we don’t have to live consumed with fear of the unknown. For You know all things. Nothing will happen to us that does not first pass through your hands. May I find peace in Your love that is so consuming for us that You only have our best interests in mind. Help us to believe and trust that truth no matter what. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Divine Sufficiency
Moments Together for Couples 11/27
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
November 27
Divine Sufficiency
2 Corinthians 3:4,5 And such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.
It's so easy to feel overwhelmed by life. When we consider our responsibilities in marriage, family, work, church and extended family, feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness can rise suddenly and envelop you like a thick fog.
Yet you can keep from being overwhelmed by focusing on the sufficiency of Christ. He is alive today, and He stands ready to guide you along the way.
There's a great poem that says:
Lord, I crawled across the barrenness to You with my empty cup
Uncertain of asking for any small drop of refreshment
If only I would have known You better,
I would have come running with a bucket.
God wants us to know Him and to receive His blessings and to live a life of peace, purpose and pardon. The Bible contains many wonderful principles and truths, but these principles will be only stale dogma and doctrine to you unless you allow the person of Jesus Christ to be at the center of your life. As A. W. Tozer states, "The most important thing about you is what you think about God."
No matter how inadequate you feel in helping your mate, God is completely able to do what appears impossible. His power is most evident when we are weakest. As Paul says in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Why not submit to Him today and ask Him to be your sufficiency and your strength?
Prayer:
That you would be able to trust in God's sufficiency even when you feel you are unable to do anything worthy on your own.
Discuss: In what areas do you feel inadequate? How has God proven His sufficiency to you in the past?
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
November 27
Divine Sufficiency
2 Corinthians 3:4,5 And such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.
It's so easy to feel overwhelmed by life. When we consider our responsibilities in marriage, family, work, church and extended family, feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness can rise suddenly and envelop you like a thick fog.
Yet you can keep from being overwhelmed by focusing on the sufficiency of Christ. He is alive today, and He stands ready to guide you along the way.
There's a great poem that says:
Lord, I crawled across the barrenness to You with my empty cup
Uncertain of asking for any small drop of refreshment
If only I would have known You better,
I would have come running with a bucket.
God wants us to know Him and to receive His blessings and to live a life of peace, purpose and pardon. The Bible contains many wonderful principles and truths, but these principles will be only stale dogma and doctrine to you unless you allow the person of Jesus Christ to be at the center of your life. As A. W. Tozer states, "The most important thing about you is what you think about God."
No matter how inadequate you feel in helping your mate, God is completely able to do what appears impossible. His power is most evident when we are weakest. As Paul says in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Why not submit to Him today and ask Him to be your sufficiency and your strength?
Prayer:
That you would be able to trust in God's sufficiency even when you feel you are unable to do anything worthy on your own.
Discuss: In what areas do you feel inadequate? How has God proven His sufficiency to you in the past?
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Source of our Problems
My spirit is soooo troubled. I think (no, I know) that my son is up to something no good----and I want to kick him out of the house----but I'm afraid to. I"m afraid that his response won't be to step up and start being responsible, but to continue to find the shortcuts in life....to find the easy way out to get what he wants.
I can't trust him, I know his friends are bad, and I think that providing him with a home in which he can "figure things out" has actually enabled him to be a lazy, unthankful son. And that grieves me. I've worked my ass off for 18 years loving him, disciplining him, teaching him, and pointing him to Jesus----but he loves himself. I'm grieving and angry----LL
Greg Laurie Daily Devotion - Nov. 26, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Source of Our Problems
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
—2 Thessalonians 3:3
We are living in a time when we love to blame someone or something else for the things we do. It’s convenient to have a scapegoat, especially when no one likes to take responsibility for their own actions anymore. We can make a million excuses for our wrong behavior, but we never seem to say, “I am responsible for my actions” or “I have sinned against God.”
Tragically, even in the church today, psychology is in many cases placed on the same level as the Bible (and sometimes above it). Many in the church know more about self-esteem than they do about self-denial. They know more about inner healing than they do about outward obedience.
But is low self-esteem the source of our problems today? Is it the fault of others? Is it our family? Is it our culture or upbringing?
James gives us the answer. He tells us the source of our problems: “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:1–2).
James was saying, “Your problems come from your desire for pleasure that battles within you.” The Bible is not saying that pleasure in and of itself is necessarily wrong. There are certain pleasures that have been given to us by God himself.
James is warning us about possessing a pleasure-mad mentality. He is saying that the source of our problems is the selfish pursuit of pleasure. In other words, our problems come from a passionate love of ourselves.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Knowing vs. Doing
Marketplace Meditations 11/25
November 25
Knowing Versus Doing
Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection....
If I asked you the purpose for which God made you, what might you say? You might give a lot of answers that required some action on your part. However, the simplest answer to that question relates to one primary thing: fellowship. The most important thing God desires from us today is to have a deep and intimate fellowship with each of us.
The apostle Paul said he wanted to know Christ, and by knowing Christ he could experience the power of His resurrection. I find this to be the hardest thing for many of us businesspeople to do. So often it is much easier to be busy with the urgent (or even Christian) activity than spending quiet moments before the Lord. Before we realize it, days have passed since our last quiet time with Jesus.
Jesus understood how important quiet moments were with the Father. "After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone" (Mt. 14:23). The more mature I become in my relationship with the Lord, the more precious this time becomes to me. It is a time I look forward to almost daily. It offers me a time to reflect, to share my concerns with my Lord, and to hear Him speak. In the last few years I have begun prayer walks, which accomplish three things: fellowship, prayer, and exercise. It has changed my prayer life. I have come to understand that Jesus views us as His friend and He wants to spend time with us. We are depriving Him of His time when we put Him aside for the urgent. An interesting thing happens when we make prayer a priority: Urgent things seems to wane as we focus on Him. He makes all these other things fall into place.
Are you taking the time to get to know Him today?
November 25
Knowing Versus Doing
Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection....
If I asked you the purpose for which God made you, what might you say? You might give a lot of answers that required some action on your part. However, the simplest answer to that question relates to one primary thing: fellowship. The most important thing God desires from us today is to have a deep and intimate fellowship with each of us.
The apostle Paul said he wanted to know Christ, and by knowing Christ he could experience the power of His resurrection. I find this to be the hardest thing for many of us businesspeople to do. So often it is much easier to be busy with the urgent (or even Christian) activity than spending quiet moments before the Lord. Before we realize it, days have passed since our last quiet time with Jesus.
Jesus understood how important quiet moments were with the Father. "After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone" (Mt. 14:23). The more mature I become in my relationship with the Lord, the more precious this time becomes to me. It is a time I look forward to almost daily. It offers me a time to reflect, to share my concerns with my Lord, and to hear Him speak. In the last few years I have begun prayer walks, which accomplish three things: fellowship, prayer, and exercise. It has changed my prayer life. I have come to understand that Jesus views us as His friend and He wants to spend time with us. We are depriving Him of His time when we put Him aside for the urgent. An interesting thing happens when we make prayer a priority: Urgent things seems to wane as we focus on Him. He makes all these other things fall into place.
Are you taking the time to get to know Him today?
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Grasping for the Wind
I woke up this morning and decided to read all of Ecclesiastes. I was so blessed by it. It's a reminder not to get too attached to the things of this world---and that nothing we do has meaning unless it comes from the Lord. Over and over King Solomon writes "I pondered in my heart"------so today I will also ponder in my heart and seek the Lord and His wisdom for today, and all the tomorrows that He gives me. ---LL
Monday, September 17, 2007
Grasping for the Wind
I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” —Ecclesiastes 2:1–2
Joy Davidman, the wife of C. S. Lewis, said, “Living for your own pleasure is the least pleasurable thing a person can do. If his neighbors don’t kill him in disgust, he will die slowly of boredom and powerlessness.”
It has also been said that the only cure for hedonism is to try to practice it. If you go after pleasure, you will quickly see the emptiness of it.
Of course, the pursuit of pleasure is nothing new. As Solomon reminds us a number of times in the Book of Ecclesiastes, when you boil it down, there is nothing new under the sun. Though our technology has changed and we have had certain advancements since Solomon wrote those words, the basic cravings of humanity have not changed. The basic things people look to have not changed either. The philosophy of “eat, drink, and be merry” has been with us for a long time.
Solomon once decided to pursue everything this world had to offer. Then he came to realize there was nothing to profit from under the sun. It was only when he looked above the sun and looked to God that he found the answers he was seeking. In other words, when we see God for who He is, we will see the world for what it is.
If you have a close relationship with God and are walking intimately with Him, then you will see this world for what it is. You will recognize the philosophies and concepts and ideologies our culture propagates that are contradictory to what the Bible teaches. And when you are walking closely with God, you will see the emptiness and the futility of the things people chase after.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Grasping for the Wind
I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” —Ecclesiastes 2:1–2
Joy Davidman, the wife of C. S. Lewis, said, “Living for your own pleasure is the least pleasurable thing a person can do. If his neighbors don’t kill him in disgust, he will die slowly of boredom and powerlessness.”
It has also been said that the only cure for hedonism is to try to practice it. If you go after pleasure, you will quickly see the emptiness of it.
Of course, the pursuit of pleasure is nothing new. As Solomon reminds us a number of times in the Book of Ecclesiastes, when you boil it down, there is nothing new under the sun. Though our technology has changed and we have had certain advancements since Solomon wrote those words, the basic cravings of humanity have not changed. The basic things people look to have not changed either. The philosophy of “eat, drink, and be merry” has been with us for a long time.
Solomon once decided to pursue everything this world had to offer. Then he came to realize there was nothing to profit from under the sun. It was only when he looked above the sun and looked to God that he found the answers he was seeking. In other words, when we see God for who He is, we will see the world for what it is.
If you have a close relationship with God and are walking intimately with Him, then you will see this world for what it is. You will recognize the philosophies and concepts and ideologies our culture propagates that are contradictory to what the Bible teaches. And when you are walking closely with God, you will see the emptiness and the futility of the things people chase after.
Friday, November 23, 2007
The Pain that goes with Discipline
November 23, 2007
Getting Stronger Can Be Painful
By Glynnis Whitwer
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
A month into my newly-begun exercise program I wanted to quit. It’s probably because I’m the least athletic person I know. I’ve also been told I run worse than a girl and I’m pretty sure I flunked the President’s Physical Fitness test in grade school.
However, since I know in my head that exercise is the only path to getting stronger, I ignored my body’s protests and pressed on. But each week I discovered a new pain somewhere in my body … my shins, knees and arms all groaned with the discomfort of being awoken from their sedentary state.
During one grueling exercise class, the instructor had us do a lower back exercise. At the first twinge of pain, I stopped. I knew that some pain could be dangerous and didn’t want to continue something that could be damaging to my back. Watching me stop, the instructor stooped down to my level with a questioning look on his face. “It hurts,” I explained.
“I know,” he answered. “This exercise is going to strengthen your back. Stop when you need to rest, but try it again. And each time, hold it just a little bit longer.”
My first instinct was to stop at the painful feeling. I know pain is one of God’s warning signals to protect us, and my self-protection instinct was fully engaged. However, in order to get stronger, I had to experience the pain.
Pain seems to be a common side effect any time we try to strengthen an area of our lives. Whether it’s trying again after a discouragement, loving after heartache, or forcing ourselves to organize our kitchen when we’d rather be watching a movie, life can be painful.
I’m sorry to admit that my instinct to avoid pain or discomfort has often kept me from achieving goals in my life. Part of this is because it’s difficult to differentiate the pain that we should avoid, like getting burned from touching a stove, and the kind of pain that makes us stronger. Pain just seems like pain – something to run from.
But some pain is actually good for us. One thing that has helped me determine when pain is helpful, is to look at the end result. Hebrews 12:11 tells of the promise of the pain of discipline: “a harvest of righteousness and peace.”
This “Big Picture” approach has helped me push through many painful experiences in my life. As a follower of Jesus, my life doesn’t hold the promise of ease. In fact, it can contain quite the opposite. Much of what God asks me to do pushes me past my comfort zone. And yet His promise of “a harvest of righteousness” is worth any discomfort.
So I guess I’ll keep exercising, and look at my pain as a path to strength. As I do so, I’ll thank God for the promise of a healthy end-result – in all areas of my life.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me enough to provide discipline in my life. Help me to see which pain means to stop, and which pain is necessary for my health. I want to be stronger in all areas of my life so that I can serve You more fully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Note from the author: Pain is God’s warning signal. If you experience any persistent physical pain, please seek professional help.
Getting Stronger Can Be Painful
By Glynnis Whitwer
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Devotion:
A month into my newly-begun exercise program I wanted to quit. It’s probably because I’m the least athletic person I know. I’ve also been told I run worse than a girl and I’m pretty sure I flunked the President’s Physical Fitness test in grade school.
However, since I know in my head that exercise is the only path to getting stronger, I ignored my body’s protests and pressed on. But each week I discovered a new pain somewhere in my body … my shins, knees and arms all groaned with the discomfort of being awoken from their sedentary state.
During one grueling exercise class, the instructor had us do a lower back exercise. At the first twinge of pain, I stopped. I knew that some pain could be dangerous and didn’t want to continue something that could be damaging to my back. Watching me stop, the instructor stooped down to my level with a questioning look on his face. “It hurts,” I explained.
“I know,” he answered. “This exercise is going to strengthen your back. Stop when you need to rest, but try it again. And each time, hold it just a little bit longer.”
My first instinct was to stop at the painful feeling. I know pain is one of God’s warning signals to protect us, and my self-protection instinct was fully engaged. However, in order to get stronger, I had to experience the pain.
Pain seems to be a common side effect any time we try to strengthen an area of our lives. Whether it’s trying again after a discouragement, loving after heartache, or forcing ourselves to organize our kitchen when we’d rather be watching a movie, life can be painful.
I’m sorry to admit that my instinct to avoid pain or discomfort has often kept me from achieving goals in my life. Part of this is because it’s difficult to differentiate the pain that we should avoid, like getting burned from touching a stove, and the kind of pain that makes us stronger. Pain just seems like pain – something to run from.
But some pain is actually good for us. One thing that has helped me determine when pain is helpful, is to look at the end result. Hebrews 12:11 tells of the promise of the pain of discipline: “a harvest of righteousness and peace.”
This “Big Picture” approach has helped me push through many painful experiences in my life. As a follower of Jesus, my life doesn’t hold the promise of ease. In fact, it can contain quite the opposite. Much of what God asks me to do pushes me past my comfort zone. And yet His promise of “a harvest of righteousness” is worth any discomfort.
So I guess I’ll keep exercising, and look at my pain as a path to strength. As I do so, I’ll thank God for the promise of a healthy end-result – in all areas of my life.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me enough to provide discipline in my life. Help me to see which pain means to stop, and which pain is necessary for my health. I want to be stronger in all areas of my life so that I can serve You more fully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Note from the author: Pain is God’s warning signal. If you experience any persistent physical pain, please seek professional help.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Bare Bones of Hope
When I read this I thought of the words in the song,---"Breathe on me and make me new, be the Strength---of my life!"---------Ooooh how somedays my bones ache and long to live! I pray that today the Lord will breathe on me and renew my soul!---LL
Girlfriends in God - Nov. 21, 2007
November 21, 2007
Bare Bones of Hope
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NIV
Friend to Friend
We’ve all gone through difficult situations that left us wounded. I can’t think of many people who haven’t needed healing in one area or another. And I’ve learned that healing is a process.
Healing begins by recognizing that there is a wound that needs to be healed – a painful memory, a festering bitterness, an aching heart, a gaping hole. It usually doesn’t happen in an instant, but through a process of steps or decisions. Webster defines “process” as “a series of acts or changes, proceeding from one to the next, a method of manufacturing or conditioning something, a moving forward, especially as part of a progression or development.”
One of my favorite words in the New Testament is immediately. “Immediately they received their sight,” “immediately the leprosy left him,” “immediately her bleeding stopped,” and so it goes. Sometimes God heals…immediately. And yet, sometimes He chooses to send us through a process of healing steps. Either way, I have learned that God is more concerned with the process than the finished product. Of course, I prefer the immediately route, but most times it seems I travel through the valleys and mountain ranges as did “Much Afraid” in the classic book “Hinds Feet in High Places.”
The good news is that Jesus never encountered someone whose infirmity was greater than His power to heal it. You might think that you are “too far gone.” Rest assured, Jesus specializes in bringing life from death, no matter how long death has prevailed.
In the Bible, there are three instances of Jesus’ raising someone from the dead: Jairus’s daughter (Luke 8:41-56), the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11-17), and Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha (John 11:1-57). Jairus’s daughter had been dead only a few hours, the widow of Nain’s son had been dead a few days, and Lazarus had been dead long enough for his body to begin to decay. Neither the length of time the person had been dead nor did the amount of deterioration that had taken place matter to Jesus. One word from Jesus and they were back on their feet!
Likewise, no matter how long we have felt the pain from a seemingly fatal wound of the soul, God can restore and resurrect our broken dreams. He can even create a vast army from a pile of dried up bones. He told the prophet Ezekiel to speak to a hovel of bones.
Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD…’”
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet – a vast army. (Ezekiel 37:4-6, 10).
If God can take a pile of dead old dry bones and change them into a vast army, then He can certainly take the broken pieces of our lives and transform us into mighty warriors for Him! Olympian, Eric Liddell once said, “Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God’s plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins.”
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, our Creator and Restorer of Broken Dreams. I just love the story of Ezekiel speaking to the dead bones and You raising up a mighty army. Today, I pray that You will breathe fresh wind on the dry bones of my life. I thank you that nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible for You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Is there anything in your life that you have felt is impossible to change?
Is there anything in your life that is more difficult than transforming a pile of bones into a vast army?
Go back and read today’s truth. Turn to this verse in your Bible and note the context in which this verse is used.
What is your answer to the angel’s question?
More from the Girlfriends
Are you in a situation that seems hopeless? Oh dear girlfriend, there is always hope for a child of God. If you would like to learn more about hope for the hurting, see Your Scars are Beautiful to God by Sharon Jaynes.
Girlfriends in God - Nov. 21, 2007
November 21, 2007
Bare Bones of Hope
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NIV
Friend to Friend
We’ve all gone through difficult situations that left us wounded. I can’t think of many people who haven’t needed healing in one area or another. And I’ve learned that healing is a process.
Healing begins by recognizing that there is a wound that needs to be healed – a painful memory, a festering bitterness, an aching heart, a gaping hole. It usually doesn’t happen in an instant, but through a process of steps or decisions. Webster defines “process” as “a series of acts or changes, proceeding from one to the next, a method of manufacturing or conditioning something, a moving forward, especially as part of a progression or development.”
One of my favorite words in the New Testament is immediately. “Immediately they received their sight,” “immediately the leprosy left him,” “immediately her bleeding stopped,” and so it goes. Sometimes God heals…immediately. And yet, sometimes He chooses to send us through a process of healing steps. Either way, I have learned that God is more concerned with the process than the finished product. Of course, I prefer the immediately route, but most times it seems I travel through the valleys and mountain ranges as did “Much Afraid” in the classic book “Hinds Feet in High Places.”
The good news is that Jesus never encountered someone whose infirmity was greater than His power to heal it. You might think that you are “too far gone.” Rest assured, Jesus specializes in bringing life from death, no matter how long death has prevailed.
In the Bible, there are three instances of Jesus’ raising someone from the dead: Jairus’s daughter (Luke 8:41-56), the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11-17), and Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha (John 11:1-57). Jairus’s daughter had been dead only a few hours, the widow of Nain’s son had been dead a few days, and Lazarus had been dead long enough for his body to begin to decay. Neither the length of time the person had been dead nor did the amount of deterioration that had taken place matter to Jesus. One word from Jesus and they were back on their feet!
Likewise, no matter how long we have felt the pain from a seemingly fatal wound of the soul, God can restore and resurrect our broken dreams. He can even create a vast army from a pile of dried up bones. He told the prophet Ezekiel to speak to a hovel of bones.
Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD…’”
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet – a vast army. (Ezekiel 37:4-6, 10).
If God can take a pile of dead old dry bones and change them into a vast army, then He can certainly take the broken pieces of our lives and transform us into mighty warriors for Him! Olympian, Eric Liddell once said, “Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God’s plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins.”
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, our Creator and Restorer of Broken Dreams. I just love the story of Ezekiel speaking to the dead bones and You raising up a mighty army. Today, I pray that You will breathe fresh wind on the dry bones of my life. I thank you that nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible for You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Is there anything in your life that you have felt is impossible to change?
Is there anything in your life that is more difficult than transforming a pile of bones into a vast army?
Go back and read today’s truth. Turn to this verse in your Bible and note the context in which this verse is used.
What is your answer to the angel’s question?
More from the Girlfriends
Are you in a situation that seems hopeless? Oh dear girlfriend, there is always hope for a child of God. If you would like to learn more about hope for the hurting, see Your Scars are Beautiful to God by Sharon Jaynes.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Trials
Perfect and complete lacking NOTHING!----ll
Greg Laurie Daily Devotion - Nov. 20, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Hot Water
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.
—James 1:2
Have you ever had the bottom drop out of your life? Things had been going reasonably well. The birds were singing. The sun was shining. Then without warning, the storm clouds began to gather. It started to rain on your parade. A calamity hit. A tragedy struck, and suddenly you felt lower than you had ever felt before. What was it all about?
Or, have you ever had one of those times where you were walking with God, trying to do all the things that should build you up in your Christian faith, when, out of nowhere, you were hit with a heavy-duty, intense temptation? It often happened at the worst conceivable time, like when you were in prayer or in church. You wondered, Why is this happening to me?
What is the purpose of trials and temptations in the life of the Christian? Is there anything we can do to move them along a little more quickly?
Without a doubt, none of us enjoy trials. None of us enjoy being tempted, but there are some valuable lessons that come through these times God allows in our lives. In fact, the Bible tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2–4).
I have heard people say, “Christians are a lot like tea bags: you don’t know what they are made of until you put them into hot water.” Sometimes we think we are doing pretty well spiritually when all of a sudden, God puts us in some hot water. He lets us go through a trial. He allows temptation in our lives. Yet it is those difficult times that help to strengthen us spiritually
Greg Laurie Daily Devotion - Nov. 20, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Hot Water
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.
—James 1:2
Have you ever had the bottom drop out of your life? Things had been going reasonably well. The birds were singing. The sun was shining. Then without warning, the storm clouds began to gather. It started to rain on your parade. A calamity hit. A tragedy struck, and suddenly you felt lower than you had ever felt before. What was it all about?
Or, have you ever had one of those times where you were walking with God, trying to do all the things that should build you up in your Christian faith, when, out of nowhere, you were hit with a heavy-duty, intense temptation? It often happened at the worst conceivable time, like when you were in prayer or in church. You wondered, Why is this happening to me?
What is the purpose of trials and temptations in the life of the Christian? Is there anything we can do to move them along a little more quickly?
Without a doubt, none of us enjoy trials. None of us enjoy being tempted, but there are some valuable lessons that come through these times God allows in our lives. In fact, the Bible tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2–4).
I have heard people say, “Christians are a lot like tea bags: you don’t know what they are made of until you put them into hot water.” Sometimes we think we are doing pretty well spiritually when all of a sudden, God puts us in some hot water. He lets us go through a trial. He allows temptation in our lives. Yet it is those difficult times that help to strengthen us spiritually
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thanks for the Pebbles in my shoes
The verse says give thanks in EVERYTHING----so don't leave anything out!---LL
Moments Together for Couples 11/19
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
November 19
Pebbles in My Shoes (Part Two)
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
For many years I didn't react well to those nagging little problems-the "pebbles in my shoe." I was used to either calling things "bad luck," getting ticked off, or just shrugging my shoulders while muttering "What's the use?"
Then I discovered 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and I began to measure my walk with God by those four simple words: "In everything give thanks." To my amazement, I started to notice a change in my attitude about life in general. I began to realize that God wants to invade every area of my life.
Let me suggest three reasons God commanded us to give thanks in all things:
First, giving thanks in all things expresses faith-faith in the God who knows what He's doing; faith in the God who sovereignly rules in all that happens to us. Isn't that what He wants from us?
Second, He knew we wouldn't do it naturally. Giving thanks in all things means I am no longer walking as a mere man, grumbling and griping, but walking as a spiritual man (see 1 Cor. 2:14,15)-a man who sees God at work...even in the grains of sand that tend to fill my shoes.
Isn't that a little bit of what's wrong with twentieth-century Christianity? Don't we divorce God from the details of daily experience? Don't we ultimately dislike those things that we can't seem to control? Let's be honest, we'd rather gripe, complain and be miserable about circumstances than give thanks.
Finally, God wants to teach us how to deal with the irritating grains of sand so we can get on with climbing the mountains He has for us. All we see are the pebbles, and we think if we could just remove all those pebbles then we could get on with real life. But the pebbles are the real life that God brings us day by day. He wants to use those irritants to instruct us and to see us mature in Christ.
Prayer:
Tell God you want to submit to Him to learn the lessons He has for you in the midst of daily life. Ask Him to teach you through these pebbles that are in your shoes."
Discuss: Do you have some grit and gravel in your shoe that feel like a herd of boulders? Before you try to empty them out, why don't you stop right now and give thanks for that rock pile and ask Him to teach you what you need to learn.
Moments Together for Couples 11/19
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
November 19
Pebbles in My Shoes (Part Two)
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
For many years I didn't react well to those nagging little problems-the "pebbles in my shoe." I was used to either calling things "bad luck," getting ticked off, or just shrugging my shoulders while muttering "What's the use?"
Then I discovered 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and I began to measure my walk with God by those four simple words: "In everything give thanks." To my amazement, I started to notice a change in my attitude about life in general. I began to realize that God wants to invade every area of my life.
Let me suggest three reasons God commanded us to give thanks in all things:
First, giving thanks in all things expresses faith-faith in the God who knows what He's doing; faith in the God who sovereignly rules in all that happens to us. Isn't that what He wants from us?
Second, He knew we wouldn't do it naturally. Giving thanks in all things means I am no longer walking as a mere man, grumbling and griping, but walking as a spiritual man (see 1 Cor. 2:14,15)-a man who sees God at work...even in the grains of sand that tend to fill my shoes.
Isn't that a little bit of what's wrong with twentieth-century Christianity? Don't we divorce God from the details of daily experience? Don't we ultimately dislike those things that we can't seem to control? Let's be honest, we'd rather gripe, complain and be miserable about circumstances than give thanks.
Finally, God wants to teach us how to deal with the irritating grains of sand so we can get on with climbing the mountains He has for us. All we see are the pebbles, and we think if we could just remove all those pebbles then we could get on with real life. But the pebbles are the real life that God brings us day by day. He wants to use those irritants to instruct us and to see us mature in Christ.
Prayer:
Tell God you want to submit to Him to learn the lessons He has for you in the midst of daily life. Ask Him to teach you through these pebbles that are in your shoes."
Discuss: Do you have some grit and gravel in your shoe that feel like a herd of boulders? Before you try to empty them out, why don't you stop right now and give thanks for that rock pile and ask Him to teach you what you need to learn.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Committing our Minds to the Lord
Today's Scripture
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. Isaiah 26:3-4 AMP
Thoughts for Today
This week we’ve been discussing healing from the pain of abuse. Many people who have suffered abuse experience pain long after the abuse has ended. We’ve looked at the importance of overcoming fear by learning to trust God … of seeking forgiveness for the wrong attitudes and responses we have allowed to develop in our life … of forgiving those who have hurt us.
There is no quick fix for the pain of abuse. Healing is a process. Today’s scripture gives us keys to this process: focusing our mind on Jesus, trusting him, committing ourselves to him, leaning on him and hoping in him. As we do these things, he promises to guard us and keep us in perfect and constant peace.
Consider this…During the healing process, you will most likely face some painful memories and some difficult experiences within yourself. Remember … God is your greatest source of comfort. Go to him and he will comfort you by his Spirit who is living in you. With his help, you can be healed and truly put the past behind.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your promise of peace. Help me to trust you more, to keep my focus on you, and to follow the steps you lay before me in this process of healing. In Jesus’ name …
These thoughts were drawn from…
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. Isaiah 26:3-4 AMP
Thoughts for Today
This week we’ve been discussing healing from the pain of abuse. Many people who have suffered abuse experience pain long after the abuse has ended. We’ve looked at the importance of overcoming fear by learning to trust God … of seeking forgiveness for the wrong attitudes and responses we have allowed to develop in our life … of forgiving those who have hurt us.
There is no quick fix for the pain of abuse. Healing is a process. Today’s scripture gives us keys to this process: focusing our mind on Jesus, trusting him, committing ourselves to him, leaning on him and hoping in him. As we do these things, he promises to guard us and keep us in perfect and constant peace.
Consider this…During the healing process, you will most likely face some painful memories and some difficult experiences within yourself. Remember … God is your greatest source of comfort. Go to him and he will comfort you by his Spirit who is living in you. With his help, you can be healed and truly put the past behind.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your promise of peace. Help me to trust you more, to keep my focus on you, and to follow the steps you lay before me in this process of healing. In Jesus’ name …
These thoughts were drawn from…
Friday, November 16, 2007
Air Brushed Christians
Let the confessions begin! TGIF----Elle Elle
Moments Together for Couples 11/16
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
November 16Air-Brush Christians
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
Oliver Cromwell, the British statesman and leader of the British Isles, war hero and leader, was posing one day for a portrait. He got up from his seat after the artist had done a great deal of work, and examined it. Then he turned to the young woman and rebuked her, "When you paint me, you paint me warts and all!"
The artist had done a beautiful job of painting Sir Oliver, but it was too good. And I think that little story typifies the kind of the air-brush society we live in. Today you can take an unflattering photograph of yourself and have all the "warts" removed. They will fix your lumpy nose, change the color of your eyes, improve your smile and remove any unsightly blemishes-all with either an air-brush or what we call today "computer enhancement"!
We are a culture of fake people: air brushing our lives, creating illusions, never willing to admit our faults to others. And this is often just as true of Christians. Once you know how to talk and relate to other Christians, it's often easy to give them the impression that you are much more mature in Christ than you really are.
The irony is that true maturity begins to occur when you are willing to confess your sins to others. We're often afraid to be so vulnerable, and yet people always seem to respond with warmth and understanding.
As James 5:16 says, healing occurs when you come to the point in your walk with God that you know you won't get rid of sin by concealing it; you need to become accountable within the Body of Christ. When we confess our sins to God and to others, then little by little we become like Jesus Christ.
Perhaps there is no better relationship than marriage for two people to begin to experience authenticity. There's no air brushing faults and removing blemishes here; it's life, up close and personal. Just like God intended it.
Prayer:
That God will conform you to His image as you make yourself more accountable to others in the Body of Christ.
Discuss: Are you concealing any sins that you need to confess, first to God and then to others?
Moments Together for Couples 11/16
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
November 16Air-Brush Christians
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
Oliver Cromwell, the British statesman and leader of the British Isles, war hero and leader, was posing one day for a portrait. He got up from his seat after the artist had done a great deal of work, and examined it. Then he turned to the young woman and rebuked her, "When you paint me, you paint me warts and all!"
The artist had done a beautiful job of painting Sir Oliver, but it was too good. And I think that little story typifies the kind of the air-brush society we live in. Today you can take an unflattering photograph of yourself and have all the "warts" removed. They will fix your lumpy nose, change the color of your eyes, improve your smile and remove any unsightly blemishes-all with either an air-brush or what we call today "computer enhancement"!
We are a culture of fake people: air brushing our lives, creating illusions, never willing to admit our faults to others. And this is often just as true of Christians. Once you know how to talk and relate to other Christians, it's often easy to give them the impression that you are much more mature in Christ than you really are.
The irony is that true maturity begins to occur when you are willing to confess your sins to others. We're often afraid to be so vulnerable, and yet people always seem to respond with warmth and understanding.
As James 5:16 says, healing occurs when you come to the point in your walk with God that you know you won't get rid of sin by concealing it; you need to become accountable within the Body of Christ. When we confess our sins to God and to others, then little by little we become like Jesus Christ.
Perhaps there is no better relationship than marriage for two people to begin to experience authenticity. There's no air brushing faults and removing blemishes here; it's life, up close and personal. Just like God intended it.
Prayer:
That God will conform you to His image as you make yourself more accountable to others in the Body of Christ.
Discuss: Are you concealing any sins that you need to confess, first to God and then to others?
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Peter's Challenge to Invest
November 15, 2007
Peter’s Challenge to Invest
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32 (emphasis added)
Friend to Friend
I’m so glad Jesus picked Peter to be one of His disciples. Time and time again, we see him with his foot in his mouth, his pride in his pocket, and his temper on his sleeve. Satan knew Peter was going to have a big impact on the church at large, and he tried many times to get him off course. During the last supper, Jesus warned Peter that he was about to be tested…”Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31 emphasis mine).
Peter puffed out his chest, lifted his head and said, “I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
I imagine Jesus thought, sure you are, son.
Just a few hours later, the sifting began. As Peter stood by the fire just outside where Jesus was being beaten and tried, a little servant girl asked if he was one of Jesus’ followers.
“Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
Then again…
“Man, I am not (one of his disciples)!” Peter replied.
And again…
“Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
And just as the third denial slipped off Peter’s lips, the roster crowed to remind him of Jesus’ words, “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”
Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
Jesus knew that Peter was going to deny him, and yet, before he even fell from grace, Jesus was picking him up. Yes, Peter was absolutely crushed at his weakness in denying Jesus three times. But then, the ray of God’s love reminded him of Jesus’ words…”When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
After Jesus’ resurrection, he reminded Peter to invest what he had learned in other people. Three times Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” After each of Peter’s affirmations, Jesus said, “Feed my lambs…take care of my sheep…feed my sheep.” Peter did exactly what Jesus asked and spent the rest of his life investing in other people. Rather then wallowing in shame and guilt, Peter spent the rest of his life in ministry.
Maybe you, like Peter, have had a time when you felt you failed God. Do you know that Satan wants you to feel so guilty that you feel disqualified from ministry? But not God! He dusts off a repentant heart and puts us right back in the game. Don’t believe the enemy’s lies. Do you love Jesus? Then take care of His sheep.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving me of all my shortcomings. Thank you for allowing me to be your chosen servant even though I make so many mistakes. Help me not to believe the enemy’s lies that tell me I am disqualified after a failure, but to believe You when you tell me that all is forgiven.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Today, have you asked God to forgive you of your mistakes?
Today, do you believe that God has forgiven you?
Today, do you believe that God has a plan for you life?
Today, do you believe that there is no place so far away from God that His grace cannot forgive you, cleanse you, and use you for His purposes?
If you can answer “Yes” to those questions, I want you to write down on a piece of paper… “God, I believe that you have forgiven me and can use me. Show me where You want me to serve You today.”
Hang on to your hat! If you really believe what you just wrote, you’re in for an exciting day!
More from the Girlfriends
Peter is one of my best friends. I’m sure if we were walking the earth at the same time, we’d be neck-and-neck in the “Who can put their foot in their mouth first” contest. But God took this man with many scars and named him Rock. If you would like to know more about how God can transform a life littered with faults and turn them into a life filled with faith, see Your Scars are Beautiful to God by Sharon Jaynes
Peter’s Challenge to Invest
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32 (emphasis added)
Friend to Friend
I’m so glad Jesus picked Peter to be one of His disciples. Time and time again, we see him with his foot in his mouth, his pride in his pocket, and his temper on his sleeve. Satan knew Peter was going to have a big impact on the church at large, and he tried many times to get him off course. During the last supper, Jesus warned Peter that he was about to be tested…”Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31 emphasis mine).
Peter puffed out his chest, lifted his head and said, “I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
I imagine Jesus thought, sure you are, son.
Just a few hours later, the sifting began. As Peter stood by the fire just outside where Jesus was being beaten and tried, a little servant girl asked if he was one of Jesus’ followers.
“Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
Then again…
“Man, I am not (one of his disciples)!” Peter replied.
And again…
“Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
And just as the third denial slipped off Peter’s lips, the roster crowed to remind him of Jesus’ words, “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”
Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
Jesus knew that Peter was going to deny him, and yet, before he even fell from grace, Jesus was picking him up. Yes, Peter was absolutely crushed at his weakness in denying Jesus three times. But then, the ray of God’s love reminded him of Jesus’ words…”When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
After Jesus’ resurrection, he reminded Peter to invest what he had learned in other people. Three times Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” After each of Peter’s affirmations, Jesus said, “Feed my lambs…take care of my sheep…feed my sheep.” Peter did exactly what Jesus asked and spent the rest of his life investing in other people. Rather then wallowing in shame and guilt, Peter spent the rest of his life in ministry.
Maybe you, like Peter, have had a time when you felt you failed God. Do you know that Satan wants you to feel so guilty that you feel disqualified from ministry? But not God! He dusts off a repentant heart and puts us right back in the game. Don’t believe the enemy’s lies. Do you love Jesus? Then take care of His sheep.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving me of all my shortcomings. Thank you for allowing me to be your chosen servant even though I make so many mistakes. Help me not to believe the enemy’s lies that tell me I am disqualified after a failure, but to believe You when you tell me that all is forgiven.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Today, have you asked God to forgive you of your mistakes?
Today, do you believe that God has forgiven you?
Today, do you believe that God has a plan for you life?
Today, do you believe that there is no place so far away from God that His grace cannot forgive you, cleanse you, and use you for His purposes?
If you can answer “Yes” to those questions, I want you to write down on a piece of paper… “God, I believe that you have forgiven me and can use me. Show me where You want me to serve You today.”
Hang on to your hat! If you really believe what you just wrote, you’re in for an exciting day!
More from the Girlfriends
Peter is one of my best friends. I’m sure if we were walking the earth at the same time, we’d be neck-and-neck in the “Who can put their foot in their mouth first” contest. But God took this man with many scars and named him Rock. If you would like to know more about how God can transform a life littered with faults and turn them into a life filled with faith, see Your Scars are Beautiful to God by Sharon Jaynes
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
When the Heart Grows Faint
Moments Together for Couples 11/14
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
November 14When the Heart Grows Faint
Psalm 61:1,2 Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to Thee, when my heart is faint.
Discouragement. Who hasn't felt its chilling grip on the heart? Discouragement neutralizes optimism, assassinates hope and vaporizes courage. For many, a frequent source of discouragement is when it seems that God doesn't answer a crucial prayer.
Close friends of ours once went through the heart-ripping experience of a divorce. Their five-year-old, freckle-faced daughter was jerked north, then south as the marriage unraveled. For nearly three years Barbara and I had prayed. We counseled. We called. We wrote letters. We got them to attend two FamilyLife Marriage Conferences. We pleaded, reasoned and wept. We gave it our best shot. We kept praying.
The day the divorce was finalized, a piece of our heart was crushed as the judge's gavel came smashing down. We were bewildered. Confused. Didn't God say He hated divorce? We were left with a living mosaic of deceit, betrayal and broken promises. We were tempted to lose heart.
In the midst of such times I like to remember the British missionary Elizabeth Aleward. Miss Aleward had two great sorrows as a young girl: Her hair was black and straight (when all of the popular girls had a head full of golden curls), and while all her friends kept growing, she ended up short.
Years later, God called her to the mission field in China. As she stood looking at the people to whom God had called her to minister, she said two very apparent observations occurred to her. "First, each and every one of them had long, straight black hair. And, secondly, each and every one of them had stopped growing at exactly the same moment that I did. And I bowed my head and prayed, 'Jehovah God, You know what You are doing!'"
You and I will never lose heart as long as we know that God is in control. He knows what He's doing, even though we don't comprehend many times what His purposes are. He wants us to keep the faith, not lose it.
Prayer:
Thank God that He is in control and ask Him to help you when you go through periods of discouragement that rob you of your faith.
Discuss: Can you cite a heartfelt prayer of your own that apparently went unanswered? Have other events tempted you to lose heart?
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
November 14When the Heart Grows Faint
Psalm 61:1,2 Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to Thee, when my heart is faint.
Discouragement. Who hasn't felt its chilling grip on the heart? Discouragement neutralizes optimism, assassinates hope and vaporizes courage. For many, a frequent source of discouragement is when it seems that God doesn't answer a crucial prayer.
Close friends of ours once went through the heart-ripping experience of a divorce. Their five-year-old, freckle-faced daughter was jerked north, then south as the marriage unraveled. For nearly three years Barbara and I had prayed. We counseled. We called. We wrote letters. We got them to attend two FamilyLife Marriage Conferences. We pleaded, reasoned and wept. We gave it our best shot. We kept praying.
The day the divorce was finalized, a piece of our heart was crushed as the judge's gavel came smashing down. We were bewildered. Confused. Didn't God say He hated divorce? We were left with a living mosaic of deceit, betrayal and broken promises. We were tempted to lose heart.
In the midst of such times I like to remember the British missionary Elizabeth Aleward. Miss Aleward had two great sorrows as a young girl: Her hair was black and straight (when all of the popular girls had a head full of golden curls), and while all her friends kept growing, she ended up short.
Years later, God called her to the mission field in China. As she stood looking at the people to whom God had called her to minister, she said two very apparent observations occurred to her. "First, each and every one of them had long, straight black hair. And, secondly, each and every one of them had stopped growing at exactly the same moment that I did. And I bowed my head and prayed, 'Jehovah God, You know what You are doing!'"
You and I will never lose heart as long as we know that God is in control. He knows what He's doing, even though we don't comprehend many times what His purposes are. He wants us to keep the faith, not lose it.
Prayer:
Thank God that He is in control and ask Him to help you when you go through periods of discouragement that rob you of your faith.
Discuss: Can you cite a heartfelt prayer of your own that apparently went unanswered? Have other events tempted you to lose heart?
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Stress Management
November 13, 2007
Stress Management 101
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Philippians 4:6-7 (ICB) Do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. And God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace that God gives is so great that we cannot understand it.
Friend to Friend
Stress management is a spiritual discipline that begins with diligent preparation in every area of life – mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. We must be ready to deal with stress before we are required to deal with stress. Dealing with stress is an ongoing, daily battle that will not end - this side of Heaven. In order to win that battle, we must be prepared. While there is no single secret to handling stress, God’s Word is filled with many truths that can enable and empower us to deal with stress in a healthy, productive and God-honoring way.
Sometimes the most familiar passages of scripture are also the most overlooked. Psalm 23 is one of those passages. I often find myself rushing to this psalm for peace and comfort in the aftermath of a stressful situation or for guidance and shelter from the storm that I see barreling straight for the unprepared shores of my life. However, I have also discovered that Psalm 23 is a powerful tool for dealing with stress on an everyday basis.
If you are like me, I tend to handle the major calamities in life better than the mundane, ordinary but definitely stress-inducing minutia of daily living. A study of Psalm 23 has led me to believe that it is often the small pebble in my shoe, rather than the massive boulder on my path, that causes the greatest stress in my life. Life is so daily! Fortunately, so is God.
He promises to be my shepherd, to lead and guide me, to provide my every need, to protect me from my enemies, to fill my heart with peace, and to stand between me and my greatest fears. God delivered a profound message when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us each and every day. Jesus could have come to us in many ways but He chose to interrupt the ordinary with the extraordinary! Jesus could rightfully have been born in a palace. He was, after all, a King. Yet His life on earth began in a manger - a smelly, dusty, dirty and definitely common barn. The simplicity of His birth is one of His most precious gifts to us and a constant reminder that He really does care about everything that touches our lives - no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. God wants to be involved in the simple, ordinary happenings of each day.
While I cannot imagine my world without the presence and power of Jesus Christ, I am often guilty of living as if He does not exist. The result is a stress-filled life. A trial comes and I try to handle it on my own. Loneliness empties my heart and instead of reaching out to Him, I withdraw into the darkness where stress is waiting to fill that emptiness with anxiety and fear. Still, God is faithful. His peace is a soothing balm that leads me once again to the manger and away from stress. Emmanuel, God with me! He steps into my life and changes everything. When He comes, stress is stripped away, tranquility given in its place.
When I find myself wishing I could have been there that holy night when Jesus was born, He gently reminds me that I had my own manger experience, when God became a personal reality in my life. I have my own holy moments each and every day as I reach out to Him and He is there, right in the middle of my common, ordinary and often smelly circumstances.
Stress has no place in a heart that kneels before the manger. Stress is powerless in a life that continually seeks God and chooses to surrender to His love and care – like the sheep surrender to the love and care of their Shepherd. Psalm 23 describes the intimate, personal and trusting relationship between sheep and shepherd, between child and father, and is not only a beautiful portrait of God’s complete and faithful provision, but an arsenal of stress-busting truths and principles that, when embraced and applied, will empower and equip us to live a life of peace and victory.
Let’s pray
Father, I want to thank You for your unconditional love and forgiveness. Help me to focus on You and Your presence in my life each day. I pray that any stress in my heart will be swallowed up in the reality that You are faithful and are in control. I know You are not surprised by anything that comes my way and will transform the good into better, the unthinkable into the unstoppable and the unbelievable into fact. I praise You for the amazing way You guide me and lift me up when I fall. I want to focus on You today and thank You that in doing so, I will experience true peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now it’s Your Turn
Think about the way you begin each day. Are you afraid of what the day holds? Do you dread facing whatever comes your way? Or do you focus on God and His promises? Let’s encourage one another to walk in faith, peace and victory.
More from the Girls
Stress is one of the enemy’s favorite weapons to use against me. Stress has caused physical pain, emotional darkness and spiritual bankruptcy in my life. I constantly have to bring my heart and mind back to God. I know how hard it is to stay balanced and at peace. Need help? Check out my book, “Escaping the Stress Trap” to discover nine steps you can take to manage stress…instead of allowing it to manage you.
Stress Management 101
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Philippians 4:6-7 (ICB) Do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. And God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace that God gives is so great that we cannot understand it.
Friend to Friend
Stress management is a spiritual discipline that begins with diligent preparation in every area of life – mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. We must be ready to deal with stress before we are required to deal with stress. Dealing with stress is an ongoing, daily battle that will not end - this side of Heaven. In order to win that battle, we must be prepared. While there is no single secret to handling stress, God’s Word is filled with many truths that can enable and empower us to deal with stress in a healthy, productive and God-honoring way.
Sometimes the most familiar passages of scripture are also the most overlooked. Psalm 23 is one of those passages. I often find myself rushing to this psalm for peace and comfort in the aftermath of a stressful situation or for guidance and shelter from the storm that I see barreling straight for the unprepared shores of my life. However, I have also discovered that Psalm 23 is a powerful tool for dealing with stress on an everyday basis.
If you are like me, I tend to handle the major calamities in life better than the mundane, ordinary but definitely stress-inducing minutia of daily living. A study of Psalm 23 has led me to believe that it is often the small pebble in my shoe, rather than the massive boulder on my path, that causes the greatest stress in my life. Life is so daily! Fortunately, so is God.
He promises to be my shepherd, to lead and guide me, to provide my every need, to protect me from my enemies, to fill my heart with peace, and to stand between me and my greatest fears. God delivered a profound message when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us each and every day. Jesus could have come to us in many ways but He chose to interrupt the ordinary with the extraordinary! Jesus could rightfully have been born in a palace. He was, after all, a King. Yet His life on earth began in a manger - a smelly, dusty, dirty and definitely common barn. The simplicity of His birth is one of His most precious gifts to us and a constant reminder that He really does care about everything that touches our lives - no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. God wants to be involved in the simple, ordinary happenings of each day.
While I cannot imagine my world without the presence and power of Jesus Christ, I am often guilty of living as if He does not exist. The result is a stress-filled life. A trial comes and I try to handle it on my own. Loneliness empties my heart and instead of reaching out to Him, I withdraw into the darkness where stress is waiting to fill that emptiness with anxiety and fear. Still, God is faithful. His peace is a soothing balm that leads me once again to the manger and away from stress. Emmanuel, God with me! He steps into my life and changes everything. When He comes, stress is stripped away, tranquility given in its place.
When I find myself wishing I could have been there that holy night when Jesus was born, He gently reminds me that I had my own manger experience, when God became a personal reality in my life. I have my own holy moments each and every day as I reach out to Him and He is there, right in the middle of my common, ordinary and often smelly circumstances.
Stress has no place in a heart that kneels before the manger. Stress is powerless in a life that continually seeks God and chooses to surrender to His love and care – like the sheep surrender to the love and care of their Shepherd. Psalm 23 describes the intimate, personal and trusting relationship between sheep and shepherd, between child and father, and is not only a beautiful portrait of God’s complete and faithful provision, but an arsenal of stress-busting truths and principles that, when embraced and applied, will empower and equip us to live a life of peace and victory.
Let’s pray
Father, I want to thank You for your unconditional love and forgiveness. Help me to focus on You and Your presence in my life each day. I pray that any stress in my heart will be swallowed up in the reality that You are faithful and are in control. I know You are not surprised by anything that comes my way and will transform the good into better, the unthinkable into the unstoppable and the unbelievable into fact. I praise You for the amazing way You guide me and lift me up when I fall. I want to focus on You today and thank You that in doing so, I will experience true peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now it’s Your Turn
Think about the way you begin each day. Are you afraid of what the day holds? Do you dread facing whatever comes your way? Or do you focus on God and His promises? Let’s encourage one another to walk in faith, peace and victory.
More from the Girls
Stress is one of the enemy’s favorite weapons to use against me. Stress has caused physical pain, emotional darkness and spiritual bankruptcy in my life. I constantly have to bring my heart and mind back to God. I know how hard it is to stay balanced and at peace. Need help? Check out my book, “Escaping the Stress Trap” to discover nine steps you can take to manage stress…instead of allowing it to manage you.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Is God in Everything?
In Touch - Nov. 12, 2007
In Touch Daily Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley
November 12, 2007 –
Is God in Everything – Genesis 50:15-21
The Old Testament story of Joseph is one of the best-known examples of the Lord blessing a man’s life though his harsh experiences. In today’s passage, the slave-turned-prisoner-turned-national leader stands before the brothers who sold him into servitude. He says, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (vv. 19-20).
One individual’s sin or failure often affects another person’s life—something we tend to deem unfair. But our ways are not God’s ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). From Scripture, we can glean that Joseph desired to serve the Lord (Genesis 39:9; 40:8; 41:16). Yet his brothers were permitted to sell him as a slave. And Potiphar’s wife wasn’t prevented from accusing Joseph of rape, which landed the young man in prison. The Bible promises, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them” (Psalm 34:7). In other words, hardship and trial could touch Joseph—or any of the faithful—only because God purposefully allowed it.
No one can say for sure why bad things happen. But we can draw comfort from the fact that God knows. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Our part is to learn from the example of men like Joseph, who trusted the Lord and followed all that He commanded.
In Touch Daily Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley
November 12, 2007 –
Is God in Everything – Genesis 50:15-21
The Old Testament story of Joseph is one of the best-known examples of the Lord blessing a man’s life though his harsh experiences. In today’s passage, the slave-turned-prisoner-turned-national leader stands before the brothers who sold him into servitude. He says, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (vv. 19-20).
One individual’s sin or failure often affects another person’s life—something we tend to deem unfair. But our ways are not God’s ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). From Scripture, we can glean that Joseph desired to serve the Lord (Genesis 39:9; 40:8; 41:16). Yet his brothers were permitted to sell him as a slave. And Potiphar’s wife wasn’t prevented from accusing Joseph of rape, which landed the young man in prison. The Bible promises, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them” (Psalm 34:7). In other words, hardship and trial could touch Joseph—or any of the faithful—only because God purposefully allowed it.
No one can say for sure why bad things happen. But we can draw comfort from the fact that God knows. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). Our part is to learn from the example of men like Joseph, who trusted the Lord and followed all that He commanded.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Ministry of the Holy Spirit
This is good! So many times I start something in the Spirit, and at some point it morphs into the flesh. Just a good reminder to daily submitting ALL THINGS to the Lord and His Spirit! Then Pride, Self-reliance and the such will find it harder to creep in!---LL
In Touch - Nov. 10-11, 2007
In Touch Daily Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley
November 10-11, The Ministry of the Holy Spirit – John 16:7-15
The moment we trust Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are adopted into God’s family, and the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. His presence is a guarantee that we belong to our heavenly Father.
The Spirit’s ministry is essential to our ability to carry out God’s work—and do it in a manner pleasing to Him. Transforming us from the inside out to be like Jesus and producing godly fruit in our lives are significant parts of His work. He also convicts us of sin, provides us with understanding and wisdom, and gives us the spiritual gifts we need to serve God. Only through the Spirit’s divine presence do we receive the equipping and empowerment necessary to accomplish God’s plans. As we serve in a godly manner, we will testify to the truth of who Jesus is.
All believers have God’s supernatural power to accomplish the work He has for them to do. Yet not all Christians choose to operate out of the Holy Spirit’s strength. Sometimes that’s because we’re confident in our own abilities and see no need to involve Him. A related reason is pride: we want to work things out ourselves and not depend on God. Human nature likes to be in control and have its own way.
By attempting to live the Christian life in our own strength, we achieve only what we ourselves are able to accomplish. However, when you and I operate in the strength and power of the Spirit, the result is what our almighty God can do. The presence of the Holy Spirit is essential to our living a victorious life.
In Touch - Nov. 10-11, 2007
In Touch Daily Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley
November 10-11, The Ministry of the Holy Spirit – John 16:7-15
The moment we trust Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are adopted into God’s family, and the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. His presence is a guarantee that we belong to our heavenly Father.
The Spirit’s ministry is essential to our ability to carry out God’s work—and do it in a manner pleasing to Him. Transforming us from the inside out to be like Jesus and producing godly fruit in our lives are significant parts of His work. He also convicts us of sin, provides us with understanding and wisdom, and gives us the spiritual gifts we need to serve God. Only through the Spirit’s divine presence do we receive the equipping and empowerment necessary to accomplish God’s plans. As we serve in a godly manner, we will testify to the truth of who Jesus is.
All believers have God’s supernatural power to accomplish the work He has for them to do. Yet not all Christians choose to operate out of the Holy Spirit’s strength. Sometimes that’s because we’re confident in our own abilities and see no need to involve Him. A related reason is pride: we want to work things out ourselves and not depend on God. Human nature likes to be in control and have its own way.
By attempting to live the Christian life in our own strength, we achieve only what we ourselves are able to accomplish. However, when you and I operate in the strength and power of the Spirit, the result is what our almighty God can do. The presence of the Holy Spirit is essential to our living a victorious life.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Depression
Living Free - Nov. 9, 2007
Today's Scripture
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Climbing out of depression is a process, and it requires perseverance.
We must persist in believing God’s truth instead of listening to our feelings. We may have thoughts like “I’m such a failure. I never do anything right. What’s the use?” Instead of focusing on these negative feelings, we need to intentionally refocus on truths from the Bible: “I am special to God. God made me for a purpose. God loves me. He will never leave me. With God, there is always hope. I can do all things through Christ.”
Although change takes time, as we persistently choose to believe God’s truths instead of our feelings, those truths will become a part of us. Our thinking about ourselves will begin to change. Our relationship with God will grow stronger. And we will find it easier to build healthy relationships.
Consider this…God gives us help for fighting depression: The truths of the Bible … The Holy Spirit to remind us of those truths … And the people of God to encourage us. We must persistently open our hearts and minds to all these wellsprings of help.
Don’t give up. You can climb out of depression. As you persist in trusting God, he will show you the way, step by step. And he will give you strength for the climb. With Christ, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13).
Prayer
Father, it took me a long time to sink into this level of depression, and I know climbing out of it will take time as well. Help me not to give up. Help me to focus on the truths of your word. Please transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. In Jesus’ name …
Today's Scripture
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Climbing out of depression is a process, and it requires perseverance.
We must persist in believing God’s truth instead of listening to our feelings. We may have thoughts like “I’m such a failure. I never do anything right. What’s the use?” Instead of focusing on these negative feelings, we need to intentionally refocus on truths from the Bible: “I am special to God. God made me for a purpose. God loves me. He will never leave me. With God, there is always hope. I can do all things through Christ.”
Although change takes time, as we persistently choose to believe God’s truths instead of our feelings, those truths will become a part of us. Our thinking about ourselves will begin to change. Our relationship with God will grow stronger. And we will find it easier to build healthy relationships.
Consider this…God gives us help for fighting depression: The truths of the Bible … The Holy Spirit to remind us of those truths … And the people of God to encourage us. We must persistently open our hearts and minds to all these wellsprings of help.
Don’t give up. You can climb out of depression. As you persist in trusting God, he will show you the way, step by step. And he will give you strength for the climb. With Christ, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13).
Prayer
Father, it took me a long time to sink into this level of depression, and I know climbing out of it will take time as well. Help me not to give up. Help me to focus on the truths of your word. Please transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. In Jesus’ name …
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Waiting for my Portion
November 7, 2007
Waiting for My Portion
By Amy Carroll
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’”
Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)
Devotion:
It was going to be one of those days. I had gone to sleep with the long list of things to do rattling around in my head, slept fitfully and awakened with a knot of anxiety. I’m sure that you know exactly what I’m talking about. I was facing a day with more list than time and none of it could wait. I drug myself out of bed and through the morning routine with my children.
As I walked back into the house from the bus stop, I was tempted to skip the one thing that I can’t live without. “But, Lord,” I argued silently, “you know that I’m dust.” (Yes, that’s scriptural, but also one of my favorite cop-outs.) “You’ve given me most of the assignments on my list today, so I know that You’ll understand if I skip my prayer and Bible study time.” Even while I rehearsed the argument in my head, I felt the draw of the One who could bring order to this chaotic day.
At this point I need to say that many times I’ve made the argument and gone straight to my check list. On this particular day, however, God brought to my memory something that my friend and leader Lysa TerKeurst had said many times. She encourages us to ask God each morning for our assignment and then ask Him for our portion. Asking for my portion was a phrase that had really stuck with me.
Scripture has a lot to say about how God feeds and strengthens His children. When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, He instructed them to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matt. 6:11 NIV) Notice that He didn’t say weekly bread (as if we could get everything we need at church each week and live the rest of the time on our own), monthly bread, or yearly bread.
The picture I love most, though, is that of the Israelites in the desert gathering the manna that God had provided as food. God’s direction was to gather as much as they could eat for the day but not to try to keep it over night. Some ignored this last part of the instruction and found themselves left in the morning with stinky, maggoty leftovers! (Exodus 16). God wants the same thing for us as He wanted for the Israelites. He wants us to trust Him each day for what we need. He wants us to be dependent on Him each morning as we face the day asking our Provider for our portion.
I recently heard a question that I’ve been chewing on for some time. If I could knock on the door of God’s office and ask for a look at His heavenly calendar, what would be on it that day for me? The speaker followed with an even more piercing question—what would NOT be on it that day for me? God clearly extends mercy to His overextended children, but I think that maybe the portion is for the items that He divinely has included on my daily agenda.
That morning I took the lesson to heart. I spent some time on my knees crying out for my portion, for God’s order for the day and for a change in my own rotten attitude. Friends, I want to testify that He is faithful! The day went smoothly, and I even had a few minutes to put my feet up, to close my eyes and to thank Him before the bus returned to bring home my next assignment. He is good!
Dear Lord, I thank You that You promise to provide just the portion of strength and faith to face each day. Help me to come to You trusting that You will be my Provider. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Waiting for My Portion
By Amy Carroll
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’”
Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)
Devotion:
It was going to be one of those days. I had gone to sleep with the long list of things to do rattling around in my head, slept fitfully and awakened with a knot of anxiety. I’m sure that you know exactly what I’m talking about. I was facing a day with more list than time and none of it could wait. I drug myself out of bed and through the morning routine with my children.
As I walked back into the house from the bus stop, I was tempted to skip the one thing that I can’t live without. “But, Lord,” I argued silently, “you know that I’m dust.” (Yes, that’s scriptural, but also one of my favorite cop-outs.) “You’ve given me most of the assignments on my list today, so I know that You’ll understand if I skip my prayer and Bible study time.” Even while I rehearsed the argument in my head, I felt the draw of the One who could bring order to this chaotic day.
At this point I need to say that many times I’ve made the argument and gone straight to my check list. On this particular day, however, God brought to my memory something that my friend and leader Lysa TerKeurst had said many times. She encourages us to ask God each morning for our assignment and then ask Him for our portion. Asking for my portion was a phrase that had really stuck with me.
Scripture has a lot to say about how God feeds and strengthens His children. When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, He instructed them to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matt. 6:11 NIV) Notice that He didn’t say weekly bread (as if we could get everything we need at church each week and live the rest of the time on our own), monthly bread, or yearly bread.
The picture I love most, though, is that of the Israelites in the desert gathering the manna that God had provided as food. God’s direction was to gather as much as they could eat for the day but not to try to keep it over night. Some ignored this last part of the instruction and found themselves left in the morning with stinky, maggoty leftovers! (Exodus 16). God wants the same thing for us as He wanted for the Israelites. He wants us to trust Him each day for what we need. He wants us to be dependent on Him each morning as we face the day asking our Provider for our portion.
I recently heard a question that I’ve been chewing on for some time. If I could knock on the door of God’s office and ask for a look at His heavenly calendar, what would be on it that day for me? The speaker followed with an even more piercing question—what would NOT be on it that day for me? God clearly extends mercy to His overextended children, but I think that maybe the portion is for the items that He divinely has included on my daily agenda.
That morning I took the lesson to heart. I spent some time on my knees crying out for my portion, for God’s order for the day and for a change in my own rotten attitude. Friends, I want to testify that He is faithful! The day went smoothly, and I even had a few minutes to put my feet up, to close my eyes and to thank Him before the bus returned to bring home my next assignment. He is good!
Dear Lord, I thank You that You promise to provide just the portion of strength and faith to face each day. Help me to come to You trusting that You will be my Provider. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
When to say Yes and NO
Encouragement for Today - Nov. 1, 2007
November 1, 2007
Just Breathe
By Melanie Chitwood
“It’s useless to rise early and got to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? Psalm 127:2 (MSG)
Devotion:
Many women today share a few common denominators: we’re busy, we’re tired, and we need some breathing room! We have jobs outside the home and in. Husbands need meals, romance, clean laundry, and more romance. Kids have play-dates, sports, church activities, and homework. We volunteer at the school, run carpools, clean the kitchen, walk the dog, do laundry, squeeze in a walk - and on and on our list continues. Whew!
Ladies, we cannot do it all. The good news is that we were never intended to do it all. Today you have permission to say “no.” For some of us that comes easily. However, for many of us women, whom God designed to be givers and nurturers, this word does not come out of our mouths very easily.
Here’s one practical way I’ve learned to say “no.” I ask myself, What are my priorities? I have two levels of priorities. The first level includes God, my husband, my children, and the home front. This level is set in stone. The second level of priorities includes ministry, friends, and exercise, and this level of priorities has more variation for me. Taken together, these priorities are my compass, helping to guide me to a “yes” or “no” when considering adding another activity to my life.
Let’s see how this works in real life. Last year I was asked to teach a women’s Bible study at my church. Now, at first glance, this seems like an automatic “yes.” After all, teaching Bible study is a good thing! However, I took the time to pray, and God very clearly showed me it was not the right time to add this commitment to my life. Looking back my family and I were incredibly busy last year in some ways I hadn’t anticipated. I see clearly how saying “no” was the right answer at that time.
In a sense I have to give myself permission to say “no” because for most of my life I’ve said “yes” when deep down inside I’ve wanted to say “no.” Here are two practical guidelines to help you learn how to say “no.” First, if you immediately know you don’t want to do something, just go ahead and turn it down by saying something such as, “Thank you so much for asking, but I just cannot make that commitment right now.” The next guideline – pray! If you’re asked to do something and you really want more time to consider the situation, be honest by responding, “Let me take some time to pray and I’ll give you an answer in a week.” Then really pray and listen to God’s leading!
Take a deep breath and say it aloud – no. Now breathe again, sit down for ten minutes with a cup of coffee and enjoy the breathing room you’ve created for yourself.
Dear Lord, You show me by Your example of resting on the seventh day of creation that I, too, need rest. Show me your priorities for my life. I pray that they align with Your will for me. Help me to say no to the things that appear good but might take me away from the better choices You have for me. Lord, I pray that I will have breathing room in my life, times to be refreshed and moments of quiet closeness with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
November 1, 2007
Just Breathe
By Melanie Chitwood
“It’s useless to rise early and got to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? Psalm 127:2 (MSG)
Devotion:
Many women today share a few common denominators: we’re busy, we’re tired, and we need some breathing room! We have jobs outside the home and in. Husbands need meals, romance, clean laundry, and more romance. Kids have play-dates, sports, church activities, and homework. We volunteer at the school, run carpools, clean the kitchen, walk the dog, do laundry, squeeze in a walk - and on and on our list continues. Whew!
Ladies, we cannot do it all. The good news is that we were never intended to do it all. Today you have permission to say “no.” For some of us that comes easily. However, for many of us women, whom God designed to be givers and nurturers, this word does not come out of our mouths very easily.
Here’s one practical way I’ve learned to say “no.” I ask myself, What are my priorities? I have two levels of priorities. The first level includes God, my husband, my children, and the home front. This level is set in stone. The second level of priorities includes ministry, friends, and exercise, and this level of priorities has more variation for me. Taken together, these priorities are my compass, helping to guide me to a “yes” or “no” when considering adding another activity to my life.
Let’s see how this works in real life. Last year I was asked to teach a women’s Bible study at my church. Now, at first glance, this seems like an automatic “yes.” After all, teaching Bible study is a good thing! However, I took the time to pray, and God very clearly showed me it was not the right time to add this commitment to my life. Looking back my family and I were incredibly busy last year in some ways I hadn’t anticipated. I see clearly how saying “no” was the right answer at that time.
In a sense I have to give myself permission to say “no” because for most of my life I’ve said “yes” when deep down inside I’ve wanted to say “no.” Here are two practical guidelines to help you learn how to say “no.” First, if you immediately know you don’t want to do something, just go ahead and turn it down by saying something such as, “Thank you so much for asking, but I just cannot make that commitment right now.” The next guideline – pray! If you’re asked to do something and you really want more time to consider the situation, be honest by responding, “Let me take some time to pray and I’ll give you an answer in a week.” Then really pray and listen to God’s leading!
Take a deep breath and say it aloud – no. Now breathe again, sit down for ten minutes with a cup of coffee and enjoy the breathing room you’ve created for yourself.
Dear Lord, You show me by Your example of resting on the seventh day of creation that I, too, need rest. Show me your priorities for my life. I pray that they align with Your will for me. Help me to say no to the things that appear good but might take me away from the better choices You have for me. Lord, I pray that I will have breathing room in my life, times to be refreshed and moments of quiet closeness with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
