I Corinthians 6:11 "And such were some of you, but he are washed, but he are sanctified,, but he are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God"
This is one of those few times when I want you to just let this sink in for a day or so..The Holy Spirit can give you a greater understanding than I could..I am asking Him to do so today. My prayer is that you spend some time reading the verses before and after this one..and then just ask God to give you understanding about what this truly means.
Much love to all, and have a most blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow.
Psalm 30:5 "Weeping may endure for a night, buy joy cometh in the morning"
I believe what God is saying in that verse is simply this..Hold on..Wait for Him. It's ok to weep and let it out, to steady yourself through those dark times, but to look ahead, to look forward to a new and brighter day.
The new day holds more than an absence of weeping. God promises more than just relief or respite from pain. He promises rejoicing! Surviving isn't enough. Thriving is! The Lord doesn't just carry us through a season of trial so that we can live a life of mediocrity. Why would He bother refining us if He didn't have great plans for us?
If you need to weep tonight, do it beloved. But look through your circumstances and tears to a better time that is dawning ahead. Look to the joy that awaits you, and the daybreak of a new phase of your life.
The new day holds more than an absence of weeping. God promises more than just relief or respite from pain. He promises rejoicing! Surviving isn't enough. Thriving is! The Lord doesn't just carry us through a season of trial so that we can live a life of mediocrity. Why would He bother refining us if He didn't have great plans for us?
If you need to weep tonight, do it beloved. But look through your circumstances and tears to a better time that is dawning ahead. Look to the joy that awaits you, and the daybreak of a new phase of your life.
I'd Need A Savior
There's a song that really blesses me every time I hear it. Here's the song title and the lyrics:
I'd Need A Savior - by Among the Thirsty
How many names
Can I use to explain
The love of my Jesus
The life that He gave
And so many times
Will I praise You today
I lift up my life
Cause You're always the same
And my offering
To you I bring
Your name is Jesus
Your name is Jesus
You're the wonderful, counselor, my friend
You're what I hold on to
I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross, You knew
That I'd need a Savior
How many songs Can I sing to proclaim
Your wondrous love
Oh and beauty so great
Oh and, What would I say
If You brought down the rain
And everyday I walked through the pain
My heart would still say…..
....All the days of loss, and to the cross You knew,
That I'd Need a Savior
Well, I'd need a Savior....woah
You're what I hold onto, I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross You knew,
That I'd need a Savior
I'd need a Savior,
I need You Savior.
My prayer for you today is that you would come to know Jesus in a more personal way. How he's YOUR Savior, Counselor, Friend.
I'd Need A Savior - by Among the Thirsty
How many names
Can I use to explain
The love of my Jesus
The life that He gave
And so many times
Will I praise You today
I lift up my life
Cause You're always the same
And my offering
To you I bring
Your name is Jesus
Your name is Jesus
You're the wonderful, counselor, my friend
You're what I hold on to
I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross, You knew
That I'd need a Savior
How many songs Can I sing to proclaim
Your wondrous love
Oh and beauty so great
Oh and, What would I say
If You brought down the rain
And everyday I walked through the pain
My heart would still say…..
....All the days of loss, and to the cross You knew,
That I'd Need a Savior
Well, I'd need a Savior....woah
You're what I hold onto, I know that You brought me through
All the days of loss and to the cross You knew,
That I'd need a Savior
I'd need a Savior,
I need You Savior.
My prayer for you today is that you would come to know Jesus in a more personal way. How he's YOUR Savior, Counselor, Friend.
Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength
Isaiah 52:1-2 "Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength...Shake off your dust, rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion"
Wake up, beloved! Shake off the layer of dusty disappointment and the cloud of despair. God is calling you to rise up in strength, and to be free from the chains that hold you back. Do not wither away in a prison, whose door is actually open!
The chains around your neck may seem heavy and imposing, but they are not attached to anything. The Lord wants you free from bondage and captivity. What is it that is holding you here?
Have you believed lies about yourself? What is it that you find unforgivable? What wound do you have that just will not heal? Ask God to meet you here..and to heal you here.
He lives in you..but go ahead and invite Him in to those difficult places. He will come in like a tide and wash you. He will bear the weight of the chains that are holding you down. His light will shine brightly on the open door of your self-imposed cell. Flee..and be free.
K Armstrong
Everyone..I have a prayer request today. My online friend Margarita has been keeping me informed about her precious little grandson who is only one year old. He has had a problem with some type of sac of fluid that has formed near his heart. As of yesterday, it appeared that he was developing pneumonia and he was hospitalized on major antibiotics and facing surgery. I am asking everyone to pray for this precious little boy..I know that you are men and women of faith and I am so thankful that we can share our burdens with one another. I will let you know when I hear from Margarita how the baby is doing.
God bless all of you. This weekend, my prayer is that each of us would simply spend time in His presence..may we never take for granted His goodness to us, or the great love for us. May this be a time of thanksgiving from the heart of every believer.
Wake up, beloved! Shake off the layer of dusty disappointment and the cloud of despair. God is calling you to rise up in strength, and to be free from the chains that hold you back. Do not wither away in a prison, whose door is actually open!
The chains around your neck may seem heavy and imposing, but they are not attached to anything. The Lord wants you free from bondage and captivity. What is it that is holding you here?
Have you believed lies about yourself? What is it that you find unforgivable? What wound do you have that just will not heal? Ask God to meet you here..and to heal you here.
He lives in you..but go ahead and invite Him in to those difficult places. He will come in like a tide and wash you. He will bear the weight of the chains that are holding you down. His light will shine brightly on the open door of your self-imposed cell. Flee..and be free.
K Armstrong
Everyone..I have a prayer request today. My online friend Margarita has been keeping me informed about her precious little grandson who is only one year old. He has had a problem with some type of sac of fluid that has formed near his heart. As of yesterday, it appeared that he was developing pneumonia and he was hospitalized on major antibiotics and facing surgery. I am asking everyone to pray for this precious little boy..I know that you are men and women of faith and I am so thankful that we can share our burdens with one another. I will let you know when I hear from Margarita how the baby is doing.
God bless all of you. This weekend, my prayer is that each of us would simply spend time in His presence..may we never take for granted His goodness to us, or the great love for us. May this be a time of thanksgiving from the heart of every believer.
Psalm 49:15 "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; for he shall receive me. Selah"
Selah..I love that..it means to pause and think about this. The Lord gave me this verse many years ago after I had experienced a miscarriage. This has been such a reminder to me over the years that Ray and I have a little one waiting for us in heaven..because of the power of God.
This has been a year of loss for many of you. Some have lost a beloved mother. Some have lost a cherished husband...a brother, a sister, a grandfather...and even a son. Today's devotion is simply a reminder that for the believer, death has been swallowed up..in VICTORY. 1 Corinthians 15:55 says, "Oh death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" Jesus Christ rose from the dead...He conquered death, and so shall we. Death is no longer a source of fear or dread. Christ overcame it, and one day, we will also. Death has been defeated, and we have hope beyond the grave.
I don't know that I fully understand all of this myself...but I know that we are not like those who are without hope. When a believer goes to be with Jesus..(absent from the body, present with the Lord), he or she becomes part of the great cloud of witnesses. I'm not sure what those who have gone before us see, but the Bible says that we are encompassed by this great cloud of witnesses. My prayer is that in some way today, the very knowledge of this will bring you strength. Just knowing that God has a plan for us..not just in this life...is such a comfort. Psalm 48:14 says that God is our God forever..He will be our guide even unto death.
May all of you who have experienced the loss of someone you loved recently be comforted today.
Dedicated to Cal..and to Kerry..and to their families..Beverly, Paula, Bob, and Melissa
This has been a year of loss for many of you. Some have lost a beloved mother. Some have lost a cherished husband...a brother, a sister, a grandfather...and even a son. Today's devotion is simply a reminder that for the believer, death has been swallowed up..in VICTORY. 1 Corinthians 15:55 says, "Oh death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" Jesus Christ rose from the dead...He conquered death, and so shall we. Death is no longer a source of fear or dread. Christ overcame it, and one day, we will also. Death has been defeated, and we have hope beyond the grave.
I don't know that I fully understand all of this myself...but I know that we are not like those who are without hope. When a believer goes to be with Jesus..(absent from the body, present with the Lord), he or she becomes part of the great cloud of witnesses. I'm not sure what those who have gone before us see, but the Bible says that we are encompassed by this great cloud of witnesses. My prayer is that in some way today, the very knowledge of this will bring you strength. Just knowing that God has a plan for us..not just in this life...is such a comfort. Psalm 48:14 says that God is our God forever..He will be our guide even unto death.
May all of you who have experienced the loss of someone you loved recently be comforted today.
Dedicated to Cal..and to Kerry..and to their families..Beverly, Paula, Bob, and Melissa
yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich
2 Corinthians 8:9 "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich"
From time to time when I send these out, I am so struck by the truth that is in the verse. I am so amazed at how much God loves me, and I just want to stay for a while in the wonder of what He has done for us.
Beloved, it was for YOUR sake that He became poor. He left a perfect home in heaven. He gave up his rights as God and became human...Jesus of Nazareth. As a man, He became subject to time, place, and other human limitations. He was still God..but He set aside His glory...and then He laid down His life.
You may look at your life and feel sometimes that by the world's standards you are poor. You may not own a nice car, or a house. You may not have money in the bank. You may have to watch every penny that you spend...but when you are a child of God..you are rich. Through and because of His poverty, you have become rich. You have inherited eternal life. That life doesn't start when you pass from this life..it started when you received Jesus into your life and your heart. You are living it now! You have a home waiting for you in heaven. You have loved ones that you will see again. You wil spend eternity with the One who daily strengthens you, who is your Guide..who is your Defender and Strong Tower. You can call on Him at any time, and He is always there. He is awake while you sleep. He rejoices over you with singing! You have been adopted by Him and grafted in to the family of God. You are accepted. You have been forgiven. You have been redeemed. You were purchased by the blood of Christ, which covers your life. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise!
I could go on and on. Today, I hope that you will think on these things. Meditate on this verse. Remind yourself of the hope that is in Christ. Remind yourself that you are not in any way EVER spiritually destitute. You are a child of the King. The King today is holding out His sceptre to you..and saying "Come".
From time to time when I send these out, I am so struck by the truth that is in the verse. I am so amazed at how much God loves me, and I just want to stay for a while in the wonder of what He has done for us.
Beloved, it was for YOUR sake that He became poor. He left a perfect home in heaven. He gave up his rights as God and became human...Jesus of Nazareth. As a man, He became subject to time, place, and other human limitations. He was still God..but He set aside His glory...and then He laid down His life.
You may look at your life and feel sometimes that by the world's standards you are poor. You may not own a nice car, or a house. You may not have money in the bank. You may have to watch every penny that you spend...but when you are a child of God..you are rich. Through and because of His poverty, you have become rich. You have inherited eternal life. That life doesn't start when you pass from this life..it started when you received Jesus into your life and your heart. You are living it now! You have a home waiting for you in heaven. You have loved ones that you will see again. You wil spend eternity with the One who daily strengthens you, who is your Guide..who is your Defender and Strong Tower. You can call on Him at any time, and He is always there. He is awake while you sleep. He rejoices over you with singing! You have been adopted by Him and grafted in to the family of God. You are accepted. You have been forgiven. You have been redeemed. You were purchased by the blood of Christ, which covers your life. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise!
I could go on and on. Today, I hope that you will think on these things. Meditate on this verse. Remind yourself of the hope that is in Christ. Remind yourself that you are not in any way EVER spiritually destitute. You are a child of the King. The King today is holding out His sceptre to you..and saying "Come".
Genesis 32:24 "So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak"
What different emotions being left alone brings up for each of us. To some, they might mean loneliness or grief, but to others they might mean rest and quiet. To be left alone without God would be too horrible for words, while being left alone WITH Him is a taste of heaven!
Jesus set such an example for us. Do you all remember how often He went to be alone with God? There was a powerful purpose behind His command, "When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray"
The greatest miracles of Elijah and Elisha took place when they were alone with God. Joshua was alone when God the Lord came to see him. Gideon and Jephthah were alone when commissioned to save Israel. Moses was by himself at the burning bush. Cornelius was praying by himself when the Angel of God came to see him. No one was with Peter on the housetop when he was instructed to go to the Gentiles. John the Baptist was alone in the wilderness. John the Beloved was alone on the island of Patmos when he was the closest to God.
My prayer for every one of us is that we would have a deep desire to spend time alone with God. When we neglect doing so, we not only rob ourselves of a blessing, but in some ways, we even rob others of a blessing that might be poured out on them...and I think we even rob God of the time that He desires to spend with us. The impact of being alone with God and spending time with Him..can't be overemphasized. Today, I hope you will find some time during your busy day to just stop, get someplace quiet, and begin to speak to the One who died for you..and Who longs to spend time with you!
Taken in part from Streams in the Desert
Jesus set such an example for us. Do you all remember how often He went to be alone with God? There was a powerful purpose behind His command, "When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray"
The greatest miracles of Elijah and Elisha took place when they were alone with God. Joshua was alone when God the Lord came to see him. Gideon and Jephthah were alone when commissioned to save Israel. Moses was by himself at the burning bush. Cornelius was praying by himself when the Angel of God came to see him. No one was with Peter on the housetop when he was instructed to go to the Gentiles. John the Baptist was alone in the wilderness. John the Beloved was alone on the island of Patmos when he was the closest to God.
My prayer for every one of us is that we would have a deep desire to spend time alone with God. When we neglect doing so, we not only rob ourselves of a blessing, but in some ways, we even rob others of a blessing that might be poured out on them...and I think we even rob God of the time that He desires to spend with us. The impact of being alone with God and spending time with Him..can't be overemphasized. Today, I hope you will find some time during your busy day to just stop, get someplace quiet, and begin to speak to the One who died for you..and Who longs to spend time with you!
Taken in part from Streams in the Desert
Hebrews 10:18 "Where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin"
Once we have truly repented, our sins are immediately cast from us..as far as the east is from the west. After that point, God no longer remembers our sin. Our spiritual slates are clean.
Why then, do we perservere in carting around the heavy load of remembered sin? We hang on to things that God has released. Perhaps it is our lack of believing in His promises..or even our lack of trust in Him..that prevents us from enjoying the liberty that comes from simply being forgiven. Perhaps in some strange way, we taunt ourselves because we don't believe we are who God says we are.
Jesus died so that we as believers could live victorious, reconciled, liberated, joyful, productive, and beautiful lives. Give thanks to the Lord for your clean slate by enjoying the freedom that He died for you to have. Let go of your past, and put the load down. When you have gone to Jesus with a repentant heart, you have been forgiven.
Why then, do we perservere in carting around the heavy load of remembered sin? We hang on to things that God has released. Perhaps it is our lack of believing in His promises..or even our lack of trust in Him..that prevents us from enjoying the liberty that comes from simply being forgiven. Perhaps in some strange way, we taunt ourselves because we don't believe we are who God says we are.
Jesus died so that we as believers could live victorious, reconciled, liberated, joyful, productive, and beautiful lives. Give thanks to the Lord for your clean slate by enjoying the freedom that He died for you to have. Let go of your past, and put the load down. When you have gone to Jesus with a repentant heart, you have been forgiven.
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not for I am with thee."
Oh My child, rest in Me. Quietly settle down in My care, as a bird settles in it's nest. For I am watching over you, and in love I will care for you.
There is no danger with which I am unable to cope. There is no enemy too formidable for Me to handle. I am able to carry out all My purposes, and to keep you at the same time.
Be not afraid. Neither allow terror to strike at your heart. My power is at your disposal. My presence stands round about you...and nothing can harm you as long as you are in My care..and that is forever.
There is no danger with which I am unable to cope. There is no enemy too formidable for Me to handle. I am able to carry out all My purposes, and to keep you at the same time.
Be not afraid. Neither allow terror to strike at your heart. My power is at your disposal. My presence stands round about you...and nothing can harm you as long as you are in My care..and that is forever.
Then believed they his words; they sang his praise
Psalm 106:12-15 "Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel..but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert..and He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul."
In Hebrews 11:27 we read that Moses perservered because he saw Him who is invisible. Yet in the above passage, exactly the opposite was true of the children of Israel. They perservered only when their circumstances were favorable, because they were primarily influenced by whatever appealed to their senses, instead of trusting in the invisible and eternal God.
Even today, we have those who live an inconsistent life in Christ because they have become preoccupied with things that are external. Therefore, some people focus on their circumstances rather than focusing on God. God desires that we grow in our ability to see Him in everything, and to realize the importance of seemingly insigificant circumstances.
We read of the children of Israel "THEN they believed his promises." They didn't believe until AFTER they saw Him work. Once they saw God work,.THEN they believed Him. They doubted God when they came to the Red Sea, but when He opened the way and led them across, and they saw Pharoah and his army drowned, "THEN they believed". The Israelites continued to live this kind of up and down existence, because their faith was dependant upon their circumstances. Beloved, this is not the kind of faith that God wants us to have.
The world says that "seeing is believing"..but God wants us to believe in order to see. The psalmist said "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living". Do you believe God only when your circumstances are favorable, or do you believe Him..simply believe Him..no matter what your circumstances may be?
Simple faith..is believing what we do not see. Ask God today to help you with any unbelief that you may be experiencing. I believe that God wants to bring us to that level of trust and belief where we actually begin to see what we have believed.
From Streams in the Desert
In Hebrews 11:27 we read that Moses perservered because he saw Him who is invisible. Yet in the above passage, exactly the opposite was true of the children of Israel. They perservered only when their circumstances were favorable, because they were primarily influenced by whatever appealed to their senses, instead of trusting in the invisible and eternal God.
Even today, we have those who live an inconsistent life in Christ because they have become preoccupied with things that are external. Therefore, some people focus on their circumstances rather than focusing on God. God desires that we grow in our ability to see Him in everything, and to realize the importance of seemingly insigificant circumstances.
We read of the children of Israel "THEN they believed his promises." They didn't believe until AFTER they saw Him work. Once they saw God work,.THEN they believed Him. They doubted God when they came to the Red Sea, but when He opened the way and led them across, and they saw Pharoah and his army drowned, "THEN they believed". The Israelites continued to live this kind of up and down existence, because their faith was dependant upon their circumstances. Beloved, this is not the kind of faith that God wants us to have.
The world says that "seeing is believing"..but God wants us to believe in order to see. The psalmist said "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living". Do you believe God only when your circumstances are favorable, or do you believe Him..simply believe Him..no matter what your circumstances may be?
Simple faith..is believing what we do not see. Ask God today to help you with any unbelief that you may be experiencing. I believe that God wants to bring us to that level of trust and belief where we actually begin to see what we have believed.
From Streams in the Desert
2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you"
I have shared with you all before that I try not to write too much about my own life in these devotions..but once in a while, I feel the need to open my heart to all of you..and to share my the goodness of God in my own life. Most of you know that almost 25 years ago now, we lost two children. We didn't lose them to death. I know this sounds strange to say, but I have at times thought that had I known our children were with Jesus, it would have been painful, but my confidence in their being safe, and loved would have been firm. Because they were with their mom, who we knew to be unstable, we couldn't even let ourselves imagine what kind of life they were living..or who might come into their lives..or what kind of home they lived in, or if they had a home..or a bed..or food to eat. In the years that followed their disappearance, I clung to the above verse. I begged God to make His grace sufficient in my life. I asked the Lord repeatedly for years to make this simple verse true in my life.
And then it happened..at some point, I realized that ALL scripture already is true. I realized that His grace IS sufficient in my life..because He says it is. If I wasn't experiencing that, it wasn't because God had failed me or wasn't answering my prayer. It wasn't because it wasn't true. It was because I wasn't believing it, and walking in that promise.
Beloved, I went to God for years and asked Him for something that already was. He cannot make His grace any more sufficient than it already is. When we believe it, we will find it to be true in our lives.
Child of God, no matter what you are facing today, His grace IS sufficient. If you have lost a loved one, His grace IS sufficient. If you are facing illness, His grace IS sufficient. If you are facing financial challenge, His grace IS sufficient.
The best lesson that I can say I have learned through my experience is simply this: Never change God's facts into anything other than what they are..Simply accept them as realities, and you will find them to be powerful in your life as you believe them.
And then it happened..at some point, I realized that ALL scripture already is true. I realized that His grace IS sufficient in my life..because He says it is. If I wasn't experiencing that, it wasn't because God had failed me or wasn't answering my prayer. It wasn't because it wasn't true. It was because I wasn't believing it, and walking in that promise.
Beloved, I went to God for years and asked Him for something that already was. He cannot make His grace any more sufficient than it already is. When we believe it, we will find it to be true in our lives.
Child of God, no matter what you are facing today, His grace IS sufficient. If you have lost a loved one, His grace IS sufficient. If you are facing illness, His grace IS sufficient. If you are facing financial challenge, His grace IS sufficient.
The best lesson that I can say I have learned through my experience is simply this: Never change God's facts into anything other than what they are..Simply accept them as realities, and you will find them to be powerful in your life as you believe them.
Numbers 21:17 "Spring up, o well! Sing ye unto it"
This was a rather strange song, and a rather strange well. The children of Israel had been traveling over the desert's barren sands, and they were despearte for water, but there was none in sight. Then God spoke to Moses and said, "Gather the people together and I will give them water".
The people then gathered around with their rods. As they began to dig deeply into the burning sand, they sang "Spring up, o well! Sing about it" Soon, a gurgling sound was heard, and suddenly a rush of water appeared, filling the well and running along the ground. As they had dug the well in the desert, they had tapped the stream that ran below and that had been unseen for a very long time!
What a beautiful picture this is! And it describes for us the river of blessings that flows through our lives. When we respond in faith and in praise, God is pleased. We find our needs supplied even in the most barren desert of our lives.
The children of Israel, while standing on the burning sand and digging the well, sang a praise song. Beloved, I'm not saying that we should praise God to get things. I'm not saying that at all. I am saying that I don't believe there is anything that touches the heart of God and pleases Him more than a life that has been touched by Him..a determination and a faith that says that even though the answer that we are looking for may not be visible to us, we believe in the One who can see all the answers and will direct the course of our lives. We praise Him because we love Him. We praise Him because we know the love that He has for us. We praise Him because we can trust His plan for our lives. There is no greater evidence of genuine faith than the wonder of thanksgiving.
Do you ever simply stop during your day, and praise your wonderful Savior for all of the countless blessings He has bestowed upon you? Do you thank Him for the gift of salvation? Are you in awe of Him..of the love that He has for you? Are you boldly praising Him even in the midst of difficult circumstances, many of which are blessings in disguise? Have you learned to praise Him in advance for answers yet to come?
I don't want any of you to think that I am writing daily because I am good at all of these things. In fact, it's generally just the opposite. Much of the time, I am speaking to you of the things that I am struggling with in my own life. May we learn together. May we receive the love, the peace, and the joy that Jesus is offering. May we believe that He is with us, and that He is working in every circumstance in our lives to meet our needs.
Beloved, look up...and praise Him! He loves you, and He dwells in the praises of His people!
The people then gathered around with their rods. As they began to dig deeply into the burning sand, they sang "Spring up, o well! Sing about it" Soon, a gurgling sound was heard, and suddenly a rush of water appeared, filling the well and running along the ground. As they had dug the well in the desert, they had tapped the stream that ran below and that had been unseen for a very long time!
What a beautiful picture this is! And it describes for us the river of blessings that flows through our lives. When we respond in faith and in praise, God is pleased. We find our needs supplied even in the most barren desert of our lives.
The children of Israel, while standing on the burning sand and digging the well, sang a praise song. Beloved, I'm not saying that we should praise God to get things. I'm not saying that at all. I am saying that I don't believe there is anything that touches the heart of God and pleases Him more than a life that has been touched by Him..a determination and a faith that says that even though the answer that we are looking for may not be visible to us, we believe in the One who can see all the answers and will direct the course of our lives. We praise Him because we love Him. We praise Him because we know the love that He has for us. We praise Him because we can trust His plan for our lives. There is no greater evidence of genuine faith than the wonder of thanksgiving.
Do you ever simply stop during your day, and praise your wonderful Savior for all of the countless blessings He has bestowed upon you? Do you thank Him for the gift of salvation? Are you in awe of Him..of the love that He has for you? Are you boldly praising Him even in the midst of difficult circumstances, many of which are blessings in disguise? Have you learned to praise Him in advance for answers yet to come?
I don't want any of you to think that I am writing daily because I am good at all of these things. In fact, it's generally just the opposite. Much of the time, I am speaking to you of the things that I am struggling with in my own life. May we learn together. May we receive the love, the peace, and the joy that Jesus is offering. May we believe that He is with us, and that He is working in every circumstance in our lives to meet our needs.
Beloved, look up...and praise Him! He loves you, and He dwells in the praises of His people!
I Corinthians 13:13 "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love"
There is a song that is really popular right now on the radio by David Crowder..these are the words and today I hope that they will minister to your heart..such a beautiful and incredible description of God's love for us. David really captured the very heart of God's love in the following:
He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, And I realize just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for me. And oh, how He loves us so, Oh how He loves us, How He loves us all He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves. And we are His portion and He is our prize, Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, If his grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking. And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss, And my heart turns violently inside of my chest, I don’t have time to maintain these regrets, When I think about, the way… That He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves. You are His portion..amazing. We are so loved!
He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, And I realize just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for me. And oh, how He loves us so, Oh how He loves us, How He loves us all He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves. And we are His portion and He is our prize, Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, If his grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking. And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss, And my heart turns violently inside of my chest, I don’t have time to maintain these regrets, When I think about, the way… That He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves. You are His portion..amazing. We are so loved!
Colossians 3:2 "Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth"
To set your affection on things above means to look at life from God's perspective and seek what He desires. This concept of an eternal mind set can totally change your life. When you are feeling depressed and blue, just shifting your perspective to focus on the Lord can be all it takes to see things in a different light.
Look up beloved..drink in the warmth of God's presence. This may be your temporary home, but your mind..your focus..each thought..can be changed by simply seeing others through God's eyes. By shifting into that spiritual focus, and looking less at the world around you...you gain peace..you gain direction..you gain clarity.
We truly can make great strides toward understanding how temporary all of this is. We just need to remember that there is much more going on than what appears to be. When we cannot change our circumstances, we can change our vision.
Today, hide yourself with Christ in God.
Look up beloved..drink in the warmth of God's presence. This may be your temporary home, but your mind..your focus..each thought..can be changed by simply seeing others through God's eyes. By shifting into that spiritual focus, and looking less at the world around you...you gain peace..you gain direction..you gain clarity.
We truly can make great strides toward understanding how temporary all of this is. We just need to remember that there is much more going on than what appears to be. When we cannot change our circumstances, we can change our vision.
Today, hide yourself with Christ in God.
John 13:34 "A new command I give you; Love one another"
Notice that there are no conditions on what Jesus said here. He simply instructed us that we are to love one another...period.
He didn't say..
Love one another when everything is going well.Love one another when your relationship is new and wonderful.Love one another when you are in a healthy relationship.Love one another when you feel up to it.Love one another when the person is worthy of being loved.Love one another unless difficult circumstances arise.Love one another until you lose focus.Love one another until someone or something better comes along.Love one another until the person disappoints you.
No..Jesus simply said..Love one another. This means that we keep loving..even when we are hurt..even when we have been betrayed..even when we are tired..even when we don't "feel" like it..Love is not a feeling anyway. It is the demonstration of who Christ is in each of us. If we are the only Jesus that many see, then love is essential.
Love has no conditions. Loving the lovable is easy..but following the instructions of Jesus, means that we love, even in the face of dismay. Love is getting your mind off of you..and thinking about what someone else might need today. This week, I challenge each of us ( I am at the top of this list) to reach out to someone in a special way. I encourage every one of us to pray for the needs of others..and to ask God to put someone in your path that you can demonstrate His love to. God IS love. We are His children. May we all come to have a deeper understanding of how much He loves us..so that we can exhibit that love to the those around us.
He didn't say..
Love one another when everything is going well.Love one another when your relationship is new and wonderful.Love one another when you are in a healthy relationship.Love one another when you feel up to it.Love one another when the person is worthy of being loved.Love one another unless difficult circumstances arise.Love one another until you lose focus.Love one another until someone or something better comes along.Love one another until the person disappoints you.
No..Jesus simply said..Love one another. This means that we keep loving..even when we are hurt..even when we have been betrayed..even when we are tired..even when we don't "feel" like it..Love is not a feeling anyway. It is the demonstration of who Christ is in each of us. If we are the only Jesus that many see, then love is essential.
Love has no conditions. Loving the lovable is easy..but following the instructions of Jesus, means that we love, even in the face of dismay. Love is getting your mind off of you..and thinking about what someone else might need today. This week, I challenge each of us ( I am at the top of this list) to reach out to someone in a special way. I encourage every one of us to pray for the needs of others..and to ask God to put someone in your path that you can demonstrate His love to. God IS love. We are His children. May we all come to have a deeper understanding of how much He loves us..so that we can exhibit that love to the those around us.
Psalm 20:4 "May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose"
Oh My child, I need you for Myself. I have purposes for your life beyond your comprehension. Yes, I have truth concerning Myself to give to you that is deeper, richer, and more wonderful than your understanding has yet imagined.
Open wide your heart to Me. I will fill you with My Holy Spirit, and in so doing I will satisfy the deepest longings of your heart.
Frances J. Roberts
I love the thoughts contained in this writing. I love thinking that God needs me...that He has purpose for me..that He wants to satisfy the deepest longings of my heart. Beloved, we are special to God. I hope that as you go into your weekend, that will be the thought that you take with you..YOU are special! YOU have purpose! YOU are loved! AMEN!!
Open wide your heart to Me. I will fill you with My Holy Spirit, and in so doing I will satisfy the deepest longings of your heart.
Frances J. Roberts
I love the thoughts contained in this writing. I love thinking that God needs me...that He has purpose for me..that He wants to satisfy the deepest longings of my heart. Beloved, we are special to God. I hope that as you go into your weekend, that will be the thought that you take with you..YOU are special! YOU have purpose! YOU are loved! AMEN!!
Proverbs 17:3 "The fining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord trieth the heart"
The fining pot crushes impurities, and the furnace burns them away. I have seen some of these circumstances unfold in my own life...sustaining massive wounds to my heart as areas of my life seemed to be stripped away. I truly don't understand why it has to hurt so much. I believe that at some point when we are face to face with Jesus, the darkness will all fade away and we will see things and understand them as they truly are.
I have learned that it just hurts to grow. Certain things..dreams, people, eras..sometimes are left behind us and our journey continues. K. Armstrong says we are spiritually pared down, exchanging things and people for weightless treasures..like wisdom and understanding.
The Lord is testing your heart. Growth sometimes hurts..but today, allow God to do the work in your life that He wants to do. Don't resist. He is doing something in you that will far exceed anything you could have ever imagined.
I have learned that it just hurts to grow. Certain things..dreams, people, eras..sometimes are left behind us and our journey continues. K. Armstrong says we are spiritually pared down, exchanging things and people for weightless treasures..like wisdom and understanding.
The Lord is testing your heart. Growth sometimes hurts..but today, allow God to do the work in your life that He wants to do. Don't resist. He is doing something in you that will far exceed anything you could have ever imagined.
Proverbs 26:20 "Where no wood is, the fire goes out: so, where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth"
It is so tempting to "vent". I have a particular friend with whom I have "shared my heart" for years. I look back and wonder how many times I have actually filled her mind with questions, or even poisoned it, to some degree when I thought I was simply "venting".
It can be temporarily validating to air your own dirty laundry..or someone elses. Having the last word might even seem like a victory. But notice how quickly that "righteous" feeling turns to shame..usually faster than you can walk away, hang up the phone, or hit "send". The same way that following God's will provides a pleasant rush of Spirit, speaking out of turn or "idly" can instantly wrap you in the chill of guilt..feeling like you have failed the person you were speaking of, you have let God down, and you have even let yourself down.
James wrote that the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. It can defile the whole body and set on fire the course of nature. He says it is unruly, evil, and full of deadly poison. Out of the same mouth that can bless someone..that same mouth can curse someone.
Beloved, I cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is to get control over our tongues. God will help us wash our dirty laundry, and even fold our clean clothes and put them away. We need to share our load with Him..and let gossip die of malnutrition and suffocation.
Today, I challenge each of us to stop talking to everyone, and to start praying. Soon enough, we will all have pleasant words to share with others that will enable us to speak wisdom and comfort others.
It can be temporarily validating to air your own dirty laundry..or someone elses. Having the last word might even seem like a victory. But notice how quickly that "righteous" feeling turns to shame..usually faster than you can walk away, hang up the phone, or hit "send". The same way that following God's will provides a pleasant rush of Spirit, speaking out of turn or "idly" can instantly wrap you in the chill of guilt..feeling like you have failed the person you were speaking of, you have let God down, and you have even let yourself down.
James wrote that the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. It can defile the whole body and set on fire the course of nature. He says it is unruly, evil, and full of deadly poison. Out of the same mouth that can bless someone..that same mouth can curse someone.
Beloved, I cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is to get control over our tongues. God will help us wash our dirty laundry, and even fold our clean clothes and put them away. We need to share our load with Him..and let gossip die of malnutrition and suffocation.
Today, I challenge each of us to stop talking to everyone, and to start praying. Soon enough, we will all have pleasant words to share with others that will enable us to speak wisdom and comfort others.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure
Hebrews 6:19-20 "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf"
How easily our souls are tossed about in waves of uncertainty and tides of circumstance. We seem so insignificant out in open water. We are so vulnerable when we rely on our own survical and navigation tactics. But..an anchor, firmly tethered, will keep the boat steady regardless of high seas. Remember, waves are on the surface, and the anchor sits calmly on a deeper level.
Our hope in the Lord anchors the tiny, weather-beaten craft of our soul. Our hope keeps us in the right spot regardless of how impossible it seems to navigate during a storm. Sometimes a storm is no time to try to navigate at all, but a time to get still.
This hope permeates us, through all our many walls and complicated layers. Jesus cuts through all of that like a hot knife through frosting. He goes directly to the secret, sacred places and ministers to us there by holding us firmly. Our lives at times may be tossed about by the waves around us, but our hope is always firmly anchored in the depths of the rising waters..in Christ.
How easily our souls are tossed about in waves of uncertainty and tides of circumstance. We seem so insignificant out in open water. We are so vulnerable when we rely on our own survical and navigation tactics. But..an anchor, firmly tethered, will keep the boat steady regardless of high seas. Remember, waves are on the surface, and the anchor sits calmly on a deeper level.
Our hope in the Lord anchors the tiny, weather-beaten craft of our soul. Our hope keeps us in the right spot regardless of how impossible it seems to navigate during a storm. Sometimes a storm is no time to try to navigate at all, but a time to get still.
This hope permeates us, through all our many walls and complicated layers. Jesus cuts through all of that like a hot knife through frosting. He goes directly to the secret, sacred places and ministers to us there by holding us firmly. Our lives at times may be tossed about by the waves around us, but our hope is always firmly anchored in the depths of the rising waters..in Christ.
James 1:3 "The testing of your faith develops perserverence"
Patience is more than waiting for an answer or for the receipt of blessing.
Patience is deeper than struggling with the passage of time.
Patience is the practice of trusting God, even, when we cannot see what He is doing, or don't understand it.
Patience pinpoints areas where we must grow in order to know Him better.
Patience evokes a spirit of humility as we begin to recognize that we are not in charge.
Patience involves seeking the Source instead of the solution.
Patience becomes an art...when you are waiting expectantly, quietly, and even joyfully..but you have no idea what you are waiting for!
Patience is the ability to stand perfectly still in the midst of chaos, and to be content hanging out until further notice, simply because you have no intention or desire to move forward without His instruction.
May you all this week sense His divine presence as you seek Him in every area of your lives.
Patience is deeper than struggling with the passage of time.
Patience is the practice of trusting God, even, when we cannot see what He is doing, or don't understand it.
Patience pinpoints areas where we must grow in order to know Him better.
Patience evokes a spirit of humility as we begin to recognize that we are not in charge.
Patience involves seeking the Source instead of the solution.
Patience becomes an art...when you are waiting expectantly, quietly, and even joyfully..but you have no idea what you are waiting for!
Patience is the ability to stand perfectly still in the midst of chaos, and to be content hanging out until further notice, simply because you have no intention or desire to move forward without His instruction.
May you all this week sense His divine presence as you seek Him in every area of your lives.
I Corinthians 13:8 "Love never fails"
Behold, I am the Lord your God; is anything too hard for me? I am the light of the world, and the greatest darkness will never be able to quench that light. I will be to you a cloud to preserve you by day and a pillar of fire to protect you by night. Both in sunshine and in darkness, I shall be near to you. You will delight in Me in your joys; and in your difficulty, My love for you shall be as inescapably real as a blazing pillar of fire. Have I not promised to give you the desires of your heart?
Let no fear hinder you. Beloved, do not waiver. Be single-minded and rebuke every thought of doubt in My Name. Those doubts come from the enemy. He knows full well that he has no defense against pure faith. Only if he succeeds in planting seeds of doubt can he hold back the blessing of heaven among God's people. So, hold fast your profession of faith, for there is a great recompense of reward.
I inhabit the praises of My people..If I seem far from you, I did not move. Praise! If darkness seems to press about you, Praise! Pour out your adoration and worship. Be sure of this. Love never fails! He who sees me most clearly is the one who loves Me most dearly.
Frances Roberts
Let no fear hinder you. Beloved, do not waiver. Be single-minded and rebuke every thought of doubt in My Name. Those doubts come from the enemy. He knows full well that he has no defense against pure faith. Only if he succeeds in planting seeds of doubt can he hold back the blessing of heaven among God's people. So, hold fast your profession of faith, for there is a great recompense of reward.
I inhabit the praises of My people..If I seem far from you, I did not move. Praise! If darkness seems to press about you, Praise! Pour out your adoration and worship. Be sure of this. Love never fails! He who sees me most clearly is the one who loves Me most dearly.
Frances Roberts
I John 2:9 "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness"
Harboring resentment is like living life in a dark cave. There is no comfortable place to sit, it is difficult to see, creepy things scurry around, the ceiling drips, and you are always cold.
There is a boulder blocking your exit from the cave..and it has the mighty weight of unforgiveness. Sometimes forgiveness seems impossible. When you have been hurt by the cutting words of someone you thought would never leave your side..when you've been betrayed, when lies have been spoken about you. I found out recently that there is something untrue going around about me..and a situation that happened years ago. I'm actually not even in a place where I can defend myself...and I wouldn't want to. At first, it was rather shocking to learn that after all these years, there was still gossip going around..and unreliable gossip at that..but God has shown me this week, that as Stephen realized, I must also..so often, people don't know what they are doing. They are only repeating what they were told and believed.
Beloved, the Lord wants us to live in freedom..and holding anything against anyone keeps us bound. God knows our disdain for life in the cave, and He knows that in our weakness, we cannot move the giant boulder that is blocking our way out. Your God wants so much for you. He waits for us to tire of the darkness and the bondage..and to come to Him..asking Him to work in our hearts, to work in our situation..and to remove the boulder that we might walk in light..His light..and in freedom again.
All of us know when we need to forgive. We know what we need to let go of. Maybe today is the time for some of us (and I'm at the top of that list) to ask for divine help in rolling aside our boulders and exiting the cave. When we ask for His divine strength, I know that God is happy to use His might on your behalf.
There is a boulder blocking your exit from the cave..and it has the mighty weight of unforgiveness. Sometimes forgiveness seems impossible. When you have been hurt by the cutting words of someone you thought would never leave your side..when you've been betrayed, when lies have been spoken about you. I found out recently that there is something untrue going around about me..and a situation that happened years ago. I'm actually not even in a place where I can defend myself...and I wouldn't want to. At first, it was rather shocking to learn that after all these years, there was still gossip going around..and unreliable gossip at that..but God has shown me this week, that as Stephen realized, I must also..so often, people don't know what they are doing. They are only repeating what they were told and believed.
Beloved, the Lord wants us to live in freedom..and holding anything against anyone keeps us bound. God knows our disdain for life in the cave, and He knows that in our weakness, we cannot move the giant boulder that is blocking our way out. Your God wants so much for you. He waits for us to tire of the darkness and the bondage..and to come to Him..asking Him to work in our hearts, to work in our situation..and to remove the boulder that we might walk in light..His light..and in freedom again.
All of us know when we need to forgive. We know what we need to let go of. Maybe today is the time for some of us (and I'm at the top of that list) to ask for divine help in rolling aside our boulders and exiting the cave. When we ask for His divine strength, I know that God is happy to use His might on your behalf.
Hosea 2:19 "I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion"
Marriage takes place between two people who have come to know each other and realized the love that they have for one another. They may see the faults that their partner has, but they don't matter..they know that this is the person they want to spend every day of the rest of their life with. The word betrothal is the word most often used to talk about the relationship between a man and a woman who are engaged to be married.
The marriage relationship is the relationship that God wants to have with you...as passionate, as devoted, as commited, as honorable, as intimate as the finest marriage. His fidelity will never fail you. He is incapable of breaking promises. He will always speak lovingly to you, and cannot lie. He loves you with increasing depth and dedication. He is unmatched in His ability to handle your heart and your emotions with tenderness and care.
He Himself IS righteousness and justice. He personifies love and compassion..and He wants YOU to be His bride, to love and to cherish forever. Beloved, you are desired, loved, cared for, and even vital to the One true God..and He will never fail you.
The marriage relationship is the relationship that God wants to have with you...as passionate, as devoted, as commited, as honorable, as intimate as the finest marriage. His fidelity will never fail you. He is incapable of breaking promises. He will always speak lovingly to you, and cannot lie. He loves you with increasing depth and dedication. He is unmatched in His ability to handle your heart and your emotions with tenderness and care.
He Himself IS righteousness and justice. He personifies love and compassion..and He wants YOU to be His bride, to love and to cherish forever. Beloved, you are desired, loved, cared for, and even vital to the One true God..and He will never fail you.
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever"
That is so comforting to me..the fact that my Savior does not change. The world around me does daily..the people around me change..my circumstances change..I change..but God doesn't. When something in my life is shaken to the core, my God does not change. When I have to face illness, or a difficult decision, or a move, or someone coming or going out of my life..the fear of change can be remedied by putting my trust and hope in Jesus Christ, the unchanging...the same..yesterday, today and forever.
He is our Rock. He is in the boat with us, calm and steady despite the turbulent seas. We can look forward to the future with unwavering confidence when we approach it from solid ground. We do not need to fear change when we know it cannot disturb the peace at our core. If the circumstances around us are unsteady, we don't even need to waste our energy trying to control them. We can focus our efforts on Christ, allowing Him to change our situation, to change us, to fortify us, to strengthen us, to change our minds, to give us peace. Perhaps we cannot change the things around us, but we can remain firm in the One who does not change.
He is our Rock. He is in the boat with us, calm and steady despite the turbulent seas. We can look forward to the future with unwavering confidence when we approach it from solid ground. We do not need to fear change when we know it cannot disturb the peace at our core. If the circumstances around us are unsteady, we don't even need to waste our energy trying to control them. We can focus our efforts on Christ, allowing Him to change our situation, to change us, to fortify us, to strengthen us, to change our minds, to give us peace. Perhaps we cannot change the things around us, but we can remain firm in the One who does not change.
Revelation 1:7 "Look, He is coming in the clouds"
Clouds..times of tempests and confusion, darkness and doubt, weakness and fear. When our usual warmth, ease and clear vision of the sun is obscured, this is when the Lord arrives. Take heart when the thunder crashes and you think the next bolt of lightning is aimed at you. Contrary to our very human nature, when the clouds roll in and everything appears bleak, the greatest clearing is about to enter our personal life.
Noah didn't exactly have good weather. Neither did the disciples when they were tossed about in the boat, while Jesus slept peacefully below deck. We were never told to expect clear skies and plenty of sun. For generations, we have been taught to expect the storms of life, and not only that, but to be of good cheer. Why? Because Jesus has already overcome the world! He often waits until the moment is right, and the storm swirls and rages in our lives. He waits for us to scan the skies, looking for His presence in the clouds. He wants us to sleep peacefully throughout, knowing that with the gesture of His hand, He can quiet wind and waves.
K Armstrong
Noah didn't exactly have good weather. Neither did the disciples when they were tossed about in the boat, while Jesus slept peacefully below deck. We were never told to expect clear skies and plenty of sun. For generations, we have been taught to expect the storms of life, and not only that, but to be of good cheer. Why? Because Jesus has already overcome the world! He often waits until the moment is right, and the storm swirls and rages in our lives. He waits for us to scan the skies, looking for His presence in the clouds. He wants us to sleep peacefully throughout, knowing that with the gesture of His hand, He can quiet wind and waves.
K Armstrong
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