Thursday, July 31, 2008

Do You Want an Answer?

"The way of the Lord gives refuge to the honest man, but dismays those who do evil" (Prv. 10:29 NEB)

This is the question we need to ask ourselves when we are seeking "solutions" to our problems. Often we want only an audience. We want the chance to air grievances, to present our excuses, to make an explanation for our behavior, rather than a cure. More often than not the clearest and most direct answer can be found in the Word, but it must be sought honestly.

We can approach God's word with a will to obey whatever it says to us about our present situation, or we can avoid it and say to anyone who would try to point us to it, "Don't throw the Book at me." The latter is an evasion, which supports our suspicion that our problems are, in fact, insoluble. The honest (i.e., humble) heart will indeed find the Lord's way to be a refuge.

By Elisabeth Elliot

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Day by Day

"Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions." Exodus 16:4

Last summer while I was taking drawing lessons, my friend Betty leaned she had cancer. The day before she went to the hospital for surgery, her spirit seemed nearly depleted. "What am I going to do?" she said, thinking about the demanding weeks ahead of her. "How will I find the strength?"

That evening I found myself doodling on my drawing board, thinking of Betty. Soon I was sketching a loaf of bread. A simple, homemade loaf. Then I put it aside and wen to bed. But during the night I had the most curious dream. Betty was sitting at the table before a loaf of bread, eating a single piece.

The next morning when I came upon my drawing, an idea began to stir in my thoughts. I reached for my Bible and found the verse, "I will rain down bread from heaven" (Exodus 16:4), remembering how day by day God sent nourishment from heaven while his people wandered in the wilderness. There was always just enough for each day. They simply had to trust Him for tomorrow's.

I penciled the verse beneath the sketch of bread and carried it to Betty's hospital room. It was to remind us both . . . when we walk in difficult places, God sends the strength and nourishment to face what comes our way, not all at once, but day by day.

By Sue Monk Kidd, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 2

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Bring your fears to God

"Don't be afraid of what they fear; do not dread those things." I Peter 3:14

Jesus is not afraid of the things that cause us fear. He never said, "Don't bring your fears to me; I'm too busy." Instead, He said, "I'm not afraid of the things that cause you fear. Bring your fears to me."

By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"

Monday, July 28, 2008

Little Things

"The tongue is a little member and boasts great things." James 3:5

A mosquito is a tiny insect—but its potential for devastation is huge. When I was in the 5th grade, I was bitten by mosquitoes on both of my knees. The bites became infected and deteriorated into a threatening case of blood poisoning. For over a month, I was pricked repeatedly with penicillin shots, and my knees had to be lanced and drained twice daily to remove the infection. It was excruciatingly painful and quite terrifying for a 10-year-old kid. To this day, I carry scars on my knees from the numerous lancings. All because of something as tiny as a mosquito.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, warns us of another little thing that can also be very destructive. He says that even though the tongue is little, it boasts great things. It’s like a small spark that sets a great forest on fire (3:5). Although the tongue is small, there is nothing small about the damage it can do. Words carry with them the power of healing or a destructive capacity far greater than the poison of any mosquito bite.

It is essential that we use our words with great wisdom and care. Consider carefully the words you choose. Will they be seasoned with the balm of grace or with the poison of anger? — Bill Crowder

A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life,
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless. —Anon.

It is better to bite your tongue than to let it bite someone else.

Taken from "Our Daily Bread"

Friday, July 25, 2008

Coming before the Lord

Have you ever got bogged down reading the book of Numbers? I know I have and at times I tend to gloss over most of it. For me, it's still a hit or miss book with lots of "to do's" scattered throughout. Yet this morning I came across a situation within it that I can actually get something out of. In Numbers chapter 9 Moses is about to lead the people of Israel through the Passover feast. All those who are clean are allowed to participate but those who aren't can not. God had already commanded them about this in Numbers 5:2-3, "Command the sons of Israel that they send away from the camp every leper and everyone having a discharge and everyone who is unclean because of a dead person. . . . .you shall send them outside of the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst."

Unfortunately a group of people were exposed to a dead person causing them to be unclean. Knowing this, they still desired to take part in the Passover and came before Moses asking him if they could still participate. God kept His command but graciously gave them an alternate month so that they wouldn't be excluded from participating in it. My study notes say, "The Lord thus demonstrates the reality of the distance that uncleanness brings between a believer and his (or her) participation in the worship of the community, but He also provides a merciful alternative."

I am reminded about how my sin affects not only myself by the Body in which I serve and worship with. Back in Moses' day, sin that wasn't repented of often resulted in banishment and/or death. It was serious business not to come before the Lord unclean and with sin. Yet today, we aren't killed nor banished from our church Body for our sins. In fact, how many of us come before the Lord and take communion knowing they have un-repented sin to confess and yet still participate? Would our worship time be even more uplifting if we all came before the Lord and laid our sin at His feet before hand? How would we be changed? I wonder . . . . .

We are all sinners, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 2:23). But we do have a loving God who forgives us our sins so that we can come before Him clean. But it is our responsibility to acknowledge that sin and give it to Him. Let us be like these men who deeply desired to worship the Lord during Passover and "worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24).

Krista Jones
2.15.08

Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Mystery of Believing

"He said, "Who are You, Lord?" Acts 9:5

Through the miracle of redemption, Saul of Tarsus was instantly changed from a strong-willed and forceful Pharisee into a humble and devoted bondservant of the Lord Jesus.

There is nothing miraculous or mysterious about the things we can explain. We control what we are able to explain, consequently it is only natural to seek an explanation for everything. It is not natural to obey, yet it is not necessarily sinful to disobey. There can be no real disobedience, nor any moral virtue in obedience, unless a person recognizes the higher authority of the one giving the orders. If this recognition does not exist, even the one giving the orders may view the other person’s disobedience as freedom. If one rules another by saying, "You must do this," and, "You will do that," he breaks the human spirit, making it unfit for God. A person is simply a slave for obeying, unless behind his obedience is the recognition of a holy God.

Many people begin coming to God once they stop being religious, because there is only one master of the human heart— Jesus Christ, not religion. But "Woe is me" if after seeing Him I still will not obey ( Isaiah 6:5 , also see Isaiah 6:1 ). Jesus will never insist that I obey, but if I don’t,I have already begun to sign the death certificate of the Son of God in my soul. When I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and say, "I will not obey," He will never insist. But when I do this, I am backing away from the recreating power of His redemption. It makes no difference to God’s grace what an abomination I am, if I will only come to the light. But "Woe is me" if I refuse the light (see John 3:19-21).

By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Our Savior is alive and interested in our pain

"This man was born blind so that God's power could be shown in Him." John 9:3

Jesus and His disciples were walking down the road when they saw a blind man. The disciples said, "Jesus, who sinned?" Jesus said, "No one sinned." Then Jesus healed the man. And he answered once and for all that our pain is not a result of our sin. God is not so small that He would zap us when we jake a mistake. In fact, this passage teaches just the opposite: Our Savior is not asleep; our Savior is alive and interested in our pain.

By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

What is important to God?

"The Lord is my light and the one who saves me. I fear no one. The Lord protects my life; I am afraid of no one." Psalm 27:1

The Christian in the midst of a crisis doesn't allow everyone's opinion or everyone's feelings to cause Him to drift away from what is most important. He sets His anchor deep in the Word and firm in His faith.

By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"

Monday, July 21, 2008

Those Things Permanent

"That those things which cannot be shaken may remain." Hebrews 12:27

We have many things in our possession at the present moment which can be shaken, and it ill becomes a Christian man to set much store by them, for there is nothing stable beneath these rolling skies; change is written upon all things. Yet, we have certain "things which cannot be shaken," and I invite you this evening to think of them, that if the things which can be shaken should all be taken away, you may derive real comfort from the things that cannot be shaken, which will remain. Whatever your losses have been, or may be, you enjoy present salvation. You are standing at the foot of His cross, trusting alone in the merit of Jesus' precious blood, and no rise or fall of the markets can interfere with your salvation in Him; no breaking of banks, no failures and bankruptcies can touch that. Then you are a child of God this evening.

God is your Father. No change of circumstances can ever rob you of that. Although by losses brought to poverty, and stripped bare, you can say, "He is my Father still. In my Father's house are many mansions; therefore will I not be troubled." You have another permanent blessing, namely, the love of Jesus Christ. He who is God and Man loves you with all the strength of His affectionate nature--nothing can affect that. The fig tree may not blossom, and the flocks may cease from the field, it matters not to the man who can sing, "My Beloved is mine, and I am His." Our best portion and richest heritage we cannot lose. Whatever troubles come, let us play the man; let us show that we are not such little children as to be cast down by what may happen in this poor fleeting state of time. Our country is Immanuel's land, our hope is above the sky, and therefore, calm as the summer's ocean; we will see the wreck of everything earthborn, and yet rejoice in the God of our salvation.

By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from Morning and Evening

Friday, July 18, 2008

The Search For Calmness

"Be not therefore anxious for the morrow." MATTHEW 6:34 (R. V.)

"I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee; be strong and of a good courage." JOSHUA 1:5,6

"I have laid help upon one that is mighty." PSALMS 89:19

THOU hast Thy help upon the mighty laid;
In Him I trust, nor know to want or fear,
But ever onward walk, secure from sin,
For He has conquered every foe within.

- JONES VERY

WHY should we, then, burden ourselves with superfluous cares, and fatigue and weary ourselves in the multiplicity of our ways? Let us rest in peace. God Himself inviteth us to cast our cares, our anxieties upon Him. - MADAME GUYON

If we may take one test or sign by which to judge of advance in the spiritual life, it would be this,--whether more and more calmness is being maintained in the midst of all the disturbances and troubles which are wont to come, which may ever be looked for in some form or other,--whether there be peacefulness of mind, and order of thought in the midst of all that once too much distracted and agitated the soul. - T. T. CARTER

By Mary Wilder Tileston, taken from "Joy and Strength"

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Spiritual Playpens

Love is the way to maturity. Selfishness stunts growth and keeps us in a spiritual playpen. The world is full of emotional babies, crawling over each other, screaming, "Mine! This I want, and this I shall have, and never mind what it does to anybody else!" What a relief, what peace, when one who has reached spiritual adulthood, who by love has grown out of himself, comes along. He freely gives up his own aims and ambitions, his safety and his cherished plans, his possessions, his feelings, anything at all that will help and says my life for yours. Such a one comes as a rescuer.

To give myself up is the last thing I think of doing. It looks like weakness. In God's eyes, though, it is power.

"We who share His weakness shall by the power of God live with Him in your service" (2 Cor 13:4 NEB).

By Elisabeth Elliot

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Called to Unity

Psalm 133:1 says, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for bothers to dwell together in unity!" When I looked up unity in the Bible Dictionary it said that the word was used in the O.T. in a sense of togetherness of persons (Genesis 13:6); fellowship (Judges 19:6) and praise (Psalm 34:3). The word is used in the N.T. talks of unity of faith that binds together the people of God (Eph. 4:13).

We are called by God to be different from the world around us. I think this is vital as witnesses of Christ which means that unity is extremely important. We can't move forward as one for God's Kingdom if we aren't on the same page. Disunity brings strife, separation, disloyalty and more. Which is exactly what our world looks like. John 17:23 says, "I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfect in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me." Without being united we aren't much different from what society preaches. If we act like the world then we can't reflect Jesus and others won't be able to see Him through us. They wouldn't think there was a reason to believe because there isn't a point if we're all doing the same thing.

Our society is one of selfishness. It takes and rarely gives back unconditionally. Just look at Hollywood. It loves it's stars because they bring more honor, glory and money to it. But once that star falls a tiny bit they're spit out most often while being dragged through the mud. To me, that doesn't reflect love. How can we be different? Stick together in love and share that love. Paul says in Colossians 3:14, "Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity."

I pray that "the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus." (Romans 15:5).

Krista Jones
2.8.08

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

The One and Only

"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God. . . . Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one." Isaiah 44:6, 8

Michel Lotito of Grenoble, France, is one of the most unusual individuals in the world, at least when it comes to his culinary tastes. Since 1959, at the age of nine, Mr. Lotito has daily dined on metal and glass. According to The Guinness Book of Records, he consumes two pounds of metal per day. So far he has eaten, among other things, ten bicycles, a supermarket cart, seven TV sets, six chandeliers, a low-calorie Cessna light aircraft and a computer. Few have cared to match his record.

Michel Lotito is unusual, but God is more than unusual; He is unique. There are no others like Him. The God of all knowledge declares, "Is there a God besides me? Indeed there is no other rock; I know not one." No one is able even to come close to matching His deeds.

Yet in spite of his uniqueness, this singular Person of the universe has declared His love for you and me. He offers Himself as our rock, a place of safety and stability. He is the rock of our salvation (Ps. 95:1), the rock of refuge (31:2), the rock of our strength (62:7) and the rock that is "higher than I" (61:2). He is the one and only Person able to meet all our needs.

If you do not know this one and only God, you can. He has revealed Himself in many ways, most especially in His Son, Jesus Christ. When you come to know Jesus as your Savior, you come to know God as the One and Only God. Why not surrender your life to Him today?

There are many pebbles, but only one Rock.

By Woodrow Kroll

Monday, July 14, 2008

Steering by God's Compass

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:13

Put this down as an unfailing rule: Never seek the leading of the Lord concerning an act that is forbidden in the Word of God. To do so is to convict ourselves of insincerity. Again, prophet, psalmist, apostle and our blessed Lord Himself join to point out the way of positive obedience. His yoke is easy, His burden is light and He giveth more grace, so let this be the second rule: Never seek the leading of the Lord concerning an act that has been commanded in the Scriptures. Now, a happy truth too often overlooked in our anxious search for the will of God is that in the majority of decisions touching our earthly lives God expresses no choice, but leaves everything to our own preference. Some Christians walk under a cloud of uncertainty, worrying about which profession they should enter, which car they should drive, which school they should attend, where they should live and a dozen or score of other such matters, when their Lord has set them free to follow their own personal bent, guided only by their love for Him and for their fellow men. On the surface it appears more spiritual to seek Gods leading than just to go ahead and do the obvious thing. But it is not. If God gave you a watch would you honor Him more by asking Him for the time of or by consulting the watch? If God gave a sailor a compass would the sailor please God more by kneeling in a frenzy of prayer to persuade God to show him which way to go or by steering according to the compass?

Prayer
Father, at times I have in effect demanded revelation of Your will to me in life hurricanes and earthquakes. May I discern it as well in the unspectacular circumstances of life-the quiet compass You have given me.

By A.W. Tozer

Friday, July 11, 2008

By the Riches of God's Grace

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13

Here is a "blue stone" verse to bow the hearts of those of us who know both what it is to be "far off" and to be "nigh."

Those of you who have belonged to Him for so long that it is almost impossible to remember what it is like to be "far off," may rest your faith on our knowledge of the darkness out there away from Him.

Darkness and quiet, helpless desperation. And longing.

Longing to be "nigh" but perhaps not knowing it.

Those of us who have been "made nigh by the blood of Christ" after having lived "far off" for much of our adult lives, wonder sometimes at indifference to this blood. We wonder more at the indifference to the One who shed His blood that we might be "made nigh."

That He might be close to us.

That we might be close to Him.

That we might be one with Him who "hath broken down the middle wall of partition . . . " My faith rests lightly against this lovely, depthless "blue stone." I, who was once "far off," having been "made nigh" to Jesus forever. Brought near to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

The Unchanging Law of Judgment

"With what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." Matthew 7:2

This statement is not some haphazard theory, but it is an eternal law of God. Whatever judgment you give will be the very way you are judged. There is a difference between retaliation and retribution. Jesus said that the basis of life is retribution— "with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." If you have been shrewd in finding out the shortcomings of others, remember that will be exactly how you will be measured. The way you pay is the way life will pay you back. This eternal law works from God’s throne down to us (see Psalm 18:25-26 ).

Romans 2:1 applies it in even a more definite way by saying that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act itself, but also at the possibility of committing it, which He sees by looking at our hearts. To begin with, we do not believe the statements of the Bible. For instance, do we really believe the statement that says we criticize in others the very things we are guilty of ourselves? The reason we see hypocrisy, deceit, and a lack of genuineness in others is that they are all in our own hearts. The greatest characteristic of a saint is humility, as evidenced by being able to say honestly and humbly, "Yes, all those, as well as other evils, would have been exhibited in me if it were not for the grace of God. Therefore, I have no right to judge."

Jesus said, "Judge not, that you be not judged" ( Matthew 7:1 ). He went on to say, in effect, "If you do judge, you will be judged in exactly the same way." Who of us would dare to stand before God and say, "My God, judge me as I have judged others"? We have judged others as sinners— if God should judge us in the same way, we would be condemned to hell. Yet God judges us on the basis of the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ.

My Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost For His Highest"

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

The Compassionate Christ

"When He arrived, He saw a great crowd waiting. He felt sorry for them . . . So He began to teach them many things."

When Jesus lands on the shore of Bethsaida, He leaves the Sea of Galilee and steps into a sea of humanity. Keep in mind, He has crossed the sea to get away from the crowds. He needs to grieve. He longs to relax with His followers. He needs anything but another crowd of thousands to reach and heal.

But His love for people overcomes His need for rest . . .

Many of those He healed would never say "thank you," but He healed them anyway. Most would be more concerned with being healthy than being holy, but He healed them anyway. Some of those who asked for break today would cry for His blood a few months later, but He healed them anyway . . . He had compassion on them.

In the Eye of the Storm

By Max Lucadeo, taken from "Grace for the Moment."

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

No Gripping

"Do all things without complaining and disputing." Philippians 2:14

During my first week of Bible college, we had several days of orientation in which we were given a rule book to study. Several days later, during a meeting to discuss those rules, one student stood up and asked, “What is ‘no gripping’? And why is it against the rules?”

He was referring to a statement in the rule book he had misread. Instead of “gripping,” it read “griping”—complaining or grumbling.

A rule against griping is perfectly understandable. The cancer of a complaining spirit can undermine the spiritual and emotional health of an individual and can infect an entire group. This can result in discontent, frustration, and even rebellion.

Moses heard griping among God’s people a mere 3 days after leading them from slavery into freedom (Ex. 15:24). Centuries later, Samuel felt the weight of griping as he sought to represent God to his generation (1 Sam. 8:4-9).

A complaining spirit can destroy the effectiveness of a church too. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “Do all things without complaining and disputing” (Phil. 2:14).

We need to avoid a complaining spirit when serving Christ. Instead, rejoice and thank God for all He has done! No griping allowed.
— Bill Crowder

When things go wrong, I would not be a grumbler,
Complaining, seeing everything as grim;
For when I think of how the Lord has blessed me,
I cannot help but give my praise to Him. —Hess

When you feel like griping, start counting your blessings.

Taken from "Our Daily Bread"

Monday, July 07, 2008

Encouraging Thoughts

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25

I often get "encouraging thoughts" from my good friend, Mary Lou, and one of her timeliest contributions came on a day when trying to help os many people who were down in the pit almost had me down there, too. I opened the envelope and here was a cartoon of a bewildered-looking woman tied hand and foot lying on the railroad tracks. The cutline said: "I don't recall asking for any of this!" As I chuckled, I thought: That's right! I didn't ASK for any of this, but it's what I've G"OT, so I'll just take my own advice and stick a geranium in my hat and be happy!

That little envelope from Mary Lou didn't contain anything expensive, profound or "deep," but nonetheless, it picked me up and refreshed me for the rest of the day. I think that's the secret to being a real friend 0 to always be looking for ways to encourage and refresh others.

As you refresh others, you relieve your own pain. YOu may be going through a painful time right now or trying to get over a tremendous loss. If so, try "refreshing" or "watering" another person's life; and as you encourage that person you will find that your own pain is lessened."

By Barbara Johnson, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1

Friday, July 04, 2008

Do you want Peace?

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust! He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark." Psalm 91:1-2 & 4

The closer the 4th of July comes, I'm pondering the fact that it's sad that we are a nation that has lost it's hope, faith, peace, freedom and security in God. We use to be a nation that was "One Under God" and now we're one under ourselves, our dreams and what we want. I'm very certain that our founding fathers could not have foreseen how distant we would become to each other when they wrote the Declaration of Independence. Our citizens do not respect each other nor our country. And some of it rightly so. Our nation seems to have forgotten that we were founded upon God.

There is such sadness and longing for God yet people are refusing to look to Him in the only way He can be found. Have you looked into Oprah's "Soul Series webcast"? It's full of good advice from those who are spiritually minded in finding your way through your spiritual journey which is far from God. Finding your faith through these methods only gives you hope and peace for a short time. It doesn't help you get through the bumps in the road and keep you afloat for the long term. Only God can do that but some are so anti-God that they are missing the boat because they refuse to give Him a chance.

My devotional hit upon hope this morning. I find it interesting that Mrs. Charles Cowman was talking about people loosing hope way back in her time which was from 1870-1960. Here's what she had to say about the time in which she lived, "Commentators and reporters today have recently been giving to the nation some alarming facts of the present-day world conditions. Through the medium of television one catches a glimpse of world leaders sitting in their peace conferences and at the United Nations seeking some satisfactory way out of the chaotic and hopeless condition. What is to be gained by crying "Peace! Peace!" when there is no peace? Mankind already exists amid the ruins of a world full of broken homes, broken hopes, and broken hearts. One wonders no longer how true is the statement, "The world has gone to pieces." Man and all his wisdom, devices, and schemes will not solve the present-day problems. Look up, dear heart. There is a way out - but one way - and that way is God's way!"

I like what George Mueller says, "There is never a time when we may not hope in God! Whatever the necessities, however great our difficulties, and though to all appearances help is impossible, yet our business is to hope in God, and it will be founded that it is not in vain."

Jesus gave us a way to gain the peace that we're missing. "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever." John 14:16. May we not loose hope but continue to rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide us to the Father. May we "abide in the shadow of the Almighty".

Are you feeling lost? Are you feeling like you can't reach the peace you so desperately want? You can not do it on your own no matter how good it may sound from those who call themselves "spiritual leaders" of today. Do you want someone to help you through the difficult times? I can guarantee you can't get through them on your own power. I believe there is one true way to find it and that is through Jesus. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16. Grasp that freedom through Jesus. He's only a prayer away.

Krista Jones
7.1.08

Thursday, July 03, 2008

"To You I lift up my Eyes"

I like what Psalm 123:1-2 says, "To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He is gracious to us."

My study notes say of verse 2, "Similes by which the faithful (men and women alike) present themselves as humbly dependent on God." I think I often forget that I depend on God. Most of the time I depend upon myself or those around me. I'm also reminded about how often we depend on those who are in authority in our society. When we're in trouble we call the police and look to them for protection, help and to solve a problem. At school we look to our teachers and work to our employer. It's not something I personally think about. I just obey and look for instruction because it's what I've always done. But why, as God's servant, do I not obey Him the first time?

Philippians 2:5-8 says, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." How humbling it is to know that Jesus didn't have to humble Himself by taking on the form of a bond-servant. That He didn't have to die on the cross. But He did. And like this verse says, we need to have the same attitude as He did. That means I obey Him because I am His servant and look to Him for guidance.

There is a guide that never falters,
And when He leads I cannot stray,
For step by step He goes before me,
And marks my path, He knows the way.

Oft-times the path grows dim and dreary,
The darkness hides the cheering ray,
Still I will trust, tho' worn and weary,
My Saviour leads, He knows the way.

He knows the evils that surround me,
The turnings that would lead astray,
No foes of night can ere confound me,
For Jesus leads, he knows the way.

- A. B. Ackley

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Krista Jones
2.7.08

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Blessings at God's Table

"You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies." Psalm 23:5

Pause and envision the scene in (God's) royal dining room . . .

Driven not by our beauty but by His promise, He calls us to Himself and invites us to take a permanent place at His table . . . We take our place next to the other sinners-made-saints and we share in God's glory.

May I share a partial list of what awaits you at His table?

You are beyond condemnation (Romans 8:1)
You are a member of His kingdom (Col. 1:13)
You have been adopted (Romans 8:15)
You have access to God at any moment (Eph. 2:18)
You will never be abandoned (Heb. 13:5)
You have an imperishable inheritance (I Peter 1:4)

In The Grip of Grace

By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

He with Us; We with Him

"The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened" (Proverbs 10:27)

There is no doubt about it. The fear of the LORD leads to virtuous habits, and these prevent that waste of life which comes of sin and vice. The holy rest which springs out of faith in the LORD Jesus also greatly helps a man when he is ill. Every physician rejoices to have a patient whose mind is fully at ease. Worry kills, but confidence in God is like healing medicine.

We have therefore all the arrangements for long life, and if it be really for our good, we shall see a good old age and come to our graves as shocks of corn in their season. Let us not be overcome with sudden expectation of death the moment we have a finger-ache, but let us rather expect that we may have to work on through a considerable length of days.

And what if we should soon be called to the higher sphere? Certainly there would be nothing to deplore in such a summons but everything to rejoice in. Living or dying we are the LORD's. If we live, Jesus will be with us; if we die, we shall be with Jesus.

The truest lengthening of life is to live while we live, wasting no time but using every hour for the highest ends. So be it this day.

By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"