"But I have trusted in You lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." Psalm 13:5-6
This verse is one I have memorized years ago. It wasn't until this morning as I was reviewing it that it stuck out. My study notes on this verse refer me to Psalm 7:17, "I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." The study notes on this verse says it's "A vow to praise. Many prayers in the Psalter include such vows in anticipation of the expected answer to prayer. They reflect Israel's religious consciousness that praise must follow deliverance as surely as prayer springs from need - if God is to be truly honored."
My morning devotional dealt with worry. Ah, my old and faithful friend who just doesn't want to go away. I liked what the last part of the devotional said.
"Even wise philosophy shows the uselessness of worrying, since it helps nothing, and only wastes one's strength and unfits one for doing one's best. Then religion goes farther, and says that even the hard things and the obstacles are blessings, if we meet them in the right spirit - stepping stones lifting our feet upward, disciplinary experiences in which we grow. So we learn that we should quietly and with faith accept life as it comes to us, fretting at nothing, changing hard conditions to easier if we can; if we cannot, then using them as means for growth and advancement." - J. R. Miller, D. D., from the book "Come Ye Apart."
So, in light of this devotional I got to thinking about the vow to praise. We worry about what we need to be praying about. How about praising God for what He will do through those things we worry about? And on the other side, once those prayers are answered we must remember to thank the Lord for it.
Krista Jones
5.13.08
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving Day
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." Psalm 103:2
Harvest is ended. There is a son in the air - a song of joy-filled hearts and thanksgiving. Goodness and mercy have followed throughout every day of the year. We have been loaded, yea, overloaded with His benefits and manifold tokens of His love and mercy. "He careth for us." Our testings and trials have been buried beneath is mercies which outnumber the waves of the sea. We praise God that He saw us through the tempests we thought would pull us under. He is our own God; we are the flock of His pasture and the people of His hand. "Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him." Psalm 67:5-7
Thanksgiving Day is a sacred day for retrospection - a day also for spiritual inventory - a day for family reunions, fellowship with old friends and neighbors, sharing our bounties with those less favored. If throughout the past year earthborn clouds have blotted out the sunshine of your spiritual sky, may there be a rift in the clouds today so that you can see through to the land of pure delight where saints immortal reign.
This story is told or Sir Michael Costa. He was holding a rehearsal one night with is vast array of musicians and hundreds of voices. The mighty chorus rang out with thunder of organ, sounding of horns and clashing of cymbals. Far back in the orchestra one who played the piccolo said to himself, "In all this din it matters not what I do." Suddenly, all was still! The great conductor had stopped. Someone had failed to take his part! The sweet note of the piccolo had been missed.
"Let all the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. Then shall the at yield her increase and God, even our own God shall bless us." Try thanksgiving! Let this Thanksgiving Day mark the beginning of a new life of victory, the "praise life!"
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from, "Streams in the Desert" Vol. 2
Harvest is ended. There is a son in the air - a song of joy-filled hearts and thanksgiving. Goodness and mercy have followed throughout every day of the year. We have been loaded, yea, overloaded with His benefits and manifold tokens of His love and mercy. "He careth for us." Our testings and trials have been buried beneath is mercies which outnumber the waves of the sea. We praise God that He saw us through the tempests we thought would pull us under. He is our own God; we are the flock of His pasture and the people of His hand. "Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him." Psalm 67:5-7
Thanksgiving Day is a sacred day for retrospection - a day also for spiritual inventory - a day for family reunions, fellowship with old friends and neighbors, sharing our bounties with those less favored. If throughout the past year earthborn clouds have blotted out the sunshine of your spiritual sky, may there be a rift in the clouds today so that you can see through to the land of pure delight where saints immortal reign.
This story is told or Sir Michael Costa. He was holding a rehearsal one night with is vast array of musicians and hundreds of voices. The mighty chorus rang out with thunder of organ, sounding of horns and clashing of cymbals. Far back in the orchestra one who played the piccolo said to himself, "In all this din it matters not what I do." Suddenly, all was still! The great conductor had stopped. Someone had failed to take his part! The sweet note of the piccolo had been missed.
"Let all the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. Then shall the at yield her increase and God, even our own God shall bless us." Try thanksgiving! Let this Thanksgiving Day mark the beginning of a new life of victory, the "praise life!"
By Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, taken from, "Streams in the Desert" Vol. 2
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Possessing an Inheritance
We read in Joshua 11:23: "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war."
The important word in this verse is "inheritance." Joshua gave Israel the land for an inheritance.
But in chapter 13:1 we see, "Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed."
This appears on the surface to be a contradiction with what chapter 11 says. God had given all the land to the Israelites, but they were responsible to go in and possess it.
They were promised, according to Joshua 1:3, "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you."
We also know now that God gave them the land for an inheritance. It was divided among the tribes as is outlined for us in the Book of Joshua. Nevertheless, each tribe had to go in and possess the land in order to enjoy its benefits.
So is it with our possessions in Christ. These must be appropriated on an individual basis. The Church as a whole is blessed only as we individuals possess what is ours in Christ.
Our inheritance is in Him. In fact, He is our inheritance. A good illustration is given us in 2 Samuel 3:17,18: "Now then do it" (v. 18). See also Colossians 3:1-3.
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Rom. 8:17).
By Theodore Epp, taken from "Strength for the Journey"
The important word in this verse is "inheritance." Joshua gave Israel the land for an inheritance.
But in chapter 13:1 we see, "Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed."
This appears on the surface to be a contradiction with what chapter 11 says. God had given all the land to the Israelites, but they were responsible to go in and possess it.
They were promised, according to Joshua 1:3, "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you."
We also know now that God gave them the land for an inheritance. It was divided among the tribes as is outlined for us in the Book of Joshua. Nevertheless, each tribe had to go in and possess the land in order to enjoy its benefits.
So is it with our possessions in Christ. These must be appropriated on an individual basis. The Church as a whole is blessed only as we individuals possess what is ours in Christ.
Our inheritance is in Him. In fact, He is our inheritance. A good illustration is given us in 2 Samuel 3:17,18: "Now then do it" (v. 18). See also Colossians 3:1-3.
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Rom. 8:17).
By Theodore Epp, taken from "Strength for the Journey"
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Our God Is "Heavy"
"We were eyewitnesses of His majesty . . when we were with Him on the holy mountain." 2 Peter 1:16, 18
Remember when we used to say, "That' heavy," when we heard something awesome? Well, that's an appropriate response to the glory of God. His glory is the visible manifestation of His attributes, character, and perfections. The word glory in the Old testament is a very interesting word that means "to be weighted, to be heavy." Today we might respond, "Awesome!"
When we talk about glory, then, we are talking about someone with an awesome reputation because He has awesome splendor. God is glorious. You can see it in everything He has made. But His glory is most fully seen in the person of Jesus Christ. John 1:18 puts it this way: "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God (Jesus), who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained (revealed) Him."
In His earthly life, Jesus Christ was God's glory in human flesh. That's why He did what only God could do: heal the sick, raise the dead, read people's minds, know the future. Jesus was God in human flesh. His glory was veiled, though, because no one can look on God and live.
But in Matthew 17 Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to a mountain. There Christ zipped down His humanity, so to speak. He took off the veil of flesh for just a minute, and bursting out of His humanity was a bright light. The voice from heaven was so awesome the apostles had to hide their faces because the glory of God was revealed on that mountain in the person of Jesus Christ, who was God become man.
There are only two groups of beings who won't voluntarily glorify God: fallen men and fallen angels. Both will someday be discarded from His presence because throughout all eternity, God will only fellowship with those who voluntarily bring Him glory.
You see, your claim that you esteem God will be validated by how you respond to the God you say you esteem. The proof that you glorify God, that you recognize His intrinsic value, will be the value that you ascribe to His glory.
Think about it: We have the privilege of bringing glory to the most glorious Being in the universe! What are you going to do today that will glorify God?
By Tony Evans, taken from "Time to Get Serious"
Remember when we used to say, "That' heavy," when we heard something awesome? Well, that's an appropriate response to the glory of God. His glory is the visible manifestation of His attributes, character, and perfections. The word glory in the Old testament is a very interesting word that means "to be weighted, to be heavy." Today we might respond, "Awesome!"
When we talk about glory, then, we are talking about someone with an awesome reputation because He has awesome splendor. God is glorious. You can see it in everything He has made. But His glory is most fully seen in the person of Jesus Christ. John 1:18 puts it this way: "No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God (Jesus), who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained (revealed) Him."
In His earthly life, Jesus Christ was God's glory in human flesh. That's why He did what only God could do: heal the sick, raise the dead, read people's minds, know the future. Jesus was God in human flesh. His glory was veiled, though, because no one can look on God and live.
But in Matthew 17 Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to a mountain. There Christ zipped down His humanity, so to speak. He took off the veil of flesh for just a minute, and bursting out of His humanity was a bright light. The voice from heaven was so awesome the apostles had to hide their faces because the glory of God was revealed on that mountain in the person of Jesus Christ, who was God become man.
There are only two groups of beings who won't voluntarily glorify God: fallen men and fallen angels. Both will someday be discarded from His presence because throughout all eternity, God will only fellowship with those who voluntarily bring Him glory.
You see, your claim that you esteem God will be validated by how you respond to the God you say you esteem. The proof that you glorify God, that you recognize His intrinsic value, will be the value that you ascribe to His glory.
Think about it: We have the privilege of bringing glory to the most glorious Being in the universe! What are you going to do today that will glorify God?
By Tony Evans, taken from "Time to Get Serious"
Monday, November 24, 2008
In the Small Trials
There are times when I wonder if God cares about the little things I go through. I know He's in the bigger trials because I feel His presence and see Him at work. But it's when the trials are smaller and seem less important that I begin to wonder if I should bother Him with my seemingly easier trials.
This morning I read about the axe head being recovered in 2 Kings 6:1-7. In the beginning of the chapter the "sons of the prophets" wanted Elisha to go with them to help find timber to build themselves a place to live in and/or to assemble. During the days of Elisha prophets lived in companies and were located all over the area.
As they were felling the beams for their building, someone's axe head fell into the Jordan River and sank to the bottom. The prophet who this happened to cried out, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed." (vs 5). He was upset because an axe head was a costly tool and one that was too expensive for the members of the prophetic company to buy. Thus the borrower would probably have to work off the value of the axe head in order to pay the owner back.
In verse 6, Elisha calmly takes a stick and throws it into the river at the same spot the axe head fell in. And lo and behold the axe head floated to the top to be retrieved. My study notes say, "The Lord demonstrated here His concern for the welfare of His Faithful ones."
This wasn't a major trial but one of great concern for the borrower who possibly faced many years of extra service just to pay the owner back for what he had lost. And yet, God demonstrated that He loved this prophet enough that He as concerned for his welfare.
God does care for us as we go through any trial great or small. We just need to remain faithful to Him and push forward never giving up. Here is a little devotional I read this morning about never giving up even when the task or trial ahead seems to large to bear.
"Order my steps in thy word." Psalm 119:133
A little clock which had just been finished by the maker was put on a shelf in his wareroom between two older clocks who were busy ticking away the noisy seconds.
" 'Well,' said one of the clocks to the newcomer. 'So you've just started on this task. I'm sorry for you. YOu're ticking bravely now, but you'll be tired enough before you get through thirty-three million ticks.'
" 'Thirty-three million ticks!' said the frightened clock. 'Why, I never could do that!' And it stood still instantly with despair.
" 'Why, you silly thing,' said the other clock at this moment. 'Why do you listen to such words? It's nothing of the kind. You've only got to make one tick this moment. There, now, isn't that easy? And now another, and that is just as easy, and so right along.'
" 'Oh, if that's all,' cried the new clock, 'that's easily done, so here I go.' And it started bravely on again, making a tick a moment and not counting the months and millions. But at the year's end, it had made 33,000,000 vibrations without knowing it.
"Oh, if Christians would only live by the moment, not the year! 'Day by day' is the limit of the Lord's prayer. 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof,' said the lord. And 'as thy days, so shall they strength be' is the promise which four thousand years have not be exhausted."
I ask thee for a present mind,
By patient watching wise,
A heart at leisure from itself
To sooth and sympathize.
- Unknown
Streams in the Desert, Volume 2
Remember that God cares for us no matter what we're going through great or small. All He asks of us is to take it one tick at a time.
Krista Jones
4.23.08
This morning I read about the axe head being recovered in 2 Kings 6:1-7. In the beginning of the chapter the "sons of the prophets" wanted Elisha to go with them to help find timber to build themselves a place to live in and/or to assemble. During the days of Elisha prophets lived in companies and were located all over the area.
As they were felling the beams for their building, someone's axe head fell into the Jordan River and sank to the bottom. The prophet who this happened to cried out, "Alas, my master! For it was borrowed." (vs 5). He was upset because an axe head was a costly tool and one that was too expensive for the members of the prophetic company to buy. Thus the borrower would probably have to work off the value of the axe head in order to pay the owner back.
In verse 6, Elisha calmly takes a stick and throws it into the river at the same spot the axe head fell in. And lo and behold the axe head floated to the top to be retrieved. My study notes say, "The Lord demonstrated here His concern for the welfare of His Faithful ones."
This wasn't a major trial but one of great concern for the borrower who possibly faced many years of extra service just to pay the owner back for what he had lost. And yet, God demonstrated that He loved this prophet enough that He as concerned for his welfare.
God does care for us as we go through any trial great or small. We just need to remain faithful to Him and push forward never giving up. Here is a little devotional I read this morning about never giving up even when the task or trial ahead seems to large to bear.
"Order my steps in thy word." Psalm 119:133
A little clock which had just been finished by the maker was put on a shelf in his wareroom between two older clocks who were busy ticking away the noisy seconds.
" 'Well,' said one of the clocks to the newcomer. 'So you've just started on this task. I'm sorry for you. YOu're ticking bravely now, but you'll be tired enough before you get through thirty-three million ticks.'
" 'Thirty-three million ticks!' said the frightened clock. 'Why, I never could do that!' And it stood still instantly with despair.
" 'Why, you silly thing,' said the other clock at this moment. 'Why do you listen to such words? It's nothing of the kind. You've only got to make one tick this moment. There, now, isn't that easy? And now another, and that is just as easy, and so right along.'
" 'Oh, if that's all,' cried the new clock, 'that's easily done, so here I go.' And it started bravely on again, making a tick a moment and not counting the months and millions. But at the year's end, it had made 33,000,000 vibrations without knowing it.
"Oh, if Christians would only live by the moment, not the year! 'Day by day' is the limit of the Lord's prayer. 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof,' said the lord. And 'as thy days, so shall they strength be' is the promise which four thousand years have not be exhausted."
I ask thee for a present mind,
By patient watching wise,
A heart at leisure from itself
To sooth and sympathize.
- Unknown
Streams in the Desert, Volume 2
Remember that God cares for us no matter what we're going through great or small. All He asks of us is to take it one tick at a time.
Krista Jones
4.23.08
Friday, November 21, 2008
Still Human!
". . . whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
In the Scriptures, the great miracle of the incarnation slips into the ordinary life of a child; the great miracle of the transfiguration fades into the demon-possessed valley below; the glory of the resurrection descends into a breakfast on the seashore. This is not an anticlimax, but a great revelation of God.
We have a tendency to look for wonder in our experience, and we mistake heroic actions for real heroes. It’s one thing to go through a crisis grandly, yet quite another to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, and no one paying even the remotest attention to us. If we are not looking for halos, we at least want something that will make people say, "What a wonderful man of prayer he is!" or, "What a great woman of devotion she is!" If you are properly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the lofty height where no one would ever notice you personally. All that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time.
We want to be able to say, "Oh, I have had a wonderful call from God!" But to do even the most humbling tasks to the glory of God takes the Almighty God Incarnate working in us. To be utterly unnoticeable requires God’s Spirit in us making us absolutely humanly His. The true test of a saint’s life is not successfulness but faithfulness on the human level of life. We tend to set up success in Christian work as our purpose, but our purpose should be to display the glory of God in human life, to live a life "hidden with Christ in God" in our everyday human conditions ( Colossians 3:3 ). Our human relationships are the very conditions in which the ideal life of God should be exhibited.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
In the Scriptures, the great miracle of the incarnation slips into the ordinary life of a child; the great miracle of the transfiguration fades into the demon-possessed valley below; the glory of the resurrection descends into a breakfast on the seashore. This is not an anticlimax, but a great revelation of God.
We have a tendency to look for wonder in our experience, and we mistake heroic actions for real heroes. It’s one thing to go through a crisis grandly, yet quite another to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, and no one paying even the remotest attention to us. If we are not looking for halos, we at least want something that will make people say, "What a wonderful man of prayer he is!" or, "What a great woman of devotion she is!" If you are properly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the lofty height where no one would ever notice you personally. All that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time.
We want to be able to say, "Oh, I have had a wonderful call from God!" But to do even the most humbling tasks to the glory of God takes the Almighty God Incarnate working in us. To be utterly unnoticeable requires God’s Spirit in us making us absolutely humanly His. The true test of a saint’s life is not successfulness but faithfulness on the human level of life. We tend to set up success in Christian work as our purpose, but our purpose should be to display the glory of God in human life, to live a life "hidden with Christ in God" in our everyday human conditions ( Colossians 3:3 ). Our human relationships are the very conditions in which the ideal life of God should be exhibited.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Continuing Praying
"Continue praying, keep alert, and always thank God." Colossians 4:2
Father, when you were on earth, you prayed. You prayed in the morning, you prayed at night, you prayed alone, you prayed with people. In your hours of distress you retreated into times of prayer. In your hours of joy you lifted your heart and hands to the Father in prayer. Help us to be more like you this way . . . help us to make prayer a priority in our daily lives.
By Max Lucado, taken from, "Walking with the Savior"
Father, when you were on earth, you prayed. You prayed in the morning, you prayed at night, you prayed alone, you prayed with people. In your hours of distress you retreated into times of prayer. In your hours of joy you lifted your heart and hands to the Father in prayer. Help us to be more like you this way . . . help us to make prayer a priority in our daily lives.
By Max Lucado, taken from, "Walking with the Savior"
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Steps and Stops
"When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord's order and did not set out." Numbers 9:19
The children of Israel had been told to watch the cloud for guidance. But there were also times when the cloud indicated that they were to wait.
The wilderness was not the most delightful place in which to wait. The barrenness of the dessert was not inviting. Waiting in itself is not easy. Regardless of their strength and eagerness to start out again, regardless of their impatience to be on the way, the Israelites did not move until God, by means of the could, direct them to do so. It may not have been difficult to wait a short time. But in the above verse of Scripture we read that they had to wait "a long time." This was no doubt difficult. It was the test of their obedience.
Sometimes we are kept waiting, too. We may be in the midst of heartaches, of problems, of trails, of temptations when we see the could stop and wait. Sometimes our waiting is for a short period. We may, on the other hand, be kept waiting for a long time. but we dare not move until He moves us.
There are times when we seem to settled in a comfortable place. We are happy and contented. Suddenly the could begins to move. We may not want to move, yet we will have His blessing only if we willingly move with His cloud.
"If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm." Psalm 37:23
Both the steps and and the stops of our lives are ordered by the Lord. The important thing is for us to follow where He leads.
By Millie Stamm, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"
The children of Israel had been told to watch the cloud for guidance. But there were also times when the cloud indicated that they were to wait.
The wilderness was not the most delightful place in which to wait. The barrenness of the dessert was not inviting. Waiting in itself is not easy. Regardless of their strength and eagerness to start out again, regardless of their impatience to be on the way, the Israelites did not move until God, by means of the could, direct them to do so. It may not have been difficult to wait a short time. But in the above verse of Scripture we read that they had to wait "a long time." This was no doubt difficult. It was the test of their obedience.
Sometimes we are kept waiting, too. We may be in the midst of heartaches, of problems, of trails, of temptations when we see the could stop and wait. Sometimes our waiting is for a short period. We may, on the other hand, be kept waiting for a long time. but we dare not move until He moves us.
There are times when we seem to settled in a comfortable place. We are happy and contented. Suddenly the could begins to move. We may not want to move, yet we will have His blessing only if we willingly move with His cloud.
"If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm." Psalm 37:23
Both the steps and and the stops of our lives are ordered by the Lord. The important thing is for us to follow where He leads.
By Millie Stamm, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
“I Did Not Know It”
"Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” —Genesis 28:16
As Jacob did in Genesis 28, I like to remind myself each morning when I awaken that God is here, “in this place,” present with me (v.16). As I spend time with Him each morning, reading His Word and responding in prayer, it reinforces my sense of His presence—that He is near. Although we do not see Him, Peter reminds us that we can love Him and rejoice in His love for us with “inexpressible,” glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8).
We take the Lord’s presence with us all through the day, blending work and play with prayer. He is our teacher, our philosopher, our companion—our gentle, kind, and very best friend.
God is with us wherever we go. He is in the commonplace, whether we know it or not. “Surely the Lord is in this place,” Jacob said of a most unlikely spot, “and I did not know it” (Gen. 28:16). We may not realize He is close by. We may feel lonely and sad. Our day may seem bleak and dreary without a visible ray of hope—yet He is present.
Amid all the clamor and din of this visible and audible world, listen carefully for God’s quiet voice. Listen to Him in the Bible. Talk to Him frequently in prayer. Look for Him in your circumstances. Seek Him. He is with you wherever you go! — David H. Roper
Oh, how oft I wake and find
I have been forgetting Thee!
I am never from Thy mind;
Thou it is that wakest me. —MacDonald
Our greatest privilege is to enjoy God’s presence.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
As Jacob did in Genesis 28, I like to remind myself each morning when I awaken that God is here, “in this place,” present with me (v.16). As I spend time with Him each morning, reading His Word and responding in prayer, it reinforces my sense of His presence—that He is near. Although we do not see Him, Peter reminds us that we can love Him and rejoice in His love for us with “inexpressible,” glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8).
We take the Lord’s presence with us all through the day, blending work and play with prayer. He is our teacher, our philosopher, our companion—our gentle, kind, and very best friend.
God is with us wherever we go. He is in the commonplace, whether we know it or not. “Surely the Lord is in this place,” Jacob said of a most unlikely spot, “and I did not know it” (Gen. 28:16). We may not realize He is close by. We may feel lonely and sad. Our day may seem bleak and dreary without a visible ray of hope—yet He is present.
Amid all the clamor and din of this visible and audible world, listen carefully for God’s quiet voice. Listen to Him in the Bible. Talk to Him frequently in prayer. Look for Him in your circumstances. Seek Him. He is with you wherever you go! — David H. Roper
Oh, how oft I wake and find
I have been forgetting Thee!
I am never from Thy mind;
Thou it is that wakest me. —MacDonald
Our greatest privilege is to enjoy God’s presence.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Monday, November 17, 2008
Riding the Fence?
Today I came across a minor Bible character in I Kings 18 named Obadiah. Obadiah was a common name in the O.T. and means, "servant of the Lord." This particular Obadiah was the governor of Ahab's household. He greatly feared the Lord but also feared Ahab even more then the Lord. When Jezebel destroyed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah protected 100 prophets and hid them in a cave continuing to provide them with food and water (I Kings 18:4).
It was this Obahiah who meet Elijah on his mission from Ahab to search the region for water. Obahiah, "recognized him (Elijah) and fell on his face and said, "Is this you, Elijah my master?"' Obahiah knew of Elijah and knew that he was God's prophet. At this point Elijah asks Obahiah to go back to Ahab and tell him, "Behold, Elijah is here." (I Kings 18:8). From what I can tell of Obahiah is that he had been riding the fence. He serves an evil King and obeys his commands yet he greatly feared the Lord and secretly saved 100 prophets from the Queen. Elijah is now asking him to publicly identify himself with him. He is also asking Obahiah to disobey Ahab by stopping his mission to give him this message from Elijah. Here is the turning point for Obahiah. He knew what his disobedience and siding with Elijah would mean, "What sin have I committed, that you are giving your servant into the hand of Ahab to put me to death?" (vs. 18:9).
I find myself identifying with Obahiah. I remember making the choice to become a Christian at the ripe old age of 5 years old. As I grew up I started to ride the fence with rebellion on one side and the Lord on the other. I knew no other life outside of a Christian home and I started to become drawn to a life that was different from my own. I didn't want to be good old Krista who did what she knew was right. I made the choice to follow my own way and leave the Lord behind by joining the party scene and drinking. I hid it from my parents and church family.
Not much is said of Obadiah after verse 15 other then he did what Eljiah asked, "So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah." (18:16). Somehow he fought that white picket fence and chose a side. And with that, he was part of God's plan.
I remember the day I was asked by God to choose a side. It was during church family camp when my best friend and I heard a sermon that seemed to speak to us. To this day I'm not even sure what it was that spoke to me about having faith like a mustard seed that can move mountains but that night I started to fear the Lord and what would happen to me when I died. We had planned on getting buzzed off of wine coolers we brought with us after everyone went to sleep. It was like the two worlds (rebellious and church) were colliding before my very eyes and I felt like I was playing with fire. I was looking forward to drinking at family camp where my parents and pastor were present. Instead, we sat up most of the night discussing our fear of death and afterlife and instead choose to turn our lives around. That night I talked to the Lord like I never had and rededicated my life to Him. Just like Obahiah's obedience to Elijah to give his message to Ahab was a turning point.
If you are at a crossroads in your life and are feeling the Lord tugging at you I pray that you will open your heart and soul to hear what He has to say. We have two choices. We can either follow God or Satan. And because God is a loving Father who doesn't force us into following Him, He will allow you to choose. It is up to you.
Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many." Did you read that right? He "gave His life a ransom for many." You have been ransomed and set from from sin. It also says in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus loves you and died for you so that you would be free. All you need to do is to take that first step towards Him. It'll be the hardest step as I know fear in some form will be urging you to not take that step because of the consequences you'll have to deal with. But life with knowing Jesus is by far more joyful then life without. Do you want to fill that emptiness you're feeling? Then take that first step by realizing that you are living a life apart from the Living and Loving God. Confess to Him that you are a sinner (as we all are) and are in need of a Savior. He has already paid the price for your sins and is just waiting for you to take that step to freedom through Him. "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
I love what 2 Corinthians 5:17 says about us once we turn to Jesus and ask Him to be Lord of our lives, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come." Your old life has passed away and you are a new creature. It doesn't mean life will be easy and the consequences of your sinful past will have to be dealt with. BUT, you have a loving God who will be your guide and be by your side while you go through the trials of your life. You will never be alone again.
What side of the fence are you going to choose?
Krista Jones
4.19.08
It was this Obahiah who meet Elijah on his mission from Ahab to search the region for water. Obahiah, "recognized him (Elijah) and fell on his face and said, "Is this you, Elijah my master?"' Obahiah knew of Elijah and knew that he was God's prophet. At this point Elijah asks Obahiah to go back to Ahab and tell him, "Behold, Elijah is here." (I Kings 18:8). From what I can tell of Obahiah is that he had been riding the fence. He serves an evil King and obeys his commands yet he greatly feared the Lord and secretly saved 100 prophets from the Queen. Elijah is now asking him to publicly identify himself with him. He is also asking Obahiah to disobey Ahab by stopping his mission to give him this message from Elijah. Here is the turning point for Obahiah. He knew what his disobedience and siding with Elijah would mean, "What sin have I committed, that you are giving your servant into the hand of Ahab to put me to death?" (vs. 18:9).
I find myself identifying with Obahiah. I remember making the choice to become a Christian at the ripe old age of 5 years old. As I grew up I started to ride the fence with rebellion on one side and the Lord on the other. I knew no other life outside of a Christian home and I started to become drawn to a life that was different from my own. I didn't want to be good old Krista who did what she knew was right. I made the choice to follow my own way and leave the Lord behind by joining the party scene and drinking. I hid it from my parents and church family.
Not much is said of Obadiah after verse 15 other then he did what Eljiah asked, "So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah." (18:16). Somehow he fought that white picket fence and chose a side. And with that, he was part of God's plan.
I remember the day I was asked by God to choose a side. It was during church family camp when my best friend and I heard a sermon that seemed to speak to us. To this day I'm not even sure what it was that spoke to me about having faith like a mustard seed that can move mountains but that night I started to fear the Lord and what would happen to me when I died. We had planned on getting buzzed off of wine coolers we brought with us after everyone went to sleep. It was like the two worlds (rebellious and church) were colliding before my very eyes and I felt like I was playing with fire. I was looking forward to drinking at family camp where my parents and pastor were present. Instead, we sat up most of the night discussing our fear of death and afterlife and instead choose to turn our lives around. That night I talked to the Lord like I never had and rededicated my life to Him. Just like Obahiah's obedience to Elijah to give his message to Ahab was a turning point.
If you are at a crossroads in your life and are feeling the Lord tugging at you I pray that you will open your heart and soul to hear what He has to say. We have two choices. We can either follow God or Satan. And because God is a loving Father who doesn't force us into following Him, He will allow you to choose. It is up to you.
Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many." Did you read that right? He "gave His life a ransom for many." You have been ransomed and set from from sin. It also says in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus loves you and died for you so that you would be free. All you need to do is to take that first step towards Him. It'll be the hardest step as I know fear in some form will be urging you to not take that step because of the consequences you'll have to deal with. But life with knowing Jesus is by far more joyful then life without. Do you want to fill that emptiness you're feeling? Then take that first step by realizing that you are living a life apart from the Living and Loving God. Confess to Him that you are a sinner (as we all are) and are in need of a Savior. He has already paid the price for your sins and is just waiting for you to take that step to freedom through Him. "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
I love what 2 Corinthians 5:17 says about us once we turn to Jesus and ask Him to be Lord of our lives, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away, behold, new things have come." Your old life has passed away and you are a new creature. It doesn't mean life will be easy and the consequences of your sinful past will have to be dealt with. BUT, you have a loving God who will be your guide and be by your side while you go through the trials of your life. You will never be alone again.
What side of the fence are you going to choose?
Krista Jones
4.19.08
Friday, November 14, 2008
Sanctified Souls Are Satisfied
"My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 31:14).
Note the "My" which comes twice: "My people shall be satisfied with My goodness." The kind of people who are satisfied with God are marked out as God's own. He is pleased with them, for they are pleased with Him. They call Him their God, and He calls them His people; He is satisfied to take them for a portion, and they are satisfied with Him for their portion. There is a mutual communion of delight between God's Israel and Israel's God. These people are satisfied. This is a grand thing. Very few of the sons of men are ever satisfied, let their lot be what it may; they have swallowed the horse-leech, and it continually cries, "Give! give!" Only sanctified souls are satisfied souls. God Himself must both convert us and content us. t is no wonder that the LORD's people should be satisfied with the goodness of their LORD. Here is goodness without mixture, bounty without stint, mercy without chiding, love without change, favor without reserve. If God's goodness does not satisfy us, what will? What! are we still groaning? Surely there is a wrong desire within if it be one which God's goodness does not satisfy. LORD, I am satisfied. Blessed be Thy name.
By C.H Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Note the "My" which comes twice: "My people shall be satisfied with My goodness." The kind of people who are satisfied with God are marked out as God's own. He is pleased with them, for they are pleased with Him. They call Him their God, and He calls them His people; He is satisfied to take them for a portion, and they are satisfied with Him for their portion. There is a mutual communion of delight between God's Israel and Israel's God. These people are satisfied. This is a grand thing. Very few of the sons of men are ever satisfied, let their lot be what it may; they have swallowed the horse-leech, and it continually cries, "Give! give!" Only sanctified souls are satisfied souls. God Himself must both convert us and content us. t is no wonder that the LORD's people should be satisfied with the goodness of their LORD. Here is goodness without mixture, bounty without stint, mercy without chiding, love without change, favor without reserve. If God's goodness does not satisfy us, what will? What! are we still groaning? Surely there is a wrong desire within if it be one which God's goodness does not satisfy. LORD, I am satisfied. Blessed be Thy name.
By C.H Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Prayer
"May my prayer be counted as incense before You; the lifting up of my hands as the evening offering." Psalm 141:2
Incense was an aromatic substance made of gums and spices that were burned, especially in religious worship. In this chapter is was "symbolical of the ascending prayer of the officiating high priest." Usually it was the high priest who led the sacrifices and offerings and were the only ones to deal with incense. In fact, in Lev. 10, Aaron's sons died because of their improper use it. In Rev. 8:3-5 an angel burns incense on the golden alter. The smoke from it ascends with the prayer of the Saints. It's obvious that incense was important in worshiping the Lord.
Here the Psalmist is praying that what he says will be like the sweet aroma of incense before God. Seeing how I struggle in this area I was touched by this verse. I pray that our prayers go beyond the requests and become prayers of praise before our Lord.
I also read about how the Israelites passed through the Jordan River on dry ground. I wonder what those who carried the ark felt as they walked up to the river holding the ark. God had told Joshua not to be afraid and courageous. That He was going to give the land across the Jordan to them. They only had to obey His commandments. It must have been a day of excitement and fear all balled up in one. And here are the priests at the edge of the river looking over it wondering if God would come through on His promise. With anticipation we can see them step up to the water and as soon as their feet touch it, it rolls back and stays away at a distance.
Sometimes I feel like those priests. I'm at the edge of the water wondering how I'll get to the other side. Change is going to take place and I don't like to change. I fear and dread it. Yet, God is calling for it so I must follow. He is asking us to trust Him and step out onto the water because He will take care of us and pave a way for us to cross over the change.
Are you feeling just like I've been feeling? Is there a change that is coming in your future or happening to you now? Look to Jesus, lift up your voice to Him and ask Him for strength and courage to carry you through this moment of change. Let our prays be like sweet aroma to Him. He is there waiting to hear from you. What are you waiting for?
Krista Jones
3.11.08
Incense was an aromatic substance made of gums and spices that were burned, especially in religious worship. In this chapter is was "symbolical of the ascending prayer of the officiating high priest." Usually it was the high priest who led the sacrifices and offerings and were the only ones to deal with incense. In fact, in Lev. 10, Aaron's sons died because of their improper use it. In Rev. 8:3-5 an angel burns incense on the golden alter. The smoke from it ascends with the prayer of the Saints. It's obvious that incense was important in worshiping the Lord.
Here the Psalmist is praying that what he says will be like the sweet aroma of incense before God. Seeing how I struggle in this area I was touched by this verse. I pray that our prayers go beyond the requests and become prayers of praise before our Lord.
I also read about how the Israelites passed through the Jordan River on dry ground. I wonder what those who carried the ark felt as they walked up to the river holding the ark. God had told Joshua not to be afraid and courageous. That He was going to give the land across the Jordan to them. They only had to obey His commandments. It must have been a day of excitement and fear all balled up in one. And here are the priests at the edge of the river looking over it wondering if God would come through on His promise. With anticipation we can see them step up to the water and as soon as their feet touch it, it rolls back and stays away at a distance.
Sometimes I feel like those priests. I'm at the edge of the water wondering how I'll get to the other side. Change is going to take place and I don't like to change. I fear and dread it. Yet, God is calling for it so I must follow. He is asking us to trust Him and step out onto the water because He will take care of us and pave a way for us to cross over the change.
Are you feeling just like I've been feeling? Is there a change that is coming in your future or happening to you now? Look to Jesus, lift up your voice to Him and ask Him for strength and courage to carry you through this moment of change. Let our prays be like sweet aroma to Him. He is there waiting to hear from you. What are you waiting for?
Krista Jones
3.11.08
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Sunshine Within
"Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
What will He do? He will sanctify us wholly. See the previous verse. He will carry on the work of purification till we are perfect in every part. He will preserve our "whole spirit, and soul, and body, blameless unto the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ." He will not allow us to fall from grace, nor come under the dominion of sin. What great favors are these! Well may we adore the giver of such unspeakable gifts. Who will do this? The LORD who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, out of death in sin into eternal life in Christ Jesus. Only He can do this: such perfection and preservation can only come from the God of all grace. Why will He do it? Because He is "faithful"--faithful to His own promise which is pledged to save the believer; faithful to His Son, whose reward it is that His people shall he presented to Him faultless, faithful to the work which He has commenced in us by our effectual calling. It is not their own faithfulness but the LORD's own faithfulness on which the saints rely. Come, my soul, here is a grand feast to begin a dull month with. There may be fogs without, but there should be sunshine within.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Chrckbook"
What will He do? He will sanctify us wholly. See the previous verse. He will carry on the work of purification till we are perfect in every part. He will preserve our "whole spirit, and soul, and body, blameless unto the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ." He will not allow us to fall from grace, nor come under the dominion of sin. What great favors are these! Well may we adore the giver of such unspeakable gifts. Who will do this? The LORD who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, out of death in sin into eternal life in Christ Jesus. Only He can do this: such perfection and preservation can only come from the God of all grace. Why will He do it? Because He is "faithful"--faithful to His own promise which is pledged to save the believer; faithful to His Son, whose reward it is that His people shall he presented to Him faultless, faithful to the work which He has commenced in us by our effectual calling. It is not their own faithfulness but the LORD's own faithfulness on which the saints rely. Come, my soul, here is a grand feast to begin a dull month with. There may be fogs without, but there should be sunshine within.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Chrckbook"
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Fresh Touch with God
"And the ill favored and lean-fleshed kine did Eat up the seven well favored and fat kin…and the thin, ears swallowed up the seven rank and full ears" (Gen. 41:4, 7).
There is a warning for us in that dream, just as it stands: It is possible for the best years of our life, the best experiences, the best victories won, the best service rendered, to be swallowed up by times of failure, defeat, dishonor, uselessness in the kingdom. Some men's lives of rare promise and rare achievement have ended so. It is awful to think of, but it is true. Yet it is never necessary.
S. D. Gordon has said that the only assurance of safety against this tragedy is "fresh touch with God," daily, hourly. The blessed, fruitful, victorious experiences of yesterday are not only of no value to me today, but they will actually be eaten up or reversed by today's failures, unless they serve as incentives to still better, richer experiences today.
"Fresh touch with God," by abiding in Christ, alone will keep the lean kine and the ill favored grain out of my life. --Messages for the Morning Watch
By Mrs. Charles E Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
There is a warning for us in that dream, just as it stands: It is possible for the best years of our life, the best experiences, the best victories won, the best service rendered, to be swallowed up by times of failure, defeat, dishonor, uselessness in the kingdom. Some men's lives of rare promise and rare achievement have ended so. It is awful to think of, but it is true. Yet it is never necessary.
S. D. Gordon has said that the only assurance of safety against this tragedy is "fresh touch with God," daily, hourly. The blessed, fruitful, victorious experiences of yesterday are not only of no value to me today, but they will actually be eaten up or reversed by today's failures, unless they serve as incentives to still better, richer experiences today.
"Fresh touch with God," by abiding in Christ, alone will keep the lean kine and the ill favored grain out of my life. --Messages for the Morning Watch
By Mrs. Charles E Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
Monday, November 10, 2008
God's Handiwork
"O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night, even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day, darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand when I awake, I am still with You." Psalm 139:1-18
Last night I came across Psalm 139. I LOVE this Psalm and how it speaks of how intimately God knows us. God know our every thought, word and deed. We cannot hide from Him. Yet, here despite knowing all that the psalmist is still asking the Lord to examine his life and soul. I also love how the Lord has known us from the moment we were conceived. I saw on a PBS show once that we are who we are from the moment the cells form. It's an amazing thought!!!
Another amazing thought is creation. Yesterday I took the kids to North Creek Park. It has a boardwalk that snakes around wetlands where you see wildlife. We had so much fun listening to and seeing all the different birds. You felt God's handiwork in it all. Even down to the sun warming up the grass and having it crackle and pop under it's warmth. God is our creator and we are blessed to have been created and live in a beautiful world He created for us.
It always saddens me to think that people see the same things I do and yet still say there is no God. The wetlands we walked through is literally a life cycle for the earth, animals and plants. It's plain to see that someone had to create it. This morning my devotional touched upon this very thing.
"For I know whom I have believed . . ." II Tim 1:12
A most unusual incident occurred in colorful Mexico City a few years ago. A famous artist has painted a beautiful picture, and it was being displayed upon the walls of a new, ultramodern hotel. The scene was of one of the charming beautify spots of the country landscape. It depicted with lucid clarity the rolling country landscape, quiet fields, purling streams and a touch of virgin forest, carpeted with gorgeous flowers.
"Across the top of the canvas four words were painted which stood out in bold outline. They were these: 'God Does Not Exist.' A strange bit of lettering to be found on such a famous work of art!
"Spellbound visitors surged past the painting every day.
"One evening a large group of young men entered the lobby of the hotel and made their way down the corridor to the room that housed the painting. They quietly calmly removed paint cans and brushes from kits strapped to their shoulders and were soon busily at work. No one but those in the room could see what was going on; the air was freighted with suspense. Suddenly they stepped back and again the throng pressing against the doorway caught a glimpse of the masterpiece. At first they could see no change, but continued scrutiny revealed that the words in the caption had been brushed completely from the canvass and what were the words? 'Does Not Exist.' One word remained - 'God.'
"The group quietly but with the stride of conquerors, left the hotel. The onlookers stared in awe. Under the soft lights which were thrown upon the picture, that one glorious word was emblazoned - it shone like a brilliant in a monarch's crown.
"More than anything else that may be needed - more than changed conditions, more than release from pressure, is a vigorous faith in God - a rediscovery of Him who knows the paths of a hundred million stars and knows the way through every valley or difficulty and over every mountain of trial. Renew confidence in God; rediscover God, the mighty God - a match for mighty needs!" - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
I pray that we will rediscover our Lord and Savior. That we will look with new eyes upon the earth He created and all the beauty within it. That we will see each person as a treasure created by a loving God. That we may desire to serve them and show them that the God who created them loves them.
Krista Jones
3.9.08
Last night I came across Psalm 139. I LOVE this Psalm and how it speaks of how intimately God knows us. God know our every thought, word and deed. We cannot hide from Him. Yet, here despite knowing all that the psalmist is still asking the Lord to examine his life and soul. I also love how the Lord has known us from the moment we were conceived. I saw on a PBS show once that we are who we are from the moment the cells form. It's an amazing thought!!!
Another amazing thought is creation. Yesterday I took the kids to North Creek Park. It has a boardwalk that snakes around wetlands where you see wildlife. We had so much fun listening to and seeing all the different birds. You felt God's handiwork in it all. Even down to the sun warming up the grass and having it crackle and pop under it's warmth. God is our creator and we are blessed to have been created and live in a beautiful world He created for us.
It always saddens me to think that people see the same things I do and yet still say there is no God. The wetlands we walked through is literally a life cycle for the earth, animals and plants. It's plain to see that someone had to create it. This morning my devotional touched upon this very thing.
"For I know whom I have believed . . ." II Tim 1:12
A most unusual incident occurred in colorful Mexico City a few years ago. A famous artist has painted a beautiful picture, and it was being displayed upon the walls of a new, ultramodern hotel. The scene was of one of the charming beautify spots of the country landscape. It depicted with lucid clarity the rolling country landscape, quiet fields, purling streams and a touch of virgin forest, carpeted with gorgeous flowers.
"Across the top of the canvas four words were painted which stood out in bold outline. They were these: 'God Does Not Exist.' A strange bit of lettering to be found on such a famous work of art!
"Spellbound visitors surged past the painting every day.
"One evening a large group of young men entered the lobby of the hotel and made their way down the corridor to the room that housed the painting. They quietly calmly removed paint cans and brushes from kits strapped to their shoulders and were soon busily at work. No one but those in the room could see what was going on; the air was freighted with suspense. Suddenly they stepped back and again the throng pressing against the doorway caught a glimpse of the masterpiece. At first they could see no change, but continued scrutiny revealed that the words in the caption had been brushed completely from the canvass and what were the words? 'Does Not Exist.' One word remained - 'God.'
"The group quietly but with the stride of conquerors, left the hotel. The onlookers stared in awe. Under the soft lights which were thrown upon the picture, that one glorious word was emblazoned - it shone like a brilliant in a monarch's crown.
"More than anything else that may be needed - more than changed conditions, more than release from pressure, is a vigorous faith in God - a rediscovery of Him who knows the paths of a hundred million stars and knows the way through every valley or difficulty and over every mountain of trial. Renew confidence in God; rediscover God, the mighty God - a match for mighty needs!" - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, "Streams in the Desert Volume 2"
I pray that we will rediscover our Lord and Savior. That we will look with new eyes upon the earth He created and all the beauty within it. That we will see each person as a treasure created by a loving God. That we may desire to serve them and show them that the God who created them loves them.
Krista Jones
3.9.08
Friday, November 07, 2008
Class Participation
"The entrance of Your words gives light." Psalm 119:130
As a high school teacher and college professor, I have observed that learning is a cooperative effort between the student and the instructor. That’s why educators try to get the student involved in class participation. The teacher does some work; the student does some work. Together progress is made. Education happens.
In Psalm 119, the writer suggests a similar pattern in verses 129-136. God is the teacher; we are the students.
Let’s look at God’s role in our education. He shows us mercy (v.132). He guides our steps (v.133). And He redeems us from outside trouble (v.134).
But first we must be eager students, ready to accept God’s teaching, guidance, and help. We should enter His classroom with anticipation: “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. . . . I longed for Your commandments” (vv.130-131). In our role as students of God’s Word, we should fulfill three requirements: (1) examine God’s words for what they are teaching, (2) gain understanding from those words, and (3) obey His statutes.
It’s time to enter God’s classroom and listen and learn from Him. When we do, we’ll look at God with renewed love and at the world with renewed concern (v.136). — Dave Branon
Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine,
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there. —Hodder
Careful meditation on the Scriptures makes for a closer walk with the Savior.
Taken from, "Our Daily Bread"
As a high school teacher and college professor, I have observed that learning is a cooperative effort between the student and the instructor. That’s why educators try to get the student involved in class participation. The teacher does some work; the student does some work. Together progress is made. Education happens.
In Psalm 119, the writer suggests a similar pattern in verses 129-136. God is the teacher; we are the students.
Let’s look at God’s role in our education. He shows us mercy (v.132). He guides our steps (v.133). And He redeems us from outside trouble (v.134).
But first we must be eager students, ready to accept God’s teaching, guidance, and help. We should enter His classroom with anticipation: “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. . . . I longed for Your commandments” (vv.130-131). In our role as students of God’s Word, we should fulfill three requirements: (1) examine God’s words for what they are teaching, (2) gain understanding from those words, and (3) obey His statutes.
It’s time to enter God’s classroom and listen and learn from Him. When we do, we’ll look at God with renewed love and at the world with renewed concern (v.136). — Dave Branon
Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine,
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there. —Hodder
Careful meditation on the Scriptures makes for a closer walk with the Savior.
Taken from, "Our Daily Bread"
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Obedience or Independence?
"If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15
Our Lord never insists obedience. He stresses very definitely what we ought to do, but He never forces us to do it. We have to obey Him out of a oneness of spirit with Him. That is why whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He prefaced it with an "If," meaning, "You do not need to do this unless you desire to do so." "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself . . ." ( Luke 9:23 ). In other words, "To be My disciple, let him give up his right to himself to Me." Our Lord is not talking about our eternal position, but about our being of value to Him in this life here and now. That is why He sounds so stern (see Luke 14:26 ). Never try to make sense from these words by separating them from the One who spoke them.
The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself. Jesus Christ will not force me to obey Him, but I must. And as soon as I obey Him, I fulfill my spiritual destiny. My personal life may be crowded with small, petty happenings, altogether insignificant. But if I obey Jesus Christ in the seemingly random circumstances of life, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God. Then, when I stand face to face with God, I will discover that through my obedience thousands were blessed. When God’s redemption brings a human soul to the point of obedience, it always produces. If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.
By Oswald Chamber, taken from, "My Utmost for High Highest"
Our Lord never insists obedience. He stresses very definitely what we ought to do, but He never forces us to do it. We have to obey Him out of a oneness of spirit with Him. That is why whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He prefaced it with an "If," meaning, "You do not need to do this unless you desire to do so." "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself . . ." ( Luke 9:23 ). In other words, "To be My disciple, let him give up his right to himself to Me." Our Lord is not talking about our eternal position, but about our being of value to Him in this life here and now. That is why He sounds so stern (see Luke 14:26 ). Never try to make sense from these words by separating them from the One who spoke them.
The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself. Jesus Christ will not force me to obey Him, but I must. And as soon as I obey Him, I fulfill my spiritual destiny. My personal life may be crowded with small, petty happenings, altogether insignificant. But if I obey Jesus Christ in the seemingly random circumstances of life, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God. Then, when I stand face to face with God, I will discover that through my obedience thousands were blessed. When God’s redemption brings a human soul to the point of obedience, it always produces. If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.
By Oswald Chamber, taken from, "My Utmost for High Highest"
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The Power of a Strong Relationship
"God's power protects you through your faith until Salvation is shown to you at the end of time." I Peter 1:5
The power of a strong relationship sustains us and gives us strength - it's that power in knowing, "If I fail, my friend is still there," or, "If I fail, I have a wife who still loves me." It's the power in knowing that - no matter what - we have a Father who still loves us."
By Max Lucado, taken from, "Walking with the Savior"
The power of a strong relationship sustains us and gives us strength - it's that power in knowing, "If I fail, my friend is still there," or, "If I fail, I have a wife who still loves me." It's the power in knowing that - no matter what - we have a Father who still loves us."
By Max Lucado, taken from, "Walking with the Savior"
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Trusting God
"Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his Mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me." Psalm 131:2
My study notes say, "A child of four or five who walks trustingly beside his mother."
I think back to when I had my babies. As infants they are so dependent on you to care for them that it can be frightening. I felt so much compassion for my babies as I knew they were in a big cold world not knowing anything but Eric and I. I also remember feeling like McMama and that as soon as they wanted to nurse it was like they pulled up to the dive thru ordering a big tall glass of milk 24/7. As difficult as it was to nurse at times I knew it was my milk that continued to sustain their little lives.
My oldest was an independent one and weaned herself at 7 months old. I could have kept her going for another few months only nursing her at night but I was as ready to stop as ready as she was to be on her own. From that point on she started to explore the world around her more and more. Yet, her security and trust was still within us, her parents. She still looked up to us with those trusting eyes knowing we'd tenderly care for her.
It's the same way with our Heavenly Father. As spiritual infants we are depended upon Him and we drink all the milk we can growing into a toddler. As spiritual toddlers we begin eating solid food and exploring the world around us. Yet all the time holding the Lord's hand because we trust Him to care for us. We trust Him because we know that He has held nothing from us. Even His one and only Son was given to us as a Savior so that we could have eternal life with Him. As parents we know we'll sacrifice anything for the protection of our children just like God sacrificed His Son for our protection.
This morning I read a story in my devotional about a Father's sacrificial love for his daughter.
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Cor. 5:19)
There is on record a story of how a tribe of North American Indians who roamed in the neighborhood of Niagara offered year by year a young virgin as a sacrifice to the Spirit of the Mighty River.
"She was called 'The Bride of the Falls.'
"The lot fell one year on a beautiful girl who was the only daughter of an old chieftain. The news was carried to him while he was still in his tent; but on hearing it, the old man went o smoking his pipe, and said nothing of what he felt.
"On the day fixed for the sacrifice a white canoe, full of ripe fruits, and decked with beautiful flowers, was ready, waiting to receive The Bride.'
"At the appointed hour she took her place in the frail bark which was pushed out into mid-stream, where it would e carried swiftly toward the mighty cataract.
"Then, to the amazement of the crowd which had assembled to watch the sacrifice, a second canoe was seen to dart out from the rivers bank a little lower down the stream.
"In it was seated the old chieftain.
"With swift strokes he paddled towards the canoe in which was his beloved child, and, on reaching it, he gripped it firmly, and held it fast.
"The eyes of both met in one last long look of love; and then, close together, father and daughter were carried by the racing current until they plunged over the thundering cataract and perished side by side.
"In their death they were not divided.
"The father was 'in it' with his child!
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself,' He did not have to. Nobody forced Him. The only force behind that sacrifice was the force of His seeking love for His lost world." - Selected.
Let us ponder, believe, and gladly follow, in His steps, into sacrificial service." - Streams in the Desert Volume 2
We are like weaned children resting against Him. We take His hand and walk forward trusting that He will care for us. Psalm 56:11 says, "In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid."
Krista Jones
3.8.08
My study notes say, "A child of four or five who walks trustingly beside his mother."
I think back to when I had my babies. As infants they are so dependent on you to care for them that it can be frightening. I felt so much compassion for my babies as I knew they were in a big cold world not knowing anything but Eric and I. I also remember feeling like McMama and that as soon as they wanted to nurse it was like they pulled up to the dive thru ordering a big tall glass of milk 24/7. As difficult as it was to nurse at times I knew it was my milk that continued to sustain their little lives.
My oldest was an independent one and weaned herself at 7 months old. I could have kept her going for another few months only nursing her at night but I was as ready to stop as ready as she was to be on her own. From that point on she started to explore the world around her more and more. Yet, her security and trust was still within us, her parents. She still looked up to us with those trusting eyes knowing we'd tenderly care for her.
It's the same way with our Heavenly Father. As spiritual infants we are depended upon Him and we drink all the milk we can growing into a toddler. As spiritual toddlers we begin eating solid food and exploring the world around us. Yet all the time holding the Lord's hand because we trust Him to care for us. We trust Him because we know that He has held nothing from us. Even His one and only Son was given to us as a Savior so that we could have eternal life with Him. As parents we know we'll sacrifice anything for the protection of our children just like God sacrificed His Son for our protection.
This morning I read a story in my devotional about a Father's sacrificial love for his daughter.
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Cor. 5:19)
There is on record a story of how a tribe of North American Indians who roamed in the neighborhood of Niagara offered year by year a young virgin as a sacrifice to the Spirit of the Mighty River.
"She was called 'The Bride of the Falls.'
"The lot fell one year on a beautiful girl who was the only daughter of an old chieftain. The news was carried to him while he was still in his tent; but on hearing it, the old man went o smoking his pipe, and said nothing of what he felt.
"On the day fixed for the sacrifice a white canoe, full of ripe fruits, and decked with beautiful flowers, was ready, waiting to receive The Bride.'
"At the appointed hour she took her place in the frail bark which was pushed out into mid-stream, where it would e carried swiftly toward the mighty cataract.
"Then, to the amazement of the crowd which had assembled to watch the sacrifice, a second canoe was seen to dart out from the rivers bank a little lower down the stream.
"In it was seated the old chieftain.
"With swift strokes he paddled towards the canoe in which was his beloved child, and, on reaching it, he gripped it firmly, and held it fast.
"The eyes of both met in one last long look of love; and then, close together, father and daughter were carried by the racing current until they plunged over the thundering cataract and perished side by side.
"In their death they were not divided.
"The father was 'in it' with his child!
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself,' He did not have to. Nobody forced Him. The only force behind that sacrifice was the force of His seeking love for His lost world." - Selected.
Let us ponder, believe, and gladly follow, in His steps, into sacrificial service." - Streams in the Desert Volume 2
We are like weaned children resting against Him. We take His hand and walk forward trusting that He will care for us. Psalm 56:11 says, "In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid."
Krista Jones
3.8.08
Monday, November 03, 2008
Fade as a Leaf
. . . and we all do fade as a leaf; . . ." Isaiah 64:6
The air is full of hints of grief,
Strange voices touched with pain,
the pathos of the falling leaf,
The rustling of the rain. - Anonymous
the burden of every sound we hear, the moral of every sight we see, is the old, old truth, which finds a ready response in every human bosom. Numerous have been the times we have heard these words quoted from the pulpit, but from one with a doleful tone in his voice, leaving us with a feeling of sadness when the leaves begin to fall and the summer roses fade. "We all do fade as a leaf."
That is the great commonplace of the world. It is so trite and true that it has lost in a great measure the power of truth; and therefore God is annually illuminating it to us by the many colored lights of autumn, and investing it, by the aid of Nature's touching pictures, with new power and impressiveness. Every year, at the fall of the leaf, He is spreading before us a great parable, in which our decay and death are represented." - Hugh Macmillan (from Thoughts for the Thoughtful).
But how does the leave in autumn fade? It is true that certain trees renew in their autumn foliage the same color that marked them in their budding time of spring, but with fuller, brighter hues. Nature does not die drably! She puts on her most gorgeous roes in autumn and dies gloriously. She goes down with her gay banners waving, smiles back at us as she leaves us. God speaks to His own comforting messages at all season and at all times.
Why should we have a dread of the transition? God has made the "valley of the shadow" as beautiful as the daybreak. In Charles Kingsley's last hour he was heard to whisper, "How beautiful is God."
If peace be in the heart
The wildest winter storm is filled with beauty
The very trees and stones, all catch a ray of glory
If peace be in the heart.
He gave us the secret of victory. It is the peace of God passing all understanding that makes all the way long a good journey. "My peace I give to you." - Mrs. Charles E Cowman
Compiled by Mrs. Charles E Cowman, taken from, "Springs in the Valley Volume 2"
The air is full of hints of grief,
Strange voices touched with pain,
the pathos of the falling leaf,
The rustling of the rain. - Anonymous
the burden of every sound we hear, the moral of every sight we see, is the old, old truth, which finds a ready response in every human bosom. Numerous have been the times we have heard these words quoted from the pulpit, but from one with a doleful tone in his voice, leaving us with a feeling of sadness when the leaves begin to fall and the summer roses fade. "We all do fade as a leaf."
That is the great commonplace of the world. It is so trite and true that it has lost in a great measure the power of truth; and therefore God is annually illuminating it to us by the many colored lights of autumn, and investing it, by the aid of Nature's touching pictures, with new power and impressiveness. Every year, at the fall of the leaf, He is spreading before us a great parable, in which our decay and death are represented." - Hugh Macmillan (from Thoughts for the Thoughtful).
But how does the leave in autumn fade? It is true that certain trees renew in their autumn foliage the same color that marked them in their budding time of spring, but with fuller, brighter hues. Nature does not die drably! She puts on her most gorgeous roes in autumn and dies gloriously. She goes down with her gay banners waving, smiles back at us as she leaves us. God speaks to His own comforting messages at all season and at all times.
Why should we have a dread of the transition? God has made the "valley of the shadow" as beautiful as the daybreak. In Charles Kingsley's last hour he was heard to whisper, "How beautiful is God."
If peace be in the heart
The wildest winter storm is filled with beauty
The very trees and stones, all catch a ray of glory
If peace be in the heart.
He gave us the secret of victory. It is the peace of God passing all understanding that makes all the way long a good journey. "My peace I give to you." - Mrs. Charles E Cowman
Compiled by Mrs. Charles E Cowman, taken from, "Springs in the Valley Volume 2"
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