"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"
Monday, July 28, 2008
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
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"
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"
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"
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
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"
"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
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
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
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
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.
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"
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."
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"
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
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
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
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"
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"
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"
Monday, June 30, 2008
Trembling
Trembling is often spoken of throughout the Bible and I came across it a few times in my VT reading last night. Psalm 2:11 says, "Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling." The definition of tremble is, "to shake involuntarily with quick, short movements, as from fear, excitement, weakness, or cold; quake; quiver."
Do I tremble before the Lord? God tells us in I Chronicles 16:30 to "Tremble before Him". The only time I remember trembling before the Lord was the night I learned I had cancer. As I laid in bed replaying what went wrong that day trying to grasp what the initial diagnosis indicated. What happened that day? We left for the hospital thinking I couldn't possibly have cancer and came home knowing the horrible truth. I realized I could die and I was fearful. Fearful of leaving Eric and my two babies. Fearful of how they would live on without me not understanding why I was taken away from them. Fearful that they wouldn't really remember me because Katelyn was only 3-years-old and Em 4-mos.-old. That was the night I trembled and cried out to God. Then I cried out to Eric and he came and wrapped me in his arms and trembled and cried with me. We were wrapped in God's arms together that night.
It says in Habakkuk 3:16 that the prophet Habakkuk trembled, "I heard and my inward parts trembled, at the sound my lips quivered. Decay enters my bones, and in my place I tremble. Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, for the people to arise who will invade us." My study notes give more insight as to what was going on in this verse: "Hearing the hymnic recollection of God's mighty deeds of old in Israel's behalf fills the prophet with an awe so profound that he feels physically weak. Alternatively, it is possible that the message from the Lord that Babylon would be sent against Judah had so devastated him that he felt ill - until he heard the Lord's further word, wait quietly." "Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14.
That dreadful night made me feel like Habakkuk did when he heard the horrible truth about Babylon. Habakkkuk goes on to say, "Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the fines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls. Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places."
Here Habakkuk is probably anticipating the awful truth about what is going to happen and coming to a point of growth in his faith. He's saying that no matter what the circumstances may bring that he would still rejoice in his God. I LOVE the last sentence of the book, " The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places." He is asking God for sure footed confidence to go through the battle.
I think that night I trembled before the Lord is where I took a turn in my faith. Over the next few weeks I went from trembling fear to facing my reality. I'm not sure I totally rejoiced in my circumstances but I faced them head on. I called upon God for strength so that I could get through what He had placed before me.
I pray that as we go through life and face our trials that we will not forget about the Lord. That we will come trembling before Him asking for strength to make our feet like hinds' feet so that we are able to walk on high places.
Krista Jones
2.11.08
Do I tremble before the Lord? God tells us in I Chronicles 16:30 to "Tremble before Him". The only time I remember trembling before the Lord was the night I learned I had cancer. As I laid in bed replaying what went wrong that day trying to grasp what the initial diagnosis indicated. What happened that day? We left for the hospital thinking I couldn't possibly have cancer and came home knowing the horrible truth. I realized I could die and I was fearful. Fearful of leaving Eric and my two babies. Fearful of how they would live on without me not understanding why I was taken away from them. Fearful that they wouldn't really remember me because Katelyn was only 3-years-old and Em 4-mos.-old. That was the night I trembled and cried out to God. Then I cried out to Eric and he came and wrapped me in his arms and trembled and cried with me. We were wrapped in God's arms together that night.
It says in Habakkuk 3:16 that the prophet Habakkuk trembled, "I heard and my inward parts trembled, at the sound my lips quivered. Decay enters my bones, and in my place I tremble. Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress, for the people to arise who will invade us." My study notes give more insight as to what was going on in this verse: "Hearing the hymnic recollection of God's mighty deeds of old in Israel's behalf fills the prophet with an awe so profound that he feels physically weak. Alternatively, it is possible that the message from the Lord that Babylon would be sent against Judah had so devastated him that he felt ill - until he heard the Lord's further word, wait quietly." "Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14.
That dreadful night made me feel like Habakkuk did when he heard the horrible truth about Babylon. Habakkkuk goes on to say, "Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the fines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls. Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places."
Here Habakkuk is probably anticipating the awful truth about what is going to happen and coming to a point of growth in his faith. He's saying that no matter what the circumstances may bring that he would still rejoice in his God. I LOVE the last sentence of the book, " The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places." He is asking God for sure footed confidence to go through the battle.
I think that night I trembled before the Lord is where I took a turn in my faith. Over the next few weeks I went from trembling fear to facing my reality. I'm not sure I totally rejoiced in my circumstances but I faced them head on. I called upon God for strength so that I could get through what He had placed before me.
I pray that as we go through life and face our trials that we will not forget about the Lord. That we will come trembling before Him asking for strength to make our feet like hinds' feet so that we are able to walk on high places.
Krista Jones
2.11.08
Friday, June 27, 2008
Contentment
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Phil. 4:11).
Paul, denied of every comfort, wrote the above words in his dungeon. A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning, and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. Coming to a heart's-ease, he found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. "Well, heart's-ease, I'm glad, amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened." "No, I am not of much account, but I thought that if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heart's-ease, I am determined to be the best little heart's-ease that I can."
"Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's heritage
Can do it so well as you."
They who are God's without reserve, are in every state content; for they will only what He wills, and desire to do for Him whatever He desires them to do; they strip themselves of everything, and in this nakedness find all things restored an hundredfold.
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
Paul, denied of every comfort, wrote the above words in his dungeon. A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning, and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. Coming to a heart's-ease, he found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. "Well, heart's-ease, I'm glad, amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened." "No, I am not of much account, but I thought that if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heart's-ease, I am determined to be the best little heart's-ease that I can."
"Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's heritage
Can do it so well as you."
They who are God's without reserve, are in every state content; for they will only what He wills, and desire to do for Him whatever He desires them to do; they strip themselves of everything, and in this nakedness find all things restored an hundredfold.
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Do Not Forget
"And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him and in Moses His servant." Exodus 14:31
The Israelites witnessed miracle after miracle, even as the shackles of slavery fell off their ankles. They were protected by the goodness of God from the Egyptian plagues and were led by His goodness out of Egypt.
But the most miraculous display of God's goodness was when He shored up the waves of the Red Sea to open a path for their escape. I can picture the Israelites looking up like bewildered tourists at the water, which rose like glass skyscrapers on either side. "Wow, look at that . . . God is amazing!" they must have exclaimed.
If you want to hear how thrilled they were, read Exodus 15. The people were so excited that they went on for twenty-one verses shouting hosannas to the Lord. But exactly three short verses later, in Exodus 15:24, their joy turned sour. It seems that for three days "they traveled in the desert without finding water . . . So the people grumbled."
It was as if the miracle of the Red Sea had never happened. The excitement of the Israelites' songs and praises faded all too quickly when they ran into a little trouble. And the irony is, they grumbled about water! Didn't they recall that God could do wonderful things with water? They had just watched him hold back a whole sea of it. yet they couldn't trust for His goodness even for three short days. How quickly they forget.
Yet how quickly we forget. W>e are slow to remember God's goodness, yet quick to complain. We doubt the protection and provision of our God. Perhaps we ought to take the advice God gave those Israelites in Deuteronomy 4:9: "Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen." That's one verse we ought not to forget.
By Joni Eareckson Tada, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1
The Israelites witnessed miracle after miracle, even as the shackles of slavery fell off their ankles. They were protected by the goodness of God from the Egyptian plagues and were led by His goodness out of Egypt.
But the most miraculous display of God's goodness was when He shored up the waves of the Red Sea to open a path for their escape. I can picture the Israelites looking up like bewildered tourists at the water, which rose like glass skyscrapers on either side. "Wow, look at that . . . God is amazing!" they must have exclaimed.
If you want to hear how thrilled they were, read Exodus 15. The people were so excited that they went on for twenty-one verses shouting hosannas to the Lord. But exactly three short verses later, in Exodus 15:24, their joy turned sour. It seems that for three days "they traveled in the desert without finding water . . . So the people grumbled."
It was as if the miracle of the Red Sea had never happened. The excitement of the Israelites' songs and praises faded all too quickly when they ran into a little trouble. And the irony is, they grumbled about water! Didn't they recall that God could do wonderful things with water? They had just watched him hold back a whole sea of it. yet they couldn't trust for His goodness even for three short days. How quickly they forget.
Yet how quickly we forget. W>e are slow to remember God's goodness, yet quick to complain. We doubt the protection and provision of our God. Perhaps we ought to take the advice God gave those Israelites in Deuteronomy 4:9: "Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen." That's one verse we ought not to forget.
By Joni Eareckson Tada, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Praising the Lord
Last night I came up on a wonderful little chapter. Apparently, this is the shortest psalm in the whole book and it speaks of praising the Lord. Psalm 117, "Praise the Lord, all nations; laud Him, all peoples! For His loving-kindness is great towards us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!"
The definition of Praise is, "The offering of grateful homage in word or song, as an act of worship: a hymn of praise to God"; and "singing someone's praises, to praise someone publicly and enthusiastically."
Many verses in the book of Psalm speaks of praising the Lord. "O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with a voice of Joy." (Ps. 47:1) and "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy and sing praises." (Ps. 98:4) are just a few. Have you ever just praised God for who He is? - The Great I AM, Son-of-Man, Divine teacher, Soul Winner, Great Physician, Bread of Life; Defender of the Weak and Light of the World. I have a long list of these kinds of names I like to praise the Lord with every morning. It feels so good just to praise Him before I start my time with Him. Gets my mind focused on whom I worship.
My notes in my study Bible also say this about praising, "The praise of God in the Psalter is rarely a private matter between the psalmist and the Lord. It is usually a public (at the temple) celebration of God's holy virtues or of His saving acts of gracious bestowal of blessings as in Psalm 9:1, "I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders." I love worship every Sunday as I stand next to others singing praises to God together as one. - Krista Jones 2.5.08
I know there are times when praising is not on my lips. When times are difficult or I'm hurting. That is when it's the most important. No matter what I'm dealing with, He is right besides me being who He is - Defender of the Weak, Sympathetic, Mighty God, Strong, Victorious, Powerful, Loving, Merciful, Forgiving, Model Sufferer, Miracle Worker, Mighty Fortress, Freedom, Liberator, Understanding, Graciously Hears, All-knowing, Hope, Just, Gentle, Merciful, Great Healer, Provider, Lifter of my Head, Renewer, Breath of Life, Wounded Lord, Water of Life, Consoler, Compassionate, Light, Joy Giver, Steadfast, Strength, Protector, Satisfying, Redeemer, Deliverer, Exhorter and Relief Giver. He is also our Messiah, Jehovah, Lord Savior, Son-of God, Everlasting Father, Abba, Living Word, Good Shepherd, True Vine, Creator and Christ. His name is ABOVE EVERY NAME. I encourage you to pick one of these attributes of God and cling to it. Study what it means and what the Bible says about it. Find comfort, healing and strength from what the Word says to help get you through your difficult time. Romans 8:39 says, "Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Did you get that? NOTHING can separate us from the Love of God.
The definition of Praise is, "The offering of grateful homage in word or song, as an act of worship: a hymn of praise to God"; and "singing someone's praises, to praise someone publicly and enthusiastically."
Many verses in the book of Psalm speaks of praising the Lord. "O clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with a voice of Joy." (Ps. 47:1) and "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy and sing praises." (Ps. 98:4) are just a few. Have you ever just praised God for who He is? - The Great I AM, Son-of-Man, Divine teacher, Soul Winner, Great Physician, Bread of Life; Defender of the Weak and Light of the World. I have a long list of these kinds of names I like to praise the Lord with every morning. It feels so good just to praise Him before I start my time with Him. Gets my mind focused on whom I worship.
My notes in my study Bible also say this about praising, "The praise of God in the Psalter is rarely a private matter between the psalmist and the Lord. It is usually a public (at the temple) celebration of God's holy virtues or of His saving acts of gracious bestowal of blessings as in Psalm 9:1, "I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders." I love worship every Sunday as I stand next to others singing praises to God together as one. - Krista Jones 2.5.08
I know there are times when praising is not on my lips. When times are difficult or I'm hurting. That is when it's the most important. No matter what I'm dealing with, He is right besides me being who He is - Defender of the Weak, Sympathetic, Mighty God, Strong, Victorious, Powerful, Loving, Merciful, Forgiving, Model Sufferer, Miracle Worker, Mighty Fortress, Freedom, Liberator, Understanding, Graciously Hears, All-knowing, Hope, Just, Gentle, Merciful, Great Healer, Provider, Lifter of my Head, Renewer, Breath of Life, Wounded Lord, Water of Life, Consoler, Compassionate, Light, Joy Giver, Steadfast, Strength, Protector, Satisfying, Redeemer, Deliverer, Exhorter and Relief Giver. He is also our Messiah, Jehovah, Lord Savior, Son-of God, Everlasting Father, Abba, Living Word, Good Shepherd, True Vine, Creator and Christ. His name is ABOVE EVERY NAME. I encourage you to pick one of these attributes of God and cling to it. Study what it means and what the Bible says about it. Find comfort, healing and strength from what the Word says to help get you through your difficult time. Romans 8:39 says, "Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Did you get that? NOTHING can separate us from the Love of God.
Krista Jones
2.18.08
2.18.08
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Reachable Jesus
"He remembered us when we were in trouble. His love continues forever." Psalm 136:23
God chose to reveal Himself through a human body.
The tongue that called forth the dead was a human one. The hand that touched the leper had dirt under it's nails. The feet upon which the woman wept were callused and dusty. And His tears . . . oh, don't miss the tears . . . they came from a hart as broken as yours or mine ever has been.
So, people came to Him. My, how they came to Him! They came at night; they touched Him as He walked down the street; they followed Him around the sea; they invited Him into their homes and placed their children at His feet. Why? Because He refused to be a statue in a cathedral or a priest in an elevated pulpit. He chose instead to be a touchable, approachable, reachable Jesus. - "God Came Near"
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace For The Moment"
God chose to reveal Himself through a human body.
The tongue that called forth the dead was a human one. The hand that touched the leper had dirt under it's nails. The feet upon which the woman wept were callused and dusty. And His tears . . . oh, don't miss the tears . . . they came from a hart as broken as yours or mine ever has been.
So, people came to Him. My, how they came to Him! They came at night; they touched Him as He walked down the street; they followed Him around the sea; they invited Him into their homes and placed their children at His feet. Why? Because He refused to be a statue in a cathedral or a priest in an elevated pulpit. He chose instead to be a touchable, approachable, reachable Jesus. - "God Came Near"
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace For The Moment"
Monday, June 23, 2008
Experience His Rest
"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." NUMBERS 6:24-26
"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." DEUTERONOMY 33:27
THOU wilt in time experience that thou dost belong not only to this life, but also art capable of enjoying and beholding God and eternal things, to thy perfect contentment and rest. Thou wilt then fix thine eyes, like a little innocent child, upon the face of God, steadfastly and joyfully; and He in return, like a faithful and loving mother, will keep His eyes upon thee, by which thou wilt be made holy through and through, and transformed into the same image from glory to glory. All thy delight, joy, and bliss will be in God, and God, in return, will have His joy and good pleasure in thee. He will rest and dwell in thee, as in His serene throne of peace; and thy spirit, that had so long gone astray, like a friendless child in a foreign land, will again sweetly repose in its true rest and home, in undisturbed peace. And thus thou wilt become a clear heaven of the ever-blessed God, in which He will dwell, and which He will fill with His divine light and love, and in which He will be glorified in time and in eternity.
GERHARD TERSTEEGEN
By Mary Wilder Tileston, taken from, "Joy and Strength"
"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." DEUTERONOMY 33:27
THOU wilt in time experience that thou dost belong not only to this life, but also art capable of enjoying and beholding God and eternal things, to thy perfect contentment and rest. Thou wilt then fix thine eyes, like a little innocent child, upon the face of God, steadfastly and joyfully; and He in return, like a faithful and loving mother, will keep His eyes upon thee, by which thou wilt be made holy through and through, and transformed into the same image from glory to glory. All thy delight, joy, and bliss will be in God, and God, in return, will have His joy and good pleasure in thee. He will rest and dwell in thee, as in His serene throne of peace; and thy spirit, that had so long gone astray, like a friendless child in a foreign land, will again sweetly repose in its true rest and home, in undisturbed peace. And thus thou wilt become a clear heaven of the ever-blessed God, in which He will dwell, and which He will fill with His divine light and love, and in which He will be glorified in time and in eternity.
GERHARD TERSTEEGEN
By Mary Wilder Tileston, taken from, "Joy and Strength"
Friday, June 20, 2008
Filling myself up with Junk!
I came across verse Psalm 106:20, "Thus they (the Israelites) exchanged their glory for the image of an ox that eats grass." Lately I've been thinking about what I allow into my life. I really think that over the past few months I let myself get caught up in watching things I shouldn't have - my Trash TV. Or, allowed myself to read books that weren't glorifying to the Lord. In my heart I felt that it was wrong but I ignored it. I let the trash take over and develop into spiritual cancer. In essence I exchanged my glory for an image. The image might not be of an actual idol but I see other things to be idols as well. TV, books, material possessions, money and so forth.
And what has filling myself up with junk gotten me? NOTHING! Jeremiah 2:11b says, "But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit." It not only has gotten me nothing but those around me did not profit from what the Lord could have done through me. I pray that the Lord will continue to convict me of the things I shouldn't be doing that fill me up with junk. And that I will be sensitive to those spiritual tugs instead of ignore them. I am so thankful that I am Loved by a Father that forgives like he forgave the Israelites. We still suffer the consequences of our actions but we are none-the-less forgiven.
Krista Jones
2.4.08
And what has filling myself up with junk gotten me? NOTHING! Jeremiah 2:11b says, "But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit." It not only has gotten me nothing but those around me did not profit from what the Lord could have done through me. I pray that the Lord will continue to convict me of the things I shouldn't be doing that fill me up with junk. And that I will be sensitive to those spiritual tugs instead of ignore them. I am so thankful that I am Loved by a Father that forgives like he forgave the Israelites. We still suffer the consequences of our actions but we are none-the-less forgiven.
Krista Jones
2.4.08
Thursday, June 19, 2008
A Trustworthy Name
"I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the Name of the LORD" (Zephaniah 3:12).
When true religion is ready to die out among the wealthy it finds a home among the poor of this world, rich in faith. The LORD has even now His faithful remnant. Am I one of them?
Perhaps it is because men are afflicted and poor that they learn to trust in the name of the LORD. He that hath no money must try what he can do on trust. He whose own name is good for nothing in his own esteem, acts wisely to rest in another name, even that best of names, the name of Jehovah. God wilt always have a trusting people, and these will be an afflicted and poor people. Little as the world thinks of them, their being left in the midst of a nation is the channel of untold blessings to it. Here we have the conserving salt which keeps in check the corruption which is in the world through lust.
Again the question comes home to each one of us. Am I one of them? Am I afflicted by the sin within me and around me? Am I poor in spirit, poor spiritually in my own judgment? Do I trust in the LORD? This is the main business. Jesus reveals the name, the character, the person of God; am I trusting in Him? If so, I am left in this world for a purpose. LORD, help me to fulfill it.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
When true religion is ready to die out among the wealthy it finds a home among the poor of this world, rich in faith. The LORD has even now His faithful remnant. Am I one of them?
Perhaps it is because men are afflicted and poor that they learn to trust in the name of the LORD. He that hath no money must try what he can do on trust. He whose own name is good for nothing in his own esteem, acts wisely to rest in another name, even that best of names, the name of Jehovah. God wilt always have a trusting people, and these will be an afflicted and poor people. Little as the world thinks of them, their being left in the midst of a nation is the channel of untold blessings to it. Here we have the conserving salt which keeps in check the corruption which is in the world through lust.
Again the question comes home to each one of us. Am I one of them? Am I afflicted by the sin within me and around me? Am I poor in spirit, poor spiritually in my own judgment? Do I trust in the LORD? This is the main business. Jesus reveals the name, the character, the person of God; am I trusting in Him? If so, I am left in this world for a purpose. LORD, help me to fulfill it.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A Heart Like His
"We are like clay, and you are the potter; your hands made us all." Isaiah 64:8
[God] wants us to be just like Jesus.
Isn't that good news? You aren't stuck with today's personality. You aren't condemned to "grumpydom." You are tweakable. Even if you're worried each day of your life, you needn't worry the rest of your life. So what if you were born a bigot? You don't have to die one.
Where did we get the idea we can't change? From whence come statements such as, "It's just my nature to worry" or, "I'll always be pessimistic. I'm just that way." . . . Who says? Would we make similar statements about our bodies? "It's just my nature to have a broken leg. I can't do anything about it." Of course not. If our bodies malfunction, we seek help. Shouldn't we do the same with our hearts? Wouldn't we seek aid for our sour attitudes? Can't we request treatment for our selfish tirades? of course we can. Jesus can change our hearts. He wants us to have a heart like His. - "Just Like Jesus"
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
[God] wants us to be just like Jesus.
Isn't that good news? You aren't stuck with today's personality. You aren't condemned to "grumpydom." You are tweakable. Even if you're worried each day of your life, you needn't worry the rest of your life. So what if you were born a bigot? You don't have to die one.
Where did we get the idea we can't change? From whence come statements such as, "It's just my nature to worry" or, "I'll always be pessimistic. I'm just that way." . . . Who says? Would we make similar statements about our bodies? "It's just my nature to have a broken leg. I can't do anything about it." Of course not. If our bodies malfunction, we seek help. Shouldn't we do the same with our hearts? Wouldn't we seek aid for our sour attitudes? Can't we request treatment for our selfish tirades? of course we can. Jesus can change our hearts. He wants us to have a heart like His. - "Just Like Jesus"
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sacrifices
Have you ever had trouble getting through the book of Leviticus with all the different rules and regulations? I know I have trouble and tend to gloss over them. Yet, last night I came across the different sacrifices and checked out what my study notes said about them. It was eye opening to see what the purposes and descriptions of the sacrifices were.
"When more than one kind of offering was presented, the procedure was usually as follow: 1. sin offering or guilt offering, 2. burnt offering, 3 peace offering and grain offering (along with a drink offering). This sequence furnishes part of the spiritual significance of the sacrificial system. First, sin had to be dealt with (sin offering or guilt offering). Second, the worshiper committed himself completely to God (burnt offering and grain offering). Third, fellowship or communion between the Lord, the priest and the worshiper (peace offering) was established. To state if another way, there were sacrifices of expiation (sin offerings and guilt offerings), consecration (burnt offerings and grain offerings) and communion (peace offerings - these included vow offerings, thank offerings and freewill offerings)."
It all puts the torture of reading about the sacrifices and the reasons why we have to read in detail (and I repeat in detail) the many offenses, illnesses and mistakes in perspective. All these different sacrifices represent how we should deal with our sin and relationship with Jesus. If the sin isn't dealt with we can't fellowship with Him. Admit the sin and deal with it. Romans 3:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Turn away from the sin and commit yourself to the Lord and thus, you will have fellowship with Him again. Remember, it says, that it's a free gift from God. So what are you waiting for?
Krista Jones
2.2.08
"When more than one kind of offering was presented, the procedure was usually as follow: 1. sin offering or guilt offering, 2. burnt offering, 3 peace offering and grain offering (along with a drink offering). This sequence furnishes part of the spiritual significance of the sacrificial system. First, sin had to be dealt with (sin offering or guilt offering). Second, the worshiper committed himself completely to God (burnt offering and grain offering). Third, fellowship or communion between the Lord, the priest and the worshiper (peace offering) was established. To state if another way, there were sacrifices of expiation (sin offerings and guilt offerings), consecration (burnt offerings and grain offerings) and communion (peace offerings - these included vow offerings, thank offerings and freewill offerings)."
It all puts the torture of reading about the sacrifices and the reasons why we have to read in detail (and I repeat in detail) the many offenses, illnesses and mistakes in perspective. All these different sacrifices represent how we should deal with our sin and relationship with Jesus. If the sin isn't dealt with we can't fellowship with Him. Admit the sin and deal with it. Romans 3:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Turn away from the sin and commit yourself to the Lord and thus, you will have fellowship with Him again. Remember, it says, that it's a free gift from God. So what are you waiting for?
Krista Jones
2.2.08
Monday, June 16, 2008
That Magnificent Gift of Thought
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:1-2
Though human nature as we know it now is fallen and morally degenerate, it yet stands at the top in the order of Gods creation. Of no other being was it said, In the image of God created he him. Mans nature indicates that he was created for three things: To think, to worship and to work. Under think may be included everything that the intellect can do, from the simplest act to the creation of an oratorio or the founding of an empire. In his ability to observe, to inquire, to collect data and to reason from it to causes, laws and principles, man stands easily supreme above all other creatures. The domestication of the wild forces of nature, the conquest of disease, the amelioration of the pains and woes of our physical organism-all has been done by the thinking man riding on the wings of his imagination out into the unknown and daring to entertain notions no one had entertained before. To make out of the raw material that is a man a thinking man, an imaginative, dreaming man, is one of the most urgent tasks of society. This task begins in the nursery and goes on through to the university. Whatever institution, large or small, famous or obscure, dedicates itself to the necessary and heavy job of teaching men to think deserves the gratitude of the whole human race.
Thought - What an amazing ability is that of thinking. What we set our minds on, to a large degree, charts our course and determines whether our fallen nature or the Holy Spirit dictates our living.
By A.W. Tozer
Though human nature as we know it now is fallen and morally degenerate, it yet stands at the top in the order of Gods creation. Of no other being was it said, In the image of God created he him. Mans nature indicates that he was created for three things: To think, to worship and to work. Under think may be included everything that the intellect can do, from the simplest act to the creation of an oratorio or the founding of an empire. In his ability to observe, to inquire, to collect data and to reason from it to causes, laws and principles, man stands easily supreme above all other creatures. The domestication of the wild forces of nature, the conquest of disease, the amelioration of the pains and woes of our physical organism-all has been done by the thinking man riding on the wings of his imagination out into the unknown and daring to entertain notions no one had entertained before. To make out of the raw material that is a man a thinking man, an imaginative, dreaming man, is one of the most urgent tasks of society. This task begins in the nursery and goes on through to the university. Whatever institution, large or small, famous or obscure, dedicates itself to the necessary and heavy job of teaching men to think deserves the gratitude of the whole human race.
Thought - What an amazing ability is that of thinking. What we set our minds on, to a large degree, charts our course and determines whether our fallen nature or the Holy Spirit dictates our living.
By A.W. Tozer
Friday, June 13, 2008
God's Sovereign Control
"The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" Exodus 4:11
I received a letter recently from a woman names Joanna. She wrote:
Joni, thank you for your ministry to the disabled. I'm legally blind and teach at a church school. My husband and I would like to know if you have a Biblical answer to the question of whether it is right to have children when there's a possibility they might inherit a handicap. we believe children are gifts from God, but many have said it is selfish to have a child who could potentially have a handicap. We're unsure of what to do.
I searched high and low in the Bible to find a direct answer to Joanna's question. But it only says that God gives children as blessings with no reference to their abilities or disabilities. In my opinion, in the absence of a clear direction from Scripture, the decision is left up to the individual.
But there was an important verse in Exodus 4 that I was able to share with Joanna. It seems Moses was distraught about his own handicap, a kind of speech impairment. God answered him in the eleventh verse: "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him site or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" (4:11)
Moses needed to hear that. But Exodus 4:11 is also a powerful statement and a wonderful assurance to an expectant mother. God controls all things, whether genetic mistakes or chromosomes miscounts. Somehow, all these, "accidents" - whether prenatal problems or injuries at birth - come under the sovereign control of God.
And what does God value most in any person's life, whether able-bodied or disabled? Isn't it a personal relationship with Him? A life of love and kindness? A cheerful spirit and a heart that is godly? These qualities are possible for even severely disabled people to cultivate.
And Joanna and her husband? They're decorating a nursery right now.
By Joni Eareckson Tata, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1
I received a letter recently from a woman names Joanna. She wrote:
Joni, thank you for your ministry to the disabled. I'm legally blind and teach at a church school. My husband and I would like to know if you have a Biblical answer to the question of whether it is right to have children when there's a possibility they might inherit a handicap. we believe children are gifts from God, but many have said it is selfish to have a child who could potentially have a handicap. We're unsure of what to do.
I searched high and low in the Bible to find a direct answer to Joanna's question. But it only says that God gives children as blessings with no reference to their abilities or disabilities. In my opinion, in the absence of a clear direction from Scripture, the decision is left up to the individual.
But there was an important verse in Exodus 4 that I was able to share with Joanna. It seems Moses was distraught about his own handicap, a kind of speech impairment. God answered him in the eleventh verse: "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him site or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" (4:11)
Moses needed to hear that. But Exodus 4:11 is also a powerful statement and a wonderful assurance to an expectant mother. God controls all things, whether genetic mistakes or chromosomes miscounts. Somehow, all these, "accidents" - whether prenatal problems or injuries at birth - come under the sovereign control of God.
And what does God value most in any person's life, whether able-bodied or disabled? Isn't it a personal relationship with Him? A life of love and kindness? A cheerful spirit and a heart that is godly? These qualities are possible for even severely disabled people to cultivate.
And Joanna and her husband? They're decorating a nursery right now.
By Joni Eareckson Tata, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Then What’s Next To Do?
"Everyone who asks receives . . ." Luke 11:10
Ask if you have not received. There is nothing more difficult than asking. We will have yearnings and desires for certain things, and even suffer as a result of their going unfulfilled, but not until we are at the limit of desperation will we ask. It is the sense of not being spiritually real that causes us to ask. Have you ever asked out of the depths of your total insufficiency and poverty? "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God . . . " ( James 1:5 ), but be sure that you do lack wisdom before you ask. You cannot bring yourself to the point of spiritual reality anytime you choose. The best thing to do, once you realize you are not spiritually real, is to ask God for the Holy Spirit, basing your request on the promise of Jesus Christ (see Luke 11:13 ). The Holy Spirit is the one who makes everything that Jesus did for you real in your life.
"Everyone who asks receives . . . ." This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (seeMatthew 5:45 ). To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God.
"If any of you lacks wisdom . . . ." If you realize that you are lacking, it is because you have come in contact with spiritual reality— do not put the blinders of reason on again. The word ask actually means "beg." Some people are poor enough to be interested in their poverty, and some of us are poor enough spiritually to show our interest. Yet we will never receive if we ask with a certain result in mind, because we are asking out of our lust, not out of our poverty. A pauper does not ask out of any reason other than the completely hopeless and painful condition of his poverty. He is not ashamed to beg— blessed are the paupers in spirit (see Matthew 5:3).
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Ask if you have not received. There is nothing more difficult than asking. We will have yearnings and desires for certain things, and even suffer as a result of their going unfulfilled, but not until we are at the limit of desperation will we ask. It is the sense of not being spiritually real that causes us to ask. Have you ever asked out of the depths of your total insufficiency and poverty? "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God . . . " ( James 1:5 ), but be sure that you do lack wisdom before you ask. You cannot bring yourself to the point of spiritual reality anytime you choose. The best thing to do, once you realize you are not spiritually real, is to ask God for the Holy Spirit, basing your request on the promise of Jesus Christ (see Luke 11:13 ). The Holy Spirit is the one who makes everything that Jesus did for you real in your life.
"Everyone who asks receives . . . ." This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (seeMatthew 5:45 ). To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God.
"If any of you lacks wisdom . . . ." If you realize that you are lacking, it is because you have come in contact with spiritual reality— do not put the blinders of reason on again. The word ask actually means "beg." Some people are poor enough to be interested in their poverty, and some of us are poor enough spiritually to show our interest. Yet we will never receive if we ask with a certain result in mind, because we are asking out of our lust, not out of our poverty. A pauper does not ask out of any reason other than the completely hopeless and painful condition of his poverty. He is not ashamed to beg— blessed are the paupers in spirit (see Matthew 5:3).
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Were they so different from us?
"God looked down from heaven on all people to see if anyone was wise, if anyone was looking to God for help." Psalm 53:2
In one of the greatest testimonies to the authenticity of Scripture, the Word of God doesn't avoid showing the weaknesses of man; it doesn't cover up the unpleasant; it doesn't hide the dents in the armor. In an honest look at humanity, we read that Abraham doubted, that Moses lost his temper, that Peter denied his Lord. These chosen men of God - were they so different from us?
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"
In one of the greatest testimonies to the authenticity of Scripture, the Word of God doesn't avoid showing the weaknesses of man; it doesn't cover up the unpleasant; it doesn't hide the dents in the armor. In an honest look at humanity, we read that Abraham doubted, that Moses lost his temper, that Peter denied his Lord. These chosen men of God - were they so different from us?
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Unshaken in Christ
"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early" (Ps. 46:2, 3, 5)
"Shall not be moved"--what an inspiring declaration! Can it be possible that we, who are so easily moved by the things of earth, can arrive at a place where nothing can upset us or disturb our calm? Yes, it is possible; and the Apostle Paul knew it. When he was on his way to Jerusalem where he foresaw that "bonds and afflictions" awaited him, he could say triumphantly, "But none of these things move me." Everything in Paul's life and experience that could be shaken had been shaken, and he no longer counted his life, or any of life's possessions, dear to him. And we, if we will but let God have His way with us, may come to the same place, so that neither the fret and tear of little things of life, nor the great and heavy trials, can have power to move us from the peace that passeth understanding, which is declared to be the portion of those who have learned to rest only on God.
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God; and he shall go no more out." To be as immovable as a pillar in the house of our God, is an end for which one would gladly endure all the shakings that may be necessary to bring us there! --Hannah Whitall Smith
When God is in the midst of a kingdom or city He makes it as firm as Mount Zion, that cannot be removed. When He is in the midst of a soul, though calamities throng about it on all hands, and roar like the billows of the sea, yet there is a constant calm within, such a peace as the world can neither give nor take away. What is it but want of lodging God in the soul, and that in His stead the world is in men's hearts, that makes them shake like leaves at every blast of danger? --Archbishop Leighton
"They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever." There is a quaint old Scottish version that puts iron into our blood:
"Who sticketh to God in stable trust
As Zion's mount he stands full just,
Which moveth no whit, nor yet doth reel,
But standeth forever as stiff as steel!"
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
"Shall not be moved"--what an inspiring declaration! Can it be possible that we, who are so easily moved by the things of earth, can arrive at a place where nothing can upset us or disturb our calm? Yes, it is possible; and the Apostle Paul knew it. When he was on his way to Jerusalem where he foresaw that "bonds and afflictions" awaited him, he could say triumphantly, "But none of these things move me." Everything in Paul's life and experience that could be shaken had been shaken, and he no longer counted his life, or any of life's possessions, dear to him. And we, if we will but let God have His way with us, may come to the same place, so that neither the fret and tear of little things of life, nor the great and heavy trials, can have power to move us from the peace that passeth understanding, which is declared to be the portion of those who have learned to rest only on God.
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God; and he shall go no more out." To be as immovable as a pillar in the house of our God, is an end for which one would gladly endure all the shakings that may be necessary to bring us there! --Hannah Whitall Smith
When God is in the midst of a kingdom or city He makes it as firm as Mount Zion, that cannot be removed. When He is in the midst of a soul, though calamities throng about it on all hands, and roar like the billows of the sea, yet there is a constant calm within, such a peace as the world can neither give nor take away. What is it but want of lodging God in the soul, and that in His stead the world is in men's hearts, that makes them shake like leaves at every blast of danger? --Archbishop Leighton
"They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever." There is a quaint old Scottish version that puts iron into our blood:
"Who sticketh to God in stable trust
As Zion's mount he stands full just,
Which moveth no whit, nor yet doth reel,
But standeth forever as stiff as steel!"
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
Monday, June 09, 2008
Taking Shelter Under God's Wings
Last night I again came across a few verse that talked about taking shelter under God's wings. Psalms 91:1-4 says, "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!" For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark."
This reminded me of a devotional I read a few days ago.
"Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His Pinions." Deuteronomy 33:11
The mother eagle had tried by every means to induce the little one to leave the nest, but he was afraid.
"Suddenly, as if discouraged, she rose well above him. I held my breath, for I knew what was coming. The little fellow stood on the edge of the nest, looking down at the plunge which he dare not take. There was a sharp cry from behind which made him alert, tense as a watch-spring. The next instant the mother eagle had swooped, striking the nest at his feet, sending his support of twigs and himself with them out into the air together.
"He was afloat now, afloat on the blue air in spite of himself, and flapped lustily for life. Over him, under him, beside him, hovered the mother on tireless wings, calling softly that she was there. But the awful fear of the depths and the lance tops of the spruces was upon the little one; his flapping grew more wild; he fell faster and faster. Suddenly, more in fright, it seemed to me, that because he had lost his strength - he lost his balance and tipped head downward in the air. It was all over now; he folded his wings to be dashed in pieces among the trees. Then like a flash the old mother eagle shot under him, his despairing feet touched her broad shoulders, between her wings. He righted himself, rested an instant, found his head; then she dropped like a shot from under him, leaving him to come down on his own wings. A handful of feathers, torn out by his claws, hovered slowly down after them.
"It was all the work of an instant before I lost them among the trees far below. And when I found them again with my glass, the eaglet was in the top of a great pine, and the mother was feeding him." - Christabel Gladwell
How wonderful is it that we serve a God that loves us so much that He knows just how to grow us. I can picture myself as that little eaglet looking over my cozy position into a fearful world ahead of me. I know I have to fly because it's what I do. Yet I can't seem to make myself take that first step out of the nest. And there is God, right beside me encouraging me to take that step because He knows what will happen if I do. He is patient. Yet, He will make His move that will force me out of my comfort zone (cancer) and into the air where I can't grasp anything to support me. It is here where I need not give up. I can't, because He won't let me. As that baby bird started giving up and falling I remembered the fall I took into the darkness of despair. As I was falling, the Lord swooped down under me, gave me rest and strength, and brought me down to a gentle landing. It is there that I received rest and nourishment. It is there I learned to fly. Not to fly on my own but to fly on His wings.
Krista Jones
2.1.08
This reminded me of a devotional I read a few days ago.
"Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His Pinions." Deuteronomy 33:11
The mother eagle had tried by every means to induce the little one to leave the nest, but he was afraid.
"Suddenly, as if discouraged, she rose well above him. I held my breath, for I knew what was coming. The little fellow stood on the edge of the nest, looking down at the plunge which he dare not take. There was a sharp cry from behind which made him alert, tense as a watch-spring. The next instant the mother eagle had swooped, striking the nest at his feet, sending his support of twigs and himself with them out into the air together.
"He was afloat now, afloat on the blue air in spite of himself, and flapped lustily for life. Over him, under him, beside him, hovered the mother on tireless wings, calling softly that she was there. But the awful fear of the depths and the lance tops of the spruces was upon the little one; his flapping grew more wild; he fell faster and faster. Suddenly, more in fright, it seemed to me, that because he had lost his strength - he lost his balance and tipped head downward in the air. It was all over now; he folded his wings to be dashed in pieces among the trees. Then like a flash the old mother eagle shot under him, his despairing feet touched her broad shoulders, between her wings. He righted himself, rested an instant, found his head; then she dropped like a shot from under him, leaving him to come down on his own wings. A handful of feathers, torn out by his claws, hovered slowly down after them.
"It was all the work of an instant before I lost them among the trees far below. And when I found them again with my glass, the eaglet was in the top of a great pine, and the mother was feeding him." - Christabel Gladwell
How wonderful is it that we serve a God that loves us so much that He knows just how to grow us. I can picture myself as that little eaglet looking over my cozy position into a fearful world ahead of me. I know I have to fly because it's what I do. Yet I can't seem to make myself take that first step out of the nest. And there is God, right beside me encouraging me to take that step because He knows what will happen if I do. He is patient. Yet, He will make His move that will force me out of my comfort zone (cancer) and into the air where I can't grasp anything to support me. It is here where I need not give up. I can't, because He won't let me. As that baby bird started giving up and falling I remembered the fall I took into the darkness of despair. As I was falling, the Lord swooped down under me, gave me rest and strength, and brought me down to a gentle landing. It is there that I received rest and nourishment. It is there I learned to fly. Not to fly on my own but to fly on His wings.
Krista Jones
2.1.08
Friday, June 06, 2008
Give Yourself
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act." Psalm 3:27
"I just want you to know that your child was delightful in the nursery this morning." "You have a wonderful way with people, and I admire that." "Your house is so warm and welcoming." "you told that guy the truth on that deal, and I respect you for it."
Wouldn't it be great to hear things like that all the time? How many times do you think about saying something encouraging or uplifting to someone else, but you just don't feel comfortable? It's a risk; what if they think you're just trying to butter them up? You could come off sounding insincere. So you keep it to yourself instead, and the encouraging word never gets said. Oh, maybe you think about it later and have every good intention of writing a note, but you never get it written. time goes by and you're lost that moment forever.
It's not just words, of course. There are times when you might see a situation that could use something - time, money, skills - that you possess and could share. It might be as simple as offering to drive an elderly neighbor to the store or washing a friend's car when they're too busy to take care of it. Or it might be a case where you have extra money and know of someone who's struggling financially. What a joy to send an anonymous gift!
Think of the times that someone has given you something right when you needed it - an encouraging note or phone call, a helping hand with a project or a few bucks when you were strapped for cash. It meant a lot to you, didn't it? Don't miss the opportunity to give to someone else.
By Bernie Sheahan, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 2"
"I just want you to know that your child was delightful in the nursery this morning." "You have a wonderful way with people, and I admire that." "Your house is so warm and welcoming." "you told that guy the truth on that deal, and I respect you for it."
Wouldn't it be great to hear things like that all the time? How many times do you think about saying something encouraging or uplifting to someone else, but you just don't feel comfortable? It's a risk; what if they think you're just trying to butter them up? You could come off sounding insincere. So you keep it to yourself instead, and the encouraging word never gets said. Oh, maybe you think about it later and have every good intention of writing a note, but you never get it written. time goes by and you're lost that moment forever.
It's not just words, of course. There are times when you might see a situation that could use something - time, money, skills - that you possess and could share. It might be as simple as offering to drive an elderly neighbor to the store or washing a friend's car when they're too busy to take care of it. Or it might be a case where you have extra money and know of someone who's struggling financially. What a joy to send an anonymous gift!
Think of the times that someone has given you something right when you needed it - an encouraging note or phone call, a helping hand with a project or a few bucks when you were strapped for cash. It meant a lot to you, didn't it? Don't miss the opportunity to give to someone else.
By Bernie Sheahan, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 2"
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Productive Pain
"All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
I’ll never forget when our youngest child Matthew fell and broke his wrist. It was grotesque! His arm took a sharp left turn at his wrist and then turned again to resume its normal journey to his hand.
We rushed him to the hospital where the doctor began to set his wrist. I watched as the physician pulled and twisted Matthew’s arm. I wanted to jump up and pull him away from my son! But I simply sat and watched, knowing that the agony was necessary to make Matt whole again.
If we trust earthly doctors to do that for our children, how much more we should be willing to trust God, the Great Physician, to reset our broken lives “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). One of God’s purposes in pain is to brand the image of Jesus in our hearts. Can we weep with those who weep? God may need to stain our cheeks with our own tears so that we can genuinely empathize with others as Jesus did. Are we self-sufficient? God may need to strip away our security to conform us to the God-sufficiency that Christ displayed. Are we faithless? It may require a tragedy to teach us to trust the Father as Jesus did.
Next time you feel broken, don’t panic—praise Him! God is at work!
— Joe Stowell
Life’s fractures can be mended
By faith in Christ the Lord—
At first the pain but then the gain
And usefulness restored. —Hess
God’s purpose in pain is to brand His image in our hearts.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
I’ll never forget when our youngest child Matthew fell and broke his wrist. It was grotesque! His arm took a sharp left turn at his wrist and then turned again to resume its normal journey to his hand.
We rushed him to the hospital where the doctor began to set his wrist. I watched as the physician pulled and twisted Matthew’s arm. I wanted to jump up and pull him away from my son! But I simply sat and watched, knowing that the agony was necessary to make Matt whole again.
If we trust earthly doctors to do that for our children, how much more we should be willing to trust God, the Great Physician, to reset our broken lives “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). One of God’s purposes in pain is to brand the image of Jesus in our hearts. Can we weep with those who weep? God may need to stain our cheeks with our own tears so that we can genuinely empathize with others as Jesus did. Are we self-sufficient? God may need to strip away our security to conform us to the God-sufficiency that Christ displayed. Are we faithless? It may require a tragedy to teach us to trust the Father as Jesus did.
Next time you feel broken, don’t panic—praise Him! God is at work!
— Joe Stowell
Life’s fractures can be mended
By faith in Christ the Lord—
At first the pain but then the gain
And usefulness restored. —Hess
God’s purpose in pain is to brand His image in our hearts.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
A World Without Sin
"Then wolves will live in peace with lambs, and leopards will lie down to rest with goats." Isaiah 11:6
Can you imagine a world minus sin? Have you done anything recently because of sin?
At the very least, you've complained. You've worried. You've grumbled. You've hoarded when you should have shared. You've turned away when you should have helped . . .
Because of sin, you've snapped at the ones you love and argued with the ones you cherish. You have felt ashamed, guilty, bitter.
Sin has sired a thousand heartaches and broken a million promises. Your addiction can be traced back to sin. Your mistrust can be traced back to sin. Bigotry, robbery, adultery - all because of sin. But in heaven, all of this will end.
Can you imagine a world without sin? If so, you can imagine haven. - When Christ Comes
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace For The Moment"
Can you imagine a world minus sin? Have you done anything recently because of sin?
At the very least, you've complained. You've worried. You've grumbled. You've hoarded when you should have shared. You've turned away when you should have helped . . .
Because of sin, you've snapped at the ones you love and argued with the ones you cherish. You have felt ashamed, guilty, bitter.
Sin has sired a thousand heartaches and broken a million promises. Your addiction can be traced back to sin. Your mistrust can be traced back to sin. Bigotry, robbery, adultery - all because of sin. But in heaven, all of this will end.
Can you imagine a world without sin? If so, you can imagine haven. - When Christ Comes
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace For The Moment"
Monday, June 02, 2008
Loving the Psalms!
I love the Psalms. No matter what you're dealing with, it has some nugget to impart upon you. Last night I came across Psalm 86: 4-7, "Make glad the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications! In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, for You will answer me."
Isn't it wonderful that our loving Lord hears our prayers? There are days when I pray and it seems like my prayers aren't being heard because nothing is happening. But it doesn't mean that God hasn't heard me. He knows me, those I pray for and the situations I'm in better then I do. For whatever reason, growth, patience or timing need to be just right. If I flew headlong into something I think needs to happen I will most definitely mess it up. But if I pray and wait upon the Lord, He will guide me and bring about answers in just the right way.
Krista Jones
2.10.08
Isn't it wonderful that our loving Lord hears our prayers? There are days when I pray and it seems like my prayers aren't being heard because nothing is happening. But it doesn't mean that God hasn't heard me. He knows me, those I pray for and the situations I'm in better then I do. For whatever reason, growth, patience or timing need to be just right. If I flew headlong into something I think needs to happen I will most definitely mess it up. But if I pray and wait upon the Lord, He will guide me and bring about answers in just the right way.
Krista Jones
2.10.08
Friday, May 30, 2008
How Healthy is Your Heart?
I also like Psalm 86:11, "Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear You name."
In the O.T. unity was spoken of in a sense of togetherness of persons (Gen. 13:6), fellowship (Judges 19:6) and praise (Psalm 34:3). In the N.T. the "word bespeaks the unity of faith that binds together the people of God (Ephesians 4:13). What I get out of this verse is that our hearts need to be united with the Lord's. We need to make sure our heart beat beats to the same rhythm of His. And that we, as Believers, need to be united. "and I (God) will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them." Jeremiah 33:29. If we're not united it could cause eternal damages not only to ourselves but also to the generations to come. Heart attacks can result from a heart that isn't beating right from sometimes an unhealthy lifestyle. I think the same thing applies to our spiritual hearts. When something unhealthy enters our spiritual bodies and is allowed to remain, we weaken our spiritual hearts and cause disease to damage it. It therefore doesn't work as God intended it too.
I am reminded about how unborn babies can hear their mother's heartbeat. Their ears must be filled with that constant comforting sound. As we know they also hear what's going on outside of the womb but it must be muffled and not as loud as mom's heartbeat. I've seen on TV how they have a machine that is suppose to recreate that heartbeat sound to give newborns a sense of security they lost once they were born. Therefore, in turn, it'll help them fall asleep (ah, a mother's dream!). We need to be like infants and have our ears filled with the sound of God's heartbeat. To now allow Satan to fill our ears up with meaningless things so we can't hear it. If we don't hear it we become detached from God and that leads to disunity amongst ourselves. The exact place Satan wants us to be. I pray that we may never loose the sound of our Lord's heart beat!
Krista Jones
In the O.T. unity was spoken of in a sense of togetherness of persons (Gen. 13:6), fellowship (Judges 19:6) and praise (Psalm 34:3). In the N.T. the "word bespeaks the unity of faith that binds together the people of God (Ephesians 4:13). What I get out of this verse is that our hearts need to be united with the Lord's. We need to make sure our heart beat beats to the same rhythm of His. And that we, as Believers, need to be united. "and I (God) will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them." Jeremiah 33:29. If we're not united it could cause eternal damages not only to ourselves but also to the generations to come. Heart attacks can result from a heart that isn't beating right from sometimes an unhealthy lifestyle. I think the same thing applies to our spiritual hearts. When something unhealthy enters our spiritual bodies and is allowed to remain, we weaken our spiritual hearts and cause disease to damage it. It therefore doesn't work as God intended it too.
I am reminded about how unborn babies can hear their mother's heartbeat. Their ears must be filled with that constant comforting sound. As we know they also hear what's going on outside of the womb but it must be muffled and not as loud as mom's heartbeat. I've seen on TV how they have a machine that is suppose to recreate that heartbeat sound to give newborns a sense of security they lost once they were born. Therefore, in turn, it'll help them fall asleep (ah, a mother's dream!). We need to be like infants and have our ears filled with the sound of God's heartbeat. To now allow Satan to fill our ears up with meaningless things so we can't hear it. If we don't hear it we become detached from God and that leads to disunity amongst ourselves. The exact place Satan wants us to be. I pray that we may never loose the sound of our Lord's heart beat!
Krista Jones
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Taking Possession of Our Own Soul
"By your patience possess your souls." Luke 21:19
When a person is born again, there is a period of time when he does not have the same vitality in his thinking or reasoning that he previously had. We must learn to express this new life within us, which comes by forming the mind of Christ (see Philippians 2:5 ). Luke 21:19 means that we take possession of our souls through patience. But many of us prefer to stay at the entrance to the Christian life, instead of going on to create and build our soul in accordance with the new life God has placed within us. We fail because we are ignorant of the way God has made us, and we blame things on the devil that are actually the result of our own undisciplined natures. Just think what we could be when we are awakened to the truth!
There are certain things in life that we need not pray about— moods, for instance. We will never get rid of moodiness by praying, but we will by kicking it out of our lives. Moods nearly always are rooted in some physical circumstance, not in our true inner self. It is a continual struggle not to listen to the moods which arise as a result of our physical condition, but we must never submit to them for a second. We have to pick ourselves up by the back of the neck and shake ourselves; then we will find that we can do what we believed we were unable to do. The problem that most of us are cursed with is simply that we won’t. The Christian life is one of spiritual courage and determination lived out in our flesh.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost For His Heighest"
When a person is born again, there is a period of time when he does not have the same vitality in his thinking or reasoning that he previously had. We must learn to express this new life within us, which comes by forming the mind of Christ (see Philippians 2:5 ). Luke 21:19 means that we take possession of our souls through patience. But many of us prefer to stay at the entrance to the Christian life, instead of going on to create and build our soul in accordance with the new life God has placed within us. We fail because we are ignorant of the way God has made us, and we blame things on the devil that are actually the result of our own undisciplined natures. Just think what we could be when we are awakened to the truth!
There are certain things in life that we need not pray about— moods, for instance. We will never get rid of moodiness by praying, but we will by kicking it out of our lives. Moods nearly always are rooted in some physical circumstance, not in our true inner self. It is a continual struggle not to listen to the moods which arise as a result of our physical condition, but we must never submit to them for a second. We have to pick ourselves up by the back of the neck and shake ourselves; then we will find that we can do what we believed we were unable to do. The problem that most of us are cursed with is simply that we won’t. The Christian life is one of spiritual courage and determination lived out in our flesh.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost For His Heighest"
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
We Dare Not Doubt
"I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron." Isaiah 45:2
This was for Cyrus; but it is evermore the heritage of all the LORD's own spiritual servants. Only let us go forward by faith, and our way will be cleared for us. Crooks and turns of human craft and satanic subtlety shall be straightened for us; we shall not need to track their devious windings. The gates of brass shall be broken, and the iron bars which fastened them shall be cut asunder. We shall not need the battering ram nor the crowbar: the LORD Himself will do the impossible for us, and the unexpected shall be a fact.
Let us not sit down in coward fear. Let us press onward in the path of duty, for the LORD hath said it: "I will go before thee." Ours not to reason why; ours but to dare and dash forward. It is the LORD's work, and He will enable us to do it: all impediments must yield before Him. Hath He not said, "I will break in pieces the gates of brass"! What can hinder His purpose or balk His decrees? Those who serve God have infinite resources. The way is clear to faith though barred to human strength. When Jehovah says, "I will," as He does twice in this promise, we dare not doubt.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
This was for Cyrus; but it is evermore the heritage of all the LORD's own spiritual servants. Only let us go forward by faith, and our way will be cleared for us. Crooks and turns of human craft and satanic subtlety shall be straightened for us; we shall not need to track their devious windings. The gates of brass shall be broken, and the iron bars which fastened them shall be cut asunder. We shall not need the battering ram nor the crowbar: the LORD Himself will do the impossible for us, and the unexpected shall be a fact.
Let us not sit down in coward fear. Let us press onward in the path of duty, for the LORD hath said it: "I will go before thee." Ours not to reason why; ours but to dare and dash forward. It is the LORD's work, and He will enable us to do it: all impediments must yield before Him. Hath He not said, "I will break in pieces the gates of brass"! What can hinder His purpose or balk His decrees? Those who serve God have infinite resources. The way is clear to faith though barred to human strength. When Jehovah says, "I will," as He does twice in this promise, we dare not doubt.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
One Secure Place
"I will be with you always." Matthew 28:20
David, the man after God's own heart, said: "I'm asking Yahwey for one thing, only one thing; to live with Him in His house my whole life long." . . . Psalm 27:4
What is this house of God which David seeks? Is David describing a physical structure? Does he long for a building with four walls and a door through which he can enter but never exit? No. "Our Lord does not live in temples built by human hands" (Act 17:24). When David says, "I will live in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23:6), he's not saying he wants to get away form people. He's saying that he yearns to be in God's presence, wherever he is." - The Great House of God
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace For The Moment"
David, the man after God's own heart, said: "I'm asking Yahwey for one thing, only one thing; to live with Him in His house my whole life long." . . . Psalm 27:4
What is this house of God which David seeks? Is David describing a physical structure? Does he long for a building with four walls and a door through which he can enter but never exit? No. "Our Lord does not live in temples built by human hands" (Act 17:24). When David says, "I will live in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23:6), he's not saying he wants to get away form people. He's saying that he yearns to be in God's presence, wherever he is." - The Great House of God
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace For The Moment"
Monday, May 26, 2008
Quicken Us
"Thou, who hast showed us many and sore troubles, wilt quicken us again" (Ps. 71:20, RV).
God shows us the troubles. Sometimes, as this part of our education is being carried forward, we have to descend into "the lower parts of the earth," pass through subterranean passages, lie buried amongst the dead, but never for a moment is the cord of fellowship and union between God and us strained to breaking; and from the depths God will bring us again.
Never doubt God! Never say that He has forsaken or forgotten. Never think that He is unsympathetic. He will quicken again. There is always a smooth piece in every skein, however tangled. The longest day at last rings out the evensong. The winter snow lies long, but it goes at last.
Be steadfast; your labor is not in vain. God turns again, and comforts. And when He does, the heart which had forgotten its Psalmody breaks out in jubilant song, as does the Psalmist: "I will thank thee, I will harp unto thee, my lips shall sing aloud." -Selected
"Though the rain may fall and the wind be blowing,
And old and chill is the wintry blast;
Though the cloudy sky is still cloudier growing,
And the dead leaves tell that the summer has passed;
My face I hold to the stormy heaven,
My heart is as calm as the summer sea,
Glad to receive what my God has given,
Whate'er it be.
When I feel the cold, I can say, 'He sends it,'
And His winds blow blessing, I surely know;
For I've never a want but that He attends it;
And my heart beats warm, though the winds may blow."
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
God shows us the troubles. Sometimes, as this part of our education is being carried forward, we have to descend into "the lower parts of the earth," pass through subterranean passages, lie buried amongst the dead, but never for a moment is the cord of fellowship and union between God and us strained to breaking; and from the depths God will bring us again.
Never doubt God! Never say that He has forsaken or forgotten. Never think that He is unsympathetic. He will quicken again. There is always a smooth piece in every skein, however tangled. The longest day at last rings out the evensong. The winter snow lies long, but it goes at last.
Be steadfast; your labor is not in vain. God turns again, and comforts. And when He does, the heart which had forgotten its Psalmody breaks out in jubilant song, as does the Psalmist: "I will thank thee, I will harp unto thee, my lips shall sing aloud." -Selected
"Though the rain may fall and the wind be blowing,
And old and chill is the wintry blast;
Though the cloudy sky is still cloudier growing,
And the dead leaves tell that the summer has passed;
My face I hold to the stormy heaven,
My heart is as calm as the summer sea,
Glad to receive what my God has given,
Whate'er it be.
When I feel the cold, I can say, 'He sends it,'
And His winds blow blessing, I surely know;
For I've never a want but that He attends it;
And my heart beats warm, though the winds may blow."
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
Friday, May 23, 2008
Evening and Morning Tid-Bits
Last night I came across a few verses that are my favorite: Psalm 84:10-12, "For a day in Your courts is better then a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God then dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You."
This is what I call a nutshell verse. It wraps everything up in a few sentences:
1. To yearn to be in the presence of God even if it's at the threshold of His house. Because it's better to be at His doorstep then hanging out with the wicked.
2. To know that the Lord is a sun that gives us light which reflects on our face, gives us warmth and helps us to grow.
3. He's a shield that protects us from the enemy and goes before us as we run through the fire. Reminds me to keep Him always before me. Not to say that I won't get a stray arrow glancing off or stinging me once in a while. But knowing He's in front of me brings a sense of security.
4. The Lord gives grace and glory - reminds me to extend grace to those who I don't deem as worthy of receiving it. I'm just as unworthy of His grace.
5. He doesn't withhold anything from those who walk uprightly. This speaks for itself.
This morning I read about Bazalel and Oholiab. It seems like these men were skilled in everything. They were the ones who oversaw the construction of the tabernacle. Exodus 36:1-2 says, "Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded. Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiah and every skillful person in whom the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it."
What jumped out at me was that the Lord put these skills and knowledge into these men and others. He did this so that they would be able to construct the tabernacle. And these men's hearts were stirred so much that they came forward to perform the work of the Lord. I'm reminded that we all have skills and knowledge that are given to us by the Lord. That we too, should go with a glad and willing heart to use our skills/knowledge for His kingdom.
Krista Jones
1.30.08
This is what I call a nutshell verse. It wraps everything up in a few sentences:
1. To yearn to be in the presence of God even if it's at the threshold of His house. Because it's better to be at His doorstep then hanging out with the wicked.
2. To know that the Lord is a sun that gives us light which reflects on our face, gives us warmth and helps us to grow.
3. He's a shield that protects us from the enemy and goes before us as we run through the fire. Reminds me to keep Him always before me. Not to say that I won't get a stray arrow glancing off or stinging me once in a while. But knowing He's in front of me brings a sense of security.
4. The Lord gives grace and glory - reminds me to extend grace to those who I don't deem as worthy of receiving it. I'm just as unworthy of His grace.
5. He doesn't withhold anything from those who walk uprightly. This speaks for itself.
This morning I read about Bazalel and Oholiab. It seems like these men were skilled in everything. They were the ones who oversaw the construction of the tabernacle. Exodus 36:1-2 says, "Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded. Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiah and every skillful person in whom the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it."
What jumped out at me was that the Lord put these skills and knowledge into these men and others. He did this so that they would be able to construct the tabernacle. And these men's hearts were stirred so much that they came forward to perform the work of the Lord. I'm reminded that we all have skills and knowledge that are given to us by the Lord. That we too, should go with a glad and willing heart to use our skills/knowledge for His kingdom.
Krista Jones
1.30.08
Thursday, May 22, 2008
God Knows
"You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know thoroughly everything I do." Psalm 139:2-3
Perhaps the reason that God doesn't always give us the answer to the whys of our existence is that he knows we haven't got the capacity to understand the answer. In learning to depend on God, we must accept that we may not know all the answers, but we know who knows the answers.
Perhaps the reason that God doesn't always give us the answer to the whys of our existence is that he knows we haven't got the capacity to understand the answer. In learning to depend on God, we must accept that we may not know all the answers, but we know who knows the answers.
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Omnipresence
"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:5
I walked the other day along a river
And watched the ducks and heard
some hawkings' cries;
Then suddenly the nearness of my Saviour
Brought tears of joy and wonder to my eyes.
Oh, praise the Lord!
"This earth is crammed with heaven!"
Oh, praise the Lord!
And, Christian, look around!
For every bush you pass with fire is flaming.
And every spot you treat is holy ground.
I stopped the other day to watch a fountain
And marvelled at the magic of its grace;
Then suddenly my heart was on a mountain
And worshiping Jehovah face to face!
I wept the other ay - oh, Christian, hear it!
I wept the other day without control,
But suddenly the blessed Holy Spirit
Spoke peace again and calmed my needy soul.
Oh, praise the Lord!
"This earth is crammed with heaven!"
Oh, praise the Lord!
And, Christian, look around!
For every bush you pass with fire is flaming.
And every spot you tread is holy ground.
Anne Ortlund
Taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1
I walked the other day along a river
And watched the ducks and heard
some hawkings' cries;
Then suddenly the nearness of my Saviour
Brought tears of joy and wonder to my eyes.
Oh, praise the Lord!
"This earth is crammed with heaven!"
Oh, praise the Lord!
And, Christian, look around!
For every bush you pass with fire is flaming.
And every spot you treat is holy ground.
I stopped the other day to watch a fountain
And marvelled at the magic of its grace;
Then suddenly my heart was on a mountain
And worshiping Jehovah face to face!
I wept the other ay - oh, Christian, hear it!
I wept the other day without control,
But suddenly the blessed Holy Spirit
Spoke peace again and calmed my needy soul.
Oh, praise the Lord!
"This earth is crammed with heaven!"
Oh, praise the Lord!
And, Christian, look around!
For every bush you pass with fire is flaming.
And every spot you tread is holy ground.
Anne Ortlund
Taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Vital Intercession
". . . praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit . . . " Ephesians 6:18
As we continue on in our intercession for others, we may find that our obedience to God in interceding is going to cost those for whom we intercede more than we ever thought. The danger in this is that we begin to intercede in sympathy with those whom God was gradually lifting up to a totally different level in direct answer to our prayers. Whenever we step back from our close identification with God’s interest and concern for others and step into having emotional sympathy with them, the vital connection with God is gone. We have then put our sympathy and concern for them in the way, and this is a deliberate rebuke to God.
It is impossible for us to have living and vital intercession unless we are perfectly and completely sure of God. And the greatest destroyer of that confident relationship to God, so necessary for intercession, is our own personal sympathy and preconceived bias. Identification with God is the key to intercession, and whenever we stop being identified with Him it is because of our sympathy with others, not because of sin. It is not likely that sin will interfere with our intercessory relationship with God, but sympathy will. It is sympathy with ourselves or with others that makes us say, "I will not allow that thing to happen." And instantly we are out of that vital connection with God.
Vital intercession leaves you with neither the time nor the inclination to pray for your own "sad and pitiful self." You do not have to struggle to keep thoughts of yourself out, because they are not even there to be kept out of your thinking. You are completely and entirely identified with God’s interests and concerns in other lives. God gives us discernment in the lives of others to call us to intercession for them, never so that we may find fault with them.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
As we continue on in our intercession for others, we may find that our obedience to God in interceding is going to cost those for whom we intercede more than we ever thought. The danger in this is that we begin to intercede in sympathy with those whom God was gradually lifting up to a totally different level in direct answer to our prayers. Whenever we step back from our close identification with God’s interest and concern for others and step into having emotional sympathy with them, the vital connection with God is gone. We have then put our sympathy and concern for them in the way, and this is a deliberate rebuke to God.
It is impossible for us to have living and vital intercession unless we are perfectly and completely sure of God. And the greatest destroyer of that confident relationship to God, so necessary for intercession, is our own personal sympathy and preconceived bias. Identification with God is the key to intercession, and whenever we stop being identified with Him it is because of our sympathy with others, not because of sin. It is not likely that sin will interfere with our intercessory relationship with God, but sympathy will. It is sympathy with ourselves or with others that makes us say, "I will not allow that thing to happen." And instantly we are out of that vital connection with God.
Vital intercession leaves you with neither the time nor the inclination to pray for your own "sad and pitiful self." You do not have to struggle to keep thoughts of yourself out, because they are not even there to be kept out of your thinking. You are completely and entirely identified with God’s interests and concerns in other lives. God gives us discernment in the lives of others to call us to intercession for them, never so that we may find fault with them.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Monday, May 19, 2008
Expectations Beyond Us
"But prayer" (Acts 12:5).
But prayer is the link that connects us with God. This is the bridge that spans every gulf and bears us over every abyss of danger or of need.
How significant the picture of the Apostolic Church: Peter in prison, the Jews triumphant, Herod supreme, the arena of martyrdom awaiting the dawning of the morning to drink up the apostle's blood, and everything else against it. "But prayer was made unto God without ceasing." And what was the sequel? The prison open, the apostle free, the Jews baffled, the wicked king eaten of worms, a spectacle of hidden retribution, and the Word of God rolling on in greater victory.
Do we know the power of our supernatural weapon? Do we dare to use it with the authority of a faith that commands as well as asks? God baptize us with holy audacity and Divine confidence! He is not wanting great men, but He is wanting men who will dare to prove the greatness of their God. But God! But prayer! --A. B. Simpson
Beware in your prayer, above everything, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time you intercede, be quiet first and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, of how He delights to hear Christ, of your place in Christ; and expect great things. --Andrew Murray
Our prayers are God's opportunities.
Are you in sorrow? Prayer can make your affliction sweet and strengthening. Are you in gladness? Prayer can add to your joy a celestial perfume. Are you in extreme danger from outward or inward enemies? Prayer can set at your right hand an angel whose touch could shatter a millstone into smaller dust than the flour it grinds, and whose glance could lay an army low. What will prayer do for you? I answer: All that God can do for you. "Ask what I shall give thee." --Farrar
"Wrestling prayer can wonders do,
Bring relief in deepest straits;
Prayer can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gates."
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
But prayer is the link that connects us with God. This is the bridge that spans every gulf and bears us over every abyss of danger or of need.
How significant the picture of the Apostolic Church: Peter in prison, the Jews triumphant, Herod supreme, the arena of martyrdom awaiting the dawning of the morning to drink up the apostle's blood, and everything else against it. "But prayer was made unto God without ceasing." And what was the sequel? The prison open, the apostle free, the Jews baffled, the wicked king eaten of worms, a spectacle of hidden retribution, and the Word of God rolling on in greater victory.
Do we know the power of our supernatural weapon? Do we dare to use it with the authority of a faith that commands as well as asks? God baptize us with holy audacity and Divine confidence! He is not wanting great men, but He is wanting men who will dare to prove the greatness of their God. But God! But prayer! --A. B. Simpson
Beware in your prayer, above everything, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time you intercede, be quiet first and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, of how He delights to hear Christ, of your place in Christ; and expect great things. --Andrew Murray
Our prayers are God's opportunities.
Are you in sorrow? Prayer can make your affliction sweet and strengthening. Are you in gladness? Prayer can add to your joy a celestial perfume. Are you in extreme danger from outward or inward enemies? Prayer can set at your right hand an angel whose touch could shatter a millstone into smaller dust than the flour it grinds, and whose glance could lay an army low. What will prayer do for you? I answer: All that God can do for you. "Ask what I shall give thee." --Farrar
"Wrestling prayer can wonders do,
Bring relief in deepest straits;
Prayer can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gates."
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
Friday, May 16, 2008
Let your Light Shine!
Shortly after the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf and God punishes them, Moses goes before God and receives the 10 Commandments again. Moses is so intimate with God that it says in Exodus 33:11 that, "the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend." Can you imagine being in God's presence like this? After Moses receives the 10 Commandments again (the first tablets were broken in his anger when he saw the Israelites worshiping the calf) his face literally shone from being in God's presence, "It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai, that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him." (Exodus 34:29).
It says in I John 1:5 that God is light, "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." If God is light and as Believers, He is in us, then we too should shine from His light. In fact, God wants us to be the light of the world, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.
I pray that I may not be one who hides my light under a basket. That I will be so bold in my love for Jesus that others will see Him as my face reflects His glory. "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18
Krista Jones
1.29.08
It says in I John 1:5 that God is light, "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." If God is light and as Believers, He is in us, then we too should shine from His light. In fact, God wants us to be the light of the world, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.
I pray that I may not be one who hides my light under a basket. That I will be so bold in my love for Jesus that others will see Him as my face reflects His glory. "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18
Krista Jones
1.29.08
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Sowing Seeds of Peace
"Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge." Hosea 10:12
Want to see a miracle? Plant a word of love heart deep in a person's life. Nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens.
An employee gets a compliment. A wife receives a bouquet of flowers. A cake is baked and carried next door. A widow is hugged. A gas-station attendant is honored. A preacher is praised.
Sowing seeds of peace is like sowing beans. You don't know why it works; you just know it does. Seeds are planted, and topsoils of hurt are shoved away.
Don't forget the principle. Never underestimate the power of a seed. - The Applause of Heaven
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Want to see a miracle? Plant a word of love heart deep in a person's life. Nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens.
An employee gets a compliment. A wife receives a bouquet of flowers. A cake is baked and carried next door. A widow is hugged. A gas-station attendant is honored. A preacher is praised.
Sowing seeds of peace is like sowing beans. You don't know why it works; you just know it does. Seeds are planted, and topsoils of hurt are shoved away.
Don't forget the principle. Never underestimate the power of a seed. - The Applause of Heaven
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Faith and Failure
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1
Our collection of "pleasant stones" is composed of "green stone" verses which ring with the victory cry of God's redeemed ones. this "blue stone" verse above could rest easily among the green ones. But I have put it here among our verses pertaining to faith because it is so sure. In chapter 7 of Romans, Paul has described the depths of us all. He has laid his finger on every weakness and he has cried out in despair for every man and woman and young person who has ever tried to be consistently good under his or her own power:
"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
And then Paul sighs deeply, relieved for all eternity to be able to say quietly and surely that he thanks God that Jesus Christ has delivered him from that "on-again, off-again" battle of ever-failing faith. And now the above verser reminds us that "there is therefore now no condemnation (no need to fail) to them which are in Christ Jesus." I'm glad, knowing how true is the description of myself in chapter 7 of Romans, that Paul adds here: " . . . to them . . . who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." We always choose. We can choose to walk after our own desires, or after the desires of the Spirit within us. If you and I choose to walk our way, we both know sooner or later, we'll stumble and fall. If we walk His way, we will get there. he is the way.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Our collection of "pleasant stones" is composed of "green stone" verses which ring with the victory cry of God's redeemed ones. this "blue stone" verse above could rest easily among the green ones. But I have put it here among our verses pertaining to faith because it is so sure. In chapter 7 of Romans, Paul has described the depths of us all. He has laid his finger on every weakness and he has cried out in despair for every man and woman and young person who has ever tried to be consistently good under his or her own power:
"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
And then Paul sighs deeply, relieved for all eternity to be able to say quietly and surely that he thanks God that Jesus Christ has delivered him from that "on-again, off-again" battle of ever-failing faith. And now the above verser reminds us that "there is therefore now no condemnation (no need to fail) to them which are in Christ Jesus." I'm glad, knowing how true is the description of myself in chapter 7 of Romans, that Paul adds here: " . . . to them . . . who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." We always choose. We can choose to walk after our own desires, or after the desires of the Spirit within us. If you and I choose to walk our way, we both know sooner or later, we'll stumble and fall. If we walk His way, we will get there. he is the way.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
By Eugenia Price, taken from "Share My Pleasant Stones"
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Dealing with life's troubles
"No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." I Corinthians 2:11
A misconception people have in dealing with life's troubles is that it's wrong to ask why - that a Christian simply accepts and never questions. Abraham, Moses, and David all interceded and struggled to understand God. But the lives of these men model for us a total reliance on God, even in the midst of questioning."
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior."
A misconception people have in dealing with life's troubles is that it's wrong to ask why - that a Christian simply accepts and never questions. Abraham, Moses, and David all interceded and struggled to understand God. But the lives of these men model for us a total reliance on God, even in the midst of questioning."
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior."
Monday, May 12, 2008
A Place to Stand
"Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark." Genesis 8:8-9
A single lonely bird hovered over a submerged world. Below her were the results of the catastrophic flood. There was nothing to be seen but water. The world below her was desolate and seemingly without a future. Nowhere could she find a place to hold on to, to set down her tiny foot. She found no rest.
Yet the dove that fluttered around purposelessly was less lonely than she appeared to be. Noah - his name means "he who will bring rest" - had not forgotten her. He waited for her return. When the bird came, she found an outreached hand, ready to take her into the safety of the ark. Together they were on their way to a new future. The submerged earth would be habitable again.
We can be compared with this dove. We feel lonely and forsaken. We flutter around in a world that increasingly offers less to hold on to in every way. We see little hope for humanity. Spiritually and emotionally we find no rest.
Yet there is Someone who cares about us, who watches closely for each individual: GOD! Through Him we can find rest in spite of the catastrophes that harass the world. He offers us a place to stand, and hope, even in an apparently lost world. He offers a new beginning to those of us who return to Him.
By Gien Karssen, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"
A single lonely bird hovered over a submerged world. Below her were the results of the catastrophic flood. There was nothing to be seen but water. The world below her was desolate and seemingly without a future. Nowhere could she find a place to hold on to, to set down her tiny foot. She found no rest.
Yet the dove that fluttered around purposelessly was less lonely than she appeared to be. Noah - his name means "he who will bring rest" - had not forgotten her. He waited for her return. When the bird came, she found an outreached hand, ready to take her into the safety of the ark. Together they were on their way to a new future. The submerged earth would be habitable again.
We can be compared with this dove. We feel lonely and forsaken. We flutter around in a world that increasingly offers less to hold on to in every way. We see little hope for humanity. Spiritually and emotionally we find no rest.
Yet there is Someone who cares about us, who watches closely for each individual: GOD! Through Him we can find rest in spite of the catastrophes that harass the world. He offers us a place to stand, and hope, even in an apparently lost world. He offers a new beginning to those of us who return to Him.
By Gien Karssen, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"
Friday, May 09, 2008
Where's Your Focus?
I've finally got through the part of Exodus where God finished giving Moses the 10 Commandments and regulations to live by. We come to chapter 32 to find that the Israelites lost control. Without their leader they lost their way and turned to the next best thing they could think of - a calf they crafted out of gold. Now I'm thinking, "Can you be any more stupid?!" Hello, do you not see that the mountain is still trembling and filled with smoke? Doesn't that give you a clue that God is still upon it? Didn't you just vow to follow God no matter what? Ah, but if I step back I wonder if I would have done the same thing. Sure, the trembling, loud thunder sound and smoke would have gotten my attention and scared me enough to realize God is in control and is all powerful. But after a while I probably would have gotten use to the sight and sounds and become desensitized to it. And being the weak person I am, I probably would have let myself wonder away from the awesome display. Which in turn would open myself up to wanting to fill myself up with something other then God. WOW, that just knocks the judgmental thoughts right out of my head!
Exodus 32:7 says, "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, "Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves." Corrupted themselves - how often to I corrupt myself? It's not like God corrupted them. They brought it all upon themselves by turning their eyes off the mountain. Hebrews 12:2 says that we are to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and profecter of faith." Let us not become like the Israelites who fixed their eyes on what they wanted and away from God. It only takes one small thing to create spiritual cancer.
I like what Psalm 73:25-26 & 28 says, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever . . . . But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of Your works." When we take our eyes of Jesus and desire other things, we are unable to be effective for His Kingdom. I want to be able to say in my heart, "I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of Your works." How about you? Where do you keep your eyes focused?
Krista Jones
1.28.08
Exodus 32:7 says, "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, "Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves." Corrupted themselves - how often to I corrupt myself? It's not like God corrupted them. They brought it all upon themselves by turning their eyes off the mountain. Hebrews 12:2 says that we are to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and profecter of faith." Let us not become like the Israelites who fixed their eyes on what they wanted and away from God. It only takes one small thing to create spiritual cancer.
I like what Psalm 73:25-26 & 28 says, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever . . . . But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of Your works." When we take our eyes of Jesus and desire other things, we are unable to be effective for His Kingdom. I want to be able to say in my heart, "I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of Your works." How about you? Where do you keep your eyes focused?
Krista Jones
1.28.08
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Changed Names
"Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego." Daniel 1:6 & 7
Some people assume new names to disguise their identity. For example, Samuel Langhorne Clemens took the pen name of Mark Twain. Mary Ann Evans took the masculine pen name of George Eliot. Other people change their names when they move to a new country to make them more pronounceable. For example, de Revoire became Revere, and Yitzchak became Hitchcock. Yet others feel a different name will make them more memorable. Thus, Erich Weiss became Harry Houdini, and Betty Joan Perske is better known as Lauren Bacall.
Ashpenaz, the chief of the eunuchs, also desired to change the names of the young men taken from Jerusalem. After all, it just wouldn't do to have people serving in Nebuchadnezzar's court with names like Daniel ("God is my judge"), Hananiah ("Jehovah was favored"), Mishael ("who is like God") and Azariah ("strengthened by Jehovah"). These names honored the God of Israel, so Ashpenaz changed them to reflect Babylonian gods. Daniel became Belteshazzar ("Bel protect his life"), Hananiah was called Shadrach ("command of Akur"), Azariah became Abed-Nego ("servant of Nebo"), and Mishael was renamed Meshach (a possible corruption of the name Maraduk, another Babylonian deity).
Society today is also good at changing the name of things that honor God. Having standards is now called intolerance. Taking a stand for what you believe is understood as fanaticism. The change works the other way as well. Adultery is called an affair. Drunkenness is now alcoholism. But don't be taken in by a change in names. God's principles haven't changed.
Guide your life by God's Word, and you will be pleasing to the Lord no matter what the world calls it. After all, what's in a name? Not much if God isn't in it.
Changing the name doesn't change the truth.
By Woodrow Kroll
Some people assume new names to disguise their identity. For example, Samuel Langhorne Clemens took the pen name of Mark Twain. Mary Ann Evans took the masculine pen name of George Eliot. Other people change their names when they move to a new country to make them more pronounceable. For example, de Revoire became Revere, and Yitzchak became Hitchcock. Yet others feel a different name will make them more memorable. Thus, Erich Weiss became Harry Houdini, and Betty Joan Perske is better known as Lauren Bacall.
Ashpenaz, the chief of the eunuchs, also desired to change the names of the young men taken from Jerusalem. After all, it just wouldn't do to have people serving in Nebuchadnezzar's court with names like Daniel ("God is my judge"), Hananiah ("Jehovah was favored"), Mishael ("who is like God") and Azariah ("strengthened by Jehovah"). These names honored the God of Israel, so Ashpenaz changed them to reflect Babylonian gods. Daniel became Belteshazzar ("Bel protect his life"), Hananiah was called Shadrach ("command of Akur"), Azariah became Abed-Nego ("servant of Nebo"), and Mishael was renamed Meshach (a possible corruption of the name Maraduk, another Babylonian deity).
Society today is also good at changing the name of things that honor God. Having standards is now called intolerance. Taking a stand for what you believe is understood as fanaticism. The change works the other way as well. Adultery is called an affair. Drunkenness is now alcoholism. But don't be taken in by a change in names. God's principles haven't changed.
Guide your life by God's Word, and you will be pleasing to the Lord no matter what the world calls it. After all, what's in a name? Not much if God isn't in it.
Changing the name doesn't change the truth.
By Woodrow Kroll
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Clothes of Salvation
"This body that dies must clothe itself with something that can never die." I Corinthians 15:53
Does Jesus care what clothes we wear? Apparently so. In fact, the Bible tells us exactly the wardrobe God desires.
"But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and forget about satisfying your sinful self." Romans 13:14
"You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This means that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:26-27
This clothing has nothing to do with dresses and jeans an suites. God's concern is with our spiritual garment. He offers a heavenly robe that only heaven can see and only heaven can give. Listen to the words of Isaiah: "The Lord makes me very happy; all that I am rejoices in my God. He has covered me with clothes of salvation and wrapped me with a coat of goodness." Isa. 61:10. - When Christ Comes
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Does Jesus care what clothes we wear? Apparently so. In fact, the Bible tells us exactly the wardrobe God desires.
"But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and forget about satisfying your sinful self." Romans 13:14
"You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This means that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:26-27
This clothing has nothing to do with dresses and jeans an suites. God's concern is with our spiritual garment. He offers a heavenly robe that only heaven can see and only heaven can give. Listen to the words of Isaiah: "The Lord makes me very happy; all that I am rejoices in my God. He has covered me with clothes of salvation and wrapped me with a coat of goodness." Isa. 61:10. - When Christ Comes
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
A Close Friend
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24
"The only way to have a friend is to be one." - R. W. Emerson
A Blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us, in spite of our faults: who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our faces, and laughs at us behind our backs; who will give us counsel and reproof in the day of prosperity and self conceit; but who, again will comfort and encourage us in the day of difficulty and sorrow, when the world leaves us alone to fight our own battles as we can.
"If we have had the good fortune to win such a friend, let us do anything rather than lose him. We must give and forgive; live and let live. If our friends have faults we must bear with them. We must hope all things, believe all things, endure all things rather than lose that most precious of all earthly possessions - a trusty friend. And a friend once won, need never be lose, if we will only be trusty and true ourselves." - Charles Kingsley.
There is a Friend, a Friend who sympathizes,
And in each sorrow, dries the falling tears;
His is the love, unchanging it remaineth,
Our lives to bless, to brighten, and to cheer.
F.B. (Ambassador Verse Cards. No. 1, G. F. Vallance, Publisher of Christian Literature, Goodmayes, Essex.)
By Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Dessert" Vol. 2
"The only way to have a friend is to be one." - R. W. Emerson
A Blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us, in spite of our faults: who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our faces, and laughs at us behind our backs; who will give us counsel and reproof in the day of prosperity and self conceit; but who, again will comfort and encourage us in the day of difficulty and sorrow, when the world leaves us alone to fight our own battles as we can.
"If we have had the good fortune to win such a friend, let us do anything rather than lose him. We must give and forgive; live and let live. If our friends have faults we must bear with them. We must hope all things, believe all things, endure all things rather than lose that most precious of all earthly possessions - a trusty friend. And a friend once won, need never be lose, if we will only be trusty and true ourselves." - Charles Kingsley.
There is a Friend, a Friend who sympathizes,
And in each sorrow, dries the falling tears;
His is the love, unchanging it remaineth,
Our lives to bless, to brighten, and to cheer.
F.B. (Ambassador Verse Cards. No. 1, G. F. Vallance, Publisher of Christian Literature, Goodmayes, Essex.)
By Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Dessert" Vol. 2
Monday, May 05, 2008
Invisible Blessings
"Our troubles are slight and short-lived, and their outcome an eternal glory which outweighs them far. Meanwhile our eyes are fixed, not on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen" (2 Cor 4:17, 18 NEB).
Being very much of the earth--earthy--we always want tangible, visible things--proofs, demonstrations, something to latch onto. If we always had them, of course, faith would be "struck blind." When Jesus hung on a cross, the challenge was flung at Him: Come down! He stayed nailed, not so that spectators would be satisfied (that miracle, his coming down, would have been a great crowd-pleaser), but that the world might be saved.
Many of our prayers are directed toward the quick and easy solution. Long-suffering is sometimes the only means by which the greater glory of God will be served, and this is, for the moment, invisible. We must persist in faith. God has a splendid purpose. Believe in order to see it.
By Elisabeth Elliot
Being very much of the earth--earthy--we always want tangible, visible things--proofs, demonstrations, something to latch onto. If we always had them, of course, faith would be "struck blind." When Jesus hung on a cross, the challenge was flung at Him: Come down! He stayed nailed, not so that spectators would be satisfied (that miracle, his coming down, would have been a great crowd-pleaser), but that the world might be saved.
Many of our prayers are directed toward the quick and easy solution. Long-suffering is sometimes the only means by which the greater glory of God will be served, and this is, for the moment, invisible. We must persist in faith. God has a splendid purpose. Believe in order to see it.
By Elisabeth Elliot
Thursday, May 01, 2008
A Few Tid-Bits
I just literally have a few tid-bits to share out of my Bible reading.
Psalm 66:8-12: "Bless our God, O peoples, and sound His praise abroad, who keeps us in life and does not allow our feet to slip. For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins. You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, yet You brought us out into a place of abundance."
I like this verse because it speaks of what I've gone through lately. God has been trying and refining me to bring me to the point where I shine His likeness like silver shines when it's polished. Over the years I've felt like I've gone through the fire and water with the many trials that have come and gone. And yet, through it all He always brings me to a place of abundance. One of the definitions of abundance means "overflowing fullness as of abundance of the heart." That's how I feel after all these trials. I have a full heart even through it's been stabbed a few times.
Psalm 68:19: "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation."
How awesome it is that we have a God that bears our burdens EVERY day. I pray that as His children we can do the same for those around us. I tend to be selfish and want my burdens to be lifted up instead of listening and supporting those around me.
Krista Jones
1.28.08
Psalm 66:8-12: "Bless our God, O peoples, and sound His praise abroad, who keeps us in life and does not allow our feet to slip. For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins. You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, yet You brought us out into a place of abundance."
I like this verse because it speaks of what I've gone through lately. God has been trying and refining me to bring me to the point where I shine His likeness like silver shines when it's polished. Over the years I've felt like I've gone through the fire and water with the many trials that have come and gone. And yet, through it all He always brings me to a place of abundance. One of the definitions of abundance means "overflowing fullness as of abundance of the heart." That's how I feel after all these trials. I have a full heart even through it's been stabbed a few times.
Psalm 68:19: "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation."
How awesome it is that we have a God that bears our burdens EVERY day. I pray that as His children we can do the same for those around us. I tend to be selfish and want my burdens to be lifted up instead of listening and supporting those around me.
Krista Jones
1.28.08
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