.....ressurected

Our new life begins with faith in Jesus. When we are "born again," we cross from an eternal death to an eternal life; "whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life" John 5:24. Sin caused our condemnation and required our death, but Jesus took our sin and received sin's punishment. When we identify ourselves with Christ, we also identify with His death; "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" Romans 6:3.

True salvation requires  we completely identify with His life and sacrifice on the cross. He was put to death for our sins and has crucified the old sinful nature of all who believe; "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" Galatians 2:20.

This understanding will bring a glorious victory and freedom. The life we live in this body is not our own, we have died with Christ; "The world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" Galatians 6:14. And if we have died to the world, our new life is much more than the identification with His death. The purpose of being crucified with Christ is so we can also be resurrected with Him and live a resurrected life.

We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection Romans 6:4-5

We have not been crucified so we can simply wait to be called Home. Our lives should be a witness to the power of the gospel. If the gospel message resides in our heart, then we have been empowered to change the way we live today! We have died to the power of sin and been made alive to the contented joy of Christ. Let's live a life which is both crucified and resurrected.

.....anxious

We are encouraged to "trust in the Lord with all our heart" Proverbs 3:5. A consistent trust ought to invade all areas of our life, how we must be able to trust God for our eternity as well as our daily walk. A good measure of our trust  is in our level of anxiety.

Being anxious, or having anxiety, is defined as being mentally troubled with worry or concern. We all have been battling anxiety ever since Adam ate the forbidden fruit and tried in vain to hide from God; "I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid" Genesis 3:10. The negative effects of anxiety were understood three thousand years ago when King Solomon wrote his proverbs of wisdom; "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up" Proverbs 12:25.

Anxiety remained a necessary topic as Paul preached the Good News of Jesus. Almost in the same breath that he gave instruction to "Rejoice in the Lord always!" Philippians 4:4, Paul taught on removing anxiety from our life; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" Philippians 4:6

When we find ourselves being overly concerned or mentally troubled about ANYTHING, we must go to God and give our burdens to Him. This doesn't mean we ignore our problems, but we must learn to view the things of this world against the backdrop of eternity. The concerns of this life always fade as we compare them to the eternal glory of His Kingdom.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry {or be anxious} about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well  Matthew 6:25,34

When we feel weighed down, pressured, or stressed - when concerns are coming in fast motion from all directions and we don't know where to begin - we must stop and take a long, deep breath! We must refocus on Jesus and His Word. We must be reminded of eternity in the presence of a loving God and diligently seek His Kingdom; "make every effort to enter that rest" Hebrews 4:11

As we draw closer to our Heavenly Father, our eyes become adjusted to His light and we see He has already given all we really need. As we love Him more, all fear is removed: "perfect love drives out fear" 1 John 4:18. And as we trust Him more and more, we will receive His gift of peace and no longer live with the burdening weight of an anxious heart.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....today

In a class I teach for adults, I gave the assignment to "go to someone you love, and tell them that you love them." At the beginning of the next class, one of the students began by saying, "I was angry with you last week when you gave us this assignment. I didn't feel I had anyone to say those words to. But as I began driving home, the Holy Spirit started talking. Then I knew exactly who I needed to say 'I love you' to."

"Five years ago, my father and I had a vicious disagreement and never really resolved it. We avoided seeing each other unless we absolutely had to at family gatherings. We hardly spoke. So by the time I got home, I had convinced myself I was going to tell my father I loved him. "Just making that decision seemed to lift a heavy load off my chest."

"At 5:30, I was at my parents' house ringing the doorbell, praying that Dad would answer the door. I was afraid if Mom answered, I would chicken out and tell her instead. Dad did answer the door. "I didn't waste any time - I took one step in the door and said, `Dad, I just came over to tell you that I love you.'" 

"It was as if a transformation came over my dad. Before my eyes his face softened, the wrinkles seemed to disappear and he began to cry. He reached out and hugged me and said, `I love you too, son, but I've never been able to say it.' 

Two days after that visit, my dad had a heart attack.  "So my message to all of you is this: Don't wait to do the things you know need to be done. What if I had waited to tell my dad? Take the time to do what you need to do - and do it now!

- dennis e. mannering

.....steadfast

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. 

Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. 

The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.  She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. 

Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live. 

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4 

Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember the One who loves you, who loves you enough to send his only Son to die on a cross so you could live with Him...  and then be different because of it. 

.....worthy

When Alexander the Great ruled all the known world, he made it his policy to hear any appeal made to him.  One day a young soldier was brought before Alexander for trial.  The young man wore the tunic of Alexander's Army. 

"With what is he charged?" asked Alexander, who held absolute authority in all matters. There would be no appeal of his verdict.  "He is charged with cowardice in battle," answered the prosecutor. 

A great hush fell over the crowd gathered in the judgment hall. They knew Alexander as a general who expected his men to be valiant since he, himself, did not push his soldiers, but led them into the thick of battle.  Alexander looked at the young soldier who was a mere youth, fair-haired and still too young to shave.  The angry scowl on his face slowly changed into an understanding smile, "What is you name, soldier?" 

"Worthy King," responded the youth. "my name is the same as yours - Alexander."

Anger came back into Alexander's face, and he leaped to his feet.  Alexander grabbed the soldier's tunic.  "Young soldier." he said with great control, "either change your name, or change your behavior." 

Are we worthy of the name "Christian"?  

Do we need to "change the behavior or change the name"?

- dave langerfeld

.....known

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off Psalm 139:1-2

Perhaps the greatest yearning of the human heart is to be known. When someone takes the time to know us deeply, it is a sign of worthiness and respect. And who doesn’t want to be respected and made to feel worthy?  

God knows us. He created us in His own image Genesis 1:26-27 and a creator always knows the intimate details of what he has created. 

In one of his most beautiful Psalms Psalm 139, David expressed the profound ways in which God knew him. Beginning with his formation in his mother’s womb, David was known by God in every detail. 

The reason David praised God for His knowledge was that he knew only God could search his heart and show him what was truly in it Psalm 139:23-24. David wanted to please God, so he asked God to look at his life and see if there was anything that might not be pleasing to God.

When you need direction, comfort, instruction - when you need anything - ask the One who knows you better than you know yourself!

- david jeremiah

.....trust

God's plan will often allow trials for the purpose of bringing us to a greater understanding of His glory. God's desire is for us to turn our eyes from the things we can see and begin to trust the things that are unseen. The temporary things of this world, even the good and wholesome things, will never satisfy the deep longing of our hearts. 

Trusting in what we cannot see is the very essence of faith. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1. We will never find true contentment and peace until we completely trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding Proverbs 3: 3-5. Our trust should be consistent and should permeate every area of our lives.

If we say we trust that Jesus Christ, who was with God in the beginning, and who, being in very nature God, came to die so that we might live—in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins—then we must also completely trust that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him Romans 8:28.

To trust Jesus for our eternity while refusing to trust Him in our daily walk is like believing in the necessity of air while refusing to breathe. Such trust is incomplete and ultimately lifeless.

He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how shall He not also, together with Him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

God loves us so deeply that He gave us His very best. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This love assures us that He will provide everything necessary to shape us into sons and daughters who glorify His name. God will never abandon a work that cost Him the life of His Son. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:6

When we surrender our lives to God through faith in Jesus Christ, we must also trust that He will never allow the fire to become hotter than we can endure or the burden heavier than we can bear. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us Hebrews 13:5.

Therefore, let us trust in Jesus Christ and fix our eyes on the eternal realities of God's kingdom. As we walk with Him each day, may we give Him a lifetime of unwavering faith, confident that His loving hands are guiding us toward His perfect purpose.

.....faith

Not all who do great things for God will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but "only he who does the will of My Father" Matthew 7:21. The Father's will is "that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life" John 6:40. We are given the gift of eternal life because of our faith in Jesus, not because of what we do; "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" Isaiah 64:6.

Salvation can never be earned; it is a gift to those who believe, we must understand what it means to believe and what changes will occur when we believe. "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder" James 2:19. A saving belief is much more than just acknowledging God's existence or even the existence of His Son!

A drowning man will never reach up for help until he first understands and accepts his need to be rescued. To be rescued, we must believe so completely that we abandon all other "rescuers" and cling to the only One who can truly save; "any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple" Luke 14:33. Giving up everything cannot save us, but true belief gives up all other sources of hope. It also reveals the trivial nature of our worldly attachments and creates an understanding that everything belongs to God. We see our life as lived for Him and desire to do ALL for His glory.

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ... In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14,17 Belief must produce a change in our life or we know it is not a true belief. 

At the moment we truly believe, we are "marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" Ephesians 1:13, and we become "a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17. Belief creates change through the work of the Holy Spirit!!

If we lack the evidence of a changed life, we must not focus on creating the change. This type of change becomes self-righteous, we must return to the cross and place ALL our trust in Jesus, truly believing He has paid the penalty for our sin and has granted us passage through the narrow gate to eternal life. As we completely turn over control to our Heavenly Father, fruit and good deeds will abound. Our life will be forever changed, but only when we begin with a belief that saves.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....trust

Psalm 55 reads as if it were written in our day. Troubled thoughts. Concerns about enemies. Anguish. Terrors. Fear. Battles are being waged. It is a time of chaos and confusion. When you have time, read the Psalm and put yourself in it.  David is having a tough time. Yet he keeps his composure and calls on the Lord for protection and assurance. “As for me, I call to God,” and the Lord saves me.” Then, at the end, he declares, “But as for me, I trust in you.”

How about you? When the walls start closing in, and your world is on the verge of collapse, what do  you do? When your friends and family are fretting and fearful, what do you do? When you feel yourself sinking lower into despair, what will you do?

The last line is our answer. “As for me, I trust in you. <>” When the storms come, say, “I trust in you.” When the medical report isn’t what you hoped, say, “I trust in you.” When fear threatens to crush you, say, “I trust in you.” When you don’t know what to do, say, “I trust in you.”

- thomas novell

.....compassion

We live in an imperfect world full of sickness, heartache, and frustrations. Many of us are facing trials which are sometimes quite severe. When we are finally invited into someone's private world and allowed to hear of their pain, it can be difficult to know what to do or say.

As we grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus, we learn to be "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. We understand and usually have some actual experience with God's loving plan and purpose. But there are times when this type of advice - even this type of truth - can be a little cold and fail to comfort or draw someone closer to God

When Lazarus became very sick, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, but He did not come until after Lazarus died. Mary fell at Jesus' feet and cried: "Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died" John 11:32. At that moment the need simply required compassion. "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled...Jesus wept." John 11:33,35

The Creator of the Universe wept! From the beginning of time, Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead; He knew many lives would soon be changed through this miracle. Though good would ultimately come from this pain and sorrow, these were real people who were grieving: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" John 11:5. In this time of greatest need, Jesus took time to show He truly cared and understood their pain.

The world is in great need of the healing power of Jesus Christ. Sin has caused separation from God and left many lives in a mess. As we minister through encouragement and the truth of God's Word, we should speak the truth in love Ephesians 4:15. But love does not exist outside of a relationship. And in a loving relationship we will often best demonstrate God's truth by listening and providing comfort with a Godly compassion. 

.....secure

The gift of eternal life is given to "everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him" John 6:40. Belief is much more than a mere acknowledgement of existence; "Even the demons believe that - and shudder" James 2:19. Eternal life is a gift given only to those who so intensely believe that Jesus is the only way to receive forgiveness that they stand before a living God and enter into a relationship of an eternal covenant.

Covenants were first introduced by God to Noah after the flood; "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood" Genesis 9:11. Over the years, God made covenants with Abraham Genesis 15, the nation of Israel through Moses Exodus 19, and with David 2 Samuel 7. In each case, God initiated the covenant and clearly established the guidelines.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God spoke about the new covenant He would make through Jesus; "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people" Jeremiah 31:33. This new covenant was designed to be permanent and under God's complete protection: "I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear Me, so that they will never turn away from Me" Jeremiah 32:40. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God gave further indication of how this would be accomplished.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws." Ezekiel 36:26-27

When we truly believe in Jesus, we enter into a covenant and God transforms our heart by His Spirit; "a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance" Ephesians 1:14. At that moment we are "sealed for the day of redemption" Ephesians 4:30. And when we enter into His saving covenant, we are purchased with the blood of Jesus: "You are not your own; you were bought at a price" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

We are called to continue in the faith, but God has promised we WILL continue; "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Corinthians 1:8. He is the giver and sustainer of eternal life; "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish" John 10:28.

There is great debate whether this covenant can ever be broken, whether it is truly eternal, whether we can ever walk away or lose what has been given. But perhaps this debate only distracts from the greater truth: We are called to love God and continue to love Him with all our heart. This calling is clear! Let's remain within His arms of love, and trust that as we do, we are eternally secure.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....accepted

In Medieval Times, there was a young man caught and found guilty of murder, and sentenced to death. His mother and father loved him with all their hearts, and they appealed to everyone they met for leniency for their son. Without any results, they finally appealed to the Lord of their kingdom for a lesser sentence.  To everyone's complete surprise, the Lord granted this young man a full Pardon. 

 

Like today, a pardon is a document that forgives a person convicted of a crime, removing any penalties or punishment that the convicted person would normally receive for his crime.  The pardon was sent to the prisoner, with instructions to release him from prison. When the warden told the young man about the pardon, the young man became angry and said, "I'm guilty, I murdered another human being and I want to die." 

 

"But," the warden replied, "I have your pardon in my hand!" 

 

No matter how much the warden pleaded, the prisoner kept demanding to die. Not knowing what to do, the warden appealed to the Lord to help him know what to do. The Lord, said, "A pardon is not a pardon unless it is accepted!"  

 

So, the young man was executed. He had been completely forgiven for his sins against humanity, and for his other most grievous crimes. So why did he die? Because a pardon is not a pardon unless it is accepted! 

 

Jesus died in the place of every human being - who by their sins against God were deserving of the death penalty. Every human being who would ever live has been granted an unconditional pardon from God.  

But, you can only obtain this pardon by believing that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that he rose from the dead, trusting in Him for your salvation and accepting Him as both Savior and Lord. The Lord has given knowledge of Himself to every human heart, but it is our choice whether we accept His Pardon (through Jesus) or reject it  

 

Remember, A PARDON IS NOT A PARDON UNLESS IT IS ACCEPTED.  

- dave langerfeld

.....greater

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liza who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her five-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. 

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, ‘Yes, I’ll do it if it will save Liza.’

“As the transfusion progressed, he lay in a bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, ‘Will I start to die right away?’

Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give her all his blood.  This story so beautifully illustrates for us the extravagant love of God. He gave His blood to save us.  He died so we could live.

    

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." John 15:12-13

- dave langerfeld

.....closed

We need to learn to praise the Lord as much for a closed door as we do an open door. The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong door, we would never find the right door. 

God directs our path through the closing and opening of doors. Once a door closes, it forces you to change your course. Another door closes, it forces you to change your course again. Then, finally, you find the open door and you walk right into your blessing. 

The Lord directs our paths through the opening and closing of doors, but instead of praising him for the closed door; we get upset because we "judge by the appearances." 

You have an ever-present help in the time of trouble that is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of you, He can spot trouble down the road and set up a roadblock or detour accordingly. But through our lack of wisdom, we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour sign. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying, "Lord, how could You have done this to me?" 

We have got to realize that the closed door can be a blessing. Didn't He say that no good thing would He withhold from them that love Him? If you get terminated from your job, praise God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves: it might be another job, it might be school. 

If that man or woman won't return your call, it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a roadblock. One time, a person had a bank they had been in business with for many years tell them "No!" to a $10,000 loan. The Lord put in their spirit to call another bank. That bank gave them $40,000 at a lower interest rate than the first bank was offering. 

We can sometimes trap ourselves in doubt and discouragement through judging by appearances. Be grateful for the many times our Father has closed doors to us just to open them in the most unexpected places. The Lord won't always say in spoken words: "Go to the left, now to the right"...  sometimes He will just close the doors that are wrong for you.

Lord, thank You for the doors You have opened in my life, and thank You just as much for the ones You have closed. I trust that Your wisdom is greater than my understanding and that Your plans for me are good. Give me the grace to surrender my disappointments, and help me to be thankful that You are actively guiding my steps. In Jesus' name,

- adapted from david langerfeld

.....this

When the Persians overthrew the Babylonians and allowed the people of Israel to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple in 538 BC, not all the Israelites chose to leave their new home. A whole generation had been born and raised under Babylonian captivity and many had become content with their life. Therefore, many Jewish communities thrived under Persian rule.

When Xerxes was King of this vast empire, he commanded the Queen to be displayed before all the visiting dignitaries at a banquet. But when the Queen refused, Xerxes removed her title and began to search for a replacement. The search resulted in a young Jewish girl named Esther being made Queen - not a normal position for a young Jew!

Meanwhile, a plot had developed to kill the Jews in all the provinces of Persia. Esther's cousin, Mordecai, knew of this plot and pleaded with Esther to approach the King for help, but Esther was understandably reluctant. She was being taken care of very well, and approaching the King without first being invited could lead to death. Mordecai encouraged Esther to view her life as being part of God's wonderful plan.

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

God allowed Esther to become Queen, not as a reward for being good, but "for such a time as this." God could have used other methods to save the Jews, but He chose to invite a beautiful young woman to play a part. Esther put her personal plans on hold, put her life at risk, persuaded the King, and saved her people from certain destruction.

The wisdom and truth of Mordecai's words resound through the ages: God's work WILL be accomplished; His plan WILL unfold; deliverance WILL arise! It's humbling, and often very freeing, to know that God really doesn't need us. He is perfectly capable without our help! But it's also comforting to know that God is inviting us to join Him in His work and walk by His side to certain victory.

We may never be invited to a role as dramatic as Esther's, but we can join our Heavenly Father from right where we are today! We have come to our position - no matter how elevated, no matter how low - for the purpose of bringing Him glory and honor. 

Let's listen carefully for what He's asking us to do, and understand we are right where we need to be and right where He wants us! He has created us for a purpose. He has brought us to our present situation for such a time as this.

- steve troxel

.....quited

As I worked my way through some devotional readings, I came across this passage: "The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

I thought of my life. I thought of what the passage says about God and how He feels about me. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in me. He will quiet me with his love. He will rejoice over me. I confess that although I do not know if I fully understand what it means to be quieted by His love, I do know that there is something inside me that says, "I need that, Lord!" As I pondered more, I prayed, "Lord, please quiet me with Your love."

                     "Lord, please quiet me with Your love."

Lord, I get loud sometimes. Not so much verbally loud, but my spirit gets loud. My heart gets loud. My mind gets loud. The world around me gets loud and the loudness overwhelms me to the point that everything within me and around me seems to be loud. So, Lord, please quiet me with Your love.

In these times of unrest and confusion in our nation and world, I need to be quieted by Your love, dear Lord. Decisions are being made that may well change the way we live and function as a people. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.

As the years pass more rapidly than my mind can comprehend, I need to be quieted with Your love. I cannot keep up. I try, but I seem to fall farther and farther behind. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.

In times of discouragement when I have failed to live like You have asked me to live, I need to be quieted by Your love.  In times of disappointment over dreams that have faded and when other people have failed to live up to my expectations, I need to be quieted by Your love.  Lord, please quiet me with Your love.

In times of loss and my heart has been broken, I need to be quieted by your love. In times of sadness when a joyful spirit seems too much to consider, I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.

In times of suffering and pain as the result of another's actions or my own, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times when others are suffering because of my actions and I am helpless to undo what I have done, I need to be quieted by Your love. And they need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.

In times of distress and anxiety over all that I must do, or feel that I must do, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times when life is so loud that I cannot hear my own thoughts, I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.

Unless You quiet me with Your love, dear Lord, my life will surely be filled with noises that may drown Your voice from my ears. Lord, I need to be quieted by Your love.

When I remind myself that You are with me, when I contemplate Your power, when I consider that You take great delight in me and when I think of You rejoicing over me with singing because of Your love for me, I am quieted. My heart is quieted. My spirit rests. "Lord, You have quieted me with Your love."

- tom norvell

.....will

We often consider how God uses all kinds of circumstances to draw us close to His side. The purpose of being drawn close is ultimately to be transformed to the image of His Son and to have intimate fellowship with Him for all eternity. But initially, the purpose of being drawn near is so we can be introduced.

The Kingdom of Heaven is open only to those who truly believe in Jesus. We may think this to be intolerant, but if we profess to believe the Bible is true there can be no other conclusion: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" Matthew 7:13-14. Our Father is drawing us near because the narrow gate is only open to those who are known to His Son.

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:21-23

Being "good" does not ensure we are known by Jesus. Neither does going to church, reading our Bible, teaching Sunday School...or even writing devotional messages! Jesus knows, and takes away the sin, of "only he who does the will of My Father." Jesus also tells us exactly how to do His Father's will: "For My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" John 6:40. The will of our Heavenly Father is to truly know and be known by His Son.

All the wonderful things we do in the name of Jesus count nothing toward granting us the gift of eternal life. True believers in a risen and glorified Lord will certainly desire to turn from a life of sin and obediently serve; "anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me" Matthew 10:38. And while our obedience demonstrates that our faith is not dead James 2:17, entrance through the gate of eternal life is based on sincere belief, not on the results of belief.

We must spread this message throughout the world and, most importantly, we must receive this message into our own heart! All our "good" will be burned up and cast aside if done without first having placed the entirety of our life in His hands. He is drawing us near because belief in Jesus is both necessary and sufficient for our Salvation. He is drawing us near and inviting us to submit to the Father's will.

- steve troxel

.....reconcile

Malachi served as a prophet to Israel about four hundred years before the birth of Jesus. He brought a message from God which reminded the people of His love and rebuked them for their disrespectful worship. Through Malachi, God ended the Old Testament with a prophesy about future restoration.

I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse Malachi 4:5-6

Just over four hundred years later, John the Baptist, "the Elijah who was to come" Matthew 11:14, began to preach a message of repentance. The purpose of John's ministry was to prepare hearts for the coming of Jesus; "Prepare the way for the Lord" Matthew 3:3. But according to Malachi, John would also cause the hearts of fathers and children to turn toward one another.

When the spiritual fellowship between man and God was broken, a basic void was formed in man's heart which led to a breakdown in his earthly relationships. The moment we lost the ability to walk in perfect harmony with God, we also became filled with self-importance and pride, and lost the ability to truly love one another; "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another" 1 John 1:7. 

Walking close to God, through faith in Jesus, allows us to walk close with others; "We love because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19.

God created us to be in fellowship with other people - even imperfect, hard to love people. Our quiet and peaceful times of study and prayer are essential for our Christian walk, but some of God's most important truths can only be learned as we stumble through difficult situations with others. Only there can we learn the difficulty of true grace and forgiveness; only there can some of our own deep sin be revealed.

Many relationships are filled with past pain - particularly the relationships between husband and wife, and parent and child - but God's Word still stands as truth. He has provided the path to restoration, a path which begins with repentance, requires the cleansing of sinful pride, and leads to true love and forgiveness.

Who do we need to reconcile with today? Full restoration requires the cooperation of both parties; but as a child of God, we can now cross the desert and begin to mend what is broken. Jesus died as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins in order that we may be reconciled with our Heavenly Father. 

He crossed ALL the way and completely mended our shattered heart! 

Let's walk in the light of His love and take the necessary steps to cross over and humbly reconcile with one another.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....excuses

 "I'm not perfect."
"I have all kinds of problems."
"I don't know the Bible well enough."
"I have no ability. I don't have any gifts."
"I'm limited."
"I'm just not worthy..."

Well, did you know that....
  Moses stuttered.
  David's armor didn't fit.
  John Mark deserted Paul.
  Timothy had ulcers.
  Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
  Amos' only training was in fig-tree pruning.
  Jacob was a liar.
  David had an affair.
  Abraham was too old.
  David was too young.
  Peter was afraid of death.
  Lazarus was dead.
  John was self-righteous.
  Naomi was a widow.
  Paul was a persecutor of the church.
  Moses was a murderer.
  Jonah ran from God's will.
  Miriam was a gossip.
  Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
  Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
  Elijah was burned out.
  John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
  Martha was a worry-wart.
  Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
  So did Peter, Paul - well, lots of folks did.

God doesn't require an interview for salvation. He's our Heavenly Father. He doesn't check our bank statement or credit rating or our IQ before He uses us.  He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. He knows who we are and what we are and loves us in spite of ourselves.

Satan says, "You're not worthy"
Jesus says, "So what?  I am!"
Satan looks back and sees our mistakes.
God looks back and sees the cross.

There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't call us. But if we are in love with Him, if we hunger for Him, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, what we have done, or the fact that we are not perfect!

Jesus says, "Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you will find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; For every one that asks will receive; and he that seeks will find; and to him that knocks it shall be opened"  Matthew 7:7-8

.....conviction

Daniel was one of the captives taken by the Babylonians in 605 BC. Upon his arrival in Babylon, Daniel was selected to receive three years of specialized training, as well as special food and drink, to prepare him for service in the palace. This special treatment would have caused Daniel to violate the laws of God, so he "resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine" Daniel 1:8.

Daniel served under the kings of Babylon and Persia, his convictions earned him a place as the most trusted advisor in all the land. When the Persians defeated the Babylonians, the new king even "planned to set Daniel over the whole kingdom" Daniel 6:3. But when the other officials became jealous, they convinced the king to pass a law forbidding prayer to anyone except the king.

Though he knew he would be severely punished, Daniel held to his convictions and prayed to God three times a day. For this violation of the law, Daniel was thrown into a den of lions; but "God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions" Daniel 6:22. When the king saw how God miraculously protected Daniel, he issued the following decree:

I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and He endures forever Daniel 6:26

There were many opportunities for Daniel to question his circumstances. He was taken into captivity at a young age, tempted with special treatment, despised by his peers, thrown to the lions, and served an entire lifetime under foreign rulers. But, without a single complaint, 

Daniel continued to trust God and serve Him without compromise. In the end, Daniel was used to encourage the Jews while in captivity and to draw an entire nation to a greater reverence of God. Shortly after the decree was issued, 50,000 Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

Though we may not understand our circumstances or be able to clearly see God's specific plan, we KNOW the way He is calling us to walk. Let's continue to serve and trust with all our heart. Let's walk down His path without turning to the right or to the left. Regardless of our present circumstances, let's determine once and for all to give Him a lifetime of conviction.

- adapted from steve troxel