.....power

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer  Psalm 19:14

Words are among God's greatest gifts to humanity. With them we teach, encourage, comfort, correct, inspire, pray, and proclaim the gospel. Yet the same tongue can wound more deeply than a sword, discourage a weary soul, divide families, destroy friendships, and damage reputations. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that words are never neutral—they either build up or tear down.

Jesus taught that our words reveal the true condition of our hearts For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks Matthew 12:34 Every conversation is therefore an opportunity to reflect the character of Christ. Before speaking, we should ask not merely, "Is this what I want to say?" but "Is this what Christ would have me say?"

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers Ephesians 4:29 Words filled with grace can restore hope, strengthen faith, reconcile relationships, and point others toward God.  James reminds us that although the tongue is small, it possesses enormous influence: “The tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” James 3:5

A careless remark may be remembered for years, while a timely word of encouragement may change the direction of someone's life forever.
 
A Test Before You Speak
Before speaking, sending a message, posting online, or forwarding information, pause and ask yourself:
1. Is it True?

• Have I verified the facts?
• Am I speaking honestly?
• Am I avoiding exaggeration or gossip?

Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor Ephesians 4:25

2. Is it Relevant?

• Does this need to be said?
• Is this the right time?
• Will these words help solve the problem or merely add noise?

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver Proverbs 25:11

3. Is it Ennobling?

• Will these words uplift?
• Do they honor God?
• Will they leave the listener stronger, wiser, or more hopeful?

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt. Colossians 4:6

If the answer to any of these questions is No, wisdom may call us to remain silent.
 
Jesus always spoke with truth and love. He comforted the broken, corrected the erring, forgave the repentant, and encouraged the discouraged. Even His rebukes were motivated by love and a desire to save.

Our prayer should be that our words become instruments of healing rather than harm.

.....shore

When Moses died, God assigned Joshua to the position of leadership. The people of Israel needed to know God approved of Joshua and would continue to direct them as they entered the land of Canaan. God was aware of this need and chose to work through Joshua as the people prepared to cross the Jordan river; "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses" Joshua 3:7.

God told Joshua to have the priests carry the ark of the covenant directly into the Jordan river, which was flowing at flood level during the harvest season. He promised that when the priests stepped into the water, He would cause the riverbed to dry and the waters to be "cut off and stand up in a heap" Joshua 3:13.

As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away Joshua 3:15-16

God always teaches us about faith and trust by directing us down a path we think is too hard to travel, into circumstances we do not understand. After all, if we could clearly see and understand, there would not be a need for faith. But we often miss the opportunity to experience the true glory of God because we fail to obey and take the first step.

By working through Joshua, God gave the people confidence in their new leader. By requiring an initial action, He taught a valuable lesson of obedience and trust. The river did not gradually pull back as the priests approached. Nothing happened to the river until the priests left the safety of the shore and stepped into the water. God patiently waited for a full commitment before revealing His mighty hand.

At times some people are hesitant about giving their life to God, they are scared by what they can't see or understand, so they remain frozen where they are. They desire to have a more fulfilling life but are paralyzed by the fear of what they may lose in the process. Oh, if we could only see the life we gain by giving Him our  all!

God is waiting. He is ready to pull back the flood waters and lead us into a new land, a land filled with His peace and true contentment. But we MUST commit. Let's trust Him with every area of our life. Let's take a firm hold of His hand and boldly step off the shore.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....more

Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours? 1 Kings 3:7-9

Solomon is known for being the wisest king of Israel, as well as the wealthiest. In a dream, God had asked Solomon to ask for anything he wanted, but Solomon never asked for riches, instead we see his response. His response pleased the Lord so much that the Lord gave him what he asked for, but also gave more than he had requested! Solomon was blessed with wealth and honor, and if he was obedient to the Lord, he would also live a long life. 

Solomon's example reminds us of the truth found in Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." God wants to bless his people, but sometimes we simply don't know how or what to ask for! We focus on the obvious matters at hand, or material possessions, when those things mean little in the larger scheme of life. God wants us to know him and seek him above all else, THEN he promises to give us all we need and sometimes extra 

I think we would all agree that we want to be successful in this life. However, true success goes far beyond the visible riches or public recognition. It is knowing and doing God's Will and fulfilling our purpose. It is reaching others with the love of Jesus. It is knowing the difference between right and wrong… and choosing right! God, the giver of wisdom, discernment, guidance, and all good things is ready to give us what we need, we just need to ask! 

Dear Lord, you are such a Good Father and consistently provide not only what we need but bless us in unexpected ways as well. Help me always seek you first and obey your Word because I know that true success can only be found in you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name.  

.....everything

When Edwin H. Hughes was a young preacher, he served a rural Methodist church in the middle west. One day, in his sermon, he said that we own nothing; it all belongs to God. 

After the service, a farmer took the preacher home for dinner, and after a sumptuous meal the two walk out to see the acres of farm land. The farmer told how he and his wife started out without a dime from anyone, but working together, they now possessed this farm. "If we don't own this farm, who does?" was the farmer's question to the preacher. 

The preacher replied kindly.  "Ask me that question one hundred years from today."

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

- dave langerfeld

.....transmit

When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, 'Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? Galations 2:14

The Bible documents many instances of conflicts between nations, between friends, and in families, and we see the same thing today. While fighting, people may say harsh and unfair words. Words that can create confusion and emotional pain. But how we react to aggression is determined by what we believe.

To begin with, we must remember two things. First, God has the power to turn our painful times into something beneficial. And second, our loving Heavenly Father always remains by our side. He understands what we are experiencing and will be with us all the way.

God's Word proclaims His sovereignty over nature Psalm 135-6, government Job 12:23, and mankind Acts 17:25. When we believe in His sovereign dominion, our perspective on hard times changes. Then, instead of reacting with fear or resentment, we will turn to Him in prayer and ask for His guidance.

In the world, conflict is inevitable. When something we have done is the source of the conflict, we must apologize. If others are to blame, we must forgive. As ambassadors for Christ, how we act really matters.

Loving Heavenly Father, make me a peacemaker after Your own heart. Wherever I go, may I transmit Your peace, that peace that only You can give and that surpasses all understanding. Thank you for being our peace and sufficiency in everything. I pray in Jesus' name,

.....beware

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into Luke 12:39

What are the times when you and I are most vulnerable to being caught off guard by the enemy of our souls? One of those times is just after you've had a great victory. Consider Jesus when He was baptized and was about to begin His public ministry. He was led away into the desert to be tempted by satan.

Leisure time is another place in which Satan seeks to take us off our normal routine of personal quiet times. In the normal routine of life, our senses are tuned to the need to draw upon God's Spirit to see us through the activities of each day. However, when we get away from our routine and go on vacation, we can often drop these routines. 

We wrongfully think that we do not need to spend time with the Lord during leisure times. This is a grave mistake. The vacation becomes a test of character. During vacations we turn freely to what we love most. It reveals to us what is at the core of our existence.

A teacher in a large school reportedly said, "The greatest difficulty we encounter is the summer vacation. Just when we have brought a student to a certain discipline and place in their study habits, we lose him; when he comes back we have to begin all over again." It is the same in our spiritual lives. It only takes a small crack in the door of our heart to lose our spiritual focus.

Be on guard when times of retreat are made available to you. Use these times for spiritual refreshment, not just physical refreshment, and you will keep the thief from entering your house. 

- oscar hilman

.....encouragement

Everyone needs encouragement. No matter how secure and confident someone may appear, everyone needs to be reassured, built up, and comforted. And we are all called to minister to one another, every day, with encouragement; "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today" Hebrews 3:13. Therefore, we are all called to meet one another's need for encouragement.

True encouragement requires us to be "others" oriented: "Consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" Philippians 2:3-4. We will never effectively encourage until we begin to look outside our own needs and intentionally examine the needs of others. And our encouragement of others will always be hindered unless we are genuinely excited by the new growth and health we see in others.

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His Kingdom and glory 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

I was excited when each of my children learned to roll over, and I cheered when they began to crawl. When they started to walk, I clapped my hands and beamed with pride, as if my kids were the first in the world to ever move about on two feet. Each small accomplishment was encouraged...and my manhood was never threatened by their progress. I wasn't worried about losing my position within the family, and I had no desire to be the only walker in the house. Every time my children fell, I picked them up and encouraged them with full confidence of their future success.

Our journey with the Lord actually begins long before  He calls us and draws us to the cross; we would never even seek if He did not first call and soften our heart, 'For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him to me...' John 6:44.  But as we place our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and continue our journey, with all the many hills and valleys, our walk is definitely much easier and enjoyable if we join with others and walk together.

Let's encourage one another with each wonderful step toward Heavenly glory. Let's be proud and excited for the accomplishments of others no matter how great or small. And let's refuse to become threatened when we witness others mature and grow - we are absolutely secure in the love of God. 

Let's turn our hearts outward and begin to minister with a compassionate, loving, and secure attitude of encouragement.

.....chosen

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

My friend got back from church camp a few days ago. I asked her what was something she learned that has been helping her and she said that the story about the woman at the well, found in John 4:1-26, has helped because despite the difficult past this woman had and her reputation, Jesus still chose her to share that He is the Messiah. In the Bible, God chose many to grow His kingdom, not caring about their past or who they were. 

God chose Saul, whose name was changed to Paul, who persecuted Christians before his encounter with the Lord. God chose David to be king of Israel despite his age and size. He chose Rahab, a Gentile prostitute. He chose Moses in spite of his stutter. From all these examples, we see that God can use anyone for His glory.

There are so many times when we feel too far gone for God to want to use us or like our testimony is not great enough to grow His kingdom. However, we all have a good purpose that God planned long ago Ephesians 2:10. He chooses us even before we choose Him. Whatever darkness you have been living in, God calls you out of it into His light because you are chosen

God, thank you for choosing me even when I hesitate to choose you. When I feel overlooked or too far gone, remind me of your great love and purpose for me. Please help me to step out of darkness and come into your light. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

.....entrusted

We have been given an incredible gift. Jesus Christ came into this world  to be the perfect sacrifice for our sin, and to bring us back into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. He knew God's plan of grace before the world was ever created; "This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus" 2 Timothy 1:9-10.

We are favored through faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sin, we can now "approach the throne of grace with confidence" Hebrew 4:16, knowing we have been made clean and our relationship with God has been restored.

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

God has  "entrusted" us with His message of Salvation. To prove faithful to His trust, we must live in a manner which holds up the gospel message for all to see. We are saved by a grace which cost God the death of His one and only Son. This grace must be cherished and honored with a life void of all compromise and hypocrisy. An understanding of His great love ought to cause us to surrender ALL and live each day to bring Him glory and honor.

Proving faithful to His trust also means we must confidently and accurately share His message of hope with all who cross our path. We must diligently study His Word and be prepared to share His grace through our words as well as our actions.

No matter how hard life may sometimes appear, we are truly blessed. We have been given a gift which can sustain us through our most difficult circumstances, and provide an eternal home filled with praise and worship. 

When the world beats us down, we can be encouraged that the Creator of the Universe believes in us. He has revealed His Son and made us stewards of His message of grace. Let's live lives worthy of the trust we have been given. Let's prove faithful to the great honor of being entrusted with His secret.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....tested

The longer and closer we walk with God, the more we realize how He uses every opportunity to shape and mold us - to chip, file, and sand the rough edges - gradually being  "conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29. This is His desire for everyone who trusts in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin.

We often learn through personal experience how our trials are used to teach us valuable lessons and refine us into Children of God with the character of Christ; "the testing of your faith develops perseverance" James 1:3. Our trials teach us to persevere in the faith and to trust God with all our heart. But a more subtle refinement of our character occurs as we receive praise for who we are or for what we've accomplished.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives Proverbs 27:21 This isn't simply referring to how we verbally respond to a compliment;  it is the response of our heart which reveals our true belief and submission. God is the sovereign Creator and Lord of ALL! All our abilities and gifts were given by Him. He deserves ALL the praise and maintains the right to redirect us as He chooses. Our motivation must be our love for God and our desire to serve Him through all we do - it must never be driven by the praises of man.

The praise we receive from others is not an indication of God's approval nor a valid measure of success. We take far too much ownership of accomplishments, and most often we simply forget the basic truths: "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?" 1 Corinthians 4:7. All we are is from God!

Every step of our journey must be established by God and accomplished in His strength. Every day there are those who refuse to turn to God because they fear the loss of status and praise; "they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God" John 12:42-43. And every day there are those who are diverted in their walk because of a gluttonous desire to feed their pride-filled ego. Unrestrained pride will always choke our relationship with Jesus.

As we are transformed, we WILL begin to accomplish His work. But as praises come for the work we accomplish, we must present them to God for His approval and guidance. He may return the praise as a Heavenly blessing, but He may also dismiss it as an unnecessary distraction and ask us to walk in a new direction. Either way, we must continue to serve with an obedient and loving heart. 

Let's continue to be transformed in every situation. Let's be determined to never lose our focus as a result of being refined and tested by praise.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....delights

People can have a very limited view when it comes to things they admire. The value of a person is sometimes based on their possessions or achievements. We admire a wealthy or successful person and often want that for ourselves. We admire the power that people have and their influence in a community or workplace. 

Sadly, we also start comparing ourselves to others and this is when we can become ineffective. We start feeding ourselves the lie that if we do not possess this or that, or have a certain amount of finances available, then we cannot do as much as those who do possess them.  

I am often reminded of when David was called by God to be king of Israel. When Samuel went to anoint one of the sons of Jesse, he was expecting to choose a big, strong, and good looking guy! Even he had to be reminded: "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. 

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7  God chose the smallest of them all so that people would know that it was His power working through David.

God owns everything, so material possessions mean nothing to him. He is all powerful, so he does not need our limited human power or position. God delights in those who can recognize His power and unfailing love. God uses people for His glory based on their humility and willingness, not based on their possessions. He sees our heart. Stop believing the narrative that the world is telling you and choose to put your trust in God alone. He sees who you are through His perfect Son, Jesus. In Him, we can do all things!

- david langerfeld

.....will

During the late 50's and early 60's, a man by the name of Bobby Richardson played second base for the New York Yankees. Bobby Richardson was nominated as MVP of the American League nine times. 

He played in seven All-star Games. He won five Gold Glove Awards - and he is the only player in baseball history to ever win the World Series MVP Award while playing for the losing team.

In the later years of Bobby Richardson's career, he coached the baseball team at Liberty University. The reason such a great player was willing to coach at a Christian university was because Bobby Richardson was himself a committed follower of Jesus Christ.

During a speech at a meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bobby Richardson was called upon to pray and here is his prayer:  

"Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen."

May that be our prayer today... "Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen."

- david langerfeld

.....north

You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north. Deuteronomy 2:3

Will the second half of this year be any different than the first half?  

Will you "press on" in your faith or will you continue to live in self-pity or live in the Land of "What If" or the Land of "If Only"?  

Will you focus on what lies ahead or will you continue to focus on your past?

Listen to this wonderful challenge from Rev. Billy Graham's wife, Ruth Graham.  "Either we can be victimized and become victims, or we can be victimized and rise above it. Often it is easier to play the victim than to take off our masks and ask for help. We get comfortable with our victim status. It becomes our identity and it is hard to give up. 

The Israelites often played the victim card, and I love what God finally tells them, 'You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north'.  Turn north!  It's time to move on!  Self-pity, fear, pride, and negativity paralyze us. Taking off our masks takes courage, but if we don't do it, we will remain in our victim status and end up stunted."

What about you?

  - Do you keep talking and talking and talking about something you just can't get over?

  - Are you living in the past because you just can't "let it go"?

  - Do you keep living in self-pity wondering what "could have been"?

  - Have you discussed it over and over with different people, but you've never taken any action?

  - Have you worried and worried about it, but you've never done anything?

  - Are you still living in misery because it's something you can't forgive or forget?

Have you circled and circled and circled this issue all of your life?

The time has come!!! You have circled this mountain long enough.  Now turn north!!!

- adapted from david langerfeld

.....desires

We talk of the gift of Salvation as a transformation of the heart. Jesus came to give us eternal life through faith in Him and His sacrifice on the cross. His death established a new covenant for all who would come to Him in faith; "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sin" Matthew 26:28.

When we enter into this covenant we are transformed, the same transformation referred to by Paul: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17.  This transformation,  continues for all  our days the result is a heart which is becoming more and more like Jesus.

There are people in the world thinking that if they "pursue" God, they will receive an increase in their financial status - a better job, a nicer car, or a bigger home. This is a sad misapplication of scripture! When we are far from God, our heart is full of worldly desires. Apart from God, we will spend a lifetime trying to fulfill these desires only to find we are never satisfied or content.

God says we need not spend our life chasing these unfulfilling desires. As we are diligent to draw close to God, learn of His ways, and become obedient to His commands, He gives us new desires. As we love the Lord with all our heart, our current desires are replaced with something infinitely better, the desires of Christ. 

The wonderful blessing from God is that as we delight in Him, He transforms our desires and also gives us the ability to fulfill these desires. This is the only way we will ever find true contentment and peace. Let's learn to live each moment delighting in our Lord. Let's allow Him to continue the transformation by giving us, and then teaching us how to satisfy, the desires of our heart.

.....move

 "....Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on." - Exodus 14:15

Moses had brought the whole nation of Israel, approximately 2,000,000, to a dead end in the desert. The only thing between Israel and Pharaoh's pursuing army was the Red Sea. This was after ten plagues God had inflicted on Pharaoh to motivate him to free the Israelites. 

Pharaoh had freed Moses and the people, and they left Egypt. They thought they were home free. "Freedom at last," they said. But God did a strange thing. He directed Moses to take a route that led to the Red Sea, instead of the northern route around the Red Sea. God explained that He didn't want them fighting the enemies they would have encountered on this route. But still, there was the issue of the Red Sea.

They arrived at the Red Sea, and the people were wondering where they would go from there. News hit the camp: Pharaoh had changed his mind. He was coming after them with his army. Panic set in. The defenseless Israelites cried out, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?...It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" Ex. 14:11-12

God sometimes brings each of us to a "Red Sea" in our life. It may be a work problem that can't be solved. It may be a marriage that seems to be failing. It may be a debilitating disease. Whatever your Red Sea, God tells us one thing: "Keep moving." The Red Sea was before them, yet God was angered at Moses and told him to "Keep moving."

"But Lord, the Red Sea is before me." "Keep moving." When we live by sight, we act on what we see. God sets this stage in dramatic fashion. God is into the dramatic. There is no way out without God here. That is just the way He wants it. No one will get glory except God.

A friend once admonished me when I was in the midst of an extremely difficult time in my life, "You must not withdraw from being proactive in your faith just because of this trial that you are in. God's hand is on your life. There are too many who are depending on you to fulfill the purposes God has in your life. Keep moving! Keep investing yourself in others." 

I didn't feel like it. I was in too much pain. But I did it anyway. God met me at the point of my greatest need once I decided simply to be obedient. Getting past myself by investing myself in others helped heal the pain. 

There is great healing when we look past our own problems and seek to invest ourselves in others for Christ's sake. This is when our own Red Seas become parted. We begin to walk to freedom. We will never experience the miracle of the Red Sea in our lives if we don't first "Keep moving."

- adapted from oscar  hillman

.....sparks

Every year, sparks from hot campfires or careless matches start fires which consume millions of trees in beautiful forests. Once begun, these fires move unrelentingly through hills and valleys - nothing is safe from the fury of the flames.

Every day, sparks from hot tempers or careless words start fires which consume millions of lives in beautiful relationships. Once begun, these fires move unrelentingly through self-esteem and trust - nothing is safe from the fury of the tongue.

Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body James 3:5-6

Our tongue has incredible power to build up and encourage, as well as tear down and destroy. And though our sins are eternally forgiven when we place our trust in Jesus, the day will come when our careless words are revealed and we see the full extent of the damage we have done; "men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken" Matthew 12:36

David prayed that God would "set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips" Psalms 141:3. While this is a wise prayer, our lips must be seen as an absolute last line of defense - once our words escape, they can almost never be fully recovered. We must strive to control the sparks at the true source; "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" Matthew 12:34.

If our heart is filled with the ways of the world, our mouth will naturally speak the world's wisdom, we must fill our heart with the ways of God and allow our mouth to overflow with His love; "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You" Psalms 119:11.

Have we been the cause of some raging fires or smoldering embers? We must fill our heart with the power of His Word and "not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths" Ephesians 4:29. 

Let's stop the destructive fires. 

Let's begin today to fill our heart with His Word

- adapted from steve troxel

.....character

For every need, there is a name of God that corresponds to the need. His faithfulness and his caring meet in the 23rd Psalm to portray our intimately personal Shepherd. God’s character in all of His covenant names can be seen in this psalm. Ask Him what He wants you to know about who He is, what He does, what you have in Him through each name. Cultivate your personal communion with God praying this Scripture.

The Lord is my Shepherd   

Jehovah-Rohi: The Lord my Shepherd

Thank your Shepherd that He knows you by name and wants to communicate with you. Talk to Him about your intimate relationship with Him.

I shall not want    

Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord my Provider

Thank your good Shepherd that He provides all your needs, beginning with redemption. Ask Him to carry all your worries, burdens, and cares.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside quiet waters

Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord my Peace

Thank Jesus your Peace for His attention to the details of your life. Tell Him you want to see Him more clearly in your “dailies.” Let Him speak to you.

He restores my soul

Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord my Healer

Because Jesus your Healer became man, He understands everything you have experienced. Thank your Healer for healing the hurts. Remember His times of restoration.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake

Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The Lord my Righteousness 

Thank the Righteous One that you are accepted in Him and completely forgiven. Thank your Shepherd for His guidance of your life for His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me

Jehovah-Shammah: God who is there

Thank God who is there for His presence with you that dispels all fear. Your Shepherd is always there for you. Thank Him that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Thank God for His loving authority in your life to discipline, correct, and give you the security of loving limits. Thank Him that you can never mess up so bad that you fear punishment by Him.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies 

Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord my Banner of victory

Thank your Banner for His strength and protection against the enemy. Thank Him that Jesus lives victorious in you.

You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows

Thank your Shepherd for His grace and favor that He gives you so generously. Thank Him that you can enjoy fellowship with Him.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Thank your Shepherd that you can continuously sense His presence because of His faithfulness. Worship Him with a song that speaks of His nearness and love.

- sylvia gunter. 

.....landmarks

Two prospectors went to a desert in search for gold. They carefully noted every landmark, because to be lost could mean certain death. One night a great storm drove them into a cave, and from there they watched the lightning flash. Soon the rain began to pour and floodwaters gushed across the desert, ripping up cacti and completely changing the terrain.

One of the prospectors cried out in panic, "All the landmarks are swept away and we are lost!" But the other man calmly said, "Wait! Soon the storm clouds will be gone, and we will see the sky." Sure enough the clouds rolled back and when the two prospectors saw the stars, they found their bearings.

The prospectors have faded into history, but the panic that one feels when the landmarks are swept away is still in the hearts of many people today. People see the landscape of humanity destroyed and are quick to panic. As the prospectors had to wait and look up, so the solution to your concern lies in looking upward.

Two things give me peace amidst the storms of life. 

• One is by looking at the stars in the heavens, I realize that the God who placed them above, eons of years ago, is the same today. 
• Second, by remembering the ruins of ancient civilizations, I realize that the problems confronting me are not here to stay. They are merely part of the challenge of life, and they, like the civilizations of the past, will not be with me forever.

It is by looking upward that gives us bearing when the circumstances of life are chaotic. There is the anchor of a loving God who never changes. He speaks to our hearts today amidst the thunder and roar of life.

- harold sala

.....teach

When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, He said; "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" Matthew 22:37. Jesus clearly said the most important thing we can do in this life is to love God with absolutely every part of our being. But Jesus immediately added, "the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" Matthew 22:39.

After our love for God, we are called to love others with a love which flows from the love of Christ. At the end of His ministry, on the night before He was crucified, Jesus set a new standard for our love.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another John 13:34 Love for others had always been important, but Jesus called the command "new" and changed the standard from the way we love ourselves to the way He loved us. 

Jesus came into the world with the single purpose of dying for us so we could be restored to a right relationship with God - this is true love; "God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son..." John 3:16. We didn't do ANYTHING to deserve this love. While we were completely lost in a world of sin, "God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8.

This degree of love, poured out for those who are utterly undeserving, is the definition of God's grace. Peter said we are saved by this undeserved love; "it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved" Acts 15:11.  God's love is demonstrated through grace!

The concept of grace is essential in beginning our relationship with God as well as continuing with every step of our journey along His path. But try as we might, we can never adequately convey the meaning of God's grace with words. We must continue to proclaim His truth through spoken and written words, but in this important area of God's grace, we are given a "new command" to teach through our actions - to teach through our love.

We have been given an incredible gift! We are given a gift we can never repay, but it's a gift we must share. The world is in great need! It is lost and desperate to know the grace of our Lord and Savior. Let's pour out love to those around us in the same manner it was poured out on us - undeserved and without restraint! Let's live out Jesus' new command and, through love, teach the world His grace.

- steve troxel

.....embroidery

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. Looking at her work from the underside, I told her that it looked like a mess from where I was.

As I watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, I complained to her that it sure looked messy from where I sat. She would smile at me, look down and gently say, "My son, you go about your playing for awhile, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side." 

I would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass and then I would hear Mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee." This I did only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or a sunset. I could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy. 

Then Mother would say to me, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a pre-drawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing." 

Many times through the years I have looked up to my Heavenly Father and said, "Father, what are You doing?" He has answered, "I am embroidering your life." I say, "But it looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?" The Father seems to tell me, "'My child, you go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you to Heaven and put you on My knee and you will see the plan from My side."

- dave langerfeld