contents

The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit. He quoted I Samuel 16:7, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 

He explained, "These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different."   Then he upset one of the jars and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other jar and vinegar spilled out.

"When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference lay within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed. Until we are upset, we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for "out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45).  What if someone tipped you over today? What would flow out? Would you reveal the "honey" of grace and patience, or the "vinegar" of anger and sarcasm?

blank

"If I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.”  (Job 23:8-9)

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."  {Job 13:15 )

One day while printing a report for work, I noticed a blank page.  I thought the printer was malfunctioning until I looked near the bottom of the page to see, “this page intentionally left blank.”  After a sigh of relief, a different section of the report began to spout from the printer.  Another “page intentionally left blank” preceded another section of the report. The page intentionally left blank served as a separator page to let the reader know that a different section was behind it.

There are points in our lives in which we say to our selves, "God, I don't have a clue as to what you are doing.". Sometimes we say (or think), "This is happening, that is happening, and I am not getting any guidance from You, God. What's going on?"  This is a point in life in which God intentionally leaves the page blank.  God sometimes remains silent in order for us to trust Him beyond our emotions.

God wants us to trust Him when we do not feel His presence.  He wants us to continue to trust Him even when we feel He is not near.  Some are wondering, “Where are you God, do you hear me, have you left me? Some are at a "blank page" point.  Be encouraged that God is still near and simply wants us to trust Him because the current page in our life may be intentionally left blank. Trust Him in the "blank pages" of life.

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

contrite

Have you ever prayed this prayer?

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."  (Psalm 51)

Let me expand the question: How many times have you prayed this prayer? Or, perhaps, how many times have you prayed this prayer this week? Sin and guilt create distance between God and us. As the old saying goes, "If you feel far away from God, guess who moved?" God does not and has not moved away from us when we sin. But, the distance comes as a consequence of our guilt and shame.

When we realize that our sin has created a distance, we are prone to rely on our natural human tendencies to fix the problem and eliminate the distance.  We make promises. "Lord, I will never do this again. Please forgive me." "Father, I will work harder for You if You will forgive me." "Lord, I will do anything You want me to do, will You please forgive me?"

So, we go to work. We beat ourselves up reminding us how foolish we are. Our self-talk changes. We remind ourselves of what an awful person we are. We second-guess ourselves. We feel ashamed. We constantly belittle ourselves. Our thinking seems to follow this line of thinking: "If I can keep apologizing, repenting, working harder to do better, and convincing myself how awful I am, then surely the Lord will realize how hard I am trying to be right and forgive me."

Ever been there? Read David/s words again... "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

"A broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart?" Really? That's what God wants? That sounds simple. Why do we make it so difficult?

First, we make it more difficult because we are not sure that God can be trusted to forgive us. It is a control issue. It is a surrender issue. It is a trust issue.

Second, we make it more difficult because we think it is easier to fix things ourselves than to depend on God. Admitting our sin and really being honest with God about our sin, our foolish nature, and immature actions is more difficult, or less appealing than working harder to make things right. We can control (there's that word again) our hard work. We are confident in our ability. To approach the throne of God completely open and humble (and perhaps the person we have sinned against) is more frightening, and perhaps too easy, and too difficult. It comes down to our dependence upon the living God to do what only He can do.

The New Testament writer, Paul, said it this way: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from the body of this death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25)

This week may be the perfect time for you to confess your sins, to humble yourself, to be broken with all your heart, and to make a fresh start. Today may be the opportune time to come clean with God and with your fellow man.

Humble yourself. Trust the God who created you, loves you, and sent His only Son to die for you. He can handle your broken and contrite heart. In fact, that is what He is looking for.

-tom norvell

altar

And there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord. Genesis 12:8.

Abraham, the friend of God, set us a worthy example. His was a life of prayer and humble obedience, and he was as a light in the world. Wherever he pitched his tent, close beside it was set up his altar, calling for the morning and evening sacrifice of each member of his family.... From Christian homes a similar light should shine forth. Love should be revealed in action. It should flow out in all home intercourse, showing itself in thoughtful kindness, in gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where these principles are carried out—homes where God is worshiped and truest love reigns. From these homes morning and evening prayer comes up before God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings descend upon the suppliants like the morning dew. 

We must have more religion. We need the strength and grace that are born of earnest prayer. This means of grace should be diligently used in order to gain spiritual muscle. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him. It makes us realize more and more our great needs, and hence our obligation to God and our dependence upon Him. It leads us to feel our own nothingness and the weakness of our judgment. God has made earnest prayer the condition of the bestowal of His richest blessings.... 

This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself and your family to God for that day. Make no calculation for months or years, for they are not yours. One brief day is given you, and that one day work for yourself and your family as though it were your last. Surrender all your plans to God, to be carried out or given up, as His providence shall indicate. In this manner you may day by day be giving your life with its plans and purposes into the hands of God, accepting His plans instead of your own, no matter how much they may interfere with your arrangements nor how many pleasant projects may have to be abandoned. Thus the life will be molded more and more after the divine Model; and “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

-e g white, in heavenly places pg 213

closer

"Then He said, 'Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice." (1 Kings 19:11-12)   

The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher.

Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't God answer?"

The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply -- something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked.

The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you."

With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."

This time the young man heard and he understood. We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's is the still, small voice... the gentle whisper.

Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still, I find myself closer to God.

cinderella

My friend Kenny and his family had just returned from Disney World. "I saw a sight I'll never forget," he said. "I want you to know about it."

He and his family were inside Cinderella's castle. It was packed with kids and parents. Suddenly all the children rushed to one side. Had it been a boat, the castle would have tipped over.  Cinderella had entered.

Cinderella. The pristine princess. Kenny said she was perfectly typecast. A gorgeous young girl with each hair in place, flawless skin, and a beaming smile. She stood waist-deep in a garden of kids, each wanting to touch and be touched.

For some reason Kenny turned and looked toward the other side of the castle.  It was now vacant except for a boy maybe seven or eight years old. His age was hard to determine because of the disfigurement of his body. Dwarfed in height, face deformed, he stood watching quietly and wistfully, holding the hand of an older brother.

Don't you know what he wanted? He wanted to be with the children. He longed to be in the middle of the kids reaching for Cinderella, calling her name. But can't you feel his fear, fear of yet another rejection? Fear of being taunted again, mocked again?

Don't you wish Cinderella would go to him? Guess what? She did!

She noticed the little boy. She immediately began walking in his direction.  Politely but firmly inching through the crowd of children, she finally broke free. She walked quickly across the floor, knelt at eye level with the stunned little boy, and placed a kiss on his face.

"I thought you would appreciate the story," Kenny told me. I did. It reminded me of the one you and I have been studying. The names are different, but isn't the story almost the same? Rather than a princess of Disney, we've been considering the Prince of Peace. Rather than a boy in a castle, we've looked at a thief on a cross. In both cases a gift was given. In both cases love was shared. In both cases the lovely one performed a gesture beyond words.

But Jesus did more than Cinderella. Oh, so much more.

Cinderella gave only a kiss. When she stood to leave, she took her beauty with her. The boy was still deformed. What if Cinderella could had done what Jesus did? What if she had assumed his state? What if she had somehow given him her beauty and taken on his disfigurement?

That's what Jesus did.

"He took our suffering on him and felt our pain for us.? He was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds" (Isa. 53:4-5).

Make no mistake:..

Jesus gave more than a kiss - he gave his beauty.

He paid more than a visit - he paid for our mistakes.

He took more than a minute - he took away our sin.

-max lucado

all......

Thousands of cars are stolen every year in California, but in 1981, there was one car theft that made all the local papers and was the lead story on the evening news. The police had issued an all-points bulletin to find the missing car and to make contact with the person who stole it.

Why was this car theft getting so much attention? The owner of the stolen car had informed the police that on the front seat of the car was a box of crackers laced with a deadly poison. The car owner had planned to use the crackers as rat bait. So the police were desperately trying to find the thief not to punish him, but to save his life. They were afraid he would eat one of the crackers and die.

In the same way, our Heavenly Father pursues us - not because he wants to punish us but because he wants to save us. You may be running away from God

because - like the car thief - you are a sinner. You have broken God's law.

But what you may not realize is that God is trying to rescue you, not condemn you. The penalty for your sin has been paid by Jesus Christ on the cross, and God wants to give you your freedom. So stop running and turn yourself in. Your life is at stake!

 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

-wayne rice

.............walk

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22).

In 1953, reporters gathered at a Chicago railway station waiting to meet the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner.  He was a big man, well over six feet tall, with bushy hair and a large mustache.

Reporters were excited to see him and expressed what an honor it was to meet him. Cameras were flashing, compliments were being expressed when, looking beyond the adulation, the visitor saw an elderly black woman struggling to carry her two large suitcases.

"Excuse me," he said as he went to the aid of this woman. Picking up her cases, he escorted her to a bus and then apologized to the reporters for keeping them waiting.

The man was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the famous missionary-doctor who had invested his life helping poor and sick people in Africa.

A member of the reception committee remarked to one of the reporters, "That's the first time I ever saw a sermon walking." 

The measure of any man or woman is not their name, nor their fame, nor what they say, but what they do.  Today, make it your prayer that someone would see you as a "sermon walking".

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!" (James 1:22)

"I'd Rather See A Sermon"

By Edgar Guest

I'd rather see a sermon

Than hear one any day;

I'd rather one should walk with me

Than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil

And more willing than the ear,

Fine counsel is confusing,

But example's always clear;

And the best of all the preachers

Are the men who live their creeds,

For to see good put in action

Is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it

If you'll let me see it done;

I can watch your hands in action,

But your tongue too fast may run.

And the lectures you deliver

May be very wise and true,

But I'd rather get my lessons

By observing what you do;

For I might misunderstand you

and the high advice you give,

But there's no misunderstanding

How you act and how you live.

And all travelers can witness

That the best of guides today

Is not the one who tells them,

But the one who shows the way.

Though an able speaker charms me

with his eloquence, I say,

I'd rather see a sermon

Than to hear one, any day.

...........wrong

Everyone suffers an occasional rejection. Some high school seniors don't get into their college of choice. Many a college graduate doesn't get the dream job he or she had counted on. Suitors are turned down. Social slights abound.

Some people so internalize the rejections they encounter that they become paralyzed by life. They abandon their dreams. They settle for less than God intended with their lives. They give up and resign themselves to mediocrity. They allow the judgments other people pass on them to define them. What a shame!

Imagine the difference that would have been made in our world if certain people had accepted others' rejection of them as the final word on their worth. Beethoven's music teacher said he was "hopeless" at composing. The Wright brothers were ridiculed for their dream of a flying machine. Albert Einstein was feared to be mentally retarded as a child. Martin Luther King was born to a culture that had institutionalized racism to make people like him "stay in their place."

You've no doubt seen pictures of Michelangelo's David. Maybe you've stood in front of it and marveled at its flawless lines. Many judge it to be the world's most perfect piece of sculpture. The torso of the biblical hero who went from shepherd boy to King of Israel is rendered in exquisite detail. Down to the muscle contraction etched on his forehead, it seems almost ready to come alive.

The masterpiece that is David was carved from a single block of marble that two other artists had already discarded for its imperfections! And so it might have been with the historical figure himself. When God sent his prophet to anoint the next king for Israel, neither Samuel nor the family patriarch to whom God had sent him considered David to be in the running. He wasn't even invited in from the fields to meet the visiting holy man. He was, after all, just a boy tending sheep.

The David story contains this marvelous line: "The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart". Just as Michelangelo would later see possibilities for a flawed block of marble others had discarded, God saw possibilities for a raw young man for whom others appear not to have forecast greatness.

A rejected marble block in Michelangelo's hands yielded artistic brilliance. A slighted youth in God's hands became the legendary King of Israel. So why should you let life's slights and rejections define you? In the hands of The Master, you still have infinite possibilities before you to prove the critics wrong.

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:17) 

obedience

There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note.

 

The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveller.” The man refilled the jug and added to the note: “ Please prime the pump, believe me it works”!

 

We have the same choice to make, do we hold on to what we have because we don’t believe there are better things in store for us, and settle for immediate satisfaction? Or do we trust God and give up all that we have to get what God has promised us? I think the choice is obvious. We need to pour in all the water, trust God with everything.

 

Then once we have experienced what God has to offer, the living water, we need to tell other people, “Go ahead and prime the pump.  Believe me, it works”! 

encouragement

 

"Let us encourage one another." (Hebrews 10:25)

 

One writer observed a mother walking with a small handicapped child whose both legs were in braces. He was having a difficult time but his mother was right there with him encouraging him at every step.

"That's great! You're doing splendidly," she kept repeating.

"I want to run," the boy called.

"Very well, try it," his mother encouraged enthusiastically. As he did, he tripped and almost fell and would have except his mother was right there beside him and caught him so he wouldn't hurt himself. "You did fine," she said again, "and next time you will do even better."

God, too, knows our limitations. He sees our brokenness and doesn't expect us to be able to make it alone. He knows we can't run with a broken leg. He also knows we can't live the Christian life without help and encouragement. He wants us to know that he is right there beside us to encourage us to keep trying and to keep growing and become stronger.

God also knows that we need supporting friends to encourage us, to help keep us on track, and to keep us accountable-as none of us can make it alone.

promises

1. God has a purpose for your life

It is no accident that you are alive today. You are here by God's choosing.  You were born at this time in History to fulfill His purpose for this generation. He has given you all the light you need to know His will, and He has given you all the grace you need to do His will. If you are committed to His will, there is nothing that can keep you from it.

 

2. God is in charge

God has not retreated somewhere in the universe and gone into hiding. He is today where He has always been - on His throne. There is no king or ruler that has more authority than God; there is no political figure that has more influence than God; there is no nation that has more control than God. No one can out-think Him or out-smart Him. He is God Almighty. If you have placed your life in His hands, He is in charge of your life and all you do.

  

3. God is sovereign

Nothing can stop His plan or frustrate His purposes. God is not worried about what will happen or what He will be able to do. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He sees the future and He is already there. He knows where He is leading your life and He knows how to get you there. If you follow Him, you will find that He makes no mistakes.

  

4. God's Word is dependable

All Scripture is God's written Word. It is 100% reliable because God is 100% infallible. The Scriptures have endured the test of time. Men have tried to destroy them but they still remain. Men have tried to dispute them but they have had the final say in every argument. Men have tried to refute them but they stand over each man's grave as a living testimony to all that is true, righteous, and eternal. If you obey His Word you will never have regrets.

  

5. You belong to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken

Throughout history kings have been overthrown, leaders have fallen from power, kingdoms have been conquered, armies have been defeated, riches have been depleted, and fortresses have toppled over. It is only in the Kingdom of God that anyone can find true rest and security. No rebellion can break down its gates, no weapon can penetrate its borders, and no warrior can come against its King. The way of the Kingdom is where your feet can walk; the truth of the Kingdom is what your faith can embrace; the love of the Kingdom is what your heart can give away.

  

6. You are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ

When Jesus came, He came and shed His blood to save you, cleanse you, forgive you, and deliver you from the power of the devil. His blood has bought you, and the enemy has no claim upon your life. You are His and His alone. He is your Redeemer, and He has taken full responsibility for your life since the day you gave your heart to Him. Because of His blood, your future is secure, your inheritance is guaranteed, and your destiny is certain.

  

7. God has given you all that you need to serve Him

The grace of God covers you, the presence of God is in you, the angels of God are with you, the arms of God are around you, the gifts of God are for you, and the power of God is upon you. He has not abandoned you or left you in this world as an orphan, alone and forsaken. God is for you, the Holy Spirit is in you, Jesus is with you, and all the heavenly hosts are on your side.

  

8. Jesus Christ is coming back

The outcome of all things has already been determined. Jesus is the winner. He is without rival in the universe. No evil, no outlaw, no terrorist or anarchist will be standing in the end. Every enemy of God will be defeated, every false prophet will be exposed, every evil spirit will be chained, and every accusing tongue will be silenced. The final chapter in the Book of Life has already been written, and there will be no need for rewrites or revisions. All that remains is for its writings to be fulfilled. One day soon, you will forever be with the Lord, John 14:1-3.

 

9. God loves you and will not fail you

You are God's child and He is your Father. He loves and cares for you more than you will ever know. All that He is, He is for you. The depth of His love for you cannot be measured, and its height cannot be scaled. He wants you to trust Him completely because He will not fail you. When you go through trials, He will keep you from defeat, and when you face temptations He will keep you from shame. When the enemy comes in like a flood, He will raise up a standard against Him.

  

10. Jesus Christ will never let you go

He is with you always. No one can pluck you out of His hand, so you need not fear any evil. He is daily praying for you, and His prayers are being answered. He is preparing a place for you in His Father's house, and He will come for you. If you ever question His love for you, just look at His hands. Jesus will never ask you to do something without His grace. In the dark times He will be your light. In troubled times He will be your security. In uncertain times He will be your guidance. In fearful times He will be your peace. You will never face a day without Him; you will never take a step without His presence walking beside you; you will never face a need without His supply; you will never face a circumstance that He can't bring you through.

-roy lessin

blind

The following is a true story (though there are some questions about a few of the details).  Back in 1893, there was a group of four sisters in Iowa.  They called themselves the Cherry Sisters and made their stage debut in Cedar Rapids in a skit they wrote themselves.  It was terrible.  But, for three years, the Cherry Sisters performed to packed theaters throughout the Midwest.  People came to see them to find out if they were as bad as they had heard!  Their unbelievably atrocious acting enraged critics and provoked the audience to throw vegetables at the would-be actresses. Wisely, the sisters thought it best to travel with an iron screen which they would erect in front of the stage in self-defense.

Amazingly, in 1896 the girls were offered a thousand dollars a week to perform on Broadway -- not because they were so good, but because they were so unbelievably bad.  Seven years later, after the Cherry Sisters had earned what in that day was a respectable fortune of $200,000, they retired from the stage for the peaceful life back on the farm.  Oddly enough, these successful Broadway "stars" remained convinced to the end that they were truly the most talented actresses ever to grace the American stage.  They never had a clue as to how bad they truly were!  They naively believed that the tossed vegetables were either unrestrained tributes to their talent or acts of jealousy by less talented people.

How could they be so blind?  I find it all too easy to understand.  The truth is, like everyone else, I am blind to many of my shortcomings.  I fail to recognize that I have a problem with impatience or lack of compassion or pride.  Don't get me wrong -- I have no trouble seeing those faults (and many more as well!) in the lives of people around me.  I can readily see how sinful everyone else is.  But even when people "toss vegetables" at me, I still insist there's no problem with me.

Jesus had something to say about this to the Pharisees (and of course it's easy for me to see how sinful THEY were!):

"Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-4)

God, please open my eyes to those things in my life which displease You and keep me from being close to You and others around me.  In my times of blindness, help me to see.  In Jesus' name, amen.

-alan smith

cake

A little boy is telling his Grandma how everything is going wrong. School, family problems, severe health problems, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which, of course, he does.

"Here, have some cooking oil."

"Yuck" says the boy.

"How about a couple raw eggs? "

"Gross, Grandma!"

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"

"Grandma, those are all yucky!"

To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way.

Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!"

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Hope your day today is a "piece of cake"!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

flesh

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:24.

We are not our own. We have been “bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20), not “with corruptible things, as silver and gold, ... but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18, 19); “that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians5:15).

All men have been bought with this infinite price. By pouring the whole treasury of heaven into this world, by giving us in Christ all heaven, God has purchased the will, the affections, the mind, the soul, of every human being.... All men are the Lord’s property.

This expression, “bought with a price,” means everything to us. In consideration of the price paid for us, shall we not yield our bodies and souls up to Him who has bought us with His blood? Shall not that which He has redeemed be kept in as wholesome and pure and holy a condition as possible? ... Our very flesh He has saved at an infinite cost, giving His own flesh for the life of the world.

The lower passions have their seat in the body, and work through it. The words “flesh” or “fleshly” or “carnal lusts” embrace the lower, corrupt nature; the flesh of itself cannot act contrary to the will of God. We are commanded to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. How shall we do it? Shall we inflict pain on the body? No; but put to death the temptation to sin. The corrupt thought is to be expelled.... All animal propensities are to be subjected to the higher powers of the soul. The love of God must reign supreme; Christ must occupy an undivided throne. Our bodies are to be regarded as His purchased possession. The members of the body are to become the instruments of righteousness.

Jesus will be the helper of all who put their trust in Him. Those who are connected with Christ have happiness at their command. They follow the path where their Saviour leads, for His sake crucifying the flesh, with its affections and lusts. They have built their hopes on Christ, and the storms of earth are powerless to sweep them from the sure foundation.

dangerous

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22.

The moral dangers to which all, both old and young, are exposed are daily increasing. Moral derangement, which we call depravity, finds ample room to work, and an influence is exerted by men, women, and youth professing to be Christians that is low, sensual, devilish.... 

Those who have learned the truth and do not have works corresponding with their profession of faith are subject to Satan’s temptations. They encounter danger at every step they advance. They are brought into contact with evil, they see sights, they hear sounds, that will awaken their unsubdued passions; they are subjected to influences that lead them to choose the evil rather than the good, because they are not sound at heart. Just at the time when the power of the will is to be exercised, when firmness is required to resist the first approach of temptation, you find them easy subjects of Satan’s devices, a mere plaything of the devil. Every temptation is now at work to lead those who claim to keep God’s commandments, to break them.... 

All must learn the lesson of what power there is in a good character. There is no training we need so much now as the preparing of young men and women to have moral rectitude and to cleanse their souls of every spot and stain of moral defilement. The standard of morality and holiness is trailing in the dust.... 

We are near the close of probation, when every case is to pass in review before God. Now, in probation, is the time God has given us for the formation of pure and holy characters. If this time is not improved, if the thoughts are impure, if the heart is not sanctified, if unholy practices are indulged, be sure that the portion of such will be with the unholy, the debased, the abominable. 

It is now, in probationary time, that every soul must make his choice. This choice will be seen in the family, will be seen in the association with the church. Virtue and true, unselfish principles will bring their own reward, for they will be reproduced in others.... “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20).

-ellen g white, in heavenly places pg 196

storm

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages, below the eagle is soaring above it.

The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us ... and all of us will experience them...we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God.

The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure, and disappointment into our lives. We can soar above the storm. Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.

 

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles." Isaiah 40:31a

bank

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:20, 21. 

Here is portrayed the value of eternal riches, in contrast with the treasures of earth. If the purpose and aim of your life is to lay up treasure in heaven, you will be lifted above the base, sordid, demoralizing influence of an inordinate desire to obtain wealth in this life. Laying up treasure in heaven will give nobility to the character; it will strengthen benevolence, encourage mercy; cultivate sympathy, brotherly kindness, and charity. It will unite the soul of man with Christ, by links that can never be broken. You may lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven by being rich in good works—rich in imperishable and spiritual things. 

The instruction is to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” It is for our own interest that we secure heavenly riches. God is not benefited by our benevolence. The cattle upon a thousand hills are His. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” Psalm 24:1. But in using the gifts that He has entrusted to our care for the salvation of souls, we transfer our wealth to the treasury of heaven. When we are seeking the glory of God, and hasting unto the day of God, we are colaborers with Christ, and our joy is not a base and fleeting emotion; but it is the joy of our Lord. We are elevated above the corroding, perplexing cares of this frail, fickle world. 

While we are in this world, we are subject to losses and disappointments. Thieves break through and steal; moth and rust corrupt; fire and storm sweep away our possessions.... How many have devoted life and soul to acquiring wealth, but were not rich toward God; and when adversity came upon them, and their possessions were swept away, they had nothing laid up in heaven. They had lost all—both temporal and eternal riches.... 

Everything that is laid up upon earth may be swept away in a moment; but nothing can disturb the treasure that is laid up in heaven. 

– ellen g white, our high calling195

mistakes

     The story is told of two hunters who got a pilot to fly them into the far north for elk hunting.  They were quite successful in their venture and bagged six big bucks.  The pilot came back, as arranged, to pick them up.   They started loading their gear into the plane, including the six elk.

     The pilot objected and said, "The plane can only carry four of your elk.  Any more than that would weigh the plane down too much.  You'll have to leave two of the elk behind."

     The two hunters were both infuriated and insistent.  They said, "Last year, we shot six elk and that pilot let us put them all on board.  And that plane was the exact same model."

     Reluctantly, the pilot finally permitted them to put all six aboard.  But about fifteen minutes after taking off, the engine started to sputter, and within seconds they were hurtling to the ground and crashed into the wilderness.

     Climbing out of the wreckage, one hunter said to the other, "Do you know where we are?"

     "I think so," replied the other hunter.  "I think this is about a mile from where we crashed last year!"

     We're so slow to learn at times.  We make a mistake, and you would think we would learn never to make that mistake again, but we often find ourselves right back where we were.  We think, "This time it will be different.  This time it won't end up the same way."  But it often does.  Hopefully, though, we eventually reach a level of maturity where we can learn from our mistakes.

     Aldous Huxley once said, "Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him."

     Two of Jesus’ apostles made some terrible mistakes.  Judas betrayed Jesus for a handful of coins, and Peter denied knowing Jesus (not once, but three times!) to prevent being persecuted.  Is there really any difference between betraying Jesus to get money and denying Him to save your own skin?  Two terrible mistakes, and both wept bitterly afterward, realizing how they had failed Jesus.

     But the two men responded to their mistakes in very different ways.  Judas was so distraught that he didn’t think he could even go on living.  Peter was devastated as well, but accepted the forgiveness of Jesus, learned from his mistakes and went on to do powerful things for the kingdom.

     “Although a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again, but the wicked will be brought down by calamity.” (Proverbs 24:16, NET Bible)

     Made any mistakes lately?  Thanks to Christ, it doesn't have to be the end of the world.  But may you learn from them as you grow closer to God.

-alan smith