obey

I have several friends who are licensed pilots. One was working on his instrument landing skill, but felt a surge of anxiety when the control tower directed him to come in through a narrow pass between two mountains and then weave past several tall buildings. He asked for a repeat on directions from the tower when a control operator calmly replied: “You just obey my  instructions and I'll take care of your obstructions.” 

Sounds like something I hear from the Lord a lot of times. My responsibility is to obey His will. His purpose is to direct my path.”

“Obey My Instructions - I’ll Take Care of Your Obstructions!”

"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)

-dean register

four

"There is a proper time and procedure for every delight."  Ecclesiastes 8:6

If you were to point your car southwest of Cortez, Colorado, drive exactly 38 miles along Highway 160 and then hang a right on Four Corners Monument Road, in about a half mile you'd run into the only spot in America where you can be in four states at the same time: the intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. It's out in the middle of an empty desert, surrounded by dust, rocks and boulders.

But that doesn't stop upwards of 2,000 people a day from visiting Four Corners and waiting in line just for the thrill of having their picture taken standing in four states at once. Truly the American way, huh—trying to be four places at one time!

Truth be told, it's a picture of the way many of us elect to live our lives. We are constantly pulled in several different directions. Our pressure-filled, rush-rush, hurried lifestyle has a way of leaving us winded, dazed and addicted to the next item on our activity list.

It leaves us little time for serious spiritual reflection. Little time for anything more than snap judgments. Little time to share our dreams with each other as a couple. Little sense of where we've been and where we're going.

What's more, I fear that by crowding out any room for meaningful communication, original thoughts or spiritual insights in our family schedules, we're fueling in our children a raw addiction to activity, constant motion, continuous noise and endless sensory stimulation.

I urge you to stop and check the speed limit on this road you're on. Imagine a life that allows for real living . . . the kind you'll never find at Four Corners.

“Be still, and know that I am God."  (Psalm 46:10)

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30)

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."  (Matthew 6:24) 

"Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your hearts."  (Philippians 4:6-7) 

-posted at cup o'cheer

spoon

Recently, Pa was being irritable, especially regarding food. At a nearby restaurant, he stopped for a quick meal and the waiter provided a bowl of soup.

As the waiter turned away to return to the kitchen, Pa stopped him, calling: "Waiter!"

"Yes, sir, is there something wrong?"

"The soup. Taste it," replied Pa.

"I beg your pardon, Sir?"

"Taste it."

"But, Sir, I can assure you that the soup is excellent."

"Taste it," Pa persisted.

"Sir, the soup was made this morning of the finest ingredients."

"Taste it!"

The exasperated waiter finally relented. "All right, Sir, I'll taste it." Then after a pause he said,  "Where is the spoon?"

To which Pa replied triumphantly, "Ah ha ... "

It doesn't matter how good soup is, if I have no way to get the soup to my mouth, I will never be able to enjoy it.  In a similar way, it doesn't matter how wonderful the gospel message is, if it doesn't get to those who need it, it will never do them any good.  The Bible uses several metaphors to describe this process.  We are the "hands and feet" of Jesus.  Also, Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:7 that we are "earthen vessels" of little value that carry the far more valuable message about Jesus.  Allow me to add one more image to the list -- we are God's "spoons"!

Think about this.  Nobody eats a meal at a fine restaurant, then later raves about how nice the spoon was!  No, they may rave about how good the soup was, but no one pays much attention to the spoon.  The purpose of the spoon is merely to allow you to enjoy the soup.  In fact, you hardly even notice the spoon.....unless you don't have one!

Our job is not to get people to notice us.  Rather, our purpose is merely to get the gospel message to as many people as possible.

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).

There are people around you who will never know the beauty of the story of Jesus Christ unless you're willing to be a "spoon"!  Will you share that message with someone today?

-alan smith

beginning

"Then God brought Abram outside beneath the nighttime sky and told him, 'Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that-too many to count!' And Abram believed God; then God considered him righteous on account of his faith." (Genesis 15:5-6)

After the creation account in the Bible, we are privy to the story of Adam and Eve, their fall from grace, their oldest son Cain's murder of his brother Abel, and their expulsion from paradise. We are only four chapters into Genesis at this point, and already, we could easily become discouraged.

But, wait. You don't have to go far to become hopeful, because a few chapters later, we are introduced to Abraham. At age seventy-five, God called this wealthy landowner to leave his home in Haran, and journey to Canaan. To do this, Abraham had to give up his home, possessions, and ties to his people. It would have been much simpler to stay put, remain wealthy, and live a life without challenges, but Abraham trusted God to give him a new and wondrous beginning.

And what did God give to Abraham, as a result of his trust and faith? God made him the father of Israel; his descendants were like the stars in the sky; at the ripe old age of 100, he and his 90 year old wife, Sarah, celebrated the arrival of their first child, Isaac, and Abraham accomplished all that God asked him to do.< br />

We, like Abraham, are called. God has a purpose for each of us. And when we obey that call, He equips us with everything we need, and sends us on a journey of new and wondrous beginnings.

-myra f. smith

storm

A pastor had been on a long flight between conferences. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: Fasten Your Seat Belts. Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We will not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice on the intercom said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

And then the storm broke... The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments, that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.

Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly.

Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm; when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity; when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.

The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.

Don 't worry!  Our Father is the Pilot. 

He is in control and He's taking us home.

...........is

He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation, and
The Creator of all!

He is the Architect of the Universe, and
The Manager of all times.
He always was,
He always is, and
He always will be . . .
Unmoved,
Unchanged,
Undefeated, and
Never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.

Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him,
And non-believers can't explain Him away!

He is Light,
Love,
Longevity, and
Lord.

He is Goodness,
Kindness,
Gentleness, and
God.

He is Holy,
Righteous,
Mighty,
Powerful, and
Pure.

His ways are right,
His Word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me!

He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my Guide, and
He is my Peace!

He is my Joy,
He is my Comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and
His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is
The Wisdom of the wise,
The Power of the powerful,
The Ancient of Days,
The Ruler of rulers,
The Leader of leaders,
The Overseer of the overcomers, and
The Sovereign Lord of all that was, and is and is to come.

And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size . . .
His goal is a relationship with you!

....discouraged

I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted,
And here's the reason why...

I have a God who's mighty,
Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
And I am on His team.

He is all-wise and powerful,
Jesus is His name;
Though other things are changeable,
My God remains the same,

My God knows all that's happening;
From beginning to the end,
His presence is my comfort,
He is my dearest friend.

When sickness comes to weaken me,
To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God;
Into His arms I go.

When circumstances threaten me
To rob me of my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast,
Where all my strivings cease.

And when my heart melts in me,
And weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms,
He soothes my heart and soul.

The great "I AM" is with me,
My life is in His hand,
The "Son of God", he is my hope,
It's in His strength I stand.

I refuse to be defeated,
My eyes are on my God
He has promised to be with me,
As through this life I trod.

I'm looking past my circumstance,
To Heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God,
I'm resting in His love.

I give God thanks in everything,
My eyes are on His face;
The battle's His, the victory's mine;
He'll help me win the race.
-bj george 

stronger

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4:13)

The small squirrel, scurrying like crazy to get out of our way on the walkway, was holding onto a good-sized pinecone.  He wasn’t about to lose his treasure! Amazing that he could grasp and drag something almost as large as he was. And how many times have you seen an ant picking up a crumb larger than itself?

We can work out, have great biceps and abs. We can exercise our brains and have great info and knowledge. But supernatural strength comes from the Lord, above and beyond our own abilities.

You are stronger than you think with God’s help and power behind you. It is good to know where our inner strength comes from and who gives us that gift.

So how strong are you? Very strong, in Christ. And that is good news!

You have the mind of Christ: 

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil 2:15) 

"'Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." ( 1 Cor 2:16)

The Lord gives you wisdom: 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."  (James 1:5)   

The Lord gives you strength: 

"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure."  (Psalm 18:32)    

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you." (Isaiah 41:10)

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." .(Isaiah 40:29)

The Lord gives you direction: 

"In all your ways acknowlege Him, and He will direct your paths."  (Proverbs 3:6)

"The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps."  (Proverbs 16:9)

In fact, 'greater things you will do’: 

"Very, verily I say unto you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."  (John 14:12)

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being."  (Ephesians 3:16)

"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." (1 Chronicles 16:11)

-sally kennedy

criticism

A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband.  Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen.

"Careful," he said, "CAREFUL!  Put in some more butter!  Oh no!  You're cooking too many at once.  TOO MANY!  Turn them!  TURN THEM NOW!  We need more butter.  Oh no!  WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER?  They're going to STICK!  Careful.  CAREFUL!  I said be CAREFUL!  You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking!  Never!  Turn them!  Hurry up!  Are you CRAZY?  Have you LOST your mind?  Don't forget to salt them.  You know you always forget to salt them.  Use the salt.  USE THE SALT!  THE SALT!"

The wife stared at him. "What in the world is wrong with you?  You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?"

The husband calmly replied, "I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving."

Criticism.  We've all experienced it.  Sometimes it is justified, sometimes it is not.  But none of us like it.  No one enjoys being told they are doing something wrong.

Guy Woods has written, "Inasmuch as criticism is inevitable, we must, in order to be happy, acquire an ability to rise above it.  He who is overly sensitive to the opinions of others is at the mercy of every gossiper of his acquaintance.  Some folks purr like a kitten when stroked by praise; but when criticized, they become resentful, discouraged, and quit.  It is highly essential that everyone discover a technique for dealing with the adverse opinions of others, and use it regularly and effectively."

Let me offer several brief bits of advice when you are criticized:

(1)  Expect criticism.

Realize that the more active you are, the more criticism you will receive.  There's an eminent British cabinet officer's wife who is said to have kept this embroidered motto on their living room wall:  "To escape criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing."  Who catches the criticism?  It's the ones who are out there in the middle of things with their sleeves rolled up.

(2)  Criticism can serve a useful purpose.  Learn from it.

Recognize that some criticisms are certainly deserved.  Even when critics are unkind and when they exaggerate our failures, there may still be some truth in what they say.  So, when faced with criticism, we need to look at the situation honestly and ask these questions:  Is it true?  If so, how can I overcome the condition that caused it?  If not, is there something I can do to eliminate future criticism of the same type?

"The ear that hears the reproof of life will abide among the wise.  He who disdains instructions despises his own soul, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding." (Proverbs 15:31-32)

(3)  Having gotten any benefit we can from criticism, we need to forget it.

There are times when people will criticize you and the best thing you can do is just to keep on serving God.  We've got to accept the fact there is no way that unfair criticism can be dealt with.  In a lot of situations, the more you may attempt to answer criticism, the worse the criticism becomes.

Paul said, "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.  In fact, I do not even judge myself.  For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but he who judges me is the Lord." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

As we receive criticism in our lives, may God help us to be honest enough and humble enough to look into our hearts and make changes that are necessary, and gracious enough to ignore that criticism which is unfair.

-alan smith

secret

A woman named Frances once knew a young person at church named Debbie. Debbie always seemed effervescent and happy, although Frances knew she had faced struggles in her life. Her long-awaited marriage had quickly ended in divorce. She had struggled to get a grip on her single life. She hadn't chosen it, but she decided she would live it with utmost enjoyment and satisfaction.

Debbie was active in Sabbath school, in the choir, as a leader of the junior high girls' group, and in the church renewal movement. Frances enjoyed knowing Debbie. Debbie's whole face seemed to smile and she always greeted Frances with a hug.

One day Frances asked Debbie, "How is it that you are always so happy you have so much energy, and you never seem to get down?"

With her eyes smiling, Debbie said, "I know the secret!"

"What secret is that?  What are you talking about?" Frances asked.

Debbie replied, "I'll tell you all about it, but you have to promise to share the 'secret' with others."

Frances agreed, "Okay, now what is it?"

The secret is this: I have learned there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on God to make me happy and meet my needs. When a need arises in my life, I have to trust God to supply according to HIS riches. I have learned most of the time I don't need half of what I think I do. He has never let me down. Since I learned that secret I am happy.

Frances' first thought was, That's too simple! But upon reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would make her happy - but it didn't!  She thought a better-paying job would make her happy - but it hadn't.

When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren, eating pizza and watching a movie, a simple gift from God. Debbie knew the secret, Frances learned the secret, and now you know it too! We can't depend on people to make us happy - only GOD in his wisdom can do that.  Trust him.

And now I pass the secret on to you!

repairs

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)

I am into fixing things. If something breaks, get out the scotch tape, superglue, or bandages. I come from a long line of fixers. We all knew my dad could fix anything, from a picture frame that fell apart to a table leg that had broken. All you had to do was take it to him and you knew he would get it fixed and back to you.

My husband is a fixer, too. Our granddaughter says emphatically, when something like a flat tire on her bike needs fixing, or a splinter in her finger, “Go to PopPop. He can fix that.”

There are some things we just cannot fix, though, no matter how hard we try. We cannot fix broken hearts. That is a real tough one, but not too hard for our God.

Luke 1:37 tells us, “nothing is impossible with God”. The Lord himself said, “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)

When we take our broken hearts to the healer, the One who created our hearts, we can have them fixed. The only real fix for a broken heart is the Lord….His mercy, His kindness, His gentleness, and most of all His loving presence. He is not only the ultimate creator, He is the ultimate fixer.

That is good news.

-sally i. kennedy

if......

If you never felt pain,
Then how would you know that I'm a Healer?

If you never went through difficulty,
How would you know that I'm a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial,
How could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness,
How would you know that I'm a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake,
How would you know that I'm forgiving?

If you never were in trouble,
How would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never were broken,
Then how would you know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem,
How would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering,
Then how would you know what I went through?

If you never went through the fire,
Then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things,
How would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you,
How would you know that I love you?

If you had all power,
Then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect,
Then what would you need Me for?

"And he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will gladly glory in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

door

Traveling one day in Israel, a visitor to the holy land came across a shepherd and his sheep. He started a conversation with the shepherd and the shepherd showed him the fold into which the sheep were led at night. It consisted of four walls, and only one way in.  He asked him, "This is where they go at night?"

"Yes," said the shepherd, "and when they are in there, they are perfectly safe."

"But there is no door," he said.

"I am the door," said the shepherd. (He was not a Christian and wasn't speaking in the language of the New Testament. He was speaking from an shepherd's viewpoint.)

The visitor looked and him and asked, "What do you mean you are the door?"

"When the light has gone," he said, "and all the sheep are inside, I lie in that open space, and no sheep ever goes out but across my body, and no wolf comes in unless he crosses my body;  I am the door."

"Therefore Jesus said unto them again, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door; whoever enters by me will be saved.  They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy: I have come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.'"  (John 10:7-11)

burden

Jewish poet and storyteller Noah ben Shea tells this parable:

     After dinner, the children turned to Jacob and asked if he would tell them a story. "A story about what?" asked Jacob.

     "About a giant," squealed the children.

     Jacob smiled, leaned against the warm stones at the side of the fireplace, and his voice turned softly inward.  "Once there was a boy who asked his father to take him to see the great parade that passed through the village. The father, remembering the parade from when he was a boy, quickly agreed, and the next morning the boy and his father set out together.

"As they approached the parade route, people started to push in from all sides, and the crowd grew thick. When the people along the way became almost a wall; the father lifted his son and placed him on his shoulders.

"Soon the parade began and as it passed, the boy kept telling his father how wonderful it was and how spectacular were the colors and images. The boy, in fact, grew so prideful of what he saw that he mocked those who saw less saying, even to his father, 'If only you could see what I see.'"

"But," said Jacob staring straight in the faces of the children, "what the boy did not look at was why he could see. What the boy forgot was that once his father, too, could see."

     Then as if he had finished the story, Jacob stopped speaking.

     "Is that it?" said a disappointed girl. "We thought you were going to tell us a story about a giant."

     "But I did," said Jacob. "I told you a story about a boy who could have been a giant."

     "How?" squealed the children.

     "A giant," said Jacob, "is anyone who remembers we are all sitting on someone else's shoulders."

     "And what does it make us if we don't remember?" asked the boy.

     "A burden," answered Jacob.

We all have been richly blessed by those who have gone before us.  As a family member, I recognize that I have grandparents and parents who through much sacrifice and effort have given me the opportunity to do things that they couldn't even dream of doing.   As a citizen, I owe a great debt of gratitude to those who gave their lives for the freedoms I am able to enjoy.  

And as a Christian, I look back on so many others (both in recent years and in biblical times) who laid a foundation of faith that gives me the encouragement to draw closer to God myself.   I pray that I will never forget that I am sitting on someone else's shoulders.

" And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.   Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented -- of whom the world was not worthy.....Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Heb. 11:35-38;12:1)

 Are you a giant......or a burden?

owns

"So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11).

 

Although he was an innovator in the reclamation of silver in the photographic process, Stanley Tam of Lima, Ohio, is best known for his commitment to Jesus Christ. A large sign adorning the home of United States Plastic Corporation proclaims "Christ Is the Answer," and Tam's widely read book, God Owns My Business, describes how he arrived at the conviction that he should legally make God the literal owner of his business.

 

Tam, who has traveled throughout the country and world to testify about his Christian faith, is one who is willing to "put his money where his mouth is." Although his business success could have made him a millionaire many times over, he and his wife, Juanita, draw only modest salaries from U.S. Plastics. All profits are channeled through the Stanita Foundation, with those funds designated for a variety of Christian ministries, primarily overseas missions.

 

In the fall of 1954, Tam was speaking at a revival meeting in Medellin, Colombia when God confronted him in a supernatural way. God let him know He wanted him to turn the business over to Him completely and become His employee. So, on January 15, 1955, Stanley Tam ceased being a stockholder in either of his companies, States Smelting and Refining Corporation or United States Plastic Corporation.

 

In order to do this God had to deal with one area in his life. "I have always enjoyed making money, and God knew that. Had He left me undisturbed in this area, I could have become a proud, materialistic, self-centered spiritual misfit. In asking of me the submission of the greatest drive of my life, He removed a blighting influence and replaced it with an inner peace and satisfaction such as I could never have known otherwise.

 

I don't think there is such a thing as a part-time Christian; we are all in full-time ministry. We each need to ask God to take our vocation and make it a ministry. And if we ask Him, He will do it."

 

Does God own your business or your work life? If not, why not make that decision today and let Him use your work life for His glory.

-os hillman

watching

There was a nature show on television about a black bear that gave birth to two cubs. One cub died right away. Three weeks later the mother died and the remaining cub was left to fend for itself. An orphaned cub in that condition is like a walking buffet for predators. And of course the camera immediately showed a hungry-looking mountain lion. 

One day the orphan cub encountered a giant male black bear. The little cub cowered at the bear's sheer mass. The larger bear peered around and seemed to realize that the mother bear wasn't anywhere to be found. He gave the little cub a friendly nudge. The camera then showed the little bear happily trailing along after the larger one. The adoption papers were signed, sealed and registered at the county seat in that nudge. Papa bear proceeded to show the cub how to grub for insects and how to catch fish and how to scratch his back against a tree. 

One day the two bears became separated. The cub began to cry and looked frantically for his new father, but couldn't find him anywhere. The cub approached a stream where he'd learned to fish and something caught his attention. He looked up to see a mountain lion ready to pounce. That same mountain lion had stalked the cub for the entire show. There was no way that mountain lion would've gone for that cub with Papa bear around, but now.... 

The camera zoomed in on the cub. He automatically mimicked the posture of his adopted father when threatened. He stood on his hind legs and bared his teeth. Then, in the exactly the same way his new father would have done, this cub let loose a mighty growl that should have reverberated throughout the forest. But, only a tiny bear cub squeak came out. 

Well, you know what was coming. But, to everybody's astonishment the mountain lion lowered his head and ran off in the opposite direction. 

The camera panned back to the proud little cub still standing tall on his hind legs. And then all the viewers saw what that little cub could not: a few yards behind him, at full, ferocious height, his sharp, white teeth bared in a snarl, stood Daddy bear. He may not have made a sound, but he was there. 

And even though the cub couldn't see his father, his father stood guard, protecting his young. The little cub had power available greater than anything he could produce on his own. 

Someone greater was watching over him. 

"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

-billy d strayhorn

face

Pastor James Moore of Houston, Texas tells a story about a young man whose wife had died, leaving him with a small son. Back home from the cemetery, they went to bed early because there was nothing else he could bear to do.

As he lay there in the darkness - grief-stricken and heartbroken - the little boy broke the stillness from his little bed with a disturbing question, "Daddy, where is mommy?"

The father got up and brought the little boy to bed with him, but the child was still disturbed and restless, occasionally asking questions like "Why isn't she here?" and "When is she coming back?"

Finally the little boy said, "Daddy, if your face is toward me, I think I can go to sleep now."  And in a little while he was quiet.

The father lay there in the darkness, and then in childlike faith, prayed this prayer: "O God, I don't see how I can survive this. The future looks so miserable. But if your face is toward me, I think I can make it."

That's what the Messiah came to teach us: that God's face is always towards us. Therefore, let the Messiah replace your insecurity with the following bedrock conviction: God and you are in this together.

"The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry"  Psalms 34:15

 

"Make Your face to shine upon Your servant"  Pslams 31:16

 

"O Lord God of hosts, restore us; Cause Your face to shine upon us"  Psalms 80:19

help

David writes in Psalm 54:3, "Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life - men without regard for God."
 
Does this sound anything like the week facing you?  Does it describe the week you had last week?  Does it describe every week of your life?  Are strangers coming at you from every direction with no regard for God and they are determined to see you fail?  Are troubles coming at you fast and furious? Maybe the attacks are not from ruthless men, but they are schemes of the devil: negative thoughts, destructive thoughts, tempting thoughts, vengeful thoughts, greedy thoughts, or hateful thoughts.
 
If you are committed to following God and living as one "after God's own heart", like David, these may very well be in your future, or perhaps they describe your life today. Whether the attacks come from "ruthless men without regard for God," or from strangers from the unseen world of Satan, the plan is the same: to slander you, to destroy you, to ruin your reputation, to discourage you, to frustrate you, to weaken your influence, to damage your family, and to devastate your world.
 
Notice how David responded in Psalm 54:4...
    "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me."  (NIV)
    "But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive!" (NLT)
    "You will help me, Lord God, and keep me from falling;" (CEV)
 
These thoughts should go with us as we face the strangers, the enemies, and the attacks that fall in our path:
    The Lord is the one who sustains me.
          The Lord keeps me alive.
                The Lord will keep me from falling.
 
If your husband comes home and tells you that he has decided that he no longer loves you and wants a divorce, remember:
    The Lord is the one who sustains me.
          The Lord keeps me alive.
                The Lord will keep me from falling.
 
If you receive a notice that your company is not immune to the impact of the economic crisis and layoffs may be unavoidable, remember:
    The Lord is the one who sustains me.
          The Lord keeps me alive.
                The Lord will keep me from falling.
 
If your best friend tells you that she thinks she is in love with a man she has worked with for several years, and cannot continue to pretend she loves her husband, remember:
    The Lord is the one who sustains me.
          The Lord keeps me alive.
                The Lord will keep me from falling.
 
If your parents inform you that they do not love each other and are separating, remember:
    The Lord is the one who sustains me.
          The Lord keeps me alive.
                The Lord will keep me from falling.
 
If your doctor suggests exploratory surgery, remember:   
    The Lord is the one who sustains me.
          The Lord keeps me alive.
                The Lord will keep me from falling.
 
If you find yourself alone in an empty house with no place to go and no one to talk to, remember:
    The Lord is the one who sustains me.
        The Lord keeps me alive.
            The Lord will keep me from falling.
 
If you are forced to accept that the dream you have dreamed your whole life is probably never going to come true, remember:
    The Lord is the one who sustains me.
          The Lord keeps me alive.
                The Lord will keep me from falling.
 
If you find yourself discouraged, defeated, and deserted, remember:
    The Lord is the one who sustains me.
          The Lord keeps me alive.
                The Lord will keep me from falling.
 
These words are not intended to minimize the difficulty of any painful situation mentioned above, or your own unique struggles.  Instead, they are written with the hope that whatever attack you may face this week you will remember that it is the Lord who sustains us, it is the Lord who keeps us alive, and it is the Lord who will keep us from falling.
 
We cannot survive the attacks of this world or the demonic world on our own. We must depend on the Lord.  David's source of strength is our source of strength.  The Lord is the one who sustains us.  The Lord keeps us alive. The Lord will keep us from falling.   He will deliver us in all our troubles.
 
The Lord is the one who sustains me. God is my help.
-tom norvell