....want

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8–9

Some people today will sing the praises of a Jesus who will give them wealth, success, and happiness, but they recoil from a Christ who would require obedience, commitment, and death to self. As a result, they have a false concept of God.

They want a god who does what they want him to do when they want him to do it. They want to be in charge. This is demonstrated in statements like, "Well, I am mad at God. He disappointed me." 

I have even heard people say they need to forgive God. I think statements like that are crazy. Who do they think they are to say they are mad at God? Romans 9:20 says, "Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, 'Why have you made me like this?' "

We are the clay, He is the Potter.

We are the sheep, He is the Shepherd.

We are the branches, He is the vine.

We are the recipients, He is the Giver.

He is God. And we need to understand that.

I don't think there is anything wrong with saying that we don't understand why things happen to us in life or that we are sad, even disappointed, with certain circumstances. Nor do I think there is anything wrong with asking why. But to say you are mad at God is foolishness.

When someone says they lost their faith over a certain crisis, then they probably never had real faith to begin with. The faith that can be lost is no faith at all. And the faith that cannot be tested is the faith that cannot be trusted.

God is able to do what He pleases with whomever He chooses whenever He wishes. He doesn't need our permission.

-greg laurie

 

....persistence

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you Luke 11:9

Nineteenth-century pastor and evangelist George Mueller cared for thousands of orphans in England and was known to be great man of faith. He decided to pray for five personal friends who did not yet know the Lord, and it wasn’t until five years later that the first of them came to faith.

After five years, two more became Christians. And after 25 years, the fourth came to Christ. Until he died, Mueller prayed for the last person who had not yet believed. And that friend finally came to know the Lord after his death. In total, George Mueller prayed for his five friends for more than 50 years.

Sometimes we pray for something that really seems like the will of God, but the Lord doesn’t give it to us when we ask. When nothing happens, we think that God has abandoned us. We want to know what went wrong.

But Jesus would say, “Keep at it. Keep praying, keep seeking, and keep knocking. Don’t give up. Apply yourself. Be persistent.”

Jesus told the story of a man who knocked on his neighbor's door late at night until he finally got a response. He said, “Though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” Luke 11:8–9.

We, too, need to pray. And we need to keep praying.

Sometimes we’re surprised when God answers our prayers, aren’t we? We pray and pray, and when God answers our prayers, we say, “I can’t believe it!” But we need to believe that God can answer our prayers. God has His timing. So don’t feel that He has let you down or abandoned you. 

Keep praying.

-greg laurie

.....debris

After some friends lost their home in a tornado, I helped them clean up what was left. There wasn't much. Where their house had once stood was a refrigerator. That's all. Destruction was everywhere.  Debris covered the yard and the nearby woods. All day we sorted through the rubble, hoping to find intact some piece of our friends' lives. We could rescue only a few belongings. We uncovered some important papers, a few small personal items, and a handful of photos - not very much to represent an entire lifetime. I'm sure the family treasures these mementos because they're all that remains from their pre-tornado life.

Like the devastating winds of a tornado, I've felt trouble beat against my life. Hardships blow into every life, threatening to knock down all that we value. In the wreckage, we can usually find some valuable treasures, if our eyes are open to recognize them and our hearts are open to receive them.

As long as we're in this world, we will have tribulation. John 16:33  But this Bible verse also says, "In me you may have peace." How can we have peace amid tribulation? Peace doesn't result from the removal of unpleasant circumstances. It comes from releasing our own plans and being open to God's plan. Rest comes from fixing our eyes on Him instead of on circumstances. It comes from giving up on living for myself and living for Him instead.

From God's vantage point, there is no true debris. I'm confident that He is in the midst of any storm, and I try to keep my eyes open to see the gift He gives with the rubble. He has promised that, for those who love Him, He'll bring blessings out of storms.

-marsha jordan

.....ekklēsia

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:26

One of the great features of the church today is that we have people of different backgrounds, different races, and different ages coming together under the banner of Jesus Christ.

Paul wrote in Galatians 3, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” verses 26–28.

Yet there are a lot of churches today that want to gear their entire church toward a specific group of people based on certain demographics.

But we need to be careful with this because the Church is made up of true believers from every background. Regardless of who you are, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you are a part of His Church.

Jesus said, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” Matthew 16:18.

The word Jesus used here for “church” is the Greek word ekklēsia, which means “called-out ones.” The Jews used this word to describe themselves as a unique group of people, a unique race. And some Gentiles used it in describing a community.

But here Jesus used it in a unique context, which wasn’t for only Jews or for people living in a community together. He was saying, “I’m going to build a new unit of believers. But it’s not just for Jews. It’s not just for Gentiles. It’s for everyone.” That was a revolutionary thought.

Now, there may be a place for specialized ministry to various groups, but we must not allow that to overshadow God’s primary desire of bringing us all together. That’s one of the great testimonies of the church.

We are the called-out ones—called together, called to worship the Lord.

-greg laurie

.....asking

But David's men said to him, "Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!" Once again David inquired of the LORD , and the LORD answered him, "Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand." So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah." I Samuel 23:3-5

A young man got up one morning and decided that he wanted something from McDonald's for breakfast. He grabbed his father's car keys and headed to McDonald's. Upon his return, his father stood at the door angry and disappointed that his son went without his permission.

The father said to the son, "it is not that I mind you driving to McDonald's, the problem is you went without asking me first." The son learned that although something may be okay to do in and of itself, it is still proper to consult with his father before making a move.

There are some things that are okay for us to do in the eyes of God, but it is important that we consult God before moving forward with them. The situation looks good and even looks like it was ordained by God, but we still have the responsibility to consult with Him first.

Oftentimes, when we move without consulting the Father, we end up in trouble because we did not consult with Him first. Even now, some of us are facing situations that seem perfect and divinely orchestrated. 

Our (Heavenly) Father still wants us to consult with Him before making a move. It is not that moving into it is not of God, but we must be like David and not allow ourselves to get comfortable and assume God's approval. 

We must stay in a child's place and always recognize that we must ask our Father first.  

-dave langerfeld

...acknowledge

On November 8, 2008, Jim O’Neill, age 65, was flying alone in his Cessna at 5,500 feet over North Yorkshire, England, when he suddenly was unable to see his controls. Believing he was being blinded by the sunlight, O’Neill frantically radioed a mayday alert. Air traffic controllers did their best to guide him in to the nearest airfield, but when O’Neill was unable to see even the large runway, the controllers realized that it was not simply a matter of being dazzled by the sun.

Thankfully, a military training plane was already in the air nearby. Wing Commander Paul Gerrard, a chief flying instructor, flew within 300 feet of the stricken pilot and established radio contact. After reassuring O’Neill, Gerrard used a series of very carefully chosen words to guide him: “Turn left, a little right, reduce power, 10 percent flaps.” The Royal Air Force pilot guided the disabled aircraft down towards an R.A.F. airfield, with O’Neill feeling for and finding the various controls from memory. The Cessna landed halfway down the runway at high speed, bounced twice, and finally stopped safely at the very end of the runway.

At the hospital, doctors discovered that O’Neill had suffered a stroke that put pressure on his optic nerve, rendering him blind. After medical treatment, most of Jim O’Neill’s eyesight returned. The R.A.F. remarked that they are used to “shepherding” lost airplanes—but this was the only time they had shepherded a blind one!

Friends, it wasn’t until the air traffic controllers realized the extent of O’Neill’s blindness that they were able to help him effectively. Jesus told the Pharisees that if they recognized their blindness they could be helped, but because they claimed to see when they couldn’t, their sin remained. We must recognize that without the Word of God to guide us, we are all flying blind! 

When we admit our need, God is ready to help us, and He promises to help each of us land safely: 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” Psalm 32:8.

-douglas batchelor  

 

....conviction

They trusted in Him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. - Daniel 3:28

Have you ever known someone who lived an outcome-based Christian experience? This means that their decisions are made based on the positive or negative outcome, not on absolute obedience.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three men who lived an obedience-based life. When King Nebuchadnezzar passed a law that said all were to worship his idol, these young men determined they would not worship anything other than God. You can be sure these men did not make this decision at the time of the decree. Their decision actually had been made years earlier. Their convictions were already in their hearts.

Each of us must come to a place of knowing what our boundaries are in given situations. What will you tolerate from your employer? What situation crosses the line for you? Where are the boundaries for questionable practices in your life? If these are not worked out ahead, you will live a life of situational ethics, determining what decision to make based on the merits of the situation.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to die for what they believed. In this case, they were delivered from the fiery furnace. God used their faithfulness to impact a king, and they were promoted to higher positions.

Are you an obedience-based Christian? 

Or are there situations that can move you based on the outcome? 

God wants to know that we will stand firm on the issues that are important to Him, no matter what the outcome may be. God is looking for those who are radical in their obedience. Does this describe your commitment to Christ? 

If not, pray for this kind of conviction. The Lord will honor you for this. 

-os hillman

.....is

God is Lord Almighty,
Omnipotent King, Lion of Judah,
Rock of Ages, Prince of Peace,
King of Kings, Lord of Lords,
Provider, Protector, Paternal,
Leader, Ruling Lord and Reigning King

Of all the universe.
He is Father, He is Helper,
He is Guardian, and He is God.
He is the First and the Last,
The beginning and the end,
He is the Keeper of Creation
and Creator of all He keeps;
The Architect of the universe
and manager of all times.

He always was, He always is, and 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 leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him,
people couldn't hold Him,
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
the New Age can't replace Him,
and Oprah can't explain Him away!

He is Light, Love, 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 Savior,
   My Guide,
   My Peace,
   My Joy,
   My Comfort.
He is my Lord and He rules my life.
I serve Him because He is God
and is worthy to be served.
His bond is love,
His burden is light,
and His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is
THE wisdom,
THE power of the powerful,
THE ancient of days,
THE ruler of rulers,
THE overseer of overcomers,
And sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.

Now if that seems impressive to you, try this on for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME !
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me,
and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book !
When I fall, He lifts me up.
When I fail, He forgives.
When I am weak, He is strong
When I am lost, He is the way.
When I am afraid, He is my courage.
When I stumble, He steadies me.
When I am hurt, He heals me.
When I am broken, He mends me.
When I am blind, He leads me.
When I am hungry, He feeds me.
When I face trials, He is with me.
When I face persecution, He shields me.
When I face problems, He is the answer
When I face loss, He provides for me.
When I face death, HE carries me Home !

He is God, He is faithful and true,
I am His and He is mine.
My Father in Heaven has already defeated the father of this world, and so if your asking why I stand and feel so secure, understand this; He said it, and that settles it.

God is in control,
I am on his side,
and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for...... GOD IS !

......sinking

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

In the winter of 1995, a fishing boat began to sink in the rough, cold waters off Vancouver Island, west of British Columbia, Canada. The two men on board quickly moved to a life raft that was tied to the sinking boat by a nylon rope. Unfortunately, the rope was tied so tightly, they could not untie it. As the fishing vessel began to list and take on more and more water, the men knew they couldn't reboard it. At the same time, neither had brought a knife onto the life raft with which to cut the raft free from the sinking ship.

Both men knew that if the boat went down, it would pull the life raft under the water, and them along with it! They were in severe danger of drowning unless they could find a way to cut the rope. The two men began chewing the rope, alternating as each man's jaw became exhausted. One of the men lost a tooth in the process. They worked steadily and feverishly for more than an hour, and minutes before the fishing boat sank completely, they chewed through the rope! They survived to be rescued later by another fishing vessel.

Many times in life we allow circumstances to drag us down like a sinking ship. Praise God our lives do not have to succumb to adverse conditions. We have the ultimate escape plan through trusting our Father in Heaven. The shepherd-turned-king David knew adverse circumstances. He had committed adultery in his own life, and his life at one point was in danger from both friends and foes alike. 

However, in the midst of his trials, he understood the escape and the protection that was from the Lord. Psalm 23:4 records David's trust in God, stating: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Today, take confidence in the protection and grace of God and don't give up, even if you feel like you're on a sinking ship. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.James 1:12

-dave langerfeld

.....down

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. Hebrews 11:30

Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal (1394-1460) never captained a ship or sailed on a voyage of exploration. He stayed home and read accounts of others who had. He thought about what they said and let his mind march around new theories about what the world must be like. He wondered and imagined, calculated and drew maps.

Prince Henry died thirty years before Portuguese explorers were able to test his theories, but when they did, they brought back proof that he had been incredibly accurate. As a result, Portugal took the lead in world exploration for fully a hundred years. Other nations held back, making excuses about internal problems. Other explorers did not see the possibilities or worried about lack of money. They lacked faith to move past what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles.

To feel bound by perceived limits is so human, so common. A century ago there were predictions that no one could ever drive a car 60 miles per hour because the wind would suck one's breath away. In 1934 the track coach at the University of California laid out what he believed were the absolute limits of achievement in track and field events. All of them, of course, have long since been exceeded. High school athletes today are out-performing Olympic champions of a few decades ago. There appears to be no limit to how fast we can run, how far we can go, how high we can leap.

So we do well not to set limits on what we can do and become as children of God if we believe in the power of Christ within us. We do well not to minimize the potential of the people of God when we act in faith. Walls fall down. Families are transformed, communities changed.

When my two grandchildren blow out the candles on their birthday cakes each year and make their wishes, I make one of my own for them. My birthday wish for each is faith, the single quality that will guarantee them a successful life.

Faith is simply trust that God is stronger than all the limitations, hurts, fears and problems they may face. I do not pray that they will have superior intellects or well-coordinated bodies. I am not concerned that they be popular or clever, blessed with talent or wealth. I care only that they will persist in faith toward the goals and dreams that God may give them - the Prince Henry's of their time.

By faith walls fall down!!!

-michael a. halleen

....authority

 "I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on Me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me...." - John 14:30-31

There is a constant war going on between our flesh and the Spirit. As Christians, the Spirit seeks to move us under the authority of His domain in order for us to fulfill all that we were created for. Every person was designed to be under some form of authority.

Jesus modeled this in His own life. He lived under the authority of His heavenly Father. He made no independent decisions. He, unlike us, was sinless and always remained under His Father's authority. He acknowledged that the prince of this world has a hold on many, but did not have a hold on Jesus.

The prince of this world does have his hold on many in our world, even among our brothers and sisters. The one thing most of us want the greatest is the freedom to make our own decisions. It goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when the decision was made to exercise a personal right: freedom to decide, freedom of choice, freedom from hindrances, freedom from pain. However, Jesus chose to live under the authority of the Father's desire for His life. He was the ultimate model of a man under authority.

Each day we must determine if we'll willingly choose to be under the authority of the Father and the direction of the Holy Spirit. It is a choice each of us must make. It is a choice that actually leads to freedom, not bondage. Choosing to live under the authority of our heavenly Father frees us to gain the greatest fulfillment in life-His mission and the purposes He has for us. It is the little decisions of daily life that reveal whether we truly live under His authority.

-os hillman

.....crucified

The greatest struggle in the Christian's life is a "control" issue. We want Jesus to be Lord, but we don't want to lose control of our lives. We want to "call the shots".

Jesus is Lord - but only conditionally. That is, He is Lord as long as His will and direction agree with what we want.  As someone once said, "the problem with a live sacrifice is that it continually climbs off the altar." This is the crux of our problem. As soon as we give ourselves to the Lord we are taking back what we gave Him - we climb off the altar. "I" keeps control, and maintains lordship.

Is there an answer to this wrestling, roller coaster life?  Well, the way to ensure that the sacrifice remains on the altar is "to kill it". Galatians 2:20 reveals how this is done for us; "I have been 'crucified' with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

 

"I" is crucified and we are raised in Christ.

"I" is not obliterated, but rather given true life and made subservient to Christ's Lordship. He is our life; our identity; our Lord. He is the ground to our being. We are freed from self-domination. We are liberated from self-obsession. We are emancipated so that we can fully love and serve God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

John Wesley had believers pray a prayer in a Covenant Service. It is the prayer for the Christian who longed to be done with the great battle over lordship and sold out to Christ. It is the prayer of all that have been crucified with Christ

.

"Lord, I am no longer my own, but Yours.

      Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will.

      Let be employed by You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low by You.

      Let me have all things, let me have nothing,

      I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.

      And now, O glorious and blessed God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine and I am Yours.

              So be it. Amen."

-steve blair

....risk

Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. - Romans 4:21

Why did God consider Abraham a righteous man? 

It was because Abraham looked beyond his own limitations of age and strength and considered God as the one who could accomplish His own goals. Abraham came to a place in his life where he realized it had little to do with him and all to do with God. His part was  to accept the initiation of faith within himself.

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God Romans 4:18-20.

What are the things in your life that are mere impossibilities? What are the mountains in your life? Are these there in order to build your faith in the one who can enable you to ascend to the peak? Once you know that it is His will for you to pursue, do it with faith. 

Faith requires action when we know it is He who is leading. It may require risk. Faith is sometimes spelled R-I-S-K. Abraham did not limit God. It is this confidence in God that God honored and rewarded. He wants to do the same with you and me. 

-os hillman

fathers

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. - Psalms 103:13

Some of the most devoted fathers are found in the animal kingdom. Giant South African bullfrogs are so protective of their young they have been known to attack lions and elephants while defending tadpoles. Strangely enough, an ocean catfish is also a devoted father. He carries the eggs of his young in his mouth until they are ready to be born, which may take up to several weeks. During that time, he can’t eat a thing!

Another devoted father is the lumpsucker fish. The lumpsucker gets its name from its pelvic fins, which form a “sucker” that helps the fish attach itself to rocks. Found in the cold Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans, the lumpsucker must reproduce in the warmer water near the shore. The female lays her eggs in a tide pool, and the father lumpsucker attaches to the rocks in order to stay behind and guard the eggs while the tide is out. Staying behind in the shallow water is dangerous, however, since it exposes the father fish to gulls and other predators. 

Male seahorses are so devoted that they are pregnant instead of the female: the female places her eggs into the male’s special pouch, where he fertilizes them and carries them for the next several weeks. He even develops a large, pregnant belly as the little seahorses grow. After two to four weeks of pregnancy, the father gives birth to an average of 100 to 200 young. 

The red fox is also a wonderful father. Immediately after the birth of his litter, he works to provide the nursing mother with food. But, once the pups are three months old, it’s time for them to learn to find food for themselves. Fox fathers have been observed burying food near the den in order to teach their pups to forage. One biologist observed a male fox playing an ambush game with his pups, as if to teach them how to escape from the predatory coyotes. 

The devotion of these animal fathers to their young is just a small reflection of our Heavenly Father’s devotion to His children. He loved us so much that He gave Jesus to die in our place, and now He calls all of us His sons and daughters: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1

-doug batchelor 

 

....brokenness

The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. - 1 Samuel 2:4

There is an oxymoron throughout the Bible. It says that brokenness is strength. How can this be? How can brokenness be strength? In order to use men and women to their fullest extent, the Lord has to break His servants so that they might have a new kind of strength that is not human in origin. It is strength in spirit that is born only through brokenness.

Paul was broken on the Damascus road. 

Peter was broken after Jesus was taken prisoner. 

Jacob was broken at Peniel. 

David was broken after his sin with Bathsheba. The list could go on of those the Lord had to break in different ways before they could be used in the Kingdom.

When we are broken, we see the frailty of human strength and come to grips with the reality that we can do nothing in our own strength. Then, new strength emerges that God uses mightily. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Do not fear brokenness, for it may be the missing ingredient to a life that emerges with a new kind of strength and experience not known before. 

Pray for a broken and contrite heart that God can bless. 

-os hillman

....steadfast

He went out to meet Asa and said to him, Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. - 2 Chronicles 15:2

Asa was the king of Judah from 912-872 B.C. He reigned for 41 years and was known as a good king who served the Lord with great zeal. He reformed many things. He broke down idol worship to foreign gods; he put away male prostitutes and even removed his own mother from being queen because she worshiped an idol. The Scriptures say that as long as he sought the Lord, the Lord prospered his reign.

However, Asa was not totally faithful in his calling. There came a time in his life when he made a decision to no longer trust in the God of Israel. He lost his confidence in God as his deliverer. The prophet Hanani came to Asa to inform him that God's blessing was no longer on his life because of an ungodly alliance he had made.

Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war 2 Chronicles 16:8-9.

There are no guarantees that if we began well we will finish well. The life of Asa tells us this. It is only through God's grace that we can be faithful to our calling. Each of us is capable of falling away from God. Pray that God will keep you faithful to the purposes He has for your life. He strengthens those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

-os hillman

....lived

Summer was here. For Craig, that meant he'd be going on an annual camping trip with his Grandpa and his cousin Scottie. Craig loved spending the summers at his grandparents' farm. But the annual campout was the highlight of his year. He was all packed - couldn't wait to go.

Craig sat anxiously on the old porch swing, waiting for Grandpa to pull up in his beat-up jeep. He noticed a few clouds in the darkening sky. "Looks like rain," he muttered, hoping the clouds would blow over. Then just as Grandpa pulled into the driveway, it began to pour.   "Looks like this trip is going to be ruined, "Craig whined, as he threw his gear into the back of the jeep.

"Now, I don't know about that." replied Grandpa with a wink. "By the time we get to the lake, it's likely this rain will have cleared up a bit. Besides, the best fishin' comes right after a change in the weather."

Craig hopped into the jeep as Grandpa started it up and slid it into gear. Then, after a quick stop to pick up Scottie, they were on their way.

As they arrived at the lake, the rain had slowed to a slight drizzle. Setting up the tent was a messy job. Though he had mud splattered everywhere, Grandpa never complained. He was grateful that God had sent a little water down to make driving the stakes into the ground a little easier on his aging body.

Once the tent was set up, it was the boys' job to gather firewood. "This wood's all wet, Grandpa." yelled Craig. But wet wood wasn't enough to discourage Grandpa, either. As Grandpa carefully arranged the wood for a campfire, he told the boys a story from the Bible about Elijah calling down fire from heaven to consume not only wet wood, but an altar also.

After Grandpa got the fire going, the boys had a beef roast. The mixed smells of the wood burning and the beef roasting just above the flickering flame had the boys mouths watering with hunger. The beef was delicious. Both boys ate heartily. 

Grandpa pulled out a big bag of marshmallows and they roasted them, too. Scottie's first marshmallow burst into flames so Grandpa showed the boys how to slowly and steadily toast them just above the fire. By this time, it was getting rather late. The boys sat close to Grandpa and watched the stars come out after the clouds had blown away. After a brief lesson in astronomy, the boys gazed into the heavens while listening to the sounds of nature.

"What was that?" asked Craig, hearing an old owl hooting in the nearby woods.   "Just an owl." replied Grandpa, who found himself identifying a number of other sounds to the boys. Together they learned to recognize the sounds of frogs croaking, crickets chirping and even a cougar's scream.

"Grandpa, how'd you get so smart?" Scottie questioned.   "Oh, Scottie, I'm not all that smart." Grandpa replied. "I just happen to know the One who has all the answers."

"Me too, Grandpa." Craig shot back. "And do you know why we say our prayers every night before we go to bed?"   "Why's that, Craig?"

"Because we know God's home when we see His lights come on." came Craig's reply.

And then with a chuckle, Grandpa explained to the boys that God is omniscient. "Now I know that's a mighty big word for you boys to understand, but let me put it this way. God is all knowing. He knows your thoughts before you ever put your prayers into words."

"Wow!" came Scottie's reply.   "That's awesome." said Craig.   "Awesome," replied Grandpa. "I can't think of a better word to describe Him." "And Grandpa," Scottie piped up. "We wouldn't know much about Him, if it hadn't been for you."

"A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children..."  Proverbs 13:22

The most important thing you can give your children or grandchildren is a godly example of a life well-lived!!!

....correction

 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

On a road trip with a friend, we used his GPS navigation device to guide us as we drove each day. After entering our destination on the screen, a voice told us which road to follow, as well as when and where to make each turn. When we left the route, whether accidentally or deliberately, the voice would say, “Recalculating.”. Then it would tell us how to get back on the right road.

Timothy describes the Bible as a spiritual navigation system for our journey through life:  

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and fortraining in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

       Teaching tells us which road to travel.

       Reproof tells us when we are off the road.

       Correction tells us how to get back on the road.

       Training in righteousness tells us how to stay on God’s road.

The mistakes and choices that detour us from the Lord are not to be taken lightly. But failure is seldom fatal and few decisions are final. The moment we veer off on our own, the Holy Spirit is “recalculating” and urging us to return to the Father’s way.

If we have drifted off course, there is no better time than right now to heed God’s voice and return to His road. To stay on course, trust the compass of God’s Word.

-david mccasland

.....still

 ...Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.... Exodus 14:13

The Israelites had just left 400 years of slavery in Egypt. They had fled to the desert, but they had come to a dead end at the Red Sea. Word reached them that Pharaoh had changed his mind. He was sending his troops to recapture the Israelites. They cried out to their leader Moses, complaining that he had brought them that far only to die in the desert.

Learning when to move and when to stand is the greatest challenge for a workplace believer. We are trained for action. We are not trained to sit idly and wait. We are trained to solve problems, not wait for them to resolve themselves. 

However, God says there are times to wait. We are to wait until He says go. 

If we go before He says go, we likely will make our situation worse. 

If the Israelites had attempted to cross the Red Sea before it parted, they would have drowned. 

If they had fled north or south, God would not have moved in a miraculous way. 

God cannot work on our behalf if we continually try to solve our problem when He has instructed us to stand still. Standing still is sometimes the greatest action we can do, although it is the most difficult thing to do in the Christian walk.

Stand still when He says stand and see the deliverance of the Lord.

-os hillman

.....presence

Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. Mark 16:9

If I were Jesus rising from the dead, the first person I would have appeared to would have been Pontius Pilate: “Hey, Pilate, how’s it going? By the way, you can’t keep a good man down.”

Or, I would have appeared to Caiaphas, the high priest who played a hand in the crucifixion of our Lord.

But Jesus didn’t appear to any of those people. The first person to actually see Him after the Resurrection was Mary Magdalene.

Mary Magdalene was first at the tomb and last at the cross. When all the courageous men were hiding, she stood at the cross along with Mary, the mother of our Lord, and others. And then she was at the tomb to anoint his body.

So God rewarded Mary Magdalene for her faithfulness and persistence. God says in His Word, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13.

After Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, He then made an appearance to what seemed to be two random people on the Emmaus Road. And not only did He appear to them, but He had an extended conversation with them. Mark 16:12 tells us that Jesus “appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country”. Jesus was unrecognizable to them at the moment.

Remember, the last sight they had of Jesus was His beaten and bloodied body. He was virtually unrecognizable. The last thing they ever expected was to see Him alive again, so at that moment, it didn’t occur to them that they were walking with Jesus.

Jesus was walking with them, but they didn’t know it. 

He’s walking with you as well.

-greg laurie

....infection

One hundred and forty years ago, almost 50 percent of the patients undergoing major surgery died from infection due largely to the filthy conditions. Doctors were bewildered why 80 percent more women died giving birth in hospitals compared to those who had their babies at home. Back then, doctors wore bloody aprons and went from patient to patient without washing their hands or instruments. Patients with minor wounds often died from infection or blood poisoning transmitted by the doctor.

In the 1860s, a deeply religious English surgeon, Joseph Lister, was disturbed about the staggering number of patients dying from infection. He read in the Bible where God told the Israelites to wash after contact with the sick or a dead body. Based on this and Louis Pasteur’s discoveries, Lister recognized germs as the likely source of infection. He suggested surgeons dress cleanly, wash their hands, and sterilize instruments before operating. He insisted that the operating room be kept clean. He also developed a method for preventing infection during an operation by treating wounds with an antiseptic. 

At first Lister was regarded as eccentric, and nurses resented the extra work caused by his obsession with cleanliness. Then there was a period of significant mocking and resistance from his peers. Lister, a shy but determined man, was firm in his purpose. He humbly believed he was directed and inspired by God in this endeavor. In spite of all the opposition that he faced, he never gave up. 

As the mocking went on, everyone began to notice a change. The deaths from blood poisoning, infection, and gangrene were greatly reduced in Joseph Lister’s hospital ward in Glasgow. Eventually, British and American hospitals saw the benefits and gradually adopted the sterile procedures promoted by Dr. Lister. Before he died, Lister’s services to medicine were recognized and he was awarded a knighthood. Louis Pasteur described Lister as one of the greatest men of the 19th century.

It’s amazing how the world has been transformed by applying the simple rules of sanitation found in the Bible. But did you know there are many other biblical secrets of health the world is neglecting? The God who formed us knows the principles of caring for the bodies He has given us. He lovingly shares that wisdom with us in His Word. 

"He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days." Numbers 19:11

"He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean." Numbers 19:12

-doug batchelor

....catfish

 "Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you."  1 John 3:13

I heard a story about some fish suppliers who were having problems shipping codfish from the East Coast. By the time the fish reached the West coast, they were spoiled. They froze them, but by the time the fish arrived, they were mushy. They decided to send them alive. But the fish arrived dead so they tried sending the fish alive again, but with one difference. They included a catfish in each tank. You see, the catfish is the natural enemy of the codfish. By the time the codfish arrived, they were alive and well, because they had spent their trip fleeing the catfish.

Maybe God has put a catfish in your tank to keep you alive and well spiritually. It's called persecution. Maybe there's a person at work who always has eight hard questions for you every Monday morning regarding spiritual things. Maybe it is that neighbor who is giving you a hard time for your faith in Jesus. Maybe it is a spouse or family member who doesn't believe. You are wondering why this is happening. It is like that catfish. That person is keeping you on your toes.

Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus told the disciples, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" John 15:19.

God will allow persecution in the life of the believer. If you're experiencing persecution, here are two things to remember:

      1. Persecution confirms that you are a child of God.

      2. Persecution causes you to cling closer to Jesus.

When you are suffering persecution for your faith, remember that this world is not your home.

-greg laurie

.....perception

 "The lions may roar and growl, yet the teeth of the great lions are broken." - Job 4:10

In the advertising business we often say that "perception is reality" for the person who views our advertising message. It does not matter whether the audience believes the message to be true, only that they perceive it to be true. Their actions will be the same whether they believe it or only perceive it.

The enemy of our souls is very good at this game. He may bring on us what we perceive to be true when it is a lie. It may appear that there is no way around a situation. He may bring great fear on us. When we buy into his lie, we believe only what we have chosen to perceive to be true. It usually has no basis of truth. Such was the case when Peter looked on the waters during a night boat journey with the other disciples. At first glance, he and the disciples screamed with fear, thinking that what they saw was a ghost. It was actually Jesus.

Satan's name means "accuser." He travels to and from to accuse the brethren. He brings an impressive front to all he does, yet behind that front is a weak, toothless lion with a destination that has already been prepared in the great abyss. He knows his destination, but he wants to bring as many with him as possible; so he often has a big roar, but little bite.

The next time some event comes into your life that creates fear and trembling, first determine the source. Look past the emotions and evaluate the situation in light of God's Word. 

Perception is not always reality.

-os hillman 

.....this

 "On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall." - Esther 5:1

Esther was a woman who lived for a cause greater than herself. God used this woman to save the entire Jewish people from extermination. However, before God could use her, she had to come to a place of death in herself. It was not an easy decision. Her cousin Mordecai was the instrument God used to challenge her to measure up to the task.

Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:13 -14

Mordecai was telling it straight. For her to speak up meant great risks if the king did not receive her. It was automatic death if the king did not extend his scepter, which meant acceptance of her approach to the throne. It was also a time to realize that God may have brought her to this place and time for this specific purpose. However, if she did not respond in faith, God would use another instrument to deliver the people. What would she do?

Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish Esther 4:1. 

On the third day of the fast she came and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. She was like Jesus who stood in the inner court of Heaven on that third, resurrection day. She gave up her life, but God raised it up on that day and delivered an entire people from destruction because of one woman's willingness to give up her life for a greater cause. 

God has called each of us to a purpose greater than ourselves. Know that it will require death before life can be given to this purpose. It must be His life that lives, not ours.

-os hillman 

....hit

"Though a righteous man falls seven times, He shall rise again..." Proverbs 24:16

Sports Illustrated writer Jeannette Bruce once spent two-and-a-half years taking judo lessons, progressing steadily through the entire spectrum of self-defense "belts."

"On one rainy night," she said, "it all seemed worthwhile. The thing every judo student dreams of happened to me. I was walking down Sixth Avenue about 9:00 p.m. when a man stepped out of a dark doorway and tried to snatch my purse. How prepared I should have been, how ready to smash him to the pavement with a flourishing foot sweep!"

"Instead ... I hit him over the head with my umbrella!"

I suppose most of us can identify with Jeanette in some way. We get a great opportunity to do something worthwhile and blow it by doing or saying something stupid. Or when faced with temptation, we know how to resist the enemy because we know all the right Bible verses to fend for ourselves. However, instead of putting on the "whole armor of God," we seek to overcome in our own strength - and fail miserably.

However, when we do fail, the important thing is to get up, learn from our mistakes, and go on having learned to put our trust in God in every situation in which we find ourselves.

-dick innes 

....threat

 "One day the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?'"  Acts 19:15

Are you a threat to the kingdom of darkness? If satan and his demons had a board meeting and your name came before the board, what would they say? Would they say that you are one of their most feared enemies and they needed to keep many demons harassing and opposing you? Or would they say, "Gentlemen, this person poses no threat to our activities. Leave him alone. He needs no help from us." 

There are millions of church-going believers sitting in pews Saturday(Sabbath) after Saturday who pose little threat to the kingdom of darkness.

If we truly believe that we war against rulers and principalities that cannot be seen, then we must realize that their mandate is to hinder any believer who is seeking to walk in the fullness of God. However, "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" 1 John. 4:4.

If you are seeking to fully follow the Lord, you can expect harassment from the enemy. God permits temptation because it drives us deeper into the soil of God. These times reveal God's power to keep us and walk us through the temptations. Our message becomes fruitful when it is born out of obedience and suffering for His name. 

Do not consider it strange if you find yourself fighting major battles the more obedient you become to the Master. God desires each of us to become a feared enemy of hell in order to affect satan's domain. When you begin to feel harassed, chances are you are beginning to affect the kingdom of darkness, and satan doesn't like this. So, how many demons do you think are assigned to you? 

....father's

 

"So he got up and went to his father.

But while he was still a long way off,

his father saw him and was filled with

compassion for him; he ran to his son,

threw his arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15:20

While he was still a long way off...

The father knew the son's heart!

He didn't say,

"Here comes that scoundrel...What does he expect from me? A loan?"

Perhaps we are a long way off from being what God expects of us. We are so far down the road that anyone else might suspect our motive for calling on the Father. Perhaps we are Christians for what we can get out of it.

But God can see...

     even though the distance is great

          ...the direction of our steps and

          ...the purpose of our heart

And if that purpose is a longing

     ...for a renewed relationship

     ...or a closer tie

God's heart will go out to us, even though we are "still a long way off".

.....testimony

 "I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony." - John 3:11

Over the last several years I have seen two distinct types of Christian workplace believers. 

• One type enthusiastically teaches their Bible knowledge to others. These people, though they may be genuine in their motive, lack one essential ingredient to being effectively used by God - a testimony. 
• The second type of people I have encountered has a genuine testimony of what God is doing and continues to do in their lives.

This was the case in the early Church. Men and women were able to give powerful testimony of events and experiences that could only be explained as a work of God.

God desires to build a testimony in each of us. Each of us is one of God's chosen vessels to reflect His power in and through us. When others see this power reflected, they are impacted because they cannot explain that power. God desires to frame your life with experiences designed to reflect the character and nature of Christ. Sometimes these events can be very devastating, but they are designed to reveal His power in and through us.

Every one of us has a testimony. What would others say your testimony is today? Can others see God's work in your life? Is your testimony one of Bible knowledge only? Are things happening in your life that can only be explained as God? These can be problematic questions for each of us. Ask God to build a testimony of His life in and through you today. 

-os hillman

.....puzzles

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

I was given a puzzle a couple of months ago from a friend of mine.  It had 1,500 pieces. Although very frustrating at times, and a real challenge, I really enjoyed the puzzle,  Each time I found a piece that fit, it was extremely rewarding.

While I was working on this puzzle, there was one piece that I was sure belonged in this particular spot. It didn't fit. but I still kept going back to it and trying to make it fit, forgetting that I had tried it already.  I guess I had my mind set on the fact that I felt it belonged there. I thought about how many times I've done that in my life. I've tried to make things happen that just weren't meant to be. I'd try over and over again, even to the point of forcing it - but it wasn't meant to be...  and nothing I did could change that.

If you do many puzzles, you'll know what it's like to spend so much time looking for one specific piece. I thought I knew what it looked like.  It seemed so obvious.. but I couldn't find it. I got so wrapped up in finding that one piece that I couldn't see beyond it. I got frustrated and decided to let it go and step away from it for a while. When I came back to it later, I found it immediately. It was right in front of me all along!!!

Life has been like that for me sometimes. I try so hard to understand why things happen the way they do. I search high and low for the answers and sometimes the answers are right in front of me. It isn't until I stop, take a step back, breathe and let it go - that the answers find me.

As I sat there looking at the pieces in this puzzle, I started thinking about the "pieces" in my life: my family, my friends, events, milestones and celebrations. There's such a mixture of good and bad, joy and tears, happiness and sorrow.  I reflected on all those pieces in my life that caused me to ask why... "Why me, God?"... "Why this?".  I suddenly realized that it was because of those pieces that other pieces were able to fall into place.

Everything in our lives happens for a reason. Each event, whether good or bad, signifies a piece of the puzzle. You take away one piece and it upsets the entire harmony of the finished product. I finally understand that even though some of the pieces in my life aren't pleasant and some of them bring me pain and heartache, without them I couldn't move on. No matter how unimportant I think they are, they bring me one step closer to wholeness in Christ.

We can't possibly look at the pieces of our lives right now and understand the important role that each one of them plays.  There are too many holes and the picture isn't clear. But I know that when my journey in this life comes to an end, and that final piece is put into place, I'm going to look back and understand. I'll no longer wonder why there was so much pain, or why certain people came and went in my life. And I'll be able to see the complete picture and the beauty that went into each piece that made it whole.

Until then, I will continue to live on in faith

   - knowing and trusting God that all the pieces that I need are there

   - realizing that it will only be a matter of time before God reveals them to me and they fall into place.    

   - remembering that God sees the big picture, and He has a plan for me, that I'm unable to see right now.

   - believing that each piece of my life, even the painful ones, have purpose and play an important role.

And when I am weak, I will seek strength through prayer. I do all this in hopes that on that glorious day, when God's masterpiece of me is finally complete, and all the pieces of "my puzzle" are in place, He will then whisper... "Well done".

-amy toohill