.....quieted

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

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

       "Lord, please quiet me with Your love."

       "Lord, please quiet me with Your love."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-tom norvell

.....all

While we were still lost in our sinful condition, Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice (payment) for our sin, but He also broke the chains which kept us slaves to sin. Though we still struggle, we need not be mastered if we have placed our faith in Jesus and daily submit to the leading of His Spirit. His sacrifice provides a way to be "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" Romans 8:17. This IS the victorious life!

Yes we have been set free! But we did nothing to earn this freedom. We did not dig a well of righteousness or plant a field of forgiveness. Our "promised land" of freedom is a gift, given by a loving Father to those who believe.

As we continue on our Christian walk, with its many peaks and valleys, twists and turns, we often forget. We become discouraged over trivial matters which are quickly fading away and forget the gift of eternal life we have been given. We wander in the dry desert of ungrateful hearts and ask, "Where is God?" We forget the joy we once had of abiding in His presence and forget His promise to always be near; "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" Hebrews 13:5.

Through God's precious gift, we have an eternity to worship our Heavenly Father. This alone should give us reason to praise His Name with every breath and live a life holy and pleasing to Him. Whether we are currently in a time of crushing trials or unparalleled peace, we must continually remember from where we were rescued. 

His gift is a blessing we can hardly comprehend! And as we draw near and give Him all of our heart, His grace continues to bless us even more. Let's worship with a thankful heart, glorify His Name in ALL we do, and be careful to never forget.

...will

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

Dr. Baker James Cauthen resigned from the faculty of Southwestern Seminary and the pastorate of Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Ft. Worth to take his family to China in 1939, in the midst of war.  His explanation was simple: the safest place in all the world to be is the center of the will of God.

Before he left for China, Dr. Cauthen said to his friend Bill Howse: "Bill, many people are making a lot out of what we are trying to do, but for us it's simply the will of God.  It's such a good feeling that I can say that if our ship is bombed in Hong Kong harbor and we never set foot on Chinese soil, I will have a sense of completeness because I will have been doing the will of God for me."

Remember. The Will of God will never take you... 

     Where the grace of God cannot keep you, 

     Where the arms of God cannot support you,

     Where the hands of God cannot mold you. 

     Where the power of God cannot endow you. 

The will of God will never take you... 

     Where the spirit of God cannot work through you, 

     Where the riches of God cannot supply you, 

     Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you, 

     Where the army of God cannot protect you, 

The will of God will never take you... 

     Where the love of God cannot enfold you, 

     Where the mercy of God cannot sustain you, 

     Where the Word of God cannot feed you, 

     Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you. 

The will of God will never take you... 

     Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears, 

     Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears, 

     Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you, 

     Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you. 

....turn

"According to His power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

When a tragic accident left Will Mitchell with disfiguring burns he decided to focus on his possibilities, not his problems. Although he'd lost his fingers he learned to fly an airplane solo.

Then one day while flying from Colorado to California, ice caused his plane to crash. Paralyzed from the waist down [and you think you've got problems], Mitchell was understandably depressed about being confined to a wheelchair for life. Then a friend gave him the same advice he'd earlier given her: "It doesn't matter what happens to you. What matters is what you decide to do about it."   

So Mitchell adopted the Triple-A Formula.

A - Accept what has happened.

Accept what has happened, otherwise you live in denial, or open yourself to resentment and self-pity. 

A - Appreciate what you can learn from it. 

Built into every painful experience is the potential to be wiser, stronger and more effective for God. 

A - Adapt to the new opportunities it presents. 

It was darkness that drove Edison to keep searching until he discovered a source of light 

Since then Will Mitchell has held public office, found love, and given hundreds of talks.  He says, "Before I was paralyzed, there were 10,000 things I could do. Now there are 9,000. Should I focus on 1,000 things I can't do? No, I'd rather concentrate on 9,000 ways in which life is still good."

Whatever you're facing today, it's not too big for God. It can be turned around through "His power that is at work within us." 

....good

"Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.'"  Genesis 50:19-20

When Joseph was sold into slavery, he had no idea of God's awesome plan. All he could do was continue to trust and draw nearer to God. Joseph would spend many years in jail before receiving even a hint of God's purpose. 

But God is ALWAYS at work in the lives of those who love Him. Joseph's life must encourage us to draw ever closer to God during times of hardship - to continue trusting and honoring Him in all we do...no matter what our circumstances!

We all go through "dungeon" seasons when life seems to take unplanned and seemingly "unfair" turns. We all, at times, feel abandoned and alone: "Has God forgotten me? Does He no longer care?" 

We may not understand why things happen the way they do, but if we will continue to love Him with all our heart and consistently trust Him in and through all our trials, we can be certain (and one day we will truly see) that God's work in every situation is truly intended for good.

....humility

John the Baptist had been given his assignment and was empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish his tasks. He was a servant preparing the way for the King. John was the greatest man ever born; and yet, in his humility, he felt unworthy to even untie the sandals of Christ. But he continued to serve.

True humility is the natural condition of our spirit when we begin to understand who we really are...and Who God really is! John felt unworthy because he had been given a glimpse of the unfathomable greatness and holiness of his Lord. As he stood in the presence of Perfection, there was only one response; "He must become greater, I must become less" John 3:30.

When we know that Jesus is on the throne, "at God's right hand" 1 Peter 3:22, and that He will reign for all eternity, we begin to see our life in the proper perspective. He is infinitely perfect and worthy of infinite love, worship, and service. We live and breathe purely by His grace; we are but "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" James 4:14.

And though we are compared to a mist, we are a mist with a purpose. We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit with the necessary tools to victoriously serve. Though our offering will always be imperfect, and far less than He deserves, it will be pleasing and acceptable if we give Him our ALL, give Him our best, and give from the innermost part of our heart.

Our God is truly above ALL, and He loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son so we could be with Him for all eternity. Let's continue to love Him with all our heart, give Him our absolute very best, and daily walk down the path He lays before us. Let's serve obediently, boldly, and victoriously...but let's also lift the Name of Jesus higher and higher as serve with humility.

....hope

When He heard this, Jesus said, 'This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.' Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days - John 11:4-6

Jesus did not immediately respond; and during this delay, Lazarus died. Yet this tragedy was for God's glory. When Jesus finally arrived, He raised Lazarus from the dead and taught an important message: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies" John 11:25.

Lazarus and his sisters would have preferred a healing during the early stage of the sickness, but that was not God's plan. His plan included much more than the temporary suffering of one family. His plan was to teach many people, through many generations, to this very day and beyond, that He was the sure way to eternal life. His plan was perfect, with perfect timing.

We are all given opportunities to serve by meeting the needs of others. But as we serve, we must NEVER take our eyes off our Heavenly Father. Our "job" is to stand in the gap and minister however His Spirit directs. It is never our responsibility to "fix" the people or circumstances we have been called to serve. When we faithfully serve, we will find that God actually uses our ministry effort to work on issues in our own life, issues like trust; "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge" Psalm 62:8. Our lack of trust is revealed when we give up, when we despair and lose hope.

When our area of service seems out of control - when the need seems to outpace our ability to serve and God seems slow to respond - we must continue to trust Him with all our heart. These times of testing will draw us closer to God as we abandon ALL into His sovereign care. 

He alone knows His plan, and His plan remains perfect. Let's continue to trust Him and serve as He directs. Let's continue with our eyes fixed on God, and never lose hope!

-steve troxel

.....gap

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger Ezekiel 22:30-31

As in the days of Ezekiel, spiritual walls are crumbling all around us. We have whitewashed sin in the name of tolerance, and we have lost our passion for holiness and worship in the busyness of materialism and worldly advancement. 

And tragically, many of our churches are filled with compromise and fail to point the way to truth. The result is many lives filled with spiritual gaps - areas vulnerable to grave attack by the enemy.

We must repair our own walls through repentance, forgiveness, and daily drawing nearer to the presence of God. But we must also look for "gaps" in the walls of those around us and commit to standing firm with prayer, encouragement, and time, until strength returns and walls are repaired. We must be ones who live without compromise and faithfully point the way to true worship and a life which glorifies God in all we do.

Let's continue to stand in the gap for as long as it takes the relationship of a friend to be restored, the strength of a pastor to be renewed, the heart of a loved one to be transformed, or the life of a prodigal child to return home. 

God's words through Ezekiel are harsh, but God didn't give up on the people until the people gave up on each other. It's not too late if we continue to point the way; there is still hope if we will stand firm in the gap.

- steve troxel

 

....live

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:9

Paul had the gospel message living in him and shining through him every moment of every day. But he never would have learned "the secret" of rejoicing and being content in all situations if he had just learned "about" the gospel. 

While it's wise, and very useful, to study and even memorize God's Word, His peace and contentment - His joy - will never be real until we actually apply His Word to our life on a daily basis: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" James 1:22.

We must NEVER be just hearers of the Word who become puffed up with Bible knowledge. We must never preach Biblical truths yet fail to apply these truths in our own life and draw ever closer to our Heavenly Father. 

Jesus accused many Jews of making this same mistake: "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life" John 5:39-40.

Let's never stop with just loving His Word or His "activities." Let's love HIM with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And let's express our love by obediently following the leading of His Spirit, as we take what we daily receive and put it into practice.

....power

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

The cross is empty and so is the tomb.

     You can try to bury Power, but it won't stay there.

     You can try to bury Truth, but it is not dead.

     You can try to bury Love, but it cannot be contained.

Jesus is alive, He won the victory of sin and death.  And He's still the same, even in all the days after the Easter weekend. He never changes. He made a way for us to live free.

No other truth in history has the ability to change our lives and affect our future like this. Yet so many still choose to reject Christ's sacrifice and love. He offers us a choice today, and it's the best decision you could ever make.

What Christ's Death on the Cross and the Power of His Resurrection Offers:

1. It provides a bridge, a way, to God. 

It gives us an opportunity to have a personal relationship with the very God who made us and loves us more than we could imagine. Without the cross, there is no way to cross over to he other side of relationship with him. Any attempt will fail. He is the Only Way.

2. It provides opportunity for forgiveness of sin. 

Through the price that Jesus paid on Calvary, we have the chance to be forgiven of our own sin. He took our sin and shame upon his very shoulders. He took the blows on our behalf so we wouldn't have to suffer. Such incredible love. Such amazing sacrifice.

3. It provides freedom to all those who believe. 

Freedom from the shackles of sin. Freedom from shame. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from hopelessness. Freedom from despair. Freedom from addiction. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from darkness and eternal separation from God.

4. It provides new life. 

We are not only forgiven and set free, but we have a whole new life and destiny through Christ. We are changed, from the inside. He renews our minds. He changes our hearts and desires. He gives us fresh purpose for every day set before us.

5. It provides power for us to live today.

When Jesus died on the cross, and was buried, it didn't stop there. The final picture of all that the cross provides lies in the powerful Resurrection of our Lord. He won. He didn't stay dead. His power broke through, and that same power is alive within us today. As believers, God gives us the power of the Holy Spirit, living and moving through us each day.

6. It provides the way to have victory over the enemy.

We don't have to fear him or his attacks. As we live aware of his traps, the power of Christ over our lives gives us a covering and protection from his evil schemes. We're not left to fend for ourselves. We don't fight in our own strength. We can stand strong in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ.

7. It provides for us an eternal heavenly home.

We never need to fear about what will happen when we die. In Christ we have been given the gift of eternal life. This earth is only our temporary home. God is preparing a place for us, with him, to live forever. And you can be assured it will be far greater than we could ever imagine.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor.15:57

-debbie mcdaniel

....!resurrection

By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also 1 Corinthians 6:14

Within three days Jesus's followers went from heartbroken sadness to triumphant jubilation. The cross screamed, “The End,” making them feel hopeless and helpless. But the resurrection trumpeted, “The Beginning,” bringing confidence and courage. The cloud of doubt and despair that had shrouded them melted away and was replaced with unshakeable faith.

Can you imagine how they felt when they realized Jesus had risen from the dead? Suddenly hope came alive; now everything He had said was validated as truth. They had not believed a lie. His victory over death was the acid-test that forever sealed their sure conviction that He was the Messiah.

 

We commemorate Jesus's death on the cross with solemnity, but the resurrection calls for thunderous applause, praise, and song. All the blessings that come our way through the Savior’s cross are confirmed by the resurrection. It proved that the Father was satisfied with the Son’s payment for our sins. Now we can know that our transgressions are forgiven and we’re eternally secure.

 

What’s more, Jesus promises that we, too, will be resurrected and given new bodies. Physical death could not hold Him, nor will it overpower us. Because He overcame the grave, His followers have the same kind of life He has - eternal and indestructible.

 

As Christians, we have the right to celebrate Easter with great rejoicing. Because of this event, our lives have been forever changed. We’ve been transformed and given new life. With unwavering faith, we trust the Bible because Christ’s power over the grave proves He can and will fulfill every word.

- charles stanley 

....friday

Several years ago, an elderly preacher worked his way to the pulpit and said, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming” and then sat down.  Two more times, with ever-growing intensity and excitement in his voice, he made his way to the pulpit and proclaimed, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!”.  

For the disciples and the women who had faithfully followed Jesus, everything seemed hopeless. It was Friday afternoon and their friend has just died.  The one who had been their teacher and comforter was gone.  Everything they had been doing for the past three years seemed worthless.  They were depressed...  they were defeated...  they were in despair.  It was Friday, and all hope was gone.

But wait!  Sunday’s coming! Sunday would bring Hope.  Sunday would bring Salvation.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ on that Sunday morning would bring indescribable Joy to those broken hearts!  No more would death have a strangle-hold on their lives.  No more darkness; no more gloom; no more despair.

The hopeless, helpless, defeated feeling of Friday afternoon was replaced with the victorious Joy  of Sunday morning.  The tomb was empty and “He is Alive”!!!!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

....personally

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5.

It is dangerous for us to make flesh our arm. We should lean upon the arm of infinite power. God has been revealing this to us for years. We must have living faith in our hearts, and reach out for larger knowledge and more advanced light. Do not trust to the wisdom of any person, or to the investigations of any person. 

Go to the Scriptures for yourselves, search the inspired Word with humble hearts, lay aside your preconceived opinions; for you will obtain no benefit unless you come as children to the Word of God. 

You should say, “If God has anything for me, I want it. If God has given evidence from His Word to this or that person that a certain thing is truth, He will give it to me. I can find that evidence if I search the Scriptures with constant prayer, and I can know that I do know what is truth.” 

You need not preach the truth as the product of another person's mind; you must make it your own. 

When the woman of Samaria was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, she hastened to tell her neighbors and townsmen. She said, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.... And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.... And many more believed because of his own word: and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ.” 

We must sink the shaft deep in the mine of truth. You may question matters with yourselves and with one another, but we should come with a humble heart to know for ourselves what is truth. 

The time is coming when we shall be separated and scattered, and each one of us will have to stand without the privilege of communion with those of like precious faith; and how can you stand unless God is by your side, and you know that He is leading and guiding you? 

Whenever we come to investigate Bible truth, the Master of assemblies is with us. The Lord does not leave the ship one moment to be steered by ignorant pilots. We may receive our orders from the Captain of our salvation.

—The Review and Herald, March 25, 1890.

 

....hears

Our loving Father always hears our prayers, and He always answers. His answer to prayer is either yes, no, or wait...and sometimes He answers with, "Here my child, I have something much better for you." But most often, God answers by simply giving us more of Himself.

God's view of our needs and His view of the entire world is much higher and grander than our own. We generally see our need as the solution to some short term problem, but our true need is always to grow by drawing closer and loving Him more. 

Let's take our eyes off the crutches we think will "fix" our problem and look instead to the One who is calling, to the One who patiently says, "Trust Me and come into My presence as you arise and walk!" 

....run

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The problem with the two disciples on the Emmaus Road was they were trying to get away from the cross. The Crucifixion was not a beautiful sight; it was a horrific one.

Jesus’s body was so traumatized that you wouldn’t have been able to tell He was a man. In other words, Jesus was unrecognizable. The two disciples on their way to Emmaus afterward never thought they would see Jesus alive again. So, they wanted to get away from that bloody cross.

But every step away from the cross is a step in the wrong direction. We don’t want to run away from the cross; we need to run to it.

That simply means come to God. Realize that Jesus died on the cross for a reason. He died there for our sin. And as I’ve often said, it wasn’t nails that held Him to the cross; it was His love for you and me.

That’s because there was no other way to satisfy the righteous demands of the holy God whom we all have offended. But Jesus was uniquely qualified to bridge this gap. So with one hand He took hold of sinful humanity, and with the other hand He took hold of a holy God. They drove nails through those hands, and He died in our place.

Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16. God the Father not only sent His Son to the cross, but His Son willingly went.

Jesus went because He knew this was the only way for us to be forgiven of our sin, for us to know that we’ll go to Heaven when we die. That’s why He made such a great sacrifice.

-greg laurie

.....return

One day when Jesus was traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem, ten men with leprosy approached Him and called out; "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" Luke 17:13. Jesus didn't immediately heal the lepers. Instead, He gave them a simple instruction; "Go, show yourselves to the priests" Luke 17:14.

A leper would only present himself to a priest if he believed the leprosy was gone. The priests had the authority to declare a diseased person ceremonially clean and allow them to return home Leviticus 14. Therefore, the lepers demonstrated great faith when they followed Jesus' command; "And as they went, they were cleansed". Notice that the lepers had to take action before they were healed; their action was a demonstration of their faith.

Though all ten lepers had been cleansed of their terrible disease, only one returned to give thanks; "He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Him" Luke 17:16. Jesus responded with a very convicting question.

"Jesus asked, 'Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?'"Luke 17:17

I wonder if we really understand the degree to which we have been healed and made clean; "God made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgression" Ephesians 2:5. We were DEAD, and He made us alive with Christ - that's serious healing!! Our Heavenly Father reached down in love and provided a way for complete restoration when we did not even have the ability to cry out for help; "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8 - that's serious love!!

His Hand guided us toward healing through His Son and His Hand continues to heal in countless ways on our daily walk. Every time relationships are restored, His hand has healed; when conflicts are resolved, His hand has healed; and when He lovingly welcomes us back after we have wandered from His presence, His hand has healed.

But do we return to thank Him? Or are we as the other nine lepers who go on our way and forget the One to whom we owe our very lives.

The one leper who returned threw himself at Jesus' feet. If we knew how deathly sick we are without Christ and how completely He has healed our soul, we would not only throw ourselves at His feet, but we would remain and refuse to ever leave. Let's live each day in the presence of God and continually come before Him with hearts overflowing with thanksgiving and praise. Let's remember our divine healing and ALWAYS be the one who will return to give thanks.

-steve troxel

....tools

As we open our life to God's teaching, we must allow Him to instruct us using the tools of His choice. His lessons are often taught using the most unlikely messengers and through the worst of circumstances, but His lessons always contain a lasting sweetness.

No matter what we face today, let's look for the lesson God is teaching. Circumstances in our work, home, or even place of worship may often become hot with friction, but these sources of abrasion may very well be the tools God is using to mold us and draw us closer to His side...because He loves us and desires for us to learn to trust and love Him more. 

Let's praise Him for His continued loving instruction. 

Let's embrace the shaping process and be thankful for ALL the tools of The Teacher.

.....son

There is a story that comes out of the Bedouin culture.  "Bedouin" is the Aramaic name for "desert dwellers."  These people live much as the characters of the Old Testament did.  During a heated argument, according to this story, a young Bedouin struck and killed a friend of his.  Knowing the ancient, inflexible customs of his people, the young man fled, running across the desert under the cover of darkness, seeking safety.

He went to the black tent of the tribal chief in order to seek his protection.  The old chief took the young Arab in.  The chief assured him that he would be safe until the matter could be settled legally.

The next day, the young man's pursuers arrived, demanding the murderer be turned over to them.  They would see that justice would prevail in their own way. "But I have given my word," protested the chief.

"But you don't know whom he killed!" they countered.

"I have given my word," the chief repeated.

"He killed your son!" one of them blurted out.  The chief was deeply and visibly shaken with his news.  He stood speechless with his head bowed for a long time. The accused and the accusers as well as curious onlookers waited breathlessly.  What would happen to the young man?  

Finally the old man raised his head. "Then he shall become my son," he informed them, "and everything I have will one day be his."

The young man certainly didn't deserve such generosity. And that, of course, is the point. Love in its purest form is beyond comprehension. No one can merit it. It is freely given. It is agape, the love of God. Look to the cross. At the cross we encounter love in its purest form.

 

....trust

God wants and expects the total devotion of our heart. Devotion will always mean love and worship, but it also must include our sustained and unwavering trust. Our Heavenly Father establishes our path and provides all the necessary strength to achieve the victory He desires. 

He simply asks that we trust only in Him and continue to follow where He leads. Let's give Him ALL the glory and honor as we keep our eyes forever focused on Christ and guard against the sin of misplaced trust. 

....presence

Jehoiakim was king of Judah just prior to the first Babylonian invasion in 605 B.C.. He had become comfortable in the security of the palace, and an alliance with the Egyptians made him feel even more protected. But Jehoiakim led the people of Judah further away from God; "he did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his fathers had done" 2 Kings 23:37.

God sent the prophet Jeremiah to warn Jehoiakim and the people of Judah that disaster would come if they did not repent; "If you do not listen to Me and follow My law..., then I will make this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth" Jeremiah 26:4,6. But with his every need and desire fulfilled, and his every fear removed, Jehoiakim did not see a reason to listen.

I warned you when you felt secure, but you said, 'I will not listen!' This has been your way from your youth; you have not obeyed Jeremiah 22:21 We spend the majority of our lives building security in our job, finances, and relationships. But security within the world system is extremely shallow and deceptive; "Do not store up for yourselves treasures {security} on earth, where moth and rust destroy, where thieves break in and steal" Matthew 6:19. We ought to be thankful for every one of our earthly blessings, but we should NEVER receive our "security" from the world. Our complete dependence must always remain on our Heavenly Father, and our eyes and ears should continually be open to His leading.

Our daily walk is made one slow step at a time as we "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5. Usually, we are allowed to see only the next step; "Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light for my path" Psalm 119:105. We may not know what turns lie ahead, but our true security, peace and comfort, comes from simply knowing we are on His path, not from feeling we control the direction or pace of the journey.

True security begins with faith in Jesus Christ and builds on a pure love which flows from the innermost part of our heart. Even activities such as church attendance, Bible study, or work in various ministries mean nothing without a faith based love; and these well-intended actions become a false spiritual security when they replace the need to abide in the presence of God or daily seek His direction.

Let's not allow our lives to develop a sense of security which shuts out the need for God and the absolute hunger for His presence. Our walk of faith will always require stepping into the unknown where all we have is what He provides, and a loving trust in God is confident that His provision is always enough! Let's lean on Him, love Him, and draw ever closer. Let's seek true security by only being secure in His presence.

-steve troxel

....pearl

Pearls are a product of pain. When a grain of sand pierces the shell of an oyster, all the otherwise dormant resources within the tiny oyster respond to the foreign irritant by caring for that sensitive spot. Over time, the sand particle is covered by healing fluids, and the wound becomes a pearl.

That's true for you, too. When hardships invade your life, allow God's Spirit to shape your response. Don't be bitter. Don't rush ahead of His plan. Rest in Him. Allow Him time to turn that irritation into an opportunity for your growth - and watch a beautiful pearl emerge from your set of circumstances.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-5 

....lost

A story is told about a little boy who was sitting on the steps of a busy street corner crying.  A policeman walked up to him and asked what was the problem. The little boy was lost and didn't know where he was.  He didn't know his address, only his name.

He and the policeman walked up and down several streets looking for some landmark the little boy might recognize - but with no success.  Finally, as they rounded a corner, the boy shouted out loud with excitement.  In the middle of the block was a church with a cross on top of its steeple.

The little boy exclaimed, "I know where I am.  I know the cross.  Take me to the cross - I can find my way home from there."

There are many people in your life who need you to take them to the cross. They live next to you.  They serve your table at the restaurant.  They play sports with you. They watch games with you.  You see them behind the cash register when you're shopping. You see them behind the counter when you're buying gas.  You see them in the park, at school, at work, waiting in line.  They may be smiling on the outside, but they're unhappy on the inside.

They need God.  They need His Love,  They need His Salvation.  They need someone to take them to the cross.  Who will you take to the cross today?

"To be a missionary, you don't have to cross the sea, you just have to see the cross." 

.....surrogate

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8

Dwight L. Moody told about a story about a young man who was called to serve in Napoleon Bonaparte's army but didn't want to go. A friend volunteered to go in his place and was accepted as his substitute. Unfortunately, the friend was later killed in battle.

 

However, because of a clerical error the same young man was called up to serve again. "You can't take me. I'm dead. I died on the battlefield," he told the astonished officers. 

After checking the records, the officers found documentation of his name and alongside it the name of the friend who died in his place. The case was presented to Napoleon who, after examining the evidence, said, "Through a surrogate, this man has not only fought, but has died in his country's service. No man can die more than once, therefore the law has no claim on him." 

And that's exactly what Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did for you and me. He died in our place to pay the penalty for all our sins so we could be freely forgiven and given the gift of eternal life. When we accept God's pardon, we will never have to pay the price for our sins because Jesus did that for us. He died in our place.  

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 

....help

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

A young man found himself lost as he attempted to drive through an unfamiliar city where his cell phone would not work.  He was determined to find his way, so he continued to drive around wondrously lost not knowing where he was going. Hours passed by and the young man finally decided to stop at a service station and ask someone. After leaving the service station, just minutes later he was on the right path.

It then dawned on him how help was always available, but pride prevented him from asking for help. Frustration settled in because hours had passed, and daylight was gone - all because he refused to ask for help.

There are many times in life that we exhibit pride similar to that of the young man.  Many times, we will buy something new and spend hours trying to figure out how it works before picking up the directions. We will spend hours trying to learn the features of a gadget before picking up the manual. Most of all, we waste a lot of time and effort trying to figure out certain things in life. We have a "determined to figure it out on my own" mind set. Days, weeks, months, or years have passed and we have found ourselves at the same point. 

This attitude has allowed discouragement, doubt, fear, loneliness, and other negative things to settle in, simply because we refuse to tap into the Help that is available to us. We need to be encouraged to struggle no longer alone, but "ask Him for Help!"

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

"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

-timothy jackson, jr. 

.....ten

The Bible instructs us to bear one another's burdens. Many problems are too heavy for us to bear alone. Faced with extreme hardship, Paul wrote that he counted on the prayers of his friends for victory 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, Philippians 1:19, Romans 15:30-32. As much as we would like to "fix" things, we can't. What we can do is pray for our friends and family to be strengthened and aligned with God's will and purposes. God knows far better than we do all that He is up to in the lives of our loved ones.

1. Pray that their love for others will grow. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Philippians 1:9-11

2. Pray for unity, agreement, unselfishness, humility, and oneness in Christ. Philippians 2:1-5, John 17:11, 21

3. Pray that they will have the mind of Christ and acknowledge the Lord daily to direct their lives. 1 Corinthians 2:11-16; Proverbs. 3:5-6

4. Pray that they will present themselves as living sacrifices to God. Romans 12:1-2

5. Pray that they will know who they are in Christ. Colossians 1:28, 2:10, Ephesians 1:3-4, 7-8

6. Pray that they will hunger daily for the word of God and grow daily in Christlike maturity. Matthew 4:4, Ephesians. 4:11-16, Philippians 2:12-13

7. Pray that they will put on the full armor of God and be alert to Satan's strategies.  Ephesians 6:10-18

8. Pray that they will not love the world system but set their mind on Christ. 1 John 2:15-17, Philippians 4:8

9. Pray that they will have a servant's heart with a spirit of brokenness and humility. Mark 10:44-45, Psalm 51:17

10. Pray that they will develop a praying heart, worshipping, praising, and thanking God as they see His hand of blessing extended to them. Psalm 103:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

-sylvia gunter

....perspective

In his beautiful book, "I Shall Not Want," Robert Ketchum tells of a Sabbath School teacher who asked her group of children if anyone could quote the entire 23rd Psalm.  

A golden-haired, four-and-a-half-year-old girl was among those who raised their hands.  A bit skeptical, the teacher asked if  she could really quote the entire psalm.

The little girl came to the front of the room, faced the class, made a perky little bow, and said, "The Lord is my shepherd, that's all I want." She bowed again and went and sat down.

That may well be the greatest interpretation of the 23rd Psalm ever heard, "The Lord is my shepherd, that's all I want."

Psalm 23.  

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

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. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

...win

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today Matthew 6:34

The apostle Paul faced an uncertain future. He was arrested for preaching the gospel, but as a Roman citizen, he had the right to appeal to Caesar. As a result, Paul was living under house arrest, awaiting an appearance before the leader of Rome.

Paul didn’t know whether his appeal would bring about his acquittal or his beheading. But instead of worrying and complaining, he was rejoicing and living in great peace.

Writing to the believers in Philippi, he said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! . . . Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 4:4, 6–7.

Rejoicing is a scriptural command, not a suggestion. To fail to rejoice is actual disobedience to God. But notice that Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord,” not rejoice in your circumstances.

Some Christians think that whatever happens, they should rejoice in it. No, we should rejoice in the fact that God is still on the throne and still loves us. We should rejoice in the fact that, according to Romans 8:28, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”

When we worry, it’s a failure on our part to trust God. Jesus said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” Matthew 6:34.

The word worry comes from a term that means “to choke.” And that’s what worry does. It creates mental and emotional strangulation in your life. Worry actually makes things worse, because when you worry about the future, you cripple yourself in the present.

-greg laurie