....move

As the Israelites approached the Red Sea, "Pharaoh and his officials changed their mind" Exodus 14:5.

Every chariot in Egypt was sent to bring the Israelites back. With no escape route in sight, and the Egyptian army closing in, the people cried out to God. Moses tried to calm the people, "The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still" Exodus 14:14. But being still was not in God's plan.

"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.'"Exodus 14:15-16

God had been in close communion with Moses. He had given His direction and demonstrated His awesome power. Now at this moment of crisis, God expected Moses to know what to do: "Why are you crying out to Me...move on!"

We must diligently seek His will in stillness and prepare our life to follow where He leads; "be still and know that He is God" Psalm 46:10. The conditions will never feel perfect, nor will we ever feel fully prepared; beware of a never-ending mission analysis which paralyzes us from action. In the end we must remember: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31.

There will always come a time when God expects us to demonstrate our faith in what He has provided. Let's prepare for that time by drawing near and learning to trust in HIS ability. Let's live with an active faith such that when we know His power, know His provision, and know His direction, we are able to trust and move on.

- steve troxel 

...suffering

 "We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance." Romans 5:3

A young Christian went to an older believer and asked, "Will you pray that I may be more patient?" So they knelt together and the man began to pray, "Lord, send this young man tribulation in the morning; send him tribulation in the afternoon; send him..."

Just then the young believer blurted out, "No, not tribulations! I asked for patience."   "l know," said the wise Christian, "but it's through tribulation that we learn patience."

The word perseverance in today's Scripture can mean the ability to remain steadfast under difficulties without giving in.. John A. Witmer wrote, "Only a believer who has faced distress can develop steadfastness. That, in turn, develops character."

When the apostle Paul told the Christians in Rome that "tribulation produces perseverance" Romans 5:3, he was speaking from personal experience. He had suffered beatings, whippings, stoning, shipwreck, and persecution. Yet he remained steadfast in his faith and did not shrink from his responsibility to preach the gospel.  

If you are facing a difficult test, praise God! Under His wise control, everything that happens to us - whether pleasurable or painful - is designed to develop Christlike character. That's why we can glory in tribulation. 

- richard dehaan

....all

"The Lord said to him, 'Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.' But Moses said, 'O Lord, please send someone else to do it.' Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses."  Exodus 4:11-14

Moses would later be described as "more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth" Numbers 12:2. But as he stood before God and received his initial assignment for battle, his "humility" was nothing more than a self-absorbed lack of faith. Moses looked at his own abilities and didn't see how success was possible. He failed to see the Creator of the Universe who promised to walk by His side.

Our Christian walk is ALL about God working through us. Our abilities will seem too small; of course the enemy will seem too big! The seemingly impossible steps are all part of His plan. Our Heavenly Father desires an intimate and passionate relationship built on absolute trust, so why would He ever lead us in a direction that did not require our complete dependence on Him? 

The assignment may seem impossible, but His call is our greatest assurance of victory; "If God be for us, who can be against us" Romans 8:31.

When God is truly Lord of our life, it's false humility to believe we cannot follow where He leads. Let's allow His glory to so completely fill our vision that we can boldly follow because we KNOW...it's all about Him.

- steve troxel

....lifeline

"He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust." Psalm 91:2

In his book "The Fisherman and His Friends", Louis Albert Banks tells of two men who were assigned to stand watch on a ship out at sea. During the night the waves from a raging storm washed one of them overboard  The sailor who drowned had been in the most sheltered place, while the one who survived was more exposed to the elements. 

What made the difference? The man who was lost had nothing to hold on to.

What a picture of the way some people are affected by the trials of life! When life is peaceful, they are very self-sufficient; but when the going gets rough, they are swept off their feet. Because they have refused God's help and have nothing to hold on to, they are easily overwhelmed.

People who cling to the Lord, though, can weather the fiercest storms of adversity. They are often heard to say, "I don't know what I would do without the Lord." They know that the heavenly Father is always with them to strengthen, guard, and protect them. Those who have put their hope in God have Someone they can rely on in every circumstance of life. They can say of the Lord. "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God in Him will I trust " Psalm 91:2  Can vou?

 

God has not promised to keep us from life's storms, but to keep us through them!

  

....ground

Our relationship with Jesus Christ should produce great assurance; "In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence" Ephesians 3:12. But as we approach the throne, we must always remember He is the King and the Creator of ALL things. He has invited us into an intimate relationship, but we must never attempt to enter into God's presence with a casual or assuming attitude.

If we desire to hear from God, we must first establish time which is free of distractions - we must be able to see where He is burning and listen for His call. Then we must have an available heart which daily cries out "Here I am!" Finally, we must draw near in reverent and humble submission.

The presence of God demands holiness, it creates holiness...it IS holiness! "For it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" 1 Peter 1:16. Without the presence of God, our churches and homes are nothing but walls and a roof, and our lives are nothing but empty shells of flesh. But as we love and worship Him with all our heart, His presence resides within us and we can live with purpose and direction.

Through faith in Jesus we have become His living temple. Let's take off our sandals by confessing and repenting of ALL that is unclean in our life. Let's live every day and take every step to honor Him; for we are His.

- steve troxel

....limit

 "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able." 1 Corinthians 10:13

We've all seen load-limit signs on highways, bridges, and elevators. Knowing that too much strain can cause severe damage or complete collapse, engineers determine the exact amount of stress that various materials can safely endure. Posted warnings tell us not to exceed the maximum load.

Human beings also have their load limits, which vary frorn person to person. Some people, for example, can bear the pressure of trials and temptations better than others; yet everyone has a breaking point and can take on so much.

At times, circumstances and people seem to be pushing us beyond what we can bear. But the Lord knows our limitations and never allows any difficulties to enter our lives that exceed our strength and ability to endure. This is especially true when we're enticed by sin.

So when trials and temptations press down on you, take courage. Remember, your heavenly Father knows the limits of your ability to stand up under life's pressures. Draw on His strength; no temptation will ever be greater than that. 

- richard dehaan

....burning

Moses was a peaceful shepherd for 40 years, but then "The angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush" Exodus 3:2. The bush was on fire but not actually being burned. This definitely got his attention, so Moses went to take a closer look.

"When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!' And Moses said, 'Here I am.'" Exodus 3:4

Notice that God waited until Moses saw the bush, stopped what he was doing, and drew himself near. I wonder how long this bush had been burning before Moses noticed? During the last 40 years, how many "burning bushes" were placed in his path? "Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10. How long had Moses needed to experience the "stillness" of tending the flock before he was ready to hear God? Oh Lord, help us to be still!

God is at work all around us, and He's calling us to join Him today. The bushes are burning, but in the hurriedness of our daily lives we most often fail to notice - fail to stop and draw near. Is it any wonder we have a hard time hearing His call? What will we see when God allows us to look back at the life we might have lived if we would only have taken time to listen?

Let's not miss the opportunity to participate in God's wonderful plan. Let's create time to be very still and look intently for where God is working. Then, with great expectation, let's join Him and draw near to the burning bush. 

- steve troxell

....glory

 "Thou, O Lord, are a shield about me, myglory and the lifter of my head." Psalm 3:3

Is God your glory? The word "glory" is the translation of a Hebrew word meaning "weight" or "significance."

Some people measure their worth by beauty, inteiligence, money, power, or prestige. But David, who wrote Psalm 3, found his security and worth in God. He said that many stood against him. He heard their cruel voices and was tempted to believe them, to give way to discouragement and depression. Nevertheless, he comforted and strengthened his heart with these words: "You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head" (v. 3).

What a change that realization made! He had God, and his enemies did not. So he could hold up his head with confidence. 

Verses like Psalm 3:3 can bring peace to your heart even in the midst of a storm of trouble. God is your shield and deliverer. He will deal with your adversaries in due time.

Meanwhile, tell God all about your troubles. Let Him be your glory. You don't have to defend yourself. Ask Him to be your shield - to protect your heart with His overshadowing love and care. Then, like David, you can lie down in peace and sleep, though tens of thousands are against you vv. 5-6.

Remember, No one is more secure than the one who is held in God's hands.

....alone

"The news about Him spread all the more, so the crowds of people came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:15-16

We long for and desperately seek the presence of God, but Jesus Christ IS the very presence of God: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" John 1:1,14.

And though He had perfect union with the Father, created the entire Universe, and demonstrated complete control over the elements of nature as He "rebuked the wind and the raging waters" Luke 8:24, Jesus still made time to be alone with the Father in prayer. Why?

1. Prior to the important decision of choosing His twelve apostles, Jesus "went out to a mountainside and spent the night praying" Luke 6:12. 
2. On the night before He was crucified, Jesus was in such anguish that He prayed until "His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" Luke 22:44. 

Jesus, through His life and death, taught us of the need for prayer and how we ought to relate to God...and these are lessons we must not ignore!

If Jesus demonstrated such need of prayer, how much more necessary is it for us who contain so many flaws and so easily drift away from God. We cannot wave our hand to calm the storm, but we CAN pray for patience and the strength to endure, and relentlessly ask for His help. 

We are to live in such constant communion with God that we "pray continually" 1 Thessalonians 5:17, even as we drive in busy traffic, manage multiple assignments, or care for noisy children.

But each of us must also set aside time, "often" and regular, where we can withdraw to a quiet place. The presence of God can be found in the midst of our busyness, but we all need times of quiet where we can be refreshed and receive direction - times when we can simply lift our hearts to God and say, "Thank You!" 

Let's develop and maintain the discipline of entering the courts of His presence. Let's regularly set aside times of quiet to get alone and pray. 

- steve troxel

.....serve

Joshua led the people of Israel into the promised land of Canaan and helped them fight many battles. Toward the end of his life, Joshua gathered the leaders of Israel for some final encouragement: "You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you" Joshua 23:3.

Joshua wanted the leaders to know that God would continue to fight for them, but he also wanted them to know that God expected obedience to His Word: "If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord's anger will burn against you" Joshua 23:16. 

Joshua then gathered all the people and told them the time had come to make a choice."But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15

The Israelites had seen God's mighty hand as they fought their enemies in Canaan, and had heard many stories of God's protection as He led them out of Egypt; the time had come to make a decision. Either they would commit to serve the Lord with ALL their heart, or they would serve the man made gods of the world.

We face the same decision today. We either decide to follow and serve Jesus, or we have decided to serve the priorities and "gods" of this world. There is no middle ground. A choice must be made! And failure to choose is itself a choice; "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" John 3:18.

Everyone must make their own decision about Jesus. However, each of us has a wonderful opportunity to influence others...especially those in our family. We can't force others to drink - and we can't quench their thirst by drinking for them - but we can definitely lead them to the water.

We can no longer float through life waiting to see where the pulls of this world will lead; we must live with intention and purpose, and decide once and for all to serve God with unrestricted devotion. Today, we stand at a crossroad and must choose. 

Today, we must choose whom we will serve.

- steve troxel

 

....memories

After the people of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years, God led them across the Jordan river into the promised land of Canaan. This was not an ordinary river crossing. God stopped the Jordan from flowing and allowed the priests to stand in the middle of the river bed, with the ark of the covenant, as the Israelites walked passed. This spectacular event was an obvious miracle that God wanted His people to remember and pass down to future generations.

"Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.'" Joshua 4:5-7

Memorials are anything that help us remember a specific time when God revealed Himself and said: "I am here!" We must never forget the miracles in our life, or the times God gave us clear direction or rescued us from darkness.

The presence of God is a wonderful place to be - it's where our Heavenly Father desires for us to live each day of our life! But His presence can often be illusive and fragile; when we find it, it seems to quickly fade away. Most of us have so much input from the world that we become easily distracted from God. We must not allow this to happen!!

We must become more aware of God as He works in our life and in the world around us. As we see and hear Him, we must find ways to create memories for ourselves and those we love; "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago" Psalm 77:11. Memorials help and encourage us to remember.

May we never forget that He is by our side and desires for us to draw, and remain, near. Imagine if we could be a living example of a life devoted (each and every moment) to God. Let's regain the heart of worship and share the stories of God's love. Let's remember...and look for ways to create lasting memorials.

....live

"We live by faith and not by sight."  2 Corinthians 5:7

The first step of faith is when we recognize our sinful condition, repent of our sin, and believe Jesus died so our sin can be forgiven. This belief in Jesus is not a result of what we see, but a result of faith - and without this first step of faith it is definitely not possible to please God.

But as we continue our walk with Christ, He becomes more and more real. With each new step our eyes are opened a little wider and we are allowed to see a little clearer. The challenges of yesterday which required great faith have become easier to bear...for now we can see! "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1. True faith always involves a confidence of the unknown, an assurance of what is unseen. 

Our Heavenly Father desires to lead us in a life of faith. This means He often draws us into the unknown, for it is only in the unknown that we truly learn to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5. And as the unknown becomes known, He will surely call us to take the next step, an even bigger step, and trust Him more.

Where is God calling us today? For some, it's to take the awesome step required for Salvation through faith in Jesus; "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" Hebrews 4:7. For some, it's a step of trust for a burden which right now seems completely unbearable; and for some, it's a step into a level of service which appears impossible to achieve. Each of these requires a step into the unknown, into a place we cannot see, but each is part of the great adventure of faith!

Though the unknown is sometimes uncomfortable and maybe even a little scary, being guided by God into what we cannot see is the essence of a life of faith - a life which pleases God, we must continue to listen, step, and grow; we must continue to live daily by faith.

....proving

We begin our Christian life in faith; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith" Ephesians 2:8. And just as we begin our life in faith, so we must also continue to walk in faith; "Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him" Colossians 2:6. We are to live in Christ, and continue to walk with Him, in the same manner as we received Him...in faith.

We cannot come to Christ without faith and we are unable to live a victorious Christian life without continuously walking in faith. Our faith is of great worth!

"For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."1 Peter 1:6-7

One of the beautiful truths in God's Kingdom is that everything along our walk has a purpose; "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him" Romans 8:28. Even our difficult times of hardship and trial can be used by God "for the good." As we continue to love Him with all our heart, God will use our trials to reveal and strengthen our faith. And a truer understanding of our faith is one of the greatest "goods" we can receive.

Do we really believe our faith is "of greater worth than gold"? Until we've been sustained through times of great trial and testing, it's difficult to understand the true value of faith. Our faith is shown to be real, or "proved genuine," only as we trust Him when no other hope can be seen. We never need to prove our faith to God; He sees deep within our heart and already knows the genuineness of our faith. When our faith is tested, it is proved genuine to ourselves.

God gave us our faith and calls us to live "in accordance with the measure of faith God has given" Romans 12:3. But our measure of faith is ALWAYS greater than what we believe we have, and it can sustain us through greater trials than we believe possible. As we more clearly see the strength contained in this wonderful gift of faith, we are able to give all praise, glory and honor to God as Jesus is revealed through the testimony of our life. As we trust Him with all our heart, He will cause us to emerge from our trials much stronger and more confident, more "mature and complete, not lacking anything" James 1:4, because we will KNOW He is by our side.

As our faith is strengthened and refined, the presence of God will cease to be an interesting theory or an empty hope; it will become real and an integral part of our life! Let's rejoice that our trials last only "for a little while." But let's also rejoice that our trials are being used for His glory and for the purpose of proving our faith.

- steve troxel

......witnesses

Our journey with the Lord is like a marathon in many ways. We must maintain a disciplined training program to ensure we are prepared. The race itself can be long and hard. There will be times we run out of energy and want to quit, but crossing the finish line will be more rewarding than anything we can imagine! And along the way, we will certainly learn to appreciate the encouragement we receive from the cheering crowd.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."Hebrews 12:1

This verse follows what we often refer to as The Great Hall of Faith. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews describes many people from the Old Testament who were commended for their faith: Able, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Samson, David, and many others.

At the end of this impressive list, we read that even though they were faithful, "none of them received what had been promised" Hebrews 11:39. Their reward was postponed until the coming of Jesus; "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect" Hebrews 11:40. 

The testimony of the faithful is meant to give us great encouragement. It's as if they are cheering us on with great anticipation, knowing that one day we will be "caught up together with them" 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to receive our eternal reward when Jesus comes.

This cloud of witnesses now also includes the testimony of New Testament believers as well as Christians throughout the last 2000 years. It also includes Brothers and Sisters who love us and pray for us today. As we run the race and sometimes grow weary - sometimes even stumble and fall - these witnesses continue to cheer and encourage our every step.

The race is long and sometimes difficult, but we're definitely not alone. Let's run with renewed perseverance; and when we become discouraged, Jesus has promised to abide with us let us listen to His tender voice impressed upon us by the at times still and small voice of The Holy Spirit our teacher and guide John 16:7-11

.....holiness

We often speak of God's Word as the absolute truth by which we are to live. We encourage one another to live without compromise and not to be pulled by the temptations of the world. But this type of discussion always implies a standard for Christian living, a standard for holiness. And, as much as we hate to admit it, a standard implies rules

Much of the Christian teaching we receive today is focused on the free gift of God's grace; "For it is by grace you have been saved" Ephesians 2:8, and this grace seems to be in conflict with the presence of rules. Since our sins have already been forgiven, and "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1, how can we talk about rules or standards or expectations?

It is absolutely clear in the Word of God that we are saved by grace and can do nothing to earn or improve upon our Salvation - we live and breathe under God's grace. However, it is also perfectly clear in His Word that there exists a standard of holiness for which we must strive. Sin is defined against a standard and the precious gift of God's grace never gives permission for sin!

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may abound? By no means!" Romans 6:1-2

As children of God, we now have complete freedom; "the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death" Romans 8:2. But the freedom we have been given is the freedom to claim victory over sin and live a pure and holy life; "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do" 1 Peter 1:15. We will never attain perfect holiness, never live in perfect compliance with God's standard. And though we who belong to Jesus are no longer under condemnation, we are still called to holiness.

So why should we strive? 

First, holiness is honoring to God because God hates sin. Sin kills those our Father loves - those He loves so much that He sent Jesus to die as a sacrifice for the penalty of sin. God hates sin and we ought to hate what God hates. 

And second, as we strive for holiness (while remembering that our striving plays no part in our Salvation) we will see even more clearly how far we fall from God's required perfection. As we strive, our sin will become even more apparent and we will see with ever increasing thankfulness how much grace and forgiveness we have been given through faith in Jesus.

Salvation is ALL grace!! 

We live under His grace and have been set free from the law of sin and death. So now, let's truly learn of His grace by seeking to follow in His steps and striving for a thankful heart through a life of grace-filled holiness.

- steve troxel

 

...today

Today, 

For what I am that I ought not to be, 
   Forgive me. 
For what I am not that I ought to be, 
   Forgive me. 
Be with my mouth in what it speaks 
Be with my hands in what they do 
Be with my mind in what it thinks 
Be with my heart in what it feels 
Work in me 
   ...through me 
   ...for me 
   ...in spite of me 

In the precious name of Jesus, 
Amen  

....nineveh

Our Heavenly Father desires each of His Children to be "conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29. And the process of being conformed is primarily one of obedient worship in ALL areas of our life. But then comes Nineveh!

When God has a specific call for our life, He will persistently give us clear direction and use all His infinite resources to make sure we understand. But as we read through the Word of God, we must conclude that this type of specific call is relatively rare. For most, God's will never moves beyond a general call to walk in His love.

Jonah teaches us to follow when God's call is specific, also regarding God's general will which applies to all of us every day of our life. This principle is discovered by examining why Jonah ran from God: "'Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because it's wickedness has come up before Me.' But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish" Jonah 1:2-3.

Jonah didn't run from God simply because Nineveh was located in a distant and foreign land. Jonah ran because he disliked (even hated) the people who lived in this leading city of the growing empire of Assyria. The people of Nineveh had a reputation for cruelty in war, idolatry, and a general disrespect for God. Jonah had grown up with a hatred of Nineveh and couldn't bear being sent there to preach. He couldn't bear the thought of these hated people actually repenting and being blessed by "his" God.

"O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity."Jonah 4:2

God desires all the world to turn from their wicked ways and receive His blessings. And His general call is for us to deliver this message of love. We are called to deliver this message to ALL - especially those we may naturally dislike or have been "taught" to fear and hate. 

Ministering outside our natural group becomes a form of worship because it demonstrates our understanding of the grace we have been given through faith in Jesus; none of us can ever earn God's love! 

- steve troxel

.....help

You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You. Psalm 31:22

During Antarctica's nine-month winter, the continent is engulfed in darkness and the temperature sinks to -115' F (-82" C). Flights are halted from late February to November, leaving workers at scattered research stations isolated and virtually cut off from outside help. Yet, in 2001, two daring rescue missions penetrated the polar winter and airlifted people with serious medical conditions to safety.

We all feel helpless and cut off at times. It may seem that not even God can hear or answer our cries for help. The psalmist David said in a time of trouble, "I am cut off from before Your eyes" Psalm 31:22. But David discovered that the Lord had not forgotten him, and he rejoiced, "You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You" v.22.

What circumstances make you feel helpless or hopeless today? Poor health, broken relationships, a family member in great need? In Jesus Christ, God has pierced the dark winter of our world in a daring rescue through His redeeming love. He is therefore able to reach us and calm our fears in the most desperate circumstances. 

We are never cut off from the mighty power and sustaining peace of God. 

God's help is only a prayer away.

....hope

His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

It's one of the saddest stories of the Bible, yet it inspired one of the most hopeful hymns of the twentieth century.

The prophet Jeremiah witnessed unimaginable horrors when the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem in 586 BC. Solomon's temple was reduced to ruins, and with it went not only the center of worship but also the heart of the community. The people were left with no food, no rest, no peace, no leader. 

But in the midst of suffering and grief, one of their prophets found a reason for hope. "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed," wrote Jeremiah, "because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" Lamentations 3:22-23.

Jeremiah's hope came from his personal experience of the Lord's faithfulness and from his knowledge of God's promises in the past. Without these, he would have been unable to comfort his people. 

This hope of Lamentations 3 is echoed in a hymn by Thomas Chisholm (1866-1960). Although suffering sickness and setbacks throughout his life, he wrote "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." It assures us that even in times of great fear, tragic loss, and intense suffering we can find comfort and confidence as we trust in God's great faithfulness. 

- julie link

....alone

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Robinson Crusoe, the chief character in a novel by Daniel Defoe, was shipwrecked and stranded on an uninhabited island. Life was hard, but he found hope and comfort when he turned to the Word of God.

Crusoe said, "One morning, being very sad, I opened the Bible upon these words, 'I will never, never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'

Immediately, it occurred that these words were to me; why else should they be directed in such a manner, just at the moment when I was mourning over my condition, as one forsaken of God and man?

'Well then,' said I, 'if God does not forsake me... what matters it, though the world should all forsake me...?'  From this moment I began to conclude in my mind that it was possible for me to be more happy in this forsaken, solitary condition than it was probable that I should ever have been in any other state in the world; and with this thought I was going to give thanks to God for bringing me to this place.'"

Have you been forsaken by a friend, a child, a parent, a spouse? God has said, "l will never leave you nor forsake you" Hebrews 13:5. So you, too, can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" v. 6. 

Fear will leave us when we remember that God is with us.

....servant

The night before Jesus was crucified, He was celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples. We traditionally call this the Last Supper. Jesus knew this would be the last time He would eat with His disciples; He knew in just one more day He would be hung on a cross to die.

Knowing He only had a few short hours remaining with this select group, Jesus used His time to leave a lasting impression of what it meant to truly follow Him.

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him John 13:3-5

Without using words, Jesus gave His greatest sermon. Jesus was absolutely secure in who He was and where He was going: "He had come from God and was returning to God." But He was not proud or arrogant in His security. He didn't use His position to force others to submit or demand they satisfy His needs; instead, His secure position allowed Him to be completely humble and serve His disciples by washing their feet.

Our Heavenly Father desires for us to have this same level of security in Him. He wants us to KNOW we are His children and where we will spend eternity. Jesus came to set us free, and we are to walk in this secure freedom. But rather than using our freedom to arrogantly strut according to our own desires, a secure freedom should give us the necessary confidence to humbly serve without being offended; "do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love" Galatians 5:13.

Being a follower of Jesus Christ means, first and foremost, that we love the Lord with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength Mark 12:30, it means we are to love, serve, and "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" Ephesians 5:21. 

Knowing where we will spend eternity, and keeping our eyes set on this eternal perspective, allows us to focus more on the needs and concerns of others Philippians 2:3-4. It allows us to use our gifts for their intended purpose; "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others" 1 Peter 4:10. My own earthly needs become few when I have a clear picture of my eternal home.

Let's learn to live as Jesus lived: in fellowship with our Heavenly Father, with absolute assurance of who we are in Christ, with confidence of our eternal destiny, and with the complete abandoned humility of a free and secure servant.

- steve troxel

 

.....circle

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

Following the death of our seventeen-year-old daughter in a car accident in June 2002, each member of our family handled the loss differently. For my wife, among the most helpful sources of comfort were visits from moms who had also lost a child in an accident.

Sue found strength in their stories, and she wanted them to tell her how God had been faithful in their lives, despite the deep sorrow that comes with losing a precious child.  

Soon Sue became part of a circle of compassion, a small group of moms who could weep, pray, and seek God's help together. That cadre of grieving moms formed a bond of empathy and hope that provided encouragement in the face of her daily sorrow.

Each person grieves uniquely, yet we all need to share our hearts, our burdens, our questions, and our sadness with someone else. That's why it's vital that we find others with whom to discuss our pain and sorrow.

In our relationship with Christ, we find encouragement, consolation, love, fellowship, affection, and mercy Philippians 2:1. God comforts us so that we can comfort others 2 Corinthians 1:4. So let's "rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" Romans 12:15. Then others will find a circle of compassion too. 

"A heartfelt tear can show our love

As words can never do;

It says, "I want to share your pain -

My heart goes out to you."

We must learn to weep before we can dry another's tears.

- dave branon

....up

Christ is the solid Rock upon which we have been set. He alone is our stable source of direction and strength. We will need to visit this truth again and again as we continue to answer the call to follow. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew to "Come, follow Me" Matthew 4:19, He was calling them to become His disciples (the word disciple means follower). But Jesus placed strong conditions on a disciple; "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple" Luke 14:27.

The call to be a disciple is not simply a call to live a good moral life. It's a call to crucify (put to death) everything of our self that hinders our relationship with God. We must hold loosely to everything but God; "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple" Luke 14:33.

The life of a disciple should clearly demonstrate a commitment to Christ by producing fruit for His Kingdom; "This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourself to be My disciple" John 15:8. A disciple should flow with pure love; "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). And a disciple should maintain a commitment to all Jesus taught; "If you hold to My teachings, you are really My disciples" John 8:31.

Discipleship appears to be a VERY difficult call! It's difficult to be His disciple and even more difficult to "make disciples of all nations" Matthew 28:19. In fact, if we focus only on these "requirements," our task is impossible!! We are called to glorify God by drawing very near to Jesus and loving Him with all our heart; but in our own strength, we have no ability to draw near - no ability to be His disciple.

But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. John 12:32

When Jesus was "lifted up" on the cross and died for our sin, He provided the way back to the Father - the way to become His disciple. He drew us to Himself so we could be forgiven and stand in the presence of God. Likewise, the only way to draw near and follow today is to lift Him up to His rightful throne over our life and give Him our pure praise and absolute worship.

If we fail to lift up Jesus Christ, our efforts to carry our cross become nothing more than a list of restrictive rules; we will have no ability to produce Kingdom fruit, and our love for others will be selfish and artificial. 

Without a focus on Jesus Christ, our walk will become an impossible burden without direction. Let's "make disciples" by first being His devoted disciple. And let's be His disciple by ensuring that in ALL we do, we love Him and continually lift Him up.

- steve troxel