.....mountain

When Abraham was over eighty years old, God made him a wonderful promise: "A son coming from your own body will be your heir. Look up at the heavens and count the stars - so shall your offspring be" Genesis 15:4-5.

Many years went by without any indication that God would fulfill this promise. Finally, when Abraham was one hundred years old, and his wife, Sarah, was ninety, God fulfilled His promise through the birth of Isaac. But when Isaac was a young boy, God told Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son.

Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about Genesis 22:2

We can't even imagine receiving this type of command from God. Abraham loved Isaac, and Isaac also represented the fulfillment of God's promise. But Abraham did not even question the apparent conflict between God's promise and His command...he simply believed and obeyed. Abraham took Isaac and climbed the mountain, placed him on top of a pile of wood, and "took the knife to slay his son" Genesis 22:10.

Many people speculate about the turmoil in Abraham's mind during this time, but Scripture gives no indication that Abraham ever seemed anxious or concerned. He believed in God, believed His promises, and his faith never seemed to waver. As Abraham was about to kill his son, God stopped him and provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice Genesis 22:13.

God put Abraham through an unimaginable test of faith...but why? The test was not for God - surely God already knew of Abraham's faith! It's possible the test was given in order to strengthen Abraham's faith. God often tests us as a way of refining and drawing us closer to Himself. But I believe the main reason for Abraham being asked to climb the mountain was so we would have a clear picture of what it means to truly believe and trust God.

Belief is central to the gospel message. It is so important that God gave a picture through Abraham which allows us to understand what Jesus meant when He said; "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16. Placing our trust in God involves not placing our trust in the things of this world. Holding on to God involves not holding on to the things of this world!

God is calling us to believe. He is calling us to a life of faith where we have such a strong assurance of His presence that He is all we need...all we value and hold dear. Let's give ourselves completely to Him, without ANY reservation - let's truly believe! Let's give Him ALL our heart and be willing to sacrifice ALL for His glory and honor. 

Let's once and for all climb the mountain of faith.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....last

On the evening before He was crucified, Jesus ate one last meal with His disciples. For three years, the disciples had been instructed by Jesus and witnessed His miracles. He had taught them many lessons about the Kingdom of God...and about His upcoming death: "He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock Him, insult Him, spit on Him, flog Him and kill Him" Luke 18:32.

Now with less than one day to live, Jesus told His closest companions that one of them would soon betray Him; "The hand of him who is going to betray Me is with Mine on the table" Luke 22:21. Naturally, the disciples were shocked! But their focus soon turned to trivial matters.

"They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest." Luke 22:23-24

These men were eating supper with the Creator of the Universe and witnessing the most awesome events in the history of the world. And yet, in this last day, with only a few remaining hours, their concerns drifted to matters of position and status.

It's tempting to criticize these first disciples: "How could they be so self-consumed?" But then, how often do we make this exact same mistake? With our eternal Home just around the corner, and a Savior who is willing to walk every day by our side, how often do we become absorbed in the non-eternal?

Sure, we have responsibilities and concerns in our daily walk. Our finances or health may look uncertain and require extra effort. The harsh words of others may offend and cause very real pain. But when properly viewed against the backdrop of eternity, each worldly issue must shrink to the near trivial. If we really understood the glory we will one day see and how soon all else will fade away, we would be much less concerned about how things appear in the eyes of the world.

With wonderful hindsight we can say the disciples should have known their time with Jesus was short. They should have seen the events unfolding, taken advantage of every precious moment, and worshipped Him with every breath, every heartbeat, every thought, and every word - but they didn't.

And now, with the foresight given through God's Word and the guidance of His Spirit, we face the same challenge! Our Father has called us into a deep and personal relationship with Himself through faith in His Son - and our time is very, very short, much shorter than we realize. What concerns or passions will consume our time and energy? 

With all we have been given, what will we now do with this last day?

- adapted from steve troxel

.....spots

When we compromise any area of our beliefs, we are in grave danger of allowing the compromise to spread "through the whole batch of dough" Galatians 5:9.

In the days of Jeremiah, God warned the people of Jerusalem about the destruction which was coming unless they turned from their evil ways. But the people continued in their sin and refused to listen. God gave them many opportunities to repent, but they had become comfortable in their sin and were unwilling, possibly even unable, to change.

And if you ask yourself, 'Why has this happened to me?' - it is because of your many sins. Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil Jeremiah 13:22-23

One of the devastating results of sin is that it causes separation from God; and separation causes the defense against temptation to weaken. Unfortunately, a weakened defense makes it easier to continue in sin...causing further separation. The cycle of sin and separation had continued in Jerusalem until sin was viewed as normal behavior. The "yeast" had been mixed into every part of the dough and their conscience had become "seared as with a hot iron" 1 Timothy 4:2.

We need to understand this when ministering to those in sin. People without Jesus have a difficult time recognizing their sin. What we may see as sinful, they see as normal behavior which has no need of change. Rather than attempting to correct their specific sins, we must share the love of Christ - His purpose and plan of forgiveness - and help lead them to faith in the Savior. Only Jesus can create true change; only His grace can reveal and remove sin.

We also need to understand the perils of the sin cycle in our own life. Is there sin which we are beginning to view as "normal" behavior and allowing to hinder the joy of being in His presence? Is our sin forming "spots" which we now call ordinary and acceptable? Remember that sin causes separation which leads to more sin...and greater separation. This cycle must be recognized and stopped!

Although we may have wandered from God, all desire for change is fueled by the conviction of the Holy Spirit calling us to repentance, calling us to respond to the love of Christ, calling us to keep our conscience from becoming seared. 

Let's break the cycle of sin and return to a life which glorifies our Heavenly Father in ALL we do. Let's never become so accustomed to sin that we develop the unchangeable spots of a leopard.

- adapted from steve troxel 

.....hard

So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you 2 Corinthians 4:12

Being forced into hard places gives us a whole new perspective on life. Things we once valued no longer hold the same value. Small things become big things, and what we once thought big no longer holds such importance.

These hard places allow us to identify with the sufferings of others. It keeps us from having a shallow view of the hardships of others and allows us to truly identify with them. Those who speak of such trials from no experience often judge others who have had such hardship. It is a superficiality of Christian experience that often permeates shallow believers.

Those who have walked in hard places immediately have a kinship with others who have walked there also. They do not need to explain; they merely look at one another with mutual respect and admiration for their common experience. They know that death has worked a special thing in them. This death leads to life in others because of the hard places God has taken them through.

It is impossible to appreciate any valley experience while you are in it. However, once you have reached the top of the mountain, you are able to appreciate what terrain you have passed through. You marvel at what you were able to walk through. The valley of the shadow of death has yielded more than you ever thought possible. You are able to appreciate the beauty of the experience and lay aside the sorrow and pain it may have produced.

Death works in you for a greater purpose. If you are there today, be assured that God is producing something of much greater value than you will ever know. 

- os hillman

.....through

 "Ask and you shall receive… " Matthew 7:7

 

I once read about the story of the father of orphans George Müller whose faith moved mountains. He laid out a table one morning, with bowls and cups though there was no bread or milk to give the orphans. He prayed to the Lord, and after he prayed, the baker was lead to bring the bread  - and the milk truck broke down in front of the house and the milkman gave them milk to lighten his load. 

I thought of the prayer he must have prayed that morning. 

"Lord, you started this program, but now there is no food in the house for your little ones. This is not how you promised it would be. People are not helping out and this burden is too hard to carry alone. Why is this entire happening at this time? I see empty plates, and hungry faces and I am desperate. Please do something now..."

Or maybe he prayed like this: 

"Lord, You started this program, but now there is no food in the house for your little ones. I know you are a God of provisions and abundance, so I come to you, asking that you provide for them, as you have always done, this morning. I cannot fathom your methods, but I know you provide results, so I wait on you to give us today, our bread and milk for breakfast. Thank you because of your faithfulness..." 

Now, neither of these prayers are right or wrong, and in fact we have all prayed both at some time or another. But the difference between the two prayers is that one looks at the Lord through the situation, and the other looks at the situation through the Lord. And what is nearer always seems larger. Always look at life's situations through the Lord. 

“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Luke 12:27

.....yeast

When God led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, He told them to prepare for a quick departure by making bread without yeast. He gave instructions to remember their departure through the celebration of Passover, also called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. During this celebration there was a seven day period when yeast was not even allowed in the home: "For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel" Exodus 12:19. When God established the various offerings through Moses, yeast became associated with an unworthy sacrifice; "Every grain offering you bring to the Lord must be made without yeast" Leviticus 2:11.

About 1500 years later, Jesus used the symbolism of yeast to give His disciples an important warning". Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." Luke 12:1 With this choice of words, Jesus warned that hypocrisy has the ability to contaminate our lives, and therefore the offering we present to God. 

The Pharisees had an outward appearance of godliness, but their hearts had compromised true worship and become contaminated; "On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness" Matthew 23:28. When we examine our own heart, does it match how we appear on the outside? Or have we too become full of hypocrisy?

The symbolism of yeast gives another clear warning; "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough" Galatians 5:9. Every day we are tempted to make compromises with the world, compromises which cause us to behave contrary to our professed beliefs. This is hypocrisy and must be avoided at all cost! Each incident seems so small - like only "a little yeast" - but soon the compromises work through all areas of our life.

The only worthy endeavor during our allotted time on earth is to present ourselves, with complete abandonment, as a living sacrifice to God; "this is your spiritual act of worship" Romans 12:1. Our Heavenly Father is worthy of our very best...a pure and holy offering.

Let's celebrate our release from the slavery of sin by cleaning our home and removing all spiritual compromise. Let's give our whole heart to God in loving worship and guard against ANYTHING which pulls us away. Let's fight the hypocrisy in our lives and diligently guard against the yeast.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....hand

About 2600 years ago, God taught the prophet Jeremiah what it meant to be a sovereign God. He taught that His plan WOULD be fulfilled - one way or the other. Either His children would submit to His gentle guidance, or He would bring discipline to teach them the need for obedience.

Although God has the ability to directly give us understanding, His usual method is to teach us through His Word and then allow us to see the application and gain wisdom through our experiences. In order to give a clear understanding of His sovereignty, God told Jeremiah to go to the potter's house and wait for His message.

"So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the Word of the Lord came to me: 'Can I not do with you as this potter does?' declares the Lord. 'Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand.'" Jeremiah 18:3-6

Jeremiah understood that God was the Potter and had total control over the shape of the clay. How foolish it would be for the clay to complain or rebel; "Can the pot say of the potter, 'He knows nothing'?" (Isaiah 29:16). The Potter will continue to mold the clay. If the clay begins to harden in its unfinished state, the Potter loves the clay enough to crush it down, sprinkle it with water and begin anew.

The only way for us to become all that God desires is to yield and remain moldable. We have no ability to shape ourselves! The Potter is creating something eternally beautiful - we are being "conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29. Oh, if we could only trust that His shaping is so much better than anything we could ever create. How prideful to think we can do better!

There may be times when we have rough edges which must be removed. There may also be times when we need to be crushed down so the shaping process can start over. But we must trust the Potter and believe the results will be worth any pain or discomfort; "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" Romans 8:18.

Our Heavenly Father is in complete (and loving) control. Let's daily be filled with His Spirit and commit our lives to His shaping process - a process which undoubtedly will last a lifetime! Let's remain moldable clay and yield to the shaping of the Potter's Hand.

- steve troxel

-  

.....something

Our world is full of people in deep spiritual need. Most have never placed their trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and are literally starving right before our eyes. But even many Brothers and Sisters who love the Lord are desperately hungry to know Him more, or they have been wounded and are in need of long term spiritual nourishment.

God's Word tells us to have open eyes and a soft heart such that we can recognize the needs and bring them before our Father in prayer; "In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" Philippians 4:6. But then we are told to carefully listen for God's leading and fully expect to be put to work.

One afternoon, a crowd of over 5000 people had gathered to hear Jesus teach; "He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing" Luke 9:11. The disciples saw it was getting late and would soon be time to eat. They recognized the need of the people, came before Jesus, and "presented their request."

"Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to Him and said, 'Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.' He replied, 'You give them something to eat.'" Luke 9:12-13

When the disciples approached Jesus, they presented the need...but they also presented their solution. They knew the people were growing hungry, but their solution was to send them elsewhere for food. We often make this same mistake when we limit God by our own vision and understanding. Jesus' solution to this need was to bless the few provisions the disciples could gather and then accomplish His work through their hands; "They all ate and were satisfied" Luke 9:17.

God never asks us to do something without also providing the necessary tools to accomplish all He desires. We have been empowered by His Spirit and equipped through His Word. Yes, we must continue to pray; but our prayers ought to be with an understanding that God may very well direct us, you and me, to carry His life-giving food and be a vessel for His healing.

There can be no greater work here on earth than to take part in restoring someone's relationship to our Heavenly Father. Only God can truly heal, but He has invited us to join Him in this awesome work. Let's continue to lift up the many needs to God in prayer, but then let's prepare for His answer - His invitation - which calmly says, "You give them something to eat."

- steve troxel

.....losing

It's been statistically proven that out of the 162 Major League baseball games that make up a full season of play, every team will win at least 60 games and lose at least 60 games. In other words, the worst team will still manage to win 60 games, and the best team will still manage to lose 60. It's what happens with the other 42 that makes or breaks a season. It's an interesting way to think about a baseball season and another reason why I think baseball is a lot like life. 

Winning teams experience a lot of losses. Losing teams experience a significant amount of wins. For 120 games out of 162, everybody looks the same. That's almost 75% of the season. It's what happens with the remaining 25% that makes the difference between a champion and a cellar-dweller. 

Life is all about ups and downs. We're all going to have good days and bad days. Winners don't win all the time; losers don't lose all the time. In fact, most of the time, it's hard to tell the difference. You can't make one's experience the judge of everything. Pretty much all of sports tells us that winning is only a slight edge. 

So what's the point of this for us? Experience isn't everything. If you're having a hard day, be patient, things are about to change. If you are cruising on top of things, enjoy it, because things are about to change. Change is the one constant for all of us, and those who are best prepared for it will have the best experience. If you expect things to always go well and get upset when they don't, you're in for making tough times tougher. If you are simply grateful for what each day brings, you will fare much better in the long run. 

Paul revealed the secret for making it through his "season" of life.   "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"  Philippians 4:12-13. 

It is a way to live that evens out the wins and the losses. It even leaves the wins and losses up to God. 

Don't you remember that coach who taught you as a kid that it's not all about winning or losing, but how you play the game that counts? 

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom Psalm 90:12 

- john fisher 

.....spring

We are often encouraged to share the wonders of God's love through the uncompromising truth of His Word. There are so many all around us who are in great need! We live in a lost and dying world full of people who desperately need to know God's plan of forgiveness and restoration. But as we share the truth and minister to others, let's also remember to make the time to personally receive ALL our Father has to offer.

When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink of water, she thought the request was quite odd since Jesus was clearly a Jew, and Jews did not associate with Samaritans; "How can you ask me for a drink?" John 4:9. Rather than explain His radical views on social interaction, Jesus took the opportunity to introduce the woman to the gift of God.

"Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.'" John 4:10

I often imagine a loving Father who has given the greatest gift the world has ever known. We approach and examine the gift. We ask questions and study the gift. We even shake the gift and then proudly display it on our shelf, but we never actually open the gift and receive what's inside. If we only knew! "Every good and perfect gift is from above" James 1:7. His gifts are perfect; and if we only knew, we would open and receive them with abounding joy!

His gift of living water is still available today. This gift refers to our Salvation by the spiritual transformation of our heart, but it also refers to His on-going gift of a victorious life of peace and contentment; "Everyone who drinks this water [from the well] will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst" John 4:13-14. His gift of Salvation is free through faith in Jesus Christ, and peace is assured through a humble submission to His will. But we continually rebel and pump from the wells of this world - we drink polluted lies and continually thirst for more.

Approximately 650 years earlier, God gave the same message to the people of Jerusalem: "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken Me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water" Jeremiah 2:13. If we only knew! We sit beside a Spring overflowing with the best tasting water imaginable, but we turn away and pump sludge into our broken pots.

God has great plans for each of us - plans much bigger and brighter than anything we can accomplish through our own effort. Let's rediscover the gift of living water and put an end to our thirst! Let's return to the Spring and continue our journey in obedience. Let's drink freely and daily receive His perfect gift.

.....youth

All through the Old Testament, God called the people of Israel to worship Him as the One True God. He spoke through Moses, the priests, and the prophets, but the people continued to turn away. Even after the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem, God continued to call His Children to return to Him - to return with ALL their heart!

During the Babylonian captivity, God told Ezekiel to proclaim His Word to all the people of Israel. Ezekiel gave the people several illustrations of how far they had fallen, and how much sorrow their sin was causing for a loving Father. Through Ezekiel, God said the people of Israel were like a helpless newborn baby who had been thrown into an open field; "Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, 'Live!'" Ezekiel 16:6.

They had done nothing to deserve His favor, but the Israelites were chosen to become a great nation, set apart and devoted to God. Without His grace, they would have been as lost as the newborn in the field - but God said "Live!" He picked them up, cleaned them off, loved them, and made them beautiful...but His Children forgot His love and abused His grace.

"You trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his...such things should not happen." Ezekiel 16:15-16

The people of Israel forgot all God had done and gave their love to other gods. They used the grace of God for their own benefit and forgot their previous condition: "In all your detestable practices and your prostitution you did not remember the days of your youth, when you were naked and bare, kicking about in your blood" Ezekiel 16:22.

God loves us so much...and it breaks His heart to see how we abuse His gifts. Without the saving grace of Jesus, each of us is as helpless as the newborn baby. Without Christ, we have no hope of survival: "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8. 

We were lost in our sin until God reached down, picked us up, and said "Live!" Thank You Lord!!

Let's remind ourselves of the miracle of Salvation! Though we have done nothing to deserve God's grace, He reaches down and gives us eternal life, cleansing us of our sin and making us beautiful in His sight. We who believe have been born into God's Family. Let's not abuse His gift by forgetting when we were helpless, "naked and bare." 

- adapted from steve troxel

.....heard

How will we respond to those who doubt? What should we say to those with uncertainties, or to those who ask, "Is Jesus really the answer?" We could begin with how the Bible is the true Word of God: "A collection of 66 books written by many different authors, during a 1500 year time period, and all with the same message." Or, we could discuss the Old Testament prophesies which were fulfilled with Jesus. We could show where Micah said the Savior would be born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2 and where Isaiah stated He would be born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14.

We could point to Zechariah who prophesied that our King would enter Jerusalem "gentle and riding on a donkey" Zechariah 9:9, how David said He would be crucified, "they have pierced My hands and My feet" Psalm 22:16, and how Isaiah said He would die for our sin; "He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" Isaiah 53:12.

These are all good truths to share at the appropriate time, but when someone is doubting or searching, it's usually best to follow the example of Jesus. John the Baptist had sent messengers to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" Luke 7:19.

"At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So He replied to the messengers, 'Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard.'"Luke 7:21-22

While it's good to be able to defend our faith, we will never convince anyone to believe by presenting Biblical "facts." The most convincing argument as to the truth of God's Word is to share how we have seen His Word come alive in our own life; how we have seen Jesus calm the seas and rebuke the storms, heal broken lives and answer prayers. We ought to share how we have heard Him call us to test the waters of faith and seen the waters become solid as we stepped; how we have experienced "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" Philippians 4:7. When God's truths become real in our daily life, they cannot be argued against!

If His truths have not yet become absolute and unquestionably real, then we need to press VERY close into His presence and allow His light to shine in and through us each and every day. There can be no better preparation for sharing the truth than to live the truth and watch God work in a multitude of ways. Let's prepare to share the gospel, and when the opportunity arises, let's simply report what we have seen and heard.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....everything

Because your love is better than life, my lips will praise you. Psalm 63:3

With the referee’s final gesture, wrestler Kennedy Blades became a 2024 Olympian. She pressed her palms together, lifted her hands and eyes to the heavens, and praised God. A reporter asked about her growth over the past three years. The elite athlete didn’t even mention her physical training. 

“I’ve just gotten super close to Jesus,” she said. Professing Christ as King, she proclaimed that He’s coming again and encouraged others to believe in Him. “It’s Him,” she said. “That’s the main reason why I was able to accomplish such a big thing.” In other interviews, she faithfully declared that Jesus is everything to her and the reason for everything good in her life.

This passion for living a God-centered life reflects David’s confessions in Psalm 63. Acknowledging his desperation for his creator, he said, “I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you” v. 1. David had “seen” God and “beheld” His “power” and “glory” v. 2. He declared God’s steadfast love as “better than life” v. 3. Then, he prayed: “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me” v. 7-8. God was clearly everything to David.

Our lives can be beacons that point others to a life-saving relationship with God when Jesus becomes our reason, our everything.

- xochitl dixon 

.....conscience

Several years ago I went to the store to buy four small bricks I needed to complete a project in the backyard, nothing special, just four bricks. After considering the options, I decided on a charcoal black which cost a little more than the standard red brick. The store was busy with several long lines of shoppers intent on completing projects before the end of the day. I chose a line and waited my turn.

The lines moved slowly and there seemed to be an impatient tension all around. When it came my turn, the clerk quickly computed the price and took my money. As I received my change, I felt something was wrong. And as I stepped toward the door, I knew I had been charged a lower price.

My mind knew a mistake had been made, but my feet kept walking out the door and toward my car. I knew I should have revealed the mistake, but my mind raced into high gear justifying my inaction: "I don't want to make others wait while the correction is made!" "The mistake is small - little more than the cost of a bar of candy." "The profit from my other purchases during the year will certainly make up for this small loss." It's amazing how easy it was to find reasons to keep walking.

As I continued, my conscience began to counter my rationalization; and by the time I reached my car, that small inner voice was screaming at me to correct the error - and correct it NOW! I walked back into the store, waited in another long line, pointed to the error, and paid the extra money. My conscience hasn't always been so sensitive - and I confess, it's not always so sensitive now - but on this day it was, and I still praise God!

I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man Acts 24:16

God has created us all with a conscience deep within our soul. At a very young age our conscience helps us maneuver the complex path of right and wrong. And when we place our trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, we are given the Holy Spirit who ignites our conscience and guides us toward the presence of God and a life of holiness.

But when we ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit, our conscience slowly becomes burned. The burning usually begins small - a little lie, a small deception - but over time, our conscience can become "seared as with a hot iron" 1 Timothy 4:2. Then, when needed in a time of great temptation, there is no "inner voice" to keep us from falling. Our conscience is a precious gift, and it's hard to believe I nearly damaged such a gift in exchange for a trivial amount of money.

Is your conscience sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit, or has it developed a hard crust which fails to point the way toward truth? Is there an issue in your life which requires ignoring your conscience and thus causing damage? Let's live so that all areas of our life bring Him glory and honor. In ALL we do, let's listen intently, obey completely, and protect God's wonderful gift as we strive to maintain a clear conscience. 

- steve troxel

.....wisdom

There are many influences which compete for our attention, many different inputs which seek to shape our view of the world and, in turn, direct how we make decisions about our life. There is also an enemy who greatly desires to win this competition. The enemy is battling for the hearts of men, women, and children, and he knows if he can win the battle of the mind, the heart will remain his.

Many of the battle lines are easy to recognize. For example, the direct assault from various forms of sexual temptation and drugs claim numerous victims every day. But there are many other plans of the enemy which place hidden mine fields along the path and destroy those who are not careful where they step. Perhaps the best disguised and most effective weapon of the enemy is that of worldly wisdom.

Since the Garden of Eden, the enemy has propagated a set of values which sound wise and appealing, but which consistently lead down a path of destruction. His "wisdom" attempts to define happiness and success - tells us we must achieve, push, and obtain in order to succeed and be fulfilled. But if we will come into the presence of God, we will see the world's wisdom for what it truly is...foolishness.

"Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

The values of the world are continually promoted in every type of media and from every possible class of people - even sometimes from those who profess faith in Jesus. But these values are lies! They are weapons of the enemy used to pull us away from God...they are foolishness!! And when we choose to live as a captive to world values, we have chosen to live outside of God's perfect plan; "Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God" James 4:4

God's plan will always require faith - always require us to be "sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1. This often means we must have the faith and courage to stand alone. Though the world may label us a "fool," we must continue (and continue some more) to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5.

We are being called to become a fool to the world, but this is not an easy task. We have been well educated in the world system and now must reshape the way we think; "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" Romans 12:2. This renewal process will take determined, consistent, and intentional prayer and the study of His Word, but God will provide sufficient strength for the process. 

Let's refuse to live in a cloud of deception. Let's make an uncompromising commitment to God and break free from the wisdom of the world.

- steve troxel

.....together

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ I Corinthians 12:12

A lawyer, trying to defend a man accused of burglary, came up with a rather creative argument:

“My client merely inserted his arm through the window and removed a few items. His arm is not himself, and I don’t see how the whole man can be punished for something his arm did.”The judge paused, then replied, “Well stated. Using your logic, I sentence the defendant’s arm to one year in prison. He may accompany it or not, as he chooses.”

Smiling, the defendant — who had an artificial limb — detached it, placed it on the bench, and walked out of the courtroom.

That’s not quite what Paul had in mind when he described the church as a body!

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to teach an important spiritual truth: Christians are not isolated individuals doing their own thing — we are part of something greater. We are the body of Christ, and each one of us is a vital member.

No one gets to say, “I don’t belong” just because they can’t do what someone else can do. And no one should think they don’t need others. A body works only when all its parts are connected and functioning together. You can’t have a body made up of only eyes or ears or feet. Paul’s point is clear: we belong to each other. We rejoice together, we suffer together, and we grow together. Each person — regardless of their gifts, background, or role — is essential to the health of the body.

In a world that often celebrates independence and division, the church is called to something radically different – interdependence and unity. We’re not detachable. We’re all in this together.

So instead of competing with one another or comparing ourselves with one another, let’s commit ourselves to encouraging and supporting one another — because when one part thrives, the whole body benefits.

- alan smith

Father, thank you for placing me in the body of Christ. Help me to understand the role I play in your church and to value the roles that others play, so that we may grow together in love and unity. In Jesus’ name, amen.

.....protection

 "the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight" 1 Corinthians 3:19. 

The enemy uses the world's wisdom as a very effective weapon. This false wisdom has permeated our society to the point where it is difficult, if not impossible, to avoid being attacked. Yet the attacks can be so subtle we often do not even realize we are hit until we have wandered far from God's path.

This is such a powerful and deceptive weapon, we need the ability to recognize the attack and protect against harm, God has provided a sure way for both. 

Do not withhold Your mercy from me, O Lord; may Your love and Your truth always protect me Psalm 40:11

In the financial world, there is always concern about counterfeit. Ever since the first currency, there have been those who make and distribute unauthorized money. The absolute best way to recognize these counterfeits is to know the fine details of the real thing. When the truth is fully known, the counterfeit is easily revealed.

God has given an unchanging standard against which all others must be judged. His standard is His Word - and His Word is TRUTH! Jesus taught a message of truth for His entire earthly ministry. Nearly one hundred times in the gospels Jesus began His message with, "I tell you the truth."

Jesus referred to Himself as the complete manifestation of truth; "I am the way, the truth, and the life" John 14:6. And if properly applied, the truth will never be a burden: "If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" John 8:31-32.

Paul said in the last days people will be deceived and perish, "because they refused to love the truth and so be saved" 2 Thessalonians 2:10. Notice that our protection is not simply learning about the truth; rather, it requires a love of the truth - a passionate desire to know and apply the truth of His Word. We must allow His truth to become entwined in ALL we do, say, and think.

Let's pray that God would reveal His truth more and more every day. Let's commit to learning His truths and applying them as the absolute standard in our life. The enemy will continue to attack with his weapons of deception, but as we remain in Christ and firmly hold to His Word we can be assured we have the protection of truth.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....medical

The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!’ As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. Proverbs 26:13–15

The story is told of a man who went to the doctor, complaining that he just couldn’t do all the things he used to do around the house. After a full examination, he said, “I can take it, Doc — tell me in plain English what’s wrong with me.”

“In plain English,” the doctor replied, “you’re just lazy.”

The man paused and said, “Okay. Now give me the medical term so I can tell my wife.”

That story hits home because we’ve all had moments when we’d rather find a clever excuse than face a plain truth. Whether it’s “I’m too tired,” “it’s not the right time,” or “I’ll get to it tomorrow,” our words try to make it sound reasonable, but deep down, we just don’t want to do it.

Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 26 paints a series of vivid pictures of laziness. A man so afraid of imaginary lions that he won’t go outside. A person so sluggish he can’t lift food to his own mouth. A door that turns but goes nowhere — just like someone rolling over in bed instead of getting up. The images are funny, but the message is serious: laziness, if left unchecked, doesn’t just waste time — it can waste our lives.

God isn’t against rest. In fact, rest is good and necessary, but avoidance disguised as rest is not. God calls us to live with diligence, not excuses. To be faithful in the small, ordinary tasks of life — even when we don't feel like it.

There may not be a lion in the street. But there may be someone who needs encouragement. A task that will bring glory to God. An opportunity to grow. Laziness doesn't just keep us in bed — it keeps us from becoming who God created us to be.

- adapted from alan smith

Lord, help me recognize the excuses I make — especially the ones I try to justify. Give me the energy to do what matters most so that I can be faithful in the work you’ve placed before me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

.....places

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:21

Christ traded spaces with us on the cross. He died in our place, for our sin. But if you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, you only believe one-half of the Gospel. The other half of the Gospel is the fact that Christ fulfilled God's standard perfectly.  He was 100% righteous. So, had Christ been 90% righteous or 80% righteous, his sacrifice would not meet God's demands. He was 100% righteous.

So, once you bow the knee to Christ and ask him to come into your life to take residence, to come into the dwelling place of your heart, then the righteousness of Christ is imputed into your life. Thus, when God sees you, he sees Jesus and his perfect character. This is only able to take place because of the resurrection power.

That's the power that can renovate our minds and hearts today and that will one day completely renovate and restore our sin-torn bodies into glorified bodies that will live forever in heaven. The resurrection is the final hope of every Christ-follower. It is the "final reveal" of God's design and renovation: the perfection of our mind, body, and spirit. On the other side of the grave, when God says, "Okay, open your eyes and see your new space," you will open your eyes in a resurrected, recreated body, a completely new space that you will inhabit for eternity.

It will be the perfect space,

     designed by the perfect Designer (God the Father),

          rebuilt by the perfect Carpenter (Jesus Christ) and

               purchased at the ultimate cost (Christ's precious blood).

But you've got to make the choice: Are you going to keep trying on your own to rebuild the rubble left by sin or are you going to let the Carpenter renovate your life into the perfect space?

- david langerfeld

.....block

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

I have a very wise and wonderfully-gifted, very spiritual friend. During a time when I was considering a change in my life, she taught me a prayer. Just like its author, it is very simple: "Bless It or Block It."

I used to believe that if the answer to my prayer - whether the request was acquiring a new job, a new romance, a new home, or keeping what I already had – if it was not a resounding “Yes, you’ve got it,” that I was somehow being denied what was good for me.

This simple prayer reminds me that there are other possibilities. Sometimes we are denied the things that we want because they are not what is for our highest good. When I can truly ask God to either "bless" the thing that I want or to "block" it for whatever reason He deems is in my best interest, I know that I am blessed, no matter what the result.

An example of this prayer at work is when this very same friend who taught me this prayer wanted to purchase her dream home. However, one obstacle after another began to present itself, and she was unable to purchase the home. 

At first she was disappointed, but still undaunted in her search for a dream home, she continued looking. Only after she found another home was it revealed that the first house actually had huge foundation problems and would have been a very poor investment.

Trust that whatever it is that you ask God to "bless or block", He will.

- david langerfed

.....messenger

Ahithophel was a highly regarded advisor to King David; "Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God" 2 Samuel 16:23. But when David's son, Absalom, rebelled and sought to become the new king, Ahithophel joined with Absalom.Ahithophel had reason to be angry with David; he was the grandfather of Bathsheba and had watched as David violated his granddaughter and then had her husband killed 2 Samuel 11.

In his anger, Ahithophel advised Absalom how to defeat David, but God had other plans; "The Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom" 2 Samuel 17:14. When Absalom refused to follow his advice, Ahithophel took the rejection very personally.

"When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself." 2 Samuel 17:23 Ahithophel had once been close to God and was used for many years to give Godly direction. But at some point, Ahithophel began to take too much ownership of his ministry. 

He determined his self-worth based on the results of his ministry and began to use his gifts for his own selfish purpose. When his message was no longer trusted, and his ministry was not going in the direction he desired, his self-worth fell and he found he had no reason to continue.

God has called each of us to be His messengers and has given us a ministry of sharing the Gospel; "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" 2 Corinthians 5:20. Some are called to preach a message of hope to a large congregation. Others have been called to instruct a small group, or to encourage just one...but we have all been called!

We are never responsible for the outcome of a ministry, only for the obedience of faithfully delivering His message. God remains in complete control of any and all results: "My Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" Isaiah 55:11. As we walk in obedience, His purpose (not ours!) will be accomplished.

We must never lose sight of the One who called us to serve. Our worth is in being a Child of God, not in the praises we receive or in what we can accomplish. We must continue to be obedient messengers who proclaim the Good News, teach the truth, and encourage at every opportunity. And when we become discouraged, we must check our focus and always remember...this is His message and His ministry.

- steve troxel

.....forgiveness

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Corrie Ten Boom shares this true story in her book, "The Hiding Place"...    It was a church service in Munich that I saw him, the former S.S. man who had stood guard at the shower room door in the processing center at Ravensbruck.

He was the first of our actual jailers that I had seen since that time. And suddenly it was all there -- the roomful of mocking men, the heaps of clothing, Betsie's pain-blanched face. He came up to me as the church was emptying, beaming and bowing. "How grateful I am for your message, Fraulein," he said. "To think that, as you say, He has washed my sins away!"

His hand was thrust out to shake mine. And I, who had preached so often to the people the need to forgive, kept my hand at my side. Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? "Lord Jesus," I prayed, "forgive me and help me to forgive him."

I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. "Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me Your forgiveness."

As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me.

And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.

- corrie ten boom

.....light

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

One evening a man took a small candle from a box and began to climb a long winding stairway. "Where are we going?" asked the candle.

"We're going up higher than a house to show the ships the way to the harbor."

"But no ship in the harbor could ever see my light," the candle said, "it is so very small."

"If your light is small," the man said, "just keep on burning brightly and leave the rest to me."

When they reached the top of the long stairs, they came to a large lamp. Then he took the little candle and lit the lamp. Soon the large polished mirrors behind the lamp sent beams of fight out across the miles of sea.

We are God's candle! Our job is to keep on shining. The success of our work is in His hands. A tiny candle or match can start a forest fire. The little flame of your good example can actually change the lives of others without you knowing it. 

Be a light to them like the beacon light in the story which guides the ship to safe harbor.

- ellena kalinga

.....stronger

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Eagles are beautiful creatures.  These birds are swift and reach amazing altitudes. Other birds cower at the thought of even nearing one thousand feet, but eagles go to twenty thousand. While other creatures seek shelter during violent storms, eagles soar through the raging winds, and they actually "have a ball."

So, what is the eagle's secret? It doesn't just fly - the eagle soars!!!  It doesn't use the energy of its wings to move about. It wisely takes the power of the rushing wind, catching its quiet force behind him and beneath him. That is why eagles love the storm: The stronger the wind, the greater their strength.

Eagles make me think about how I try to do things on my own, propelling myself to reach higher altitudes by the strength of my own wings. No wonder I tire so easily. But if I only allow the Glorious Wind of His Spirit to move my soul, to carry me beyond my own failures and weaknesses... I can boldly face the most difficult situations and soar through the most violent storms. Yes, the greater the problem, the stronger I become.

"Strength of my soul, desire of my heart, let me trust in You completely: Let me give to You all that assails me, that I may fully rest under the shadow of Your wings".

Tired of flapping your wings? Soar in the mighty wind of the Spirit. He will take you to a place of rest.

- david tito

.....question

We seem to spend an enormous amount of time evaluating questions about our future: what school we will attend, what job we will work, who we will marry, and where we will live. These are important questions and deserve careful consideration. But have we given proper thought to the question which determines our eternal future?

But if the Bible is, in some form, a message from and about God, then there is nothing of greater importance! His message says we continue to live long after our physical body ceases to breathe. Though we pass from this earth, we continue to live - we either live in eternal joy and peace, or eternal anguish and separation. There is no greater question: Where WILL we spend eternity?

When Jesus died, He was nailed to a cross along with two other men. These men were thieves and both mocked Jesus for claiming to be the Son of God. But at some point during those long hours on the cross, one of the men demonstrated a changed heart and had his eternal future radically altered.

Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong Luke 23:40-41

In the last moment of life, this common thief pointed the way to eternal peace. He recognized his sin and understood he deserved death. We ALL sin and fall short of God's standard; and this sin deserves death, eternal separation from God. But praise God we need not dwell in this hopeless state. The thief turned from his sin, toward Jesus as the One who would conquer death; "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom" Luke 23:42

.

Though the thief had nothing to give, he surrendered ALL. God's Word never says there are specific acts which determine our eternal future. We are simply told to believe in Jesus with such a belief that we call out with complete surrender. When the thief recognized and turned from his sin, with humility toward Jesus as his only hope, Jesus answered as He promises to answer us today; "I tell you the truth today, you will be with Me in paradise" Luke 23:43

In that moment, the thief had his answer. No longer a thief but a Child of God, he would live forever in joy and peace. Let's not allow another day to go by without knowing where we will spend eternity! 

Have we recognized and turned from the sin within our heart? 

Have we humbly placed our life in His hands? 

Do we really believe? 

Today, let's make sure we know the answer to the most important question.

.....written

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts 2 Cor 3:2-3

Clearly, you are a letter.… This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

Writing letters has been becoming a thing of the past. Email, texts, and yes even greeting cards have supplanted pen and ink salutations. Personally I still enjoy receiving a hand written note. It is going the extra step, doing a little more than the average perhaps.

We have the great gift of the Bible, God’s written Word to us. The unchanging, unfailing, bottom-line truth of the Lord’s guidance and direction for our lives. 

Have you ever heard the saying, ‘You may be the only Bible someone ever reads”? God’s love for us is written on our hearts, as well as in the printed Word. We carry, at all times, His love and promises that are indelibly put into our hearts by the Spirit of God.

How awesome we can share this with others. It isn’t rocket science, just simply being kind and caring people. 

- sally kennedy

.....wake

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new 2 Cor 5:17

A man was giving his testimony at one of those old Salvation Army open air street meetings.  As he was testifying, a heckler in the crowd yelled, "Why don't you shut up and sit down? You're just dreaming."

Immediately that heckler felt a tug on his coat. He looked down to see a little girl, who said. "Sir, may I speak to you? That man who is talking up there is my daddy. My daddy used to be a drunkard. He used to spend all of the money he made on whiskey. My mother was very sad and would cry most of the time.

Sometimes when my daddy came home, he would hit my mother. I didn't have shoes or a nice dress to wear to school. But look at my shoes. And see this pretty dress? My daddy bought these for me."

But the little girl wasn't through with the heckler yet. "See my mother over there? She's the one with the bright smile on her face. She's happy now. She sings even when she's doing the dishes."

Then the little girl said, "Mister, if my daddy is dreaming, please don't wake him up."

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11

.....shine

After walking with His disciples for three years, Jesus gave the command to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Jesus taught them the full gospel message and revealed the wonderful truths about our Heavenly Father; "I have made You known to them and will continue to make You known" John 17:26.

The disciples had been blessed with an awesome knowledge of the truth and now had the responsibility to take this message to all the nations, "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" Matthew 28:20. But this was not a new command. Toward the beginning of His ministry, Jesus taught about the need to share our true life in Christ.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men Matthew 5:14-16

When we place our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin we are "rescued from the dominion of darkness" Colossians 1:13. Where darkness once ruled, the Light of Jesus now reigns supreme; "Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life" John 8:12. Receiving His free gift of light allows us to see His path. It should also light the path for others to follow!

Being given the Light of Christ is an awesome blessing, but with this gift also comes a very real responsibility. Every day God gives us opportunities to share our faith, to share our light. But when we keep silent, we cover our lamp and deprive our flame of vital oxygen. It doesn't take long for such a flame to begin to weaken, flicker, and die!

We must keep the fire going by sharing our faith! As a child of God, we have become "Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" 2 Corinthians 5:20. Though God doesn't need us to accomplish His work, He has invited/commanded us to play a part in His wonderful plan. 

The world was spiritually dark when Jesus arrived, and there remains many areas of darkness today. We have the responsibility, and the privilege, of helping to light one small corner, of pushing back the darkness with our light.

Let's faithfully share the truth of Jesus wherever we are sent. When we receive the Light of Christ, we should no more keep it to ourselves than we should keep our breath inside our body once we are born. This precious gift, given by grace through faith, comes with a command. We must continue to hold the Light high and let it shine!

- adapted from steve troxel

.....contentment

There was a father who was known by his family to be a chronic growler. He complained about everything.  He was sitting one day with his family in the presence of a guest in the living room when the subject of food came up.

One of the children, a little girl, was telling the guest what food each member of the family liked best. Finally,  it came to the father's turn to be described.  "And what do I like, Nancy?" he asked.

"You," said the little girl slowly, "well, what you like most is anything we haven't got."

There are some people like that, who simply are never content.  If they're served one food, they want something else.  If it's hot outside, they want it to be cold.  If it's cold, they want it to be hot.  And they'd rather be ANYWHERE else other than where they're living right now!

To the young man Timothy, Paul wrote, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, we shall be content." I Timothy 6:6-8.  Since most of us seem to need far more than that to be content, we are challenged by Paul's words!

But, to Paul, they weren't just words to be spoken and discussed.  They were words to be lived out.  Despite the fact that Paul was writing from prison, he was able to say, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Philippians 4:11.  In the next verse, he said that he had learned to be content with a lot (which would be easy for most of us), but he was also content with little.  The reason he could be content because he had Jesus Christ, and that was all he needed to bring contentment.

Do you have food?  

Do you have clothing?  

More importantly, do you have Jesus?

- adapted from alan smith

.....storm

Immediately after feeding five thousand men, plus women and children, with five loaves and two fish, "Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side" Matthew 14:22. The disciples had begun to cross the Sea of Galilee when a storm arose which caused them to "strain against the oars" Mark 6:48. It was the middle of the night, and after already rowing about three and a half miles they found themselves fighting against the wind and waves.

Why had this happened? The disciples had done exactly what Jesus told them to do and now they were facing a major struggle. They had clearly heard and obeyed, but they were still confronting a very difficult situation. The story continued as Jesus walked on the water, called Peter out of the boat to join Him, and then miraculously calmed the storm. But couldn't the struggles have been avoided by telling the disciples to simply wait until morning to travel?

This wasn't the first time the disciples faced a storm with Jesus. During a prior boat ride, Jesus had been asleep when the storm arose: "The disciples went and woke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!'" Matthew 8:25. When Jesus calmed the wind and waves of this first storm, the disciples asked each other "What kind of man is this?" Matthew 8:27) During the first crisis, the disciples saw Jesus as an amazing man. But now, in the middle of the night as their faith continued to grow, when Jesus again calmed the storm, the disciples began to understand.

Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, 'Truly You are the Son of God.' Matthew 14:33

I do not believe that all storms are directly from God; but as was the case with the disciples, Jesus often sends us into a storm for the purpose of revealing Himself and drawing us closer to His side. While in the middle of a storm, we can see God's love and witness His ability to protect, strengthen, and guide. "These {storms} 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 1:7.

Our Father loves us very much. He loves us enough to give us His Son as a sacrifice for our sin; enough to give us His Spirit as our guide; enough to never leave us, and enough to finish the good work He began in our lives. 

Let us receive His love and learn to rejoice in ALL things. Let's learn to look with new eyes and see His hand working around us each and every day. Let's praise Him and look for new revelations of His love, even as we are sent into the storm.

- adapted from steve troxel