.....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

.....hands

Although not all storms are from God, He sometimes sends us into difficult situations to get our attention and draw us closer to Himself. These storms may be used to teach us basic truths or gently nudge us back onto His path. But the storms may also be used to make major corrections in our course or adjustments in our character. Each is a form of discipline. Each is given with His perfect love. And each should be viewed as a wonderful opportunity for growth.

The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? Hebrews 12:6-7

The discipline we endure while in the storm teaches us who we really are, who God really is, and the importance of our eternal relationship with Him. When we receive the gift of Salvation through faith in Jesus, we are adopted as a child of God; "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" Romans 8:17. 

Our Heavenly Father loves us simply because we are His child, not because of what we do or accomplish. He desires nothing more than for His children to say, "I love You, Daddy!" But He also loves us enough to shape and mold us until we are "conformed to the likeness of His Son" Romans 8:29.

None of us have yet been perfected. We are all flawed vessels with many rough edges, and the process of being conformed to the likeness of Jesus - the process of smoothing rough edges - can be quite uncomfortable: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" Hebrews 12:11

We have so much "self" that gets in the way of our relationship with God, so many hindrances to truly loving Him and following where He leads. We must desire a closeness with God above all else. So much so, that we are willing to pray: "Heavenly Father, do NOT withhold Your hand of discipline from my life. I submit to Your molding and shaping and ask that You remove anything which stands between us."

His hands of discipline are always purposeful and precise, and administered with great love. They are never out of control like so many angry hands of the world. His hands welcomed us into His Kingdom by grace and are now there to guide us on a wonderful journey. Our values and goals will begin to change as we draw closer to God and keep our eyes focused on Jesus. But along the way, as our rough edges are continually smoothed, we must learn a joyful submission to His loving hands of discipline.

- steve troxel

....living

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God 1 Peter 2:5

There is a famous story about a Spartan king who was boasting to a visitor about the walls of Sparta. The visitor looked around, however, and could not see any walls. "In Sparta," the king told his guest, "every man is a brick."  Then, pointing to his army, he continued, "These are the walls of Sparta."

When it comes to the church, every believer is a brick. And we are described in the Bible as living stones: "And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple . . ." 1 Peter 2:5. 

We should not be spectators in the church; we should be participants. It is easy to play armchair quarterback. But it is another thing altogether to be down on the field with the team. And that is where God wants each of us to be.

President Theodore Roosevelt said, "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming..."

It is easy to stand back and criticize, but the credit goes to the man or woman who goes out and does the work of God's kingdom. Maybe they make a mistake here. Maybe they don't get it right there. But I would rather try and make a mistake than never try at all.

When each part of the body of Christ does its special work, it helps the entire body. The key is every one of us doing our part.

- gregory laurie

.....look

During the week before He was crucified, Jesus was asked many questions by the religious leaders. However, their questions were never asked for the purpose of education or to satisfy true curiosity, they were asked with the intent of finding fault; "The Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Him in His words" Matthew 22:15. Jesus answered each of their questions, but then He warned the crowds about the hypocrisy of those who were trying to trap Him.

Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues Matthew 23:5-6

The phylactery was a small box containing scripture, worn on the forehead or arm to fulfill the command of God as given through Moses; "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads" Deuteronomy 11:18.

The Pharisees strictly followed God's commands, but they also followed many self-created rules and "enhanced" God's commands to make themselves feel more righteous. Jesus never rebuked them for following rules, but He greatly questioned the motivation of their heart. 

The Pharisees had forgotten that the purpose of everything they did was to worship God and glorify His name. Instead, they began to focus on their outward appearance as they sought to look holy and obtain the approval of others; "You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence" Matthew 23:25.

This problem was definitely not new. Over 700 years earlier, God's children had lost their heart for worship: "These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men" Isaiah 29:13.

Unfortunately, this problem is still with us today. We've created a list of rules and religious activities which somehow define our relationship with God. We define our "Godliness" by our church attendance, our acts of service, or even our time spent reading His Word. But all these good and worthwhile actions do not define our relationship - they do not define our love. 

Our love is, and always has been, defined by the condition of our heart; "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" 1 Samuel 16:7. All our actions simply flow as an outward expression of the condition of our heart.

EVERYTHING we do must be motivated by a desire to praise and honor our Heavenly Father. Our religious acts mean absolutely nothing if not accompanied by a heart full of love and thanksgiving. 

Let's become true worshipers who express our love for God in all we do and say! Let's never allow our lives to be driven by the look of holiness.

- steve troxel

.....weak

That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong 2 Cor 12:10

The apostle Paul received revelations and visions from the Lord, and used this in his ministry to encourage others to grow in their relationship with Christ. He could have boasted about this closeness with God, but he did not want credit from anyone. His goal was to proclaim Christ and give Him the glory. 

The Bible says that to keep Paul from becoming proud, he was given a thorn in his flesh, which was a messenger from Satan to torture him and to keep him from becoming proud. Paul tells us that he asked God three different times to take it away, but God told him that all he needed was His grace and that His power worked best in weakness. Paul went on to tell us that he started to take pleasure in his weaknesses because when he was weak, then he was strong.

It must have been really hard for Paul to stay strong in his weaknesses. However, it seems like the more he suffered, the more he grew in faith. Paul faced many struggles, and so do we. 

In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul tells us to imitate him just how he imitates Christ because Jesus went through the same temptations and struggles that we do. So, just how Paul took pleasure in his weakness, so should we. 

If we do struggle, we should take it as an opportunity to grow closer to God. It is in the hard times that we realize how much we need God to help us, which is why God allows us to go through hardships. The only way to succeed is through the help of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For when we are weak, then we are strong.

Dear God, thank you for helping me through the hard times, and for giving me your grace and power. Please remind me that You are all I need and that Your power is perfected in my weakness. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

.....precious

Several years ago in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, George and Vera Bajenksi’s lives were changed forever. February 16, 1989. A very normal Thursday morning. The phone rang at 9:15 a.m. "There’s been an accident..." It involved their son Ben.

As they approached the intersection of Adelaide and Simcoe Streets near the high school, they could see the flashing lights of the police cars and ambulance units. Vera noticed a photographer and followed the direction of his camera lens to the largest pool of blood she had ever seen. 

All she could say was, "George, Ben has slept!" Her first reaction was to jump out of the car, somehow collect the blood and put it back into her son. "That blood, for me, at that moment, became the most precious thing in the world because it was life. It was life-giving blood and it belonged in my son, my only son, the one I loved so much." 

The road was dirty and the blood just didn’t belong there. George noticed that cars were driving right through the intersection - right through the blood. His heart was smitten. He wanted to cover the blood with his coat and cry out, "You will not drive over the blood of my son!" 

Then Vera understood for the first time in her life, one of God’s greatest and most beautiful truths...why blood? Because it was the strongest language God could have used. It was the most precious thing He could give - the highest price He could pay. 

Through God’s amazing love we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ 1 Peter 1:18-19. May we never treat lightly the blood of God’s Son Hebrews 10:29.

"Amazing love! How can it be? 

That thou, My God, shouldst die for me!" (Charles Wesley). 

- victor knowles 

.....good

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:5

Twenty-seven month old Mary Kathryn and I were running errands. My hand held tightly to the wheel as I maneuvered us through the traffic. Mary Kathryn sat in the rear securely buckled in her car seat. 

There was no need for conversation that day. Mary Kathryn’s precious voice was ringing out with songs she had learned from Sabbath School and her kids praise videos. The song in her heart was springing forth vocally from the back of our car. The melodies definitely were cheering my spirit as we continued our journey.

A few minutes later I decided to share a package of M&M’s with Mary Kathryn. The tiny, colorful pieces of chocolate were her favorite. While laughing and eating the M&M’s, lovingly I said to her, "These M&M’s are so good." Almost as if I had given her a queue with the word good, Mary Kathryn began to sing "God Is So Good." To my delight, I listened in awe as her sweet angelic voice completed the song.

Startled that she knew all of the words, I thanked God that at the tender age of twenty-seven months, Mary Kathryn really knew God was good. Life as viewed from her youthful perspective was all about love.

Does the simple word "good" trigger in your mind the fact that God is good, He’s so good to us? Are you twenty seven months, twenty seven years old, or perhaps nearing the age of Mary Kathryn’s grandmother? It really doesn’t matter. You can let God’s goodness engulf you. 

Soak it up.

He loves,

     honors,

     cherishes, 

     esteems,

     values,

     guards,

     and protects you.

Amidst the trials and tribulations that confront you daily, let the song that sprang from the heart of a very young granddaughter remind you that "God is good…"

- melva cooper

.....holiness

The preacher was talking about “holy living”. Sharon yawned. It made her think of quiet monasteries. Surely “holiness” could not be expected in this day and age! She dismissed the word as old and musty, and the sermon as irrelevant.

Before going to sleep Sharon opened her Bible. Tonight she would read a quick Psalm. Verse 6 of Psalm 51 jumped out at her.  “Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.”

The Holy Spirit shone His light into her heart. Suddenly, with clarity, she understood what holiness was. God was whispering to her heart, “Holiness is truth in the inner parts.”  She hadn’t expected God to really speak to her heart tonight. The inner parts were the places no one else saw... except for God. This was where her true attitudes lived, this was where she hid the words that sprang to her mind when she was angry, and this was where the justifications of her little white lies were tucked away.

Sharon recently asked God to help her become “whole” as she struggled with some issues in her life. She had no idea that “wholeness” comes through “holiness”. Sharon knew she needed God’s wisdom to teach her in these hidden places. A new desire for holiness sprang up in her heart. With the light of God’s Spirit shining on these hidden areas, Sharon knew she wanted to live differently.

What a revelation! God had so gently taken her heart and drawn her on toward wholeness. Never again would she see “holiness” as musty and irrelevant.

She asked God to forgive her for the hidden things in her heart. With His grace she would begin telling the truth in her inner part. She thanked Him for showing her the true meaning of a holy life. She asked Him to bring His wisdom into the places where attitudes, words and integrity were hidden issues that were silently robbing her of all God wanted to do in and through her. Holiness... the pathway to wholeness!

Father God, today I want to thank You for never leaving me alone. You always draw me on in my walk with You. Thank You for showing me that holiness is simply “truth in the inner parts.” Today I invite You to penetrate my inner parts and reveal to me the areas where You want to free me from hidden thoughts, words, attitudes, and integrity issues only I know about.   I need Your wisdom in these places as I journey on to wholeness. Thank You for the light of Your Holy Spirit in my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

-  gail rodgers

.....content

The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit. He quoted 1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 

“These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different,” he explained.  Then he upset one and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other, and vinegar spilled out. 

“When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference was within and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed. 

Until we are upset, we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, “for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

What if someone tipped you over today? What would flow out?  Would you reveal the “honey” of grace and patience? Or the “vinegar” of anger and criticism? “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

Have a good day knowing that the one who upsets you may be just looking to see what is going to flow out of you as well as you find out yourself.

.....pass

I came across this saying, “This too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.”  That’s how life can be at times. Pain or sadness can come upon us swiftly and unexpectedly, altering everything in an instant. Well-meaning individuals try to comfort us with words like, “You’re going to get through this.” Some will even add, “You’re strong. You can handle this.” You hope you can get through it, and you pray you are strong. However, it is more difficult than you could have imagined. 

You were diagnosed with a frightening disease, and your doctor assures you that “It is not fatal, but the treatment and recovery will be difficult.” He is right. You do get through it, but it was not easy or pleasant.

You are struggling mentally and emotionally, and some days, you feel like you are losing your mind. Your therapist reminds you that you didn’t arrive here overnight and you won’t get through it overnight. He is right. You see improvement, but it’s a slow and grueling journey. 

You and your spouse are going through a rocky patch - experiencing sleepless nights, intense emotional conversations, and long silences. Neither of you can believe the words you are saying or hearing. After one tough “discussion,” you look at each other and agree, “We are going to get through this, no matter how hard it is.”

Your job is tough. You drag yourself there, spend the day in misery, and dread returning tomorrow. Your supervisor notices the change and points out the good work you’re doing, telling you, “Just don’t give up. I’d hate to lose you.” You agree to persist, but you realize it’s not going to be easy.

When we go through times like this, we do well to remember: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed.” Romans 8:18

Max Lucado’s words were helpful to me several years ago when I was going through a difficult time that eventually passed - "like a kidney stone"... 

You’ll get through this.

   It won’t be painless.

   It won’t be quick.

   But God will use this mess for good.

Don’t be foolish or naive.

   But don’t despair either.

  With God’s help, you’ll get through this.

- Thomas norvelle

.....heart

So he got up and went to his father.But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

While he was still a long way off... The father knew the son's heart!

He did not say,

"Here comes that scoundrel...

What does he expect from me? A loan?"

Perhaps we are a long way off 

from being what God expects of us.

We are so far down the road 

that anyone else might suspect our motives

for calling on the Father 

Perhaps we are Christian

for what we can get out of it.

But God can see - even though the distance is great...

    the direction of our steps and

    the purpose of our heart

And if that purpose is a longing... 

    for a renewed relationship with the Father

    or a closer tie with the Father

God's heart will go out to us

Even though we are still "a long way off"

- david langerfeld

.....back

In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe Psalm 78:32

God miraculously delivered the Israelites after 430 years of slavery in Egypt. Time and time again God demonstrated His power and dominion over nature and mankind as He rescued and guided the Israelites to the land He had promised them. 

He split the Red Sea, making the water stand firm like a wall on either side of them and allowed the Israelites to escape the pursuing Egyptian army. Psalm 78:13

He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night Psalm 78:14

He split the rocks in the desert and gave them water Psalm 78:15

He rained down food (manna) from the sky for the people to eat Psalm 78:24

He rained meat (quail) down on them and they ate until they were filled Psalm 78:27-29

Miracle after miracle, and yet the Israelites continued to sin against God..." In spite of his wonders, they did not believe." But, before we're too quick in pointing a finger of disgust at the Israelites, let's inspect our own lives.

 

What kind of miracles has God done in your life? How about God's demonstration of his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us Romans 5:8. Or the miracle of new life through believing in Jesus Christ Romans 6:4. Our own relationship with God is nothing short of a miracle!

Take some time today and look back...  

Look back at all that God has done in your life. Keep your eyes on Him today and remember all the good things He has done for you!!!

.....grief

No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping Ezra 3:13

After only a few art lessons, ten-year-old Joel decided to try his hand at painting a flower. By looking at a color photograph of a Rose of Sharon, Joel was able to paint a beautiful mixture of blue, purple, red, green and white. This made the flower, which had been photographed on the day Joel's aunt died, seem to come to life. 

To the family, his painting symbolized a bittersweet mixture of feelings. While it provided a lasting reminder of the loss they had suffered, it also carried a celebration of Joel's newly discovered artistic gift. The painting gave joy in the midst of grief.

When the people of Judah returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon, they too had a bittersweet experience. As they began rebuilding Solomon's temple, many in the crowd sang songs of praise. At the same time, some older people, who had seen the beauty of the original temple that had been destroyed by war, wept aloud. 

We are told that "The people could not distinguish the sound of the shouts ofjoy from the sound of weeping" Ezra 3:13.

Grieving can be like that. While there is sadness in looking back, it also includes a promise of joy in trusting God for the future. Even in a devastating loss, we have this hope: The Lord provides joy in the midst of grief. 

- david langerfeld

.....trust

 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand  Isaiah 41:10

When Josh was about nine years old, He and his uncle were out in the yard playing tag. Josh had tagged his uncle and was running as fast as he could to avoid being tagged himself. Josh was laughing playfully as he looked back at his uncle chasing and trying to catch him. Then he turned around and ran, face first, into a tree.

The blow knocked him right off his feet as he seemed to have taken a bite right out of the tree bark. A couple of his teeth were loose and bleeding and Josh was crying uncontrollably. His mom, along with his aunt, tried soothing him; all the while reasoning with him - telling him the bleeding was temporary, and that his teeth would be ok… but he just kept on crying.

 

Realizing her motherly comfort wasn't working, the uncle asked them to step aside as he sat on the bench beside him. He gently put his large hands-on Josh's shoulders and told him, "Josh, look at me." And he did. "Do you trust me?" asked his uncle. Josh nodded. "Josh… you're gonna be ok. Your teeth are gonna be just fine. Do you trust me on that?" He nodded again… and the tears began to dry up; with that he returned to the yard to play. All the reasoning in the world wasn't going to change how he felt. But his trust in his uncle did.

Life works the same way. We trust our problems to friends, family, or sometimes even strangers, only to feel less than comforted. They give us advice and try their best to soothe our hurts, but we still walk away feeling badly. Sometimes we reject the comfort all together, hoping for another way. 

The Good News is that there is another way! Trusting God with our problems is the ONLY way to receive true comfort. When we're at our lowest and our troubles seem overwhelming, The Healer leans in, places His strong hands on our weak shoulders, and says, "You're gonna be OK… do you trust me on that?"

- david langerfeld

.....failure

One of the hardest lessons for anybody to learn is that not every crisis moves to a happy ending. Life is seldom like those TV programs in which the hero gets in hot water every week only to triumph over adversity within 58 minutes. In real life, things catch up with us. We fail... and the pain is intense.

To fail at something important doesn't mean you are a failure. The heart of the Christian message is called gospel — a word that means "good news." The good news is that God loves us in spite of anything we've messed up, He lets us learn from our mistakes, and He helps us move on with our lives.

 

Are you embarrassed over the loss of a job or the failure of your company? Do you know the terrible pain of being rejected and betrayed by someone you trusted? Was your effort to save a marriage too little too late? Did you make the headlines by doing something criminal? Are you reeling from a moral lapse?

You are not a failure — unless you quit, just give up, and choose to wallow in pain and self-pity. You are not a failure — unless you are too proud to confess your mistake and accept forgiveness. You are not a failure — unless you are just too stubborn to take responsibility and to be accountable.

How do you feel about couples who struggle to stay together in their marraige when "failure" comes? How do you feel when you read about someone who has lost it all in a business venture?  How do you feel when someone posts a message on social media that they have faced defeat after defeat?  Don't you want the best for them? Don't you want them to be stable and whole and to have the chance to begin again or to make it through the seemingly overwhelming floods in their lives?  Don't you want them to find a way to move on?

It's all right for you to feel the same way about a relative, a co-worker, or a friend from church. It would be so good for you to communicate that to him or her today - to let them know that you are praying for them and that you are there for them. 

It's even all right to feel that way if the person in question is you!!!!!!!

- david langerfeld

 

.....does

 God does whatever He wants. 

   His purposes are a sure thing. 

   There’s no stopping Him. 

   No containing Him. 

   No refuting Him. 

   No cutting Him off at the pass.

   No short-circuiting His agenda. 

God is in control. 

   He sends forth lightning from His storehouse.

   He breathes out the wind, 

   He waters the earth, 

   He raises up rulers and directs the course of nations. 

   He births life and ordains death.

And, in the midst of it all, He still has time to be intimately acquainted with the everyday affairs of everyone on this planet - including you!

- louie giglio

.....you

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps 1 Peter 2:21

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, age 5, and Ryan, age 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.'  Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"

Even though we don't like to admit it, I think it's safe to say that there are times when we're all a little bit like Kevin. We want everyone else to act like Jesus.  We want everyone else to be kind and giving.  We want everyone else to make the sacrifices and be tolerant and forgiving of us.

Unfortunately, the only person I have control over is me! And it is only when I see God's Word as a guide for my life that it begins to do me any good.

Today, YOU be Jesus!!!

- steve blair

.....fireworks

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:1-2

A week before Independence Day, I noticed a fireworks stand in a parking lot in our city. It reminded me of the many wonderful fireworks shows I've attended with my family. There's something magical about those brilliant colors exploding against the dark sky. 

But there's a problem with fireworks. They don't last. The same is true of many of the "fireworks" experiences in our lives. We fight and struggle for things that seem beautiful and alluring, but after we get them, their appeal disappears, just like fireworks. Maybe it's a shiny new car or dream vacation.  Maybe it's a big, impressive house. It might even be a promotion at work or a prestigious career. 

So many of the things of this world are like fireworks. They promise happiness and fulfillment but can't deliver. TV commercials play on our emotions, making us believe that if we drive a certain kind of SUV or clean our floors with their super-efficient mop, we'll be happy at last. More often than not, all we feel is disillusioned. 

If you've had enough of these "fireworks" experiences and the letdowns that follow, I challenge you to pursue the only thing in life that doesn't disappoint: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The astounding thing about loving God is that it actually gets better every day. 

Once you give your heart to Jesus, you'll have happiness and fulfillment that lasts into eternity, and you'll never want to go back to "fireworks" experiences again.

- david langerfeld

.....turn

What has happened to me will turn out... Philippians 1:19

Are you having a hard day? All around us, we feel the problems and pressures of life are increasing. When multiple things go wrong at once, we can lose our fortitude and optimism. That’s when we need to remember what Paul told the Philippians about all his dangers and difficulties: “I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out” Philippians 1:18-19                                            

God gives us a clear promise that all things work together for good. God is a great God, and His design for our life is a good one. He knows the complete picture, while we can only see what’s in front of us. But because we know He wants what is best for us, we need to learn to trust in Him. When you can’t see the road ahead, trust in God who knows the way.

Ask someone to pray with you, and then trust God for His provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ to sustain you. And then, like Paul, continue to rejoice because what has happened will turn out for your deliverance.

.....power

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?' he asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.' Matthew 26:40-41

Do you find it hard to pray? Do you struggle to find the right words or put together the right thoughts? Do you find that your prayers sound more like a business letter than a conversation with a friend? Maybe you run out of things to say and praying becomes tiresome? Could these have been the same issues the disciples were dealing with that night in the Garden of Gethsemane? 

One hour! Jesus asked for one hour! We easily spend that time scrolling on our phones or watching a show! In fact, an hour spent over coffee with a friend goes by way too quickly! But when it comes to spending that time talking to the God of the Universe, we sometimes struggle a bit. We fail to see the power behind prayer. 

Prayer helps us prepare for tough situations; Prayer comforts us in our grief; Prayer keeps us from temptation, something Jesus warned His disciples of. Later in this story of events that led to the cross, when things got tough, the tough disciples got going, when they should have got to praying! I wonder if they had prayed an hour with Jesus would their stories have played out differently? Would they have stood firm in their faith instead of "denying and hiding"? 

Jesus knew then, as He knows now, the fragility of faith and he has given us the power of a full armor to withstand in the day of spiritual battle Eph. 6:10-18 Isn't our faith, and our relationship with Jesus, worth spending a little extra time in prayer for every day? We have been given power over fear and temptation; a power that's found in prayer!

.....list

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name Psalm 18:49

Do you have anything to be thankful for? In his classic novel Robinson Crusoe, author Daniel Defoe has shipwrecked Crusoe take inventory of his life. He makes two lists. One is a list of his problems. The other is an inventory of that for which he can give thanks.

A problem he writes is that he has no clothing. On his corresponding list he writes that the weather is warm and he really has little need for clothing. Another problem is that all of his provisions were lost at sea. But on the other list he writes that he has fresh fruit and water and can provide for himself. And so it goes. He lists his problems and likewise lists all that he has going for him. He is surprised at the size of the list of his assets.

How long would your list be if you took inventory of your blessings -- all of that for which you can give thanks? For family. For friends. For faith. For health and the necessities of life. Did you know that some one million people will die this week...how is your health? Those who have food, clothing and shelter have more than much of our world's population will ever possess. Do you have these necessities of living?

How long would your list be if you took inventory of your blessings...and added one new item daily? Would you be amazed at the size of the list?

You have 1,440 minutes in every day. How would your life be different if you spent just 15 of those minutes daily giving thanks? Just 15 minutes filling your mind with concrete examples of how fortunate and how blessed you are? Most of us would discover even after a few days that the exercise was life changing!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever Psalm 136:1

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations Psalm 100:4-5

.....choose

Our daily actions reflect our priorities and values, and become the sacrifices we place on the altar. Every day we make many decisions which either draw us closer to God or lead us further away.

The Jewish leaders had passed judgment on Jesus; "He is worthy of death!" Matthew 26:66. But Roman law required a sentence of death to be approved by the Roman Court. Therefore, Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, the governor of the region around Jerusalem.

Pilate was in a tough situation. He had talked with Jesus and could find nothing deserving death; "I have examined Him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against Him" Luke 23:14. But Pilate was also under great pressure to keep peace in the region, so he allowed the people of Jerusalem to make the final decision.

"Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" Matthew 27:17 Barabbas was a convicted murderer; Jesus was the Son of God. The people loved Jesus when He was feeding them or healing their sick, but when required to make a decision, the people chose Barabbas: "'What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?' Pilate asked. They all answered, 'Crucify Him!'" Matthew 27:21-22.

We take the first crucial step in our Christian walk when we believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. But as important and significant as this first step is, the purpose of this step is to then begin a lifetime journey of abiding in His presence and living a life which is "holy and pleasing to God" Romans 12:1. 

The presence of God is never found through specific prayers or religious activity; rather, the peace of His presence is found only through our moment-by-moment choice to allow Jesus to be Lord of our life and to follow wherever He leads. We must learn to choose each daily step based on what is pleasing to a loving and holy God.

Are we part of the crowd who is easily swayed, or are we willing to stand firm in our faith? Has God become a God of convenience, used only in emergencies, or is He truly LORD of our life? We all face the same decision all the time, as the people in front of Pilate: Jesus or Barabbas; the ways of God or the ways of the world; life or death? If we desire a life of closeness with God - a life given as a living sacrifice to bring Him glory and honor - we must begin to choose wisely. We must boldly face the multitude of daily decisions and be determined to never choose Barabbas.

- adapted from steve troxel