One Who Understands
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Posted:Oct 22, 2014 3:49 am
Last Updated:Oct 23, 2014 4:04 am 19201 Views
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Read: Psalm 139,7-12
The Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. 1 Chronicles 28:9
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2
My friend's husband was in the last stages of dementia. In his first introduction to the nurse who was assigned to care for him, he reached out for her arm and stopped her. He said he wanted to introduce her to his best friend one who loved him deeply.
Since no one else was in the hall, the nurse thought he was delusional. But as it turned out he was speaking of Jesus. She was deeply touched but had to hurry on to care for another patient. When she returned, the darkness had closed in again and the man was no longer lucid.
Even though this man had descended into the darkness of dementia, he knew that the Lord was his best Friend. God dwells in the fathomless depth that is our soul. He can pierce the darkest mind and assure us of His tender, loving care. Indeed, the darkness shall not hide us from Him
(Ps. 139:12).
We do not know what the future holds for us or those we love. We too may descend into the darkness of mental illness, Alzheimer.s, or dementia as we age. But even there the Lord's hand will lead us and His right hand will hold us tight (v.10). We cannot get away from His love and personal care.
God knows each winding way I take,
And every sorrow, pain, and ache;
And me He never will forsake
He knows and loves His own.
Jesus loves me. This I know.
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A War Of Words
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Posted:Oct 20, 2014 5:17 am
Last Updated:Oct 20, 2014 5:18 am 18915 Views
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Read: Proverbs 15:1-23
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 59-61; 2 Thessalonians 3
On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in response to the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie. Within 90 days, other European countries had taken sides to honor their military alliances and pursue their own ambitions. A single event escalated into World War I, one of the most destructive military conflicts of modern time.
The tragedy of war is staggering, yet our relationships and families can begin to fracture with only a few hateful words. James wrote, See how great a forest a little fire kindles! (James 3:5). A key to avoiding verbal conflict is found in Proverbs: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (15:1).
A small comment can start a large fight. When we, by God's grace, choose not to retaliate with our words, we honor Jesus our Savior. When He was abused and insulted, He fulfilled the prophetic words of Isaiah, He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth Isa. 53.7.
Proverbs urges us to speak the truth and seek peace through our words. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, . . . and a word spoken in due season, how good it is! (15:4,23).
A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life;
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
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From Peeker to Seeker
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Posted:Oct 17, 2014 4:25 am
Last Updated:Oct 20, 2014 5:17 am 18789 Views
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Read: Jonah 1:1â2:2
I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. Jonah 2:2
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 50-52; 1 Thessalonians 5
When our was too young to walk or crawl, she created a way to hide from people when she wanted to be left alone or wanted her own way. She simply closed her eyes. Kathryn reasoned that anyone she couldn't see also couldn't see her. She used this tactic in her car seat when someone new tried to say hello; she used it in her highchair when she didn't like the food; she even used it when we announced it was bedtime.
Jonah had a more grown-up strategy of hiding, but it wasn't any more effective than our 's. When God asked him to do something he didn't want to do, he ran in the opposite direction. But he found out pretty quickly there is no place God couldn't find him. In fact, Scripture is full of stories of God finding people when they didn't necessarily want to be found (Ex. 2:11-3:6; 1 Kings 19:1-7; Acts 9:1-19).
Maybe you have tried to hide from God, or maybe you think even God canât see you. Please know this: If God sees and hears the prayer of a rebellious prophet in the belly of a big fish, then He sees and hears you wherever you are, whatever you've done. But that's nothing to be afraid of. It's actually a great comfort. He's always there, and He cares!
Thank You, God, that You are there for us.
We hear Your words: You will seek Me
and find Me, when you search for Me
with all your heartâ (Jer. 29:13).
We need not fear the troubles around us as long as the eye of the Lord is on us.
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Mysterious Detours
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Posted:Oct 16, 2014 5:41 am
Last Updated:Oct 16, 2014 5:43 am 18973 Views
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Read: Genesis 12:1-10; 13:1
Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them.
Psalm 22:4
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 47-49; 1 Thessalonians 4
Before my wife and I embarked on a 400-mile road trip, I set up the GPS with our 's home in Missouri as the destination. As we traveled through Illinois, the GPS instructed us to get off the Interstate, resulting in a detour through the city of Harvey. After the GPS directed us back to
I-80, I was baffled by this mysterious detour. Why were we directed off a perfectly good highway?
Iâll never know the answer. We continued on our way, and we trusted the GPS to get us there and home again.
That got me to thinking about detours in life. We may seem to be traveling on a smooth pathway. Then for some reason, God redirects us into an unfamiliar area. Perhaps it is an illness, or a crisis at work or school, or an unexpected tragedy occurs. We don't understand what God is doing.
Abraham faced a mysterious detour when God told him, Get out of your country, from your family and from your fatherâs house (Gen. 12:1). Surely Abraham must have wondered why God was routing him to the Negev desert. But he trusted God and His good purposes.
A GPS may make mistakes, but we can trust our unfailing God
(Ps. 22:4). He will guide us through all our mysterious detours and lead us where He wants us to go.
We seek Your guidance, Lord, but we understand
that our path won't always be without challenges.
Help us to trust You through the detoursâknowing
that You have our best interests and Your honor at heart.
We don't need to see the way when we stay close to the One who does.
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Seeing Upside Down
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Posted:Oct 15, 2014 4:18 am
Last Updated:Oct 22, 2014 10:04 am 19032 Views
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Read: Matthew 8:1-4; 9:9-12
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Matthew 9:12
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 45-46; 1 Thessalonians 3
In India I worshiped among leprosy patients. Most of the medical advances in the treatment of leprosy came about as a result of missionary doctors, who were willing to live among patients and risk exposure to the dreaded disease. As a result, churches thrive in most major leprosy centers. In Myanmar I visited homes for AIDS orphans, where Christian volunteers try to replace parental affection the disease has stolen away. The most rousing church services I have attended took place in Chile and Peru, in the bowels of a federal prison. Among the lowly, the wretched, the downtroddenâthe rejected of this world God's kingdom takes root.
Taking God's assignment seriously means that we must learn to look at the world upside down, as Jesus did. Instead of seeking out people with resources who can do us favors, we look for people with few resources. Instead of the strong, we find the weak; instead of the healthy, the sick. Instead of the spiritual, the sinful. Is not this how God reconciles the world to Himself? It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. . . . I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Matt. 9:12-13
To gain a new perspective, look at the world upside down as Jesus did.
We know, Jesus, that You sought the lowly ones
who were rejected by others. We want to be like
You. Open our eyes and show us how.
We long to be used by You to bless others.
Do you see a needy world through the eyes of Jesus?
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A Forever Hello
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Posted:Oct 14, 2014 6:51 am
Last Updated:Oct 15, 2014 4:29 am 18767 Views
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Read: 2 Corinthians 4:16,5:8
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:5
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 43-44; 1 Thessalonians 2
After a weeks vacation with her and 4-month-old grandson, Oliver, Kathy had to say goodbye until she could see them again. She wrote to me saying, Sweet reunions like we had make my heart long for heaven. There, we won't have to try to capture memories in our mind. There, we won't have to pray for the time to go slowly and the days to last long. There, our hello will never turn into goodbye. Heaven will be a forever hello, and I can't wait. As a first-time grandma, she wants to be with her grandson Oliver as much as possible! She's thankful for any time she can be with him and for the hope of heaven where the wonderful moments will never end.
Our good days do seem too short, and our difficult days far too long. But both kinds of days cause us to long for even better days ahead. The apostle Paul said that he and the Corinthians longed to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life (2 Cor. 5:4 niv). Although the Lord is with us in this life, we cannot see Him face to face. Now we live by faith, not by sight (v.7).
God made us for the very purpose of being near to Him always (v.5). Heaven will be a forever hello.
Face to face blissful moment!
Face to face to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so!
Now we see Jesus in the Bible, but then, face to face.
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Timely Words
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Posted:Oct 13, 2014 5:46 am
Last Updated:Oct 13, 2014 5:47 am 18587 Views
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Read: Proverbs 25:11-15
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 41-42; 1 Thessalonians 1
You may have heard the adage, Timing is everything. According to the Bible, good timing applies to our words and speech too. Think of a time when God used you to bring a timely word to refresh someone, or when you wanted to speak, but it was wiser for you to remain silent.
The Bible says that there is an appropriate time to speak (Eccl. 3.7 Solomon compared properly timed and well-spoken words with golden apples in a silver setting beautiful, valuable, and carefully crafted
(Prov. 25:11-12). Knowing the right time to speak is beneficial for both the speaker and hearer, whether they are words of love, encouragement, or rebuke. Keeping silent also has its place and time. When tempted to deride, belittle, or slander a neighbor, Solomon said that it is wise to hold our tongue, recognizing the appropriate time for silence (11:12-13). When talkativeness or anger tempts us to sin against God or another human being, resistance comes by being slow to speak (10:19;
James 1:19).
It's often hard to know what to say and when to say it. The Spirit will help us to be discerning. He will help us use the right words at the right time and in the right manner, for the good of others and for His honor.
Heavenly Father, thank You for using others to
speak words of encouragement and challenge to
me. Help me to be wise in how and when my words
or my silence may be helpful to someone else.
Timely words are works of art.
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The Lesson Of The Hula Hoop
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Posted:Oct 10, 2014 6:36 am
Last Updated:Oct 10, 2014 6:36 am 18909 Views
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Read: Mark 6:34-44
Let us not grow weary while doing good. Galatians 6:9
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 34-36; Colossians 2
One of my favorite childhood toys is making a comeback the hula hoop. My friend Suzi and I spent hours on the front lawn perfecting our technique and competing to see which of us could keep a hoop circling our waist longer. This year I relived that part of my childhood. While sitting in a park, I watched as of all ages and sizes tried their hardest to keep hula hoops from falling to the ground. They twisted and turned with all their strength, but despite their exertion the hoops landed on the ground. Then a young woman picked up a hoop. With hardly any motion, she moved it smoothly and rhythmically up and down from her waist to her shoulders and back to her waist. Her success depended on strategic movement, not vigorous motion.
In our spiritual lives, we can expend all kinds of energy trying to keep up with others in service to God. But working to exhaustion is not a virtue (Gal. 6:9). Before feeding thousands of people with only five loaves and two fish (Mark 6:38-44), Jesus called His disciples away to rest, proving that He doesn´t need our frantic exertion to accomplish His work. The truth Jesus taught His disciples, He wants to teach us: Quiet obedience accomplishes more than wild activity.
Help me, Lord, not to compare myself and
what I do with others. May I serve where You
want me to serve and do it in Your strength.
I love You and give myself to You.
Jesus wants willingness, not weariness.
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What Do You Expect?
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Posted:Oct 9, 2014 6:45 am
Last Updated:Oct 9, 2014 6:47 am 18882 Views
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Read: John 16:25-33
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 32-33; Colossians 1
In C. S. Lewis book God in the Dock, he wrote: Imagine a set of people all living in the same building. Half of them think it is a hotel, the other half think it is a prison. Those who think it a hotel might regard it as quite intolerable, and those who thought it was a prison might decide that it was really surprisingly comfortable. Lewis cleverly used this contrast between a hotel and a prison to illustrate how we view life based on our expectations. He says, If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable; think of it as a place of training and correction and it's not so bad.
Sometimes we expect that life should be happy and pain-free. But that is not what the Bible teaches. For the believer, this world is a place of spiritual development through both good times and bad. Jesus was realistic when He explained what to expect in life. He told His disciples, In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the worldâ (John 16:33). In facing life's blessings and bruises, we can have the inner peace that God is orchestrating events according to His sovereign plan.
Christ's presence in our lives enables us to be of good cheer even in the midst of pain.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
In the midst of troubles, peace can be found in Jesus.
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A Faithful Helper
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Posted:Oct 6, 2014 5:49 am
Last Updated:Oct 9, 2014 11:47 am 19076 Views
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Read: Jeremiah 20.7-13
The Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Jeremiah 20:11
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 26-27; Philippians 2
As a young boy, my father had to deliver slop to hungry pigs on the farm where he grew up. He hated this job because the hogs would knock him over when he entered their pen. This task might have been impossible except for a faithful helper who accompanied my dad a German shepherd named Sugarbear. She would maneuver herself between my father and the pigs and hold them back until my dad finished his chore.
The prophet Jeremiah had the difficult job of proclaiming God's messages to the Israelites. This required him to endure physical abuse, verbal attacks, imprisonment, and isolation. Although Jeremiah struggled with deep discouragement, he had a Helper through all of his trouble. God promised him, I am with you . . . to deliver you (Jer. 1:19).
God did not desert Jeremiah, and He will not desert us. We have His continual aid through the power of the Spirit who lives inside every believer (John 14:16-17). The Helper gives us hope (Rom. 15:13), steers us toward spiritual truth (John 16:13), and pours out God's love in our hearts (Rom. 5:5). We can trust that God faithfully helps us as we endure hardship. We can say with Jeremiah, The Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One (Jer. 20:11).
You, God, have been our help forever.
And You are our hope now and into eternity.
We thank You that You will never desert us.
You will be faithful.
Our greatest hope here below is help from God above.
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