The Gift Of Presense
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Posted:Oct 3, 2013 2:43 am
Last Updated:May 4, 2024 1:23 pm 7018 Views
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Read: John 11:14-27
Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. —John 11:19
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 17-19; Ephesians 5:17-33
A number of years ago, when I was a new human resource manager for a company, I attended the visitation and funeral of a long-time employee I had never met. The worker, a bricklayer, was loved by his co-workers, yet very few came to see his widow. I listened to someone trying to console her by saying that many people stay away because they are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing and making the family more miserable.
In times of distress, however, people rarely remember what we say. What they most remember is that we were there. Familiar faces offer strength beyond description; they provide comfort for the deep feelings of loneliness setting in from the loss. This “gift of presence” is one we’re all capable of offering, even if we’re tongue-tied or uncomfortable.
Martha and Mary were surrounded by friends and mourners who comforted them when their brother Lazarus died (John 11:19). Then the One they most longed to see—Jesus—came and wept with them (vv.33-35). The people responded, “See how He loved him!” (v.36).
In loss of any kind, Jesus always gives His comforting presence, and we have the ability to give deeply of His compassion simply by the gift of our presence.
O may I never fail to see
The comfort you may need from me;
And may you know that I am there
To bind our souls as grief we share. —Kilgore
Often the best comfort is just being there.
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Married To Royalty
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Posted:Oct 2, 2013 3:46 am
Last Updated:May 4, 2024 1:23 pm 7251 Views
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Read: Revelation 19.6-9
The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. —Revelation 19.7
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 14-16; Ephesians 51-16
The book To Marry an English Lord chronicles the 19th-century phenomenon of rich American heiresses who sought marriages to British aristocracy. Although they were already wealthy, they wanted the social status of royalty. The book begins with Prince Albert, of Queen Victoria, going to the United States to pay a social call. A mass of wealthy heiresses flood into a ball arranged for Prince Albert, each hoping to become his royal bride.
Believers in Christ don’t have to just hope—they are assured of a royal marriage in heaven. John talks about it in the book of Revelation: “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (1..7. Jesus is the Lamb, who is the Bridegroom talked about in that Scripture, and believers are His bride.
As the bride of Christ, we are to make ourselves “ready” for that day by striving to live close to Him now in anticipation of our future with Him in heaven. There we will “be glad and rejoice and give . . . glory” (v.7 to the King of kings and Lord of lords!
Jesus, we look forward to that day when we will
be with You! We want to be ready, but we know
we can’t live a life that is pure unless You are
in us and help us. Change us and fill us.
There is no greater privilege than to know the King of kings.
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Hubble, Zoos, And Singing
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Posted:Oct 1, 2013 5:02 am
Last Updated:May 4, 2024 1:23 pm 7360 Views
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Read: Psalm 148
Praise Him, all you stars of light! —Psalm 148.3
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 11-13; Ephesians 4
What do the Hubble Space Telescope, a zoo, and singing have in common? According to the teaching of Psalm 148, we could conclude that they all point to God’s magnificent creation.
The idea that God created our world is often questioned, so perhaps it’s a good time for a reminder of the praise we and all creation should heap on our heavenly Father for His magnificent handiwork.
Hubble can help us with that through its eye-popping pictures of our universe. Every one of those brilliant photos points to stars that focus attention on God’s creative majesty. “Praise Him, all you stars of light!” says verse 3.
A visit to a zoo points us to the great diversity of wildlife God created. We look at verses 7 and 10 and say thank you to God for sea creatures, wild animals, insects, and birds.
And a few minutes of watching little singing uninhibited praises to God symbolizes the truth that all people of earth should lift their voices in honor of our Creator vv.11-13.
Stars, animals, and : “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted” v.1). Let’s join in saying thanks for His creation. “Praise the Lord!”
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration!
Creation displays God’s power.
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Drink Lots Of Water
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Posted:Sep 30, 2013 4:01 am
Last Updated:May 4, 2024 1:23 pm 7893 Views
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Read: John 4.7-14
The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. —John 4:14
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 9-10; Ephesians 3
Visitors to Colorado often become dehydrated without realizing it. The dry climate and intense sun, especially in the mountains, can rapidly deplete the body’s fluids. That’s why many tourist maps and signs urge people to drink plenty of water.
In the Bible, water is often used as a symbol of Jesus as the Living Water who satisfies our deepest needs. So it’s quite fitting that one of Jesus’ most memorable conversations took place at a well (John 4:1-42). It began with Jesus asking a Samaritan woman for a drink of water (v.7). It quickly progressed to a discussion of something more when Jesus said to her: “Whoever drinks of this [physical] water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (vv.13-14).
As a result of this conversation, the woman and many people in the village where she lived came to believe that Jesus was “the Christ, the Savior of the world” (v.42).
We can’t live without water. Nor can we truly live now or eternally without the living water we receive from knowing Jesus Christ as our Savior. We can drink of His life-giving water today.
Gracious and Almighty Savior,
Source of all that shall endure,
Quench my thirst with living water,
Living water, clear and pure.
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Fire And Rain
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Posted:Sep 27, 2013 5:39 am
Last Updated:Sep 28, 2013 12:51 pm 8406 Views
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Read: Isaiah 16:1-5
In mercy the throne will be established; and One will sit on it in truth . . . judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness. —Isaiah 16:5
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 3-4; Galatians 6
When a wildfire raged through the beautiful canyons near Colorado Springs, Colorado, it destroyed the habitat of all kinds of wildlife and hundreds of homes. People across the nation cried out to God, pleading with Him to send rain to douse the flames, put an end to the destruction, and give firefighters relief. Some people’s prayers had an interesting condition attached to them. They asked God to show mercy and send rain without lightning, which they feared would start even more fires.
This reminds me of how we live in tension between things that save us and kill us. With fire, we cook our food and keep warm, but in it we can be consumed. With water, we keep our bodies hydrated and our planet cooled, but in it we also can drown. Too much or too little of either is life-threatening.
We see the same principle at work spiritually. To thrive, civilizations need the seemingly opposite qualities of mercy and justice (Zech. 7:9). Jesus scolded the Pharisees for being sticklers about the law but neglecting these “weightier matters” (Matt. 23:23).
We may lean toward justice or mercy, but Jesus keeps them in perfect balance (Isa. 16:5; 42:1-4). His death satisfies God’s need for justice and our need for mercy.
Father, for personal reasons I sometimes lean toward
showing mercy, and sometimes I just want justice now.
Teach me the balance as I look at Your character and
give me the wisdom I need in specific situations.
God’s justice and mercy met at the cross.
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Insignificant
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Posted:Sep 25, 2013 4:28 pm
Last Updated:May 4, 2024 1:23 pm 8553 Views
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Read: Luke 3:2-6,15-18
The Word of God came to John the of Zacharias in the wilderness. —Luke 3:2
Bible in a Year:
Song of Solomon 6-8; Galatians 4
“Movers and shakers” are people climbing the ladder of influence and success. Luke 3 mentions seven prominent leaders who exercised control in the society of their time. Roman Emperor Tiberias Caesar held the power of life and death over people in his far-flung empire. Pontius Pilate represented Rome as governor of Judea; while Herod, Philip, and Lysanias kept people in line at the regional level. Annas and Caiaphas served as high priests, taking their religious authority seriously.
While these power brokers flexed their political muscles, “the Word of God came to John the of Zacharias in the wilderness” (v.2). Who could seem less important than this obscure man living in the desert and listening for God’s voice? What could John the Baptist possibly accomplish by “preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins”? (v.3). Yet multitudes came to John seeking truth, turning from their wrongs, and wondering if he could be the Messiah (vv.7,15). John told them, “One mightier than I is coming . . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (v.16).
John’s life helps us understand what it means to be significant in God’s eyes. Like John, may everything we say and do point others to Jesus.
Lord, help us to surrender our desire for influence
and success to You. May our heart’s desire ever be to be
used by You to further Your kingdom.
Make our lives a living testimony of You.
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A Friend In Need
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Posted:Sep 24, 2013 2:40 pm
Last Updated:May 4, 2024 1:23 pm 8511 Views
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Read: 1 John 3.11-18
My little , let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. —1 John 3.18
Bible in a Year:
Song of Solomon 4-5; Galatians 3
Not long ago my wife, Janet, and I bought a quantity of beef from a friend who raised cattle on a small farm. It was less expensive than meat from a grocery store, and we put it in the freezer to use throughout the coming months.
Then a terrible lightning storm cut power throughout our area. For the first 24 hours we were confident that the freezer would keep the meat frozen. But when the second day came with still no word of getting our power back, we began to be concerned.
We contacted Ted, a member of our Bible-study group, to see if he had any advice. He canceled an appointment he had and showed up at our doorstep with a generator to provide power for the freezer. We were thankful that Ted helped us, and we knew it was because of his love for Christ.
The old saying “a friend in need is a friend indeed” took on new meaning for us. John reminds us in 1 John 3:18, “My little , let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” Sometimes this means inconveniencing ourselves to care for the interests of others or receiving that help when we ourselves are in need. After all Christ has done for us, it’s a blessing to be His hands and feet in loving one another.
Father, thank You for making me a part of Your family by giving Your Jesus for me. Help me to accept the care of others and also to serve the mout of gratitude and out of my love for You.When we love Christ, we love others.
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Confidence In Troubled times
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Posted:Sep 23, 2013 2:11 pm
Last Updated:Sep 24, 2013 2:42 pm 8479 Views
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Read: Psalm 91
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. —Psalm 91:1
Bible in a Year:
Song of Solomon 1-3; Galatians 2
Some love to brag about their dads. If you eavesdrop on neighborhood conversations, you’ll hear saying, “My dad is bigger than your dad!” or “My dad is smarter than your dad!” But the best brag of all is, “My dad is stronger than your dad!” This boast is usually in the context of a warning that if are threatening you, they’d better beware, because your dad can come and take them all down, including their dads!
Believing your dad is the strongest guy on the block inspires a lot of confidence in the face of danger. This is why I love the fact that God our Father is almighty. That means that no one can match His strength and power. Better still, it means that you and I “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” Ps. 91:1. So, it’s no wonder the psalmist can confidently say that he will not “be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day” (v.5).
Regardless of what today may bring or the trouble you are now going through, don’t forget that your God is stronger than anything in your life. So, be confident! The shadow of His all-prevailing presence guarantees that His power can turn even the worst situation into something good.
Father God, in the midst of my trouble, teach me to rest in the fact that You are almighty.Thank You for the confidence I have that You are stronger than anything that threatens my life.God is greater than our greatest problem.
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A Difficult Place
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Posted:Sep 20, 2013 4:33 pm
Last Updated:Sep 23, 2013 2:12 pm 8350 Views
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Read: Acts 8:4-8,26-35
I will never leave you nor forsake you. —Hebrews 13:5
Bible in a Year:
Ecclesiastes 4-6; 2 Corinthians 12
When a sudden change in technology made his job obsolete, a highly trained scientist found himself working in a fast-food restaurant. One evening after our Bible study he described the situation as difficult and humbling. He said, “One good thing I can say is that the young people there seem very interested in my faith.” A member of the group responded, “I admire you for being humble. I know your faith must have something to do with it.”
Like my acquaintance, Philip may have wondered why God would pull him off an assignment in Samaria Acts 8:4- and plop him in the middle of the desert v.26. But then he found that the Ethiopian needed help understanding the Scriptures vv.27-35, and his place made sense.
When Jesus promised He would never leave us alone (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5), He meant in the hard times as well as in the good times. Our mission in the difficult seasons of life is to work or serve remembering we are doing it for God, and then to watch as God works to accomplish His purposes.
Look for God in your difficult place and discover what He’s doing in and through you there.
Disappointment—His appointment,No good thing will He with hold;From denials oft we gather Treasures of His love untold. —Young What’s better than answers to our why questions? Trusting a good God who has His reasons.
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Time For A Change
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Posted:Sep 19, 2013 4:57 am
Last Updated:Sep 20, 2013 4:34 pm 8448 Views
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Read: Genesis 12.1-8
There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. —Genesis 12.8
Bible in a Year:
Ecclesiastes 1-3; 2 Corinthians 11.16-33
Many believers long to spend daily time with God, praying and reading His Word. Ironically, they are often distracted by a busy schedule. Frustrations mount as busyness seems to crowd out an opening in their schedule.
Oswald Chambers has wisely commented on the transforming power of even 5 minutes in the presence of the Lord. Indeed, even a short time spent in intercession and the Word still has great value: “It is not the thing on which we spend the most time that moulds us, but the thing that exerts the greatest power. Five minutes with God and His Word is worth more than all the rest of the day.” Now, it may sound like Chambers has made an overstatement. Yet powerful results can come from even a short time of prayer, because God is powerful.
Sometimes our days are filled with busy demands that crowd out time spent in listening to and responding to God. But no matter where we are, any time taken to build our own spiritual “altar” to the Lord as Abram did Gen. 12.8 opens the door to His transforming power. If you are having trouble establishing a time with God, you could start with just 5 minutes and see where it leads. Our God longs to meet with us and show His power in our lives.
Lord, it’s amazing to me that You, Almighty God,would want to spend time with me! Thank You.I stumble with my words at times but am in awe of You. Thank You that You want to hear from me.Talk with God—He wants to hear your heart.
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