What shall I give you, Lord, in return for all Your kindness?
Glory to You for Your love.
Glory to You for Your mercy.
Glory to You for Your patience.
Glory to You for forgiving us all our sins.
Glory to You for coming to save our souls.
Glory to You for Your incarnation in the virgin's womb.
Glory to You for Your bonds.
Glory to You for receiving the cut of the lash.
Glory to You for accepting mockery.
Glory to You for Your crucifixion.
Glory to You for Your burial.
Glory to You for Your resurrection.
Glory to You who were preached to men and women.
Glory to You in whom they believed.
Glory to You who were taken up into heaven.
Glory to You who sit in great glory at the Father's right hand.
Glory to You whose will it is that the sinner should be saved through Your great mercy and compassion.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Owning Up
"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." - Psalm 51:16-17
We've all messed up. When we allow God to examine our hearts, we are all going to discover problems in our lives. Some are painful. Some will be embarrassing. Some may be surprising; and some could be very difficult to overcome. The question we need to ask, though, is this: What should we do about these things when God brings them to our attention?
To help find an answer, there's no better place to look than at the life of David, the shepherd boy who God hand-picked to be King of Israel. He committed some really serious sins. First, he stole another man's wife. Then in order to cover it up, he murdered her husband, his loyal friend. When God confronted David about his sin, David responded the right way. He was heart-broken to realize how far he had strayed from God's ways. He wept with remorse and pleaded with God for forgiveness. He turned from his sin; he did not try to excuse himself, or minimize what he had done.
Pride often keeps us from responding to God with humility. We want to justify what we have done or rationalize it away: "it really wasn't that bad," or "it was someone else's fault." Those kind of responses are not what God is looking for. Only a "broken and contrite" heart can accept the enormity of the sin committed and realize its need for God.
Coming to a place of humility and brokenness is not easy; it is a very vulnerable position. But God is merciful and ready to restore you. To help you through those times, choose one of these verses to memorize:
Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 34:18 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A Prayer
Lord, I want to own up to my sins today. I ask your forgiveness for the wrongs I've committed against others and against you. Help me to live in humility with a broken and contrite heart, so you can restore me to a place of peace and reconciliation. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.
We've all messed up. When we allow God to examine our hearts, we are all going to discover problems in our lives. Some are painful. Some will be embarrassing. Some may be surprising; and some could be very difficult to overcome. The question we need to ask, though, is this: What should we do about these things when God brings them to our attention?
To help find an answer, there's no better place to look than at the life of David, the shepherd boy who God hand-picked to be King of Israel. He committed some really serious sins. First, he stole another man's wife. Then in order to cover it up, he murdered her husband, his loyal friend. When God confronted David about his sin, David responded the right way. He was heart-broken to realize how far he had strayed from God's ways. He wept with remorse and pleaded with God for forgiveness. He turned from his sin; he did not try to excuse himself, or minimize what he had done.
Pride often keeps us from responding to God with humility. We want to justify what we have done or rationalize it away: "it really wasn't that bad," or "it was someone else's fault." Those kind of responses are not what God is looking for. Only a "broken and contrite" heart can accept the enormity of the sin committed and realize its need for God.
Coming to a place of humility and brokenness is not easy; it is a very vulnerable position. But God is merciful and ready to restore you. To help you through those times, choose one of these verses to memorize:
Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 34:18 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A Prayer
Lord, I want to own up to my sins today. I ask your forgiveness for the wrongs I've committed against others and against you. Help me to live in humility with a broken and contrite heart, so you can restore me to a place of peace and reconciliation. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Blessed to be a Blessing
“For You make him to be blessed and a blessing forever…” - Psalm 21:6 (AMP)
God is love, and out of His love, He gives good gifts to His children. It pleases Him to see you prosper, and He longs to pour out His blessings upon you. He wants to lavish you with His goodness and grace so that you can be an example of His goodness by extending that blessing to those around you. We are blessed to be a blessing!We are never more like God than when we are filled with His love and giving to other people. Ask the Lord to show you ways to be a blessing to the people around you today. Sometimes, it only takes a smile or something simple to minister the love of God to a person’s heart. Other times, God may require that you give something greater or more valuable. But remember, God promises that when you give, it will be given back to you, pressed down, shaken together, and running over! That means you can’t out-give God! When your heart is to be a blessing to others, He will entrust you with even more of His resources. He’ll fill you with His blessings, and you’ll live the abundant life He has prepared for you!
Father in heaven, thank You for blessing me so that I can be a blessing to the people around me. Show me how to share Your love with the people around me today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
God is love, and out of His love, He gives good gifts to His children. It pleases Him to see you prosper, and He longs to pour out His blessings upon you. He wants to lavish you with His goodness and grace so that you can be an example of His goodness by extending that blessing to those around you. We are blessed to be a blessing!We are never more like God than when we are filled with His love and giving to other people. Ask the Lord to show you ways to be a blessing to the people around you today. Sometimes, it only takes a smile or something simple to minister the love of God to a person’s heart. Other times, God may require that you give something greater or more valuable. But remember, God promises that when you give, it will be given back to you, pressed down, shaken together, and running over! That means you can’t out-give God! When your heart is to be a blessing to others, He will entrust you with even more of His resources. He’ll fill you with His blessings, and you’ll live the abundant life He has prepared for you!
Father in heaven, thank You for blessing me so that I can be a blessing to the people around me. Show me how to share Your love with the people around me today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Take Heart
“God’s grace means that I can rest assured
that I’ll have everything I need
to be what He wants me to be and to do what He wants me to do
in the situation in which He’s placed me.
I’m no longer restricted to the limits of my own strength and wisdom.
By His grace, I’ve a new identity and a new potential.
I’m a child of God; the risen Christ now lives inside of me.
I need no longer fear people or circumstances;
I don’t have to feel weak in the face of suffering or temptation,
because I no longer rest in the resources of my own ability.
I’m in Christ and He’s in me.
This new identity gives me new potential
as I face the realities of life in this bent and broken world.
God’s grace gives me reason to ‘take heart.’”
-Paul David Tripp, “Psalm 27: Take Heart”
that I’ll have everything I need
to be what He wants me to be and to do what He wants me to do
in the situation in which He’s placed me.
I’m no longer restricted to the limits of my own strength and wisdom.
By His grace, I’ve a new identity and a new potential.
I’m a child of God; the risen Christ now lives inside of me.
I need no longer fear people or circumstances;
I don’t have to feel weak in the face of suffering or temptation,
because I no longer rest in the resources of my own ability.
I’m in Christ and He’s in me.
This new identity gives me new potential
as I face the realities of life in this bent and broken world.
God’s grace gives me reason to ‘take heart.’”
-Paul David Tripp, “Psalm 27: Take Heart”
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Dive In
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses all knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:17b-19
Think about standing on the shores of a large body of water like a lake. You can see to the other side and get an idea of its size. You can take its temperature, and study the plants along its edges. You can talk about it and think about it and dream about it—all without ever getting wet.
But as long as you are standing on the shore, you have missed the essence of this lake, the water. You are not going to fully grasp its significance or strength until you get into the water, over your head.
The same can be said of the love of Christ. You can study it for years. You can take theology classes and skirt the surface of a Bible study. You can talk about it, look at it, and even dream about it—all without actually experiencing it. But to grasp the significance and strength of Jesus' love; to fully understand how his love can change your life, you've got to step off the shore and dive into the water of his love.
Only by diving headlong into a relationship with him will you truly begin to grasp how "wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." It surpasses knowledge; and it requires experience.
Dear God, I don't want to just stand on the shores of your love; instead, I want to experience the fullness of what it can do in my life. Thank you for providing a way for that to happen, through Jesus Christ. Help me each day to realize the significance of that relationship. And help me to show others that when they get off the shore and into the water, life will take on a new meaning and power. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.
Think about standing on the shores of a large body of water like a lake. You can see to the other side and get an idea of its size. You can take its temperature, and study the plants along its edges. You can talk about it and think about it and dream about it—all without ever getting wet.
But as long as you are standing on the shore, you have missed the essence of this lake, the water. You are not going to fully grasp its significance or strength until you get into the water, over your head.
The same can be said of the love of Christ. You can study it for years. You can take theology classes and skirt the surface of a Bible study. You can talk about it, look at it, and even dream about it—all without actually experiencing it. But to grasp the significance and strength of Jesus' love; to fully understand how his love can change your life, you've got to step off the shore and dive into the water of his love.
Only by diving headlong into a relationship with him will you truly begin to grasp how "wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." It surpasses knowledge; and it requires experience.
Dear God, I don't want to just stand on the shores of your love; instead, I want to experience the fullness of what it can do in my life. Thank you for providing a way for that to happen, through Jesus Christ. Help me each day to realize the significance of that relationship. And help me to show others that when they get off the shore and into the water, life will take on a new meaning and power. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Believe it and you shall be blessed
PLEASE READ WITH FAITH. This is an awesome prayer. Believe it and you shall be blessed. The problem with many of us is that we don't believe that God will open a window and pour out blessings that we won't have room to receive them. I dare anyone to try God. He is true to His word. God cannot lie and His promises are sure.
Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to You that You abundantly bless my family and me. I know that You recognize that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in You. Father, I send up a prayer request for blessings for not only the person, who sent this to me, but for me and all that I have forwarded this message on to. And that th e power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in You is more powerful than anything. I thank you in advance for your blessings.
Father God, deliver the person reading this right now from all burdens. Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me. Father, I know how wonderful and mighty You are and if we just obey You and walk in Your Word and have the faith of a mustard seed, You will pour out blessings. I thank You now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come. I know You are not done with me yet.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to You that You abundantly bless my family and me. I know that You recognize that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in You. Father, I send up a prayer request for blessings for not only the person, who sent this to me, but for me and all that I have forwarded this message on to. And that th e power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in You is more powerful than anything. I thank you in advance for your blessings.
Father God, deliver the person reading this right now from all burdens. Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me. Father, I know how wonderful and mighty You are and if we just obey You and walk in Your Word and have the faith of a mustard seed, You will pour out blessings. I thank You now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come. I know You are not done with me yet.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen
Friday, September 12, 2008
Love Never Fails - DevoMail with Skip Heitzig
Karl Menninger was a psychiatrist and co-founder of the Menninger Foundation. He wanted to find out why people were in his clinic and what the root cause of their illness was. So he instructed his staff to treat all the patients in a loving manner, to create an "atmosphere of creative love." Within six months, the average time spent in the clinic was cut in half. Menninger concluded, "Love cures people--both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it."
What does love mean? Love is misunderstood because the word is so overused. In English, we use the same word for a variety of experiences. We use it to mean enjoying, liking, and even lusting. We say, "I love warm sunshine," or "I love ice cream," or "I love my wife, or "I love God." The Greek language, in which the New Testament was written, has four words for love. The highest of these is the word "agape," which means a self-sacrificing love that is consistent and unconditional.
And, of course, the most famous use of agape is in I Corinthians 13, which has been called "the love chapter" and "the hymn of love." This chapter says if love is not behind any good work, it's all meaningless. But I want to draw you to the center of the chapter, verses 4 to 8, "Love suffers long and is kind," etc. These verses are a marvelous description of the love of God. In fact, God is the only one who is that unconditional and that consistent in giving love to anyone.
God's ultimate demonstration of His love was in giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place. There are many familiar verses. John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son..." "Galatians 2:20: "...who loved me and gave Himself for me." Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
"So what does love really mean? It means that God, the one who knows everything about you, who knows all of the things even those closest to you don't know--even that one little area of your life you keep hidden--He knows, and He loves you anyway. Stay with me there a moment: He loves you anyway. He loves you consistently and unconditionally. And that's why Jesus Christ died--to wash your sins away.
The more you study the love of God, the more unfathomable you'll find it to be. I invite you to read over I Corinthians 13 slowly, and as you do, think of God's love. My wish for you today is that you'll let God's love cure you, heal you, and save you.
What does love mean? Love is misunderstood because the word is so overused. In English, we use the same word for a variety of experiences. We use it to mean enjoying, liking, and even lusting. We say, "I love warm sunshine," or "I love ice cream," or "I love my wife, or "I love God." The Greek language, in which the New Testament was written, has four words for love. The highest of these is the word "agape," which means a self-sacrificing love that is consistent and unconditional.
And, of course, the most famous use of agape is in I Corinthians 13, which has been called "the love chapter" and "the hymn of love." This chapter says if love is not behind any good work, it's all meaningless. But I want to draw you to the center of the chapter, verses 4 to 8, "Love suffers long and is kind," etc. These verses are a marvelous description of the love of God. In fact, God is the only one who is that unconditional and that consistent in giving love to anyone.
God's ultimate demonstration of His love was in giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place. There are many familiar verses. John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son..." "Galatians 2:20: "...who loved me and gave Himself for me." Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
"So what does love really mean? It means that God, the one who knows everything about you, who knows all of the things even those closest to you don't know--even that one little area of your life you keep hidden--He knows, and He loves you anyway. Stay with me there a moment: He loves you anyway. He loves you consistently and unconditionally. And that's why Jesus Christ died--to wash your sins away.
The more you study the love of God, the more unfathomable you'll find it to be. I invite you to read over I Corinthians 13 slowly, and as you do, think of God's love. My wish for you today is that you'll let God's love cure you, heal you, and save you.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
His Will, Not Mine
He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." - Matthew 26:39
There are some people who teach that we should never pray, "Not my will, but Yours be done," because it supposedly voids what you have just prayed for.
What nonsense. If Jesus prayed this, certainly we should follow His example.
He gave us the same pattern in the Lord's Prayer when He said, "May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). I never need to be afraid to say, "Lord, Your will be done."
Then there are those who say that we should only pray for something once; otherwise, we are demonstrating a lack of faith.
Yet Jesus taught His disciples, "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened" (Luke 11:9). We give up far too easily sometimes.
We won't always know the will of God in every situation. Then there are times when we will know the will of God, but we won't like it. Finally, there are times when we will know the will of God, but we don't understand it.
I like what the late D. L. Moody said, "Spread out your petition before God, and then say, 'Thy will, not mine, be done.' " Moody concluded, "The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me."
Have you found that to be true? We must never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
There are some people who teach that we should never pray, "Not my will, but Yours be done," because it supposedly voids what you have just prayed for.
What nonsense. If Jesus prayed this, certainly we should follow His example.
He gave us the same pattern in the Lord's Prayer when He said, "May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). I never need to be afraid to say, "Lord, Your will be done."
Then there are those who say that we should only pray for something once; otherwise, we are demonstrating a lack of faith.
Yet Jesus taught His disciples, "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened" (Luke 11:9). We give up far too easily sometimes.
We won't always know the will of God in every situation. Then there are times when we will know the will of God, but we won't like it. Finally, there are times when we will know the will of God, but we don't understand it.
I like what the late D. L. Moody said, "Spread out your petition before God, and then say, 'Thy will, not mine, be done.' " Moody concluded, "The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me."
Have you found that to be true? We must never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
Monday, September 8, 2008
JAMI SMITH - ’FAITH IN YOU’ Song
I love to listen to this song:
JAMI SMITH ’FAITH IN YOU’ CD
OKLAHOMA CITY – Christian recording artist/worship leader Jami Smith will release her next CD, entitled Faith In You, this upcoming April. Faith in You, her 13th release, will reveal Jami's lyrical and musical tribute to God's faithfulness for those who follow Him, even in their most challenging times of life. Faith in You will kick off with a concert event in Oklahoma City on April 18.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Christian recording artist/worship leader Jami Smith will release her next CD, entitled Faith In You, this upcoming April. Faith in You, her 13th release, will reveal Jami's lyrical and musical tribute to God's faithfulness for those who follow Him, even in their most challenging times of life. Faith in You will kick off with a concert event in Oklahoma City on April 18.
Borne out of the tragic loss of a friend to breast cancer, Jami Smith has produced a collection of music and lyrics which reflects her sustaining faith and confidence in a mighty and loving God – one who meets our needs and stands by our side even in our darkest hours.
"I believe in a God who has not forgotten us," said Smith. "Even when all our circumstances are seemingly saying otherwise, for that very moment of desperation these songs exist, in hope that they will help us choose faith in an intangible sovereign God who we know by faith, is as close as our breathing."
"I hope and believe the music on Faith in You will present that message of hope in every season of our lives," she concluded.
Video vignettes of personal stories of tragedy and triumph amidst God's faithfulness will be shared by a variety of people including Steve Saint, son of martyred missionary Nate Saint, at the concert. Other special guests will be included in the evening including Crystal Woodman Miller, Columbine survivor and author of "Marked for Life."
Perfectly Timed
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."
- Galatians 4:4-5
God never does anything randomly. He doesn't decide on a whim to take action. He has a plan, a perfect plan for everyone. And that plan has been laid out for all of eternity.
So often, though, we look at the way we make decisions and we try to put God in the same box. We assume that because we have knee jerk reactions to situations and circumstances, surely God does the same thing. But he doesn't.
Did you notice the first few words of today's passage? "When the time had fully come." God had a plan to bring Jesus Christ to earth at a certain time. Jesus Christ came into the world at the perfect time, with everything arranged for the swift spread of the good news of God's salvation that is available to everyone—including you.
God's timing can be hard to understand. But it is perfect. If you are waiting on something from God, don't get discouraged. Instead, look at the perfect timing of his son's arrival, and trust that God has a perfect time for working in your life as well.
Dear God, I know that your timing in everything is perfect. I believe that you sent Jesus Christ to the earth at the perfect time. And because of that, I can have faith that you will act in my life at the right time and in the right way. Thank you for that. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
- Galatians 4:4-5
God never does anything randomly. He doesn't decide on a whim to take action. He has a plan, a perfect plan for everyone. And that plan has been laid out for all of eternity.
So often, though, we look at the way we make decisions and we try to put God in the same box. We assume that because we have knee jerk reactions to situations and circumstances, surely God does the same thing. But he doesn't.
Did you notice the first few words of today's passage? "When the time had fully come." God had a plan to bring Jesus Christ to earth at a certain time. Jesus Christ came into the world at the perfect time, with everything arranged for the swift spread of the good news of God's salvation that is available to everyone—including you.
God's timing can be hard to understand. But it is perfect. If you are waiting on something from God, don't get discouraged. Instead, look at the perfect timing of his son's arrival, and trust that God has a perfect time for working in your life as well.
Dear God, I know that your timing in everything is perfect. I believe that you sent Jesus Christ to the earth at the perfect time. And because of that, I can have faith that you will act in my life at the right time and in the right way. Thank you for that. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Something Better
"God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."
- Hebrews 11:40
Hebrews 11 is a book that captures the stories of many people who never got to witness the fulfillment of God's promise of the coming Savior, Jesus Christ. They lived their entire lives waiting. And though they faced persecution, they held fast to God's promise. They believed God and served him faithfully, even in the face of pain.
We may look at that reality and ask questions like, "Why would God allow those people to suffer? Why did he make them wait? Why not just answer their prayers and fulfill his promises immediately?"
The answer goes back to one simple, yet profound fact: God sees the whole picture.
None of us has the perspective on life that God has. He knew that while, yes, those people had to suffer for a season, there was a greater purpose behind it than they may have seen—his purpose.
Maybe you are facing a difficult time in your life. Or maybe you're just waiting to hear what God has in store for you. You read God's promises to you, but you wonder when those will be fulfilled. Don't grow impatient with God. Know that he has "something better for us." And remember, just because we may not see it doesn't mean that something better isn't there. It is. And God sees it before you do.
Dear God, I know that you have a perspective on life that I will never have. Yet, I still grow impatient at times when things don't work out the way I want them to, when you don't respond to me the way I want you to. Help me realize that no matter what I face, you have something better planned; I just need to be patient and wait on you. In Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen.
- Hebrews 11:40
Hebrews 11 is a book that captures the stories of many people who never got to witness the fulfillment of God's promise of the coming Savior, Jesus Christ. They lived their entire lives waiting. And though they faced persecution, they held fast to God's promise. They believed God and served him faithfully, even in the face of pain.
We may look at that reality and ask questions like, "Why would God allow those people to suffer? Why did he make them wait? Why not just answer their prayers and fulfill his promises immediately?"
The answer goes back to one simple, yet profound fact: God sees the whole picture.
None of us has the perspective on life that God has. He knew that while, yes, those people had to suffer for a season, there was a greater purpose behind it than they may have seen—his purpose.
Maybe you are facing a difficult time in your life. Or maybe you're just waiting to hear what God has in store for you. You read God's promises to you, but you wonder when those will be fulfilled. Don't grow impatient with God. Know that he has "something better for us." And remember, just because we may not see it doesn't mean that something better isn't there. It is. And God sees it before you do.
Dear God, I know that you have a perspective on life that I will never have. Yet, I still grow impatient at times when things don't work out the way I want them to, when you don't respond to me the way I want you to. Help me realize that no matter what I face, you have something better planned; I just need to be patient and wait on you. In Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Through the Storm - DevoMail with Skip Heitzig
I have to confess something: My favorite channel on television is the Weather Channel. Somebody once told me, "That's like MTV for old people," but I still like it. Their meteorologists are pretty busy right now, because we're at the peak of hurricane season. This week, Hurricane Gustav blew into the continental U.S. without doing too much damage, and right now there are three more storms strung out across the Atlantic--Hanna, Ike and Josephine. Ike is now officially a hurricane, and Hanna is widening. Where these storms will go, and what damage they will do, remains to be seen. But since these storms are certain, those in their path need to be prepared.
Acts 27 is an exciting story of some people who were unprepared for a storm, and of another who trusted God. I encourage you to read it. Paul was being taken to Rome by ship as a prisoner. He was an experienced traveler, and he knew the voyage was dangerous because of the time of year; he could predict that storms were ahead. So he warned the crew, but they sailed on anyway (Acts 27: 9Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them, 10"Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." 11But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.). Like our hurricanes, the storm they encountered also had a name, Euroclydon. They were at the mercy of the winds for two full weeks, as they threw everything overboard in the attempt just to survive. All they could do was to wait for it to blow through.
When they had all lost hope, Paul told them of seeing "an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve." The angel told him not to fear, and that everyone would live. "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me" (Acts 27:23Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.). Paul knew that God owned him, and that he was serving God. And, most importantly, he trusted God.
We all face hardships--storms--in our lives. Though we can't predict when, we know they will come. Storms are certain. You have endured yours, as I have mine. And we have been changed by them, hopefully for the better.
But being changed for the better involves your level of trust in God. So here's the most important point: Storms can bolster your confidence in God. They can make you better--if you remain calm in the midst of the storm and trust Him.
Today, there may not be a hurricane threatening to blow your home away. Your storm might be an illness, a divorce, a financial reversal, a child running from God. But know this: God will bring you through the storm. Ask yourself these three questions: Are you His? Are you serving Him? Are you trusting Him? I hope you can say "yes" to all three. I hope you can say, with Paul, "I believe God...just as He told me."
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Acts 27 is an exciting story of some people who were unprepared for a storm, and of another who trusted God. I encourage you to read it. Paul was being taken to Rome by ship as a prisoner. He was an experienced traveler, and he knew the voyage was dangerous because of the time of year; he could predict that storms were ahead. So he warned the crew, but they sailed on anyway (Acts 27: 9Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them, 10"Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." 11But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.). Like our hurricanes, the storm they encountered also had a name, Euroclydon. They were at the mercy of the winds for two full weeks, as they threw everything overboard in the attempt just to survive. All they could do was to wait for it to blow through.
When they had all lost hope, Paul told them of seeing "an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve." The angel told him not to fear, and that everyone would live. "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me" (Acts 27:23Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.). Paul knew that God owned him, and that he was serving God. And, most importantly, he trusted God.
We all face hardships--storms--in our lives. Though we can't predict when, we know they will come. Storms are certain. You have endured yours, as I have mine. And we have been changed by them, hopefully for the better.
But being changed for the better involves your level of trust in God. So here's the most important point: Storms can bolster your confidence in God. They can make you better--if you remain calm in the midst of the storm and trust Him.
Today, there may not be a hurricane threatening to blow your home away. Your storm might be an illness, a divorce, a financial reversal, a child running from God. But know this: God will bring you through the storm. Ask yourself these three questions: Are you His? Are you serving Him? Are you trusting Him? I hope you can say "yes" to all three. I hope you can say, with Paul, "I believe God...just as He told me."
http://www.connectionradio.org
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The Weight of Waiting
"Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered." - James 5:10-11
If we're honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we are not patient people. So when God tells us to wait in response to our prayers, we have a hard time. Wait, in our vocabulary, carries with it a negative connotation. "Wait" means we actually have to be patient. And so often our patience runs short and is followed quickly by discouragement.
When that happens we need to remember that God has given us example after example in the Bible of those who had to wait on the fulfillment of God's promises.
Maybe you're waiting for an answer from God right now, and you're beginning to get discouraged. If so, think about this: Not one person mentioned in the Old Testament ever got to see Jesus Christ. They never saw the fulfillment of God's ultimate promise.
Yet, they waited patiently and hoped eagerly. They were excited about spreading God's message and they looked forward to the day he would answer their prayers.
Don't give up hope while waiting on God. He will fulfill his promises to you; just have the patience to wait.
Dear God, You are the God of faith and promises. I know that you have promised to hear my prayers and to answer them according to your will. But so often, I grow impatient and want you to answer immediately. Help me to become more patient and to wait on you. And while I wait, help me to focus instead on the things you have given and all the times you have answered my prayers. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
If we're honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we are not patient people. So when God tells us to wait in response to our prayers, we have a hard time. Wait, in our vocabulary, carries with it a negative connotation. "Wait" means we actually have to be patient. And so often our patience runs short and is followed quickly by discouragement.
When that happens we need to remember that God has given us example after example in the Bible of those who had to wait on the fulfillment of God's promises.
Maybe you're waiting for an answer from God right now, and you're beginning to get discouraged. If so, think about this: Not one person mentioned in the Old Testament ever got to see Jesus Christ. They never saw the fulfillment of God's ultimate promise.
Yet, they waited patiently and hoped eagerly. They were excited about spreading God's message and they looked forward to the day he would answer their prayers.
Don't give up hope while waiting on God. He will fulfill his promises to you; just have the patience to wait.
Dear God, You are the God of faith and promises. I know that you have promised to hear my prayers and to answer them according to your will. But so often, I grow impatient and want you to answer immediately. Help me to become more patient and to wait on you. And while I wait, help me to focus instead on the things you have given and all the times you have answered my prayers. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
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