Listening to God (James 1:19)

James 1:19a, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear…”

Best friends since childhood, a wall-street investor and a farmer were walking through Central Park conversing. At one point the farmer said to his friend, “Did you hear that cricket?” The banker replied, “With all the noise in this park, how do you hear a cricket?” The farmer said, “You hear what you train yourself to hear.” To prove his point, he took a few coins from his pocket and threw them on the sidewalk. Everyone nearby immediately stopped and looked.

If we are going to walk with God in the midst of a society that is set on going in the other direction, we must hear His voice. There will always be other voices calling out to distract us from our course, but our ears should be open and eager to hear what God has to say. This is what James had in mind when he instructed us to “be swift to hear” (James 1:9).

Though the world speaks loudly, God often whispers. This was the experience Elijah had when he was alone on a mountain, he witnessed loud and powerful events: “And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice” (I Kings 19:12).

Hearing that “still small voice” is vital to the renewal of our strength for the Christian walk day after day. But it does not happen unless we are willing to focus our hearing to discover what God has to say. Jesus said that those who know Him hear His voice. John 8:47a, “He that is of God heareth God's words…” John 10:4b, “…and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”

There are times when God speaks loudly, but most of the time He speaks in a still small voice. If we are wise, we will be listening intently when He does. To do so, we must plan some out some quality time with God each day and study His Word and allow Him to guide you.

Questions to Consider:

• Can you be still long enough to listen to His still small voice?
• Are you willing to pray sincerely and them wait quietly for God’s response?

Points to Ponder:

• If you sincerely desire to hear His voice, you must listen intently, in your heart.
• God’s voice will always agree with the Bible.
• When listening for God’s voice, always remember that it will be in harmony with His Word.

Prayer: Lord, every day of my life there are many things I hear. Some I’d rather not hear and others I need to hear. No one else gives me greater joy than to hear from You. When I open my eyes in the morning, I long to hear from You. When my head rests on the pillow at night, I desire you hear from You. When troubles, successes, sadness, and joy come my way, I yearn to hear from You. Whether I’m fearing or at peace, my delight is to hear from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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What Every Home Needs (Proverbs 9:1)

Proverbs 9:1, “Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:”

From Proverbs 1-8, Solomon has taught his son about the importance of wisdom and the risks of foolishness. Proverbs 9 is his conclusion to these lessons. Wisdom has something better than any mansion on earth. It has pillars. Pillars give a building strength and beauty, as does God’s Word. It gives us strength. Its beauty is real and unfading. The actual doing of God’s Word is the foundation that brings strength, security, and blessing. Seven is no doubt symbolic of completeness and perfection: God's word is sufficient because it comes from the only wise God. It is a home where everything we need is supplied.

Solomon pleas for his son to accept wisdom’s call. God calls people to salvation through the wisdom of the cross (I Corinthians 1:18-25), and to a life of holiness and service through the wisdom of a Christ-centered life (I Corinthians 1:26-31). There is sufficient room for all who accept her invitation. Solomon’s temple had two pillars (I Kings 7:15). The seven pillars speak primarily of two things. The size and structure of wisdom’s house. Wisdom’s house is spacious and strong. The strong foundation of wisdom’s house is well-supported and is built on a solid foundation. Those who live wisely, are safe through the storms of life and are securely protected from attacks by the enemy.

1. Every Home Needs a Sure Foundation (Matthew 7:24-27). The institution of the home is God’s design. He is the best builder and sustainer of our family. He alone is the Master Architect and has the blueprint for each of our lives. Every home must allow Christ to not only be present, but to be preeminent. Families should live in such a way that the presence of God is very real. Children must see that God is the greatest reality of life, not just in church on Sunday but that He is with us all day, everyday. This type of attitude begins with parents. Parents must model their love for Christ towards their children. The home built on the Rock of Ages will withstand the storm trials of life. We shouldn’t be afraid of the storms because we believe in the God who controls the storms. Hardship comes to every family, but a family built upon this strong foundation will stand firm. The home is perhaps the most attacked place in the world. This is the case, especially amongst Christian homes. Satan’s goal is to cause the family to crumble. Whenever Satan strikes the family, his desire is to capture the children.

2. Every Home Needs Strong Faith (Romans 1:17). Keep your family in a sound Bible preaching church to safeguard your home. Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” If you follow Christ faithfully, you are setting an example and securing a blessing that can reach beyond your own children for generations. A Christian home does not develop by accident; it requires dedication and much prayer. One of the best possible things you could do for your family is create a special time where your family spends time in God’s Word and in prayer.

3. Every Home Needs Sincere Forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). God wants to heal family hurts. Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” The Lord forgives us freely, forgetfully, fully, and forever. This is exactly how we should forgive. Love is relational dynamite that obliterates all obstacles in its path. Talking won’t do that for you. Pressuring won’t; prodding, insisting, demanding, getting selfish—these all will only tear your life and family apart. I Corinthians 13:8, “Charity never faileth”. You don’t have to do great things, just small things with great love. Express your love not only in lip service but also in lifestyle.

4. Every Home Needs Structured Finances (Proverbs 6:6–8). There is nothing wrong with money and possessions, unless we allow them to control us. But when gain becomes our goal, we are headed for defeat and disaster. Proverbs 6:6–8, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” Be faithful stewards of God’s blessings. Get on a budget that includes a saving account. Save so that you can afford the things you are tempted to borrow for (home repairs, vacations, Christmas gifts, etc.).

5. Every Home Needs Sacrificial Furnishings. As you give to the Lord and to the needs of others, you will learn about His care and power to provide for your own personal needs in your life. You will get to know Him. Time and again, I have watched the Lord supply my needs and the needs of my family as we have put Him first in our finances and given to Him. His provision increases my faith in Him and His care for our lives. This is one of the reasons why we are encouraged to give and meet the needs of others.

6. Every Home Needs Supportive Friendship (Proverbs 17:17). As a Christian, you need to be careful about the friends you choose. They will influence you for good or for bad, depending on what kind of people they are and how they live. Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” True friends love at all times. If your friend is up or down, victorious or defeated, rich or poor, you will love him at all times.

7. Every Home Needs Sweet Fellowship. Time with family is like investing for retirement: small and consistent contributions combined over a lengthy period of time lead to a valuable return. What has made our nation great is through the teaching and training arm of the home. The kind of family you have tomorrow is determined by the kind of investments you make in your family today. Build a family, and you’ll have a place to live for a long time.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for parents who did their best, even sacrificing and pouring into my life with their words and actions. Father, help me be a source of blessing to my children and others. Help me uphold, encourage, and speak about You to them. I Jesus name, AMEN!

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What the Bible Does for Us (II Timothy 3:16-17)

II Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

There are many books in the world today that are based on man's opinion of something. Whether the topic is politics, sports, the weather, self-help, or society, sometimes not everything published in a book is true. But there is one book we can trust.

We know God's Word is true because it comes from God. In a day when so many things are based on opinion, God's Word is based on truth. All 66 books; 39 in the Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament. Every one of 1,189 chapters. All 41,173 verses and 3,566,480 letters--all Scripture is God-breathed. God’s Word is inspirational, instructional, incorruptible, and inexhaustible.

The greatest verse about Biblical inspiration is also a great verse about Biblical application. II Timothy 3:16-17 not only tells us who gave us the Bible, but also why it was given. God breathed out His Word for our benefit. Every part of it is profitable. Waiting in its pages is a wealth of blessings ready to teach, reprove, correct, and train us in righteousness.

We call the Bible “God’s Word” because it contains what He wants to say. He speaks into our lives through it. Each verse and every word accomplish at least one of the purposes listed in today’s passage. No matter what our need, God has provided a response in His Word.

There are numerous things the Bible does for us. Here in II Timothy 3:16-17 are four of them:
1. The Bible Teaches Us.
The word doctrine means that which is correct and right (core teaching). Whatever we find in Scripture is truth that's worth being taught. Every time we read it, we should be asking, “what is God teaching me in this passage?”

2. God’s Word Reproves Us.
The word reprove means what is wrong. It is the precision instrument of the Holy Spirit, often stopping us in our tracks through the conviction of sin. When the Lord says “Don’t” in Scripture, He always means, “Don’t hurt yourself.” He graciously reprimands us.

3. God’s Word Corrects Us.
The word correction means how to get (it) right. A sincere child of God wants to stay right with the Scriptures. Notice: It is we, not the Bible, that needs correcting. The Scriptures never need adding to, correcting, nor updating. It not only points out the wrong, it also provides the right response. The Bible straightens out our lives like nothing else. On our own we steer in wrong directions, but God consistently directs us in the way we should go.

4. Scripture Trains Us in Righteousness.
The phrase “instruction in righteousness” speaks of how to keep it right. It is an absolute guide for the lifelong process of discipleship that God wants to bring about. We will never outgrow our need for His guidance.

Truth, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness are all ways God brings light to our lives by His Word. When we need to see where we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going, we have a trustworthy source of guidance in the book God wrote. This is the picture described in Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

But there’s a catch in this great promise about the benefits found in Scripture. Note the last phrase in the verse: “…That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” All that God has for you in His Word may come to you if you dig into it. But if your Bible remains closed, though the benefits are all there, you have not accessed them. Amazing things can happen when you open your Bible. Get familiar with it. Figure out how to find your way around. Ask for help. The spiritual maturity you long for will never be a reality until you practice regular, careful study of Scripture.

Becoming a disciple of Jesus—one who is equipped to carry out the tasks He places before you—will always involve His Word. When you are reading His inspired thoughts, the Lord is breathing into you His truth, loving reproofs, gracious correction, and the guidance you need.

Questions to Consider:
What parts of Scripture do you gravitate to most often?
Which ones do you tend to avoid?
Since it’s all profitable, how do you think you could benefit by taking time to familiarize yourself with books and chapters in the Bible you have rarely visited?

Prayer, Lord, thank You for breathing out Your Word and using faithful servants to record it for the rest of us. Thank You that I can hold it in my hands, open it at will, and anticipate that the words my eyes fall on are for my benefit, to teach, rebuke, correct, and train me. I desire that every time I read the book You wrote I would delight myself in it. I thank You today, for the precious gift of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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God’s Greatest Gift to Us (Galatians 4:4-7)

Galatians 4:4-7, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

When a mule's mind has been made, it takes a whole lot of persuading to get him to "unmake" it. A farmer had a mule he owned for many years. Over that time, he picked up on the mule's stubborn streaks. He got so good, he could see a stubborn streak coming and going. He also learned how to get the animal's attention: whenever it acted up, he beat it on the head with a wooden board until it decided to obey him. One day, another farmer stopped by to return some borrowed tools. He watched the farmer hit his mule on the head and said, "Well, it looks like you've figured out how to fix his problem." The farmer said, "I just know how to get his attention. He hasn't been cured yet."

When God wanted to get the world's attention, He didn't beat us over the head with a board. He gave us His law so we would know that we are sinners who fall short of perfection (Galatians 3:24-25). The law showed us that our hatred was murder, and our covetousness was idolatry, etc. It got our attention in a way nothing else ever could.

God is also merciful. Not only did He get our attention, but He also provided a cure for our problem. Paul wrote that God sent Jesus "to redeem them that were under the law." He was talking about each one of us. By ourselves, we could not be restored to a relationship with Him. But God wanted us to be freed from sin and to live in harmony with Him. So He sent Jesus "that we might receive the adoption as sons."

The fullness of time is the time that God appointed (Galatians 4:2). This was all according to God's timing “Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will...” (Ephesians 1:11). Just as the human father selected a date at which his son would receive the full rights of sonship, our Heavenly Father determined a time when the world would pass from its childhood under the law to sonship under grace.

God sent Jesus so that through faith in Him, we can receive all the rights and privileges of fully-grown children. Jesus came at just the right time to transform our relationship with God. Because we are God’s sons, or children, “He sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Abba is an informal and affectionate Aramaic term for “father.” It indicates intimacy as opposed to legalism or formality. Today, it would be referred to as “daddy” or “poppa.” In Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin or any religion; we are God’s children and, therefore, His heirs.

The picture of adoption is a beautiful picture of what God does for the Christian. In the ancient world, the family was based on a Roman law called "patria potestas," the father's power. The law gave the father absolute authority over his children so long as the father lived. Adoption was a serious matter. Yet, it was a common practice to ensure that a family would not become extinct by having no male children.
And when a child was adopted, three legal steps were taken.
1. The adopted son was adopted permanently. He could not be adopted today and disinherited tomorrow. He became a son of the father, forever. He was eternally secure as a son.
2. The adopted son immediately had all the rights of a legitimate son in the new family.
3. The adopted son completely lost all rights in his old family. The adopted son was looked upon as a new person, so new that old debts and obligations connected with his former family were cancelled out and abolished as if they never existed.

He sent His Son to die and shed His blood to pay for all of our sins so we could go to Heaven. Once we get saved, God starts to work in our lives to help us be like Christ. God loves you, and wants a personal relationship with you. He wants you to be part of His family and it is His gift, and it is available to each of us. When a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Saviour, that person is adopted into the family of God. The implications of this new sonship include eternal life and cleansing from all sins. If the believer needs further assurance, God has provided it in His Word. There’s no doubt about it, Christian. When you put your trust in Christ, you’re in the family — for good. Don’t second-guess it. Don’t doubt it. Just live like it. Today. Has God been trying to get your attention lately? Maybe you heard a preacher give an invitation to put your trust in Christ. You were convicted about your sins, but you never accepted Christ as your Saviour. Get the matter settled today, once and for all. God doesn't try to get your attention to hurt you, but to get you to try His cure. Won't you trust in Christ right now?

Prayer, Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Thank You that I could be adopted into Your family. Thank you for being my Father. In His name. Amen.

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Uniquely Gifted (I Corinthians 12:14-15)

I Corinthians 12:14-15, “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?”

If you were a foot in the body of Christ, you might have times when you’d find yourself thinking, “If only I were a hand. Here I am, far away from the top, just standing around all the time, tapping myself. I hate being a foot; I want to be a hand. Feet get all the lame jobs; hands get to do the cool stuff.” Though you might feel like that, the fact is, feet are important. When the body of Christ has to take a stand, we need feet. When we are called to travel somewhere, our feet carry us. When we need a good wake-up kick, we rely on our feet. The body needs every part. The foot may envy the hand, and the ear may envy the eye (I Corinthians 12:16), but each is essential.

Have you ever felt that your role is not significant? Perhaps you can’t see where you fit, or doubt that your part matters, or whether you even have a part. Do not let your feelings dictate your reality. Even if you feel like you don’t have a part, you do. Even if you can’t see your place, it’s there. You matter to God and to His church. You have a place and what you do is greatly needed. If Christians, through our own human failings, have made it difficult for you to find your place, don’t stop looking. Try again—the church needs you. If we were all eyes, our body couldn’t hear. If we were all hands, our body couldn’t walk. “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” If you hate your gift, or wish you had a different one, you’ll have to take that up with God. But you need to realize that is a conversation not likely to end in a gift exchange. After you talk to the Lord about it, embrace your gift, whatever it is, with your whole heart. Because “God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him”, we know there’s no mistake or shipping error. You are perfectly suited for the tasks God wants you to do, and using your gift is your responsibility.

Every believer who truly belongs to the body of Christ, the church, is significant and important to God and has a gift and function in the body. Each member is necessary. The foot may not be as gifted as the hand in handling things, but the foot is still part of the body. The ear may not be able to envision things like the eye can, but the ear is still part of the body. Each member has an essential function. The eye, the ear, and the nose—they all have their function. None can do the function of the other. Each member has its function, and no other member can do the function of the other member. If the whole body were only an eye, it would be unfunctional, and useless. The body of Christ, the church, can operate only if enough members function as they are gifted to do. The body, the church, becomes handicapped if some members do not function and do the work they are gifted to do. The ability of the body to operate is determined by the number and efficiency of its members. The more the members of the body function, and function efficiently, the more the it can do. Each member is set "in the body" as God wills. God has set "every one" of us in the church, and He has gifted us for an essential function. And note: what we are called and gifted to do is God's will. We are who we are and have the gifts we have because God willed us to be as we are. Each member is distinct, but together there is only one body. If only one member existed, where would the body be? Of course, there would be no body. So it is with the church. If there were only one member in the church, they would be significant, the most important person around. The church is many members—all significant and important. Regardless of how diversified the church is, it is still one body.

Your gift is a combination of several different strengths uniquely combined by God and tailored to the tasks He wants you to accomplish. You might have a dab of mercy, mixed with a dose of exhortation, plus a dollop of creativity. As you discern and discover your spiritual gift, the best way to confirm it is to roll up your sleeves and serve. You must intentionally pursue your place in the body of Christ. Eventually, you will find how He has gifted you and what you’re good at. Every part matters! And when you find your place and begin serving His church, you will discover great joy.

Points to Ponder:
Every believer needs to thank God for who he is and for his gift.
Every believer needs to use his gifts with all diligence and fervency.

Questions to Consider:
What is your spiritual gift?
If you don't know, how will you find out?
How are you currently investing your gift in the kingdom?

Prayer, Father, I want to discover my gift, find my place in kingdom work, and use my gift for Your glory. Renew my desire to serve You, God. Help me to let go of past disappointments, and forgive me for envying others’ gifts. I believe I am Your workmanship, uniquely gifted for the good works You prepared in advance for me to do. I seek not my own glory but Yours alone, Lord. In the matchless name of Your Son, Jesus, I pray, Amen.

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It’s By the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:11)

Revelation 12:11, “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.”

In the 16th century, King Philip II of Spain, an arch-Roman Catholic, came against the Protestants of Holland, sending the Duke of Alva to slaughter them. Spanish troops went house to house throughout Rotterdam searching out Protestants and killing them. In this one particular house, a handful of men, women, and children heard the soldiers approaching. They heard the pounding of doors, the screams of victims, and the marching of feet coming toward them. Terror gripped their hearts. But a young man suddenly got an idea. He took a goat in the house, killed it, and swept its blood under the doorway out onto the street. When the soldiers reached the house, they saw blood flowing under the door, and assuming their fellow soldiers had already taken care of the job in that house, they went their way. That family overcame that adversity by blood—but Christians have and will continue to overcome Satan's attacks, slander, temptations, and persecutions by the blood of the Lamb of God! Herbert Lockyer wrote, “The precious blood of Christ is the grounds and the means of victory. Through His blood, we have boldness before God, which, in turn, produces boldness before men. For we find in this verse the sources of the saints victory.”

Exodus 12:12-14, 22–23, “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. (22) And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.”

All of us are born under a death sentence because of sin. We are sinners both by nature and by choice, and we deserve the punishment of Hell. But in His grace, mercy, and love God prepared a way for our salvation before the world was created. Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” The shed blood of Jesus Christ forms the foundation of our justification. God will judge sin, but because of the justification stemming from the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we will be saved from the judgment of sin and from going to hell.

Every good thing that we receive from God has its foundation in the purchase of our redemption through the blood of Christ. Far more precious than any treasure of earth, the blood of Jesus provides the atonement for sin that no other sacrifice could provide. Hebrews 10:4, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Give God the glory and thanks for all of the wonderful benefits you have received because of the precious blood of Jesus.”

Satan is defeated by the blood of Jesus Christ. There is power in the blood (Ephesians 1:7; I John 1:7; I John 4:4). Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” I John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” I John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” There are three occasions when sprinkling with blood is mentioned in the Old Testament. It may well be that all three were present in the mind of Peter, and that all three have something to contribute to the thought behind these words.

1. Peter may be referring to scouring power of the blood of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, when a leper was healed of his disease, he was sprinkled by the priest with the blood of a bird (Leviticus 14:1-7).
2. Peter may have also been referring to being set apart for the service of the Lord in this world. When the priests were dedicated for service in the Temple, they were sprinkled with blood (Exodus 29:20-21).
3. Peter may have had in his mind the importance of submission to the Lord or obedience. The nation of Israel had a covenant relationship with the Lord. Obedience was a requirement in this covenant relationship. As a token of this relationship of obedience between the people and God, Moses took half the blood of the sacrifice and sprinkled it on the altar, and half the blood of the sacrifice and sprinkled it on the people (Exodus 24:1-8).

No other issue is more important in your life than the issue of knowing Jesus because your relationship with Christ will determine where you will spend eternity. A newly married couple had invited members from their two families to a Sunday dinner. The guests were seated around the table. All desired to be at their best. As the rich, brown gravy was being passed, one young lady accidentally tipped the bowl and it spilled. With a large brown blotch on the immaculately clean linen tablecloth, the hostess quickly and skillfully scraped up the gravy and spread a napkin over the spot. The meal went on as if nothing happened. The napkin did not take away the spot. It merely covered it so the dinner and fellowship could continue. To the unfortunate young woman who had spilled the gravy, however, the white napkin was a constant reminder of her faults and accident. In the same manner, the Old Testament sacrifices at the Temple covered the sins of the Israelites, but they were also a constant reminder of their sins. The day after the dinner, the tablecloth was washed and the spot was taken away. So by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, believers are washed from their sins in His blood. There is no napkin to remind of sin. John said in Revelation 1:5b, “…unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.”

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I thank You for sending Jesus, Your only begotten Son, to shed His blood to pay my sin debt. He gave His all for me and has allowed me access to You in Heaven. Help me to share this joy I have with others. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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The Lord is our Refuge and Strength (Psalm 46:1)

Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

One early Sunday morning while driving to church, I noticed a turtle on its back in the middle of the street not far from church. I stopped my truck, walked over to the turtle, and placed the turtle upright on its belly. Since it was early, I wanted to stick around and make sure the turtle would come out of its shell and move along. During this time, I began to wonder how this could have happened; if it were a dog, or another animal. I also wondered how long the turtle was in this condition. Then this thought hit me! How a believer’s security and strength are found in the Lord.

Psalm 46 expresses trust and confidence in God during a time when the situations of life are unstable or unsecure. When troubles come, disasters strike, or temptations arise, we usually trust in our own strength. That is we have a tendency to look within ourselves. Psalm 46 compels us to turn our attention to the LORD; if we do this, we can enjoy the peace of God. The word “refuge” gives the picture of a shelter from danger.

This is where the turtle becomes our teacher. Turtles may move slow and spook easily; however, they quickly slip into their shell. They are quick to seek refuge in their shells where they remain very still. The captivating characteristic is its shell which offers protection. A turtle’s shell is covered by square plates called scutes. They add an extra hard layer to the turtle’s shell and are made of a material called keratin. This helps protect the turtle from the elements, predators, from the hardships of life. The great strength of the shell is not on the outside, but on the inside. The inner layer of the shell gives it its strength, shape, and support. What a reminder to us that our strength comes from within when we put our faith in the Lord. As the turtle seeks refuge in its shell, we are to seek refuge in the Lord. He is our shell and our source of security and serenity.

The Lord is our true security in the storms of life. Isaiah 4:5-6, “And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.” David well knew that God was his refuge and strength. He had experienced God’s providential deliverance on numerous occasions. The idea of a “very present help” is that of one being near at hand. When trouble comes, God’s help is right beside us for He said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). He is readily available to help if you will take refuge in Him and trust in His strength. It’s not like God is just hanging out on the sideline when we’re in trouble. When we find ourselves facing trouble, God is already on the scene.

When trouble strikes, God is sufficient to get you through. The fact that God is our refuge and strength does not mean that we are exempt from predicaments and difficulties. The abundant life is not an uncomplicated life. We need to be clear on this because many false teachers today claim that it is God’s will for every person to enjoy prosperity and perfect health. They teach that since Jesus has promised to answer the prayer of faith, all that stands between you and material prosperity and physical health is your lack of faith. Confess it as yours by faith, and it’s yours according to this heresy. God does not exempt Christians from these circumstances. Troubles come into the lives of the saved and the lost. The question is, when trouble strikes, do you want to face it with God as your refuge and strength, or do you want to find help elsewhere? Psalm 46 shows that when trouble strikes, He is present to help us in every way we need it.

Regardless of the circumstances we face in life, no dilemma is too big for our God. God is our refuge and strength. Dwight Lyman Moody said, “When a man has no strength, if he leans on God, he becomes powerful. If we will learn to take refuge in Him and lean on Him alone for strength, then with the psalmist we can face the most challenging crises with confidence, because God is with us and He is sufficient. But we would be in error if we thought that God insulates us from problems. The power and ability to face the difficulties and uncertainties of life are found in God. No dilemma, whether physical, emotional, relational, financial, or spiritual, is too big for our God. If we will learn to take refuge in Him and lean on Him alone for security and strength, we can confront the calamities with confidence, because God is with us, for us, and He is sufficient.” Joni Eareckson Tada said, “The weaker we feel, the harder we lean on God. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow.”

God is sufficient to get you through any trial you encounter. He is the one who keeps us and sustains us. Whatever personal catastrophe you face; a major health problem, the death of a loved one, the loss of your job, emotional problems, relational conflicts, or whatever it may be, God is bigger than your problems. When circumstances are out of our control, we can run to God and find refuge and rest in Him. Our most challenging struggles are easy for God to handle. The Lord is our refuge, our strength, and always near when trouble emerges. God is sovereign over all things. We can hide in Him knowing that every struggle and challenge we encounter is easy for Him to handle.

PRAYER: Father, thank You for being my refuge and strength. Strengthen me that I may stand fast in the evil day and to trust in Your Word, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

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Thank You, LORD!

Psalm 107, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;”

How often we fail to thank the Lord for His goodness and mercy to us. It should always be upon our lips. It always has been (and always will be) the duty of God’s people to testify of His goodness. We, the redeemed, have an obligation to open our mouths before others of the goodness of God to us. He certainly delivered Israel from the hands of their enemies. To this day, God delivers His people from the attack of the devil. Lord, thank You for saving my soul!

When we are grateful for the people in our lives, the thing’s God has blessed us with, or the circumstances we find ourselves in, it creates a spirit of thankfulness within us. However, when we pick apart, the family and friends who are beside us, find displeasure with the things we have, or find fault with our circumstances, it creates a spirit of discontent. What’s wonderful about being grateful is that things in our life don’t have to change for us to be grateful. We can simply change our perspective by finding gratitude in our present circumstance whatever they may be. As a result, we will live a life with thankfulness. We should be thankful to the Lord for our family. God has been so good to us; may we honor Him with a grateful heart.

I Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” And that thankfulness comes from sincere place of gratefulness in which that gratefulness precedes gratitude that we find in every area of our life. Sure, we may have challenges with those we love. We may desire to live better and do better. But the truth is, God gives us more when we prove to Him that we are faithful and grateful with where He has us. If we can’t be grateful in our small house, how are we going to be grateful living in a larger house with larger expenses?

Often, we complain about fuel prices. Consider those who don’t have a car. Many of us dread doing laundry every week. Well, instead of dreading the laundry, how about while you’re folding the clothes, you thank God for the clothes you have. How about thanking God for your family who is alive and well for you to do laundry for? What about cleaning the house? We don’t think there’s a single person who finds joy in cleaning the toilets, but when we change our perspective and choose to thank God for providing a roof over our heads, and not living on the streets, then we will gladly clean the toilet. What about having to get up every day and go to work? Sure, we would all like to pursue our dreams, or retire. But instead of complaining that you have to get up and go to work, thank God that you have a job and you are not unemployed.

Psalm 100:1-5 teaches us that every night, we have the opportunity to thank God for protecting us during the day. Every morning, we have the privilege of waking up to thank God for another day to fulfill His purpose for our life.
1. Be Heard! – “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psalm 100:1).
2. Be Happy! – “Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2).
3. Be Humble – “Know the Lord has made us, and not we ourselves” (Psalm 100:3).
4. Be Holy! – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving” (Psalm 100:4).
5. Behold! – “The Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:5).

PRAYER: When I say “Thank You” Lord, help me pause long enough to really mean what I’m saying. Help the attitude that should trigger those words be a more constant part of my character. Show me where I’m most lacking in gratitude, and give me strength to give You genuine thanks for those trying places. And I will be forever grateful, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Faith That Pleases God (Hebrews 11:6)

Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

When evangelist Gypsy Smith got saved, an elderly gentleman explained to him the importance of trusting Christ alone. Gypsy Smith replied, “I cannot trust myself, for I am nothing; and I cannot trust in what I have, for I have nothing; and I cannot trust in what I know, for I know nothing.” The only thing left for him to trust in was Jesus Christ. The importance of walking by faith in the Lord is a paramount principle of the Christian life. When the Lord saved us He also gave us a will or purpose for our lives. This is why it is so vital that we walk with the Lord every day. Often God asks us to take a step of faith before He shows us what He is up to. He did this with Abraham in Genesis 12. When the Lord told Abraham to leave in Genesis 12:1, he obeyed. “Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him” in Genesis 12:4. Abraham was just told to get up and get out and then God would reveal which direction he was to take. That’s faith according to II Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight”. The majority of the time people want the whole plan revealed or laid out before them before they will even consider packing to move.

Galatians 3:11, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11 is actually a quote from Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” Paul also quoted Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” The importance of this statement is revealed through its repetition.

Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Faith is a fundamental of the Christian life. Galatians 3:11 makes it clear that living by faith is a righteous thing. God wants us to live by faith. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear that it is impossible to please God without faith. This verse points out two paramount principles of what faith is. First, faith is believing that God is—that He exists, and that He is who the Scriptures say He is. Second, faith is trusting that God rewards those who seek Him. When we understand this, we will want to involve Him in every area of our lives. Romans 14:23 shows us the flip side of faith. Romans 14:23, “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Whenever we fail to exercise our faith, the end always results in negativity. The outcome is loneliness, disobedience, worry, guilt, etc.

To diligently seek the LORD, Jesus tells us to:

• Hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:16).
• Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
• Ask...seek...knock (Matthew 7:7-8).
• Pray and fast, that is, to persevere in prayer (Matthew 17:21).

The person who needs something and lives on their face in prayer before God (asking, seeking, and knocking) will experience God answering their need. They will be encouraged to trust God, to seek and knock even more and more.

A person who has genuine faith in God will:

• Believe in God.
• Converse with God.
• Depend upon God.
• Entrust one's life to God.
• Fellowship with God.
• Grow with God.
• Live for God.
• Seek God.
• Trust God.
• Witness for the Lord.

A person who really believes that God exists will do these things.

It is impossible to please God without faith. By faith is meant a living, active faith, a faith that knows and follows God, communes and fellowships with Him. It does not matter what a person does; without faith he cannot please God. That person will never be acceptable to God, nor accepted by Him. Trusting in God brings blessing, while trusting in man brings curse. Sooner or later, man will always disappoint us and let us down. God is not that way. Trusting in man is like being a bush in the desert—dependent on inconsistent rain to have our needs met. Trusting in God is like being a tree planted by a continual source of water. Psalm 1:3, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Those who live by faith will enrich the community they have been entrusted with. It is not enough to experience blessings handed down, but we must add to it. The place where you live can either become worse, remain as it is, or become better; it depends on your faith and work.

POINT TO PONDER:
If we are to experience the life God has for us, it will be only by faith, and that means trusting Him step by step.
The LORD cares for you and He desires that we believe in His existence.
He wants a personal and infinite relationship with us. This can only happen through faith in His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
In what areas of my life am I intentionally exercising the faith that pleases God?
In what ways are you honoring the Lord with your life?
Would you be willing to diligently pursue a deeper relationship with God and passionately desire His presence, power, and purpose in your life?

PRAYER: Father, thank You for the gift of faith that You give, that I can then use to trust You to do all the things that I could never do for myself, but need to have done! Guard me from thinking that anything in me could please You apart from faith. You even provide that! And thank You for Your amazing grace toward me, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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2 Priorities for a Powerful Prayer Life (Matthew 14:22-23)

Matthew 14:22–23, “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”

Jesus was very popular. The crowds sought Him out. Everyone wanted to be with Him! Masses of people followed after Him for various reasons (meals, miracles, monarchy). They either wanted to hear Him, ask Him a question, or get Him to heal a loved one. From daylight to dusk, Jesus was sought after. When the crowd knew He was in town they found Him. Jesus never had a moment alone unless He made it happen. Several times in the Bible we see Jesus getting away from the multitudes and even sending them away (Matthew 14:22-23; 21:17; Mark 1:35; 3:7; 6:46-47; Luke 22:41). It is very important that we spend time alone with God. Perhaps every one of us struggle at times when it comes to making time for prayer. The subject of prayer has been has written about thousands of time to make one more confident and consistent in time spent with the Lord.

1. A Quiet Place.
The first priority is establishing a quiet place that is free from distractions. Prayer is difficult when we are hurried or surrounded by distractions. Prayer is more difficult still when our hearts are withdrawn, when our hearts are distracted, when our hearts are uninterested in praying. When you want to pray, where do you go? Do you have a special place where you enjoy some quiet time? The Lord appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre. It is believed this was the place where Abraham communed with God. It was here God answered Abraham’s prayer for a son to be his heir, and it was here he begged God to spare Sodom for his nephew Lot’s sake. Abraham’s place was special to him. It was a sacred place where he met with God. Others had a place where they met with God. Isaac went into the field. Peter resorted to a housetop. Daniel’s place was by an open window. Christ went to a mountain.

The Scottish pastor Thomas Brooks said, “The power of religion and godliness lives, thrives, or dies, as closet [private] prayer lives, thrives, or dies. Godliness never rises to a higher pitch than when men keep closest to their closets.” Your prayer closet is one of the most important places you’ll go to every day. Since we all have busy lives, we have to adjust to what works best. Personally, I feel the best time and place would be early in the mornings in a quiet secluded place at home. However, for some it may be at a restaurant, coffee shop, or office cube. We will never make it through the storms of life without finding a place to meet the Lord. Is there a place in your house or on your property where you feel especially close to God? Do you have a place of prayer? People are counting on you to have a place where you and God meet every day? Find a quiet, peaceful place and let it become your place of prayer.

2. A Quiet Period.
The second priority is having a specific time. Having found a quiet place, we also need a quiet, committed period of time. Despite our best plans, there are times when life gets chaotic. This may mean scheduling a specific time of day in which you talk with the Lord. Although we can take our cares and burdens to the Lord at any time, if we are committed to a consistent prayer life and scheduled time, it will help. For some it will be harder than others to find a quiet hour. This means we may have to sacrifice things that maybe pleasant and profitable. The most important appointment you make every day is the one you make with God.

The Bible is the most important book. When David Livingstone began his trek across Africa in 1852, he carried 73 books which together weighed 180 pounds. After he had gone 300 miles he had to throw away some of the books because it was not feasible to carry so much through the jungle. He continued throwing books away as he went further into the jungle. Eventually his library had shrunk to one book, the Bible, this he did not throw away. The Bible is truly the most important book in the world, yet many read it as if it were the least important.

If Jesus himself needed this time, how much more must we show our dependence on God in this way. Time alone with God is essential to the spiritual well-being of every Christian. The lack of desire to pray is an unmistakable sign that one’s spiritual life is in a process of decline. If this is happening, we must take a hard look at our lives and remove anything that offends God or gets in the way of our relationship with Him. We must then come boldly, but humbly, to Him and renew our commitment to spending time with Him in prayer (Luke 18:1). Prayer is simply talking and interacting with God. It involves two-way communication in which we speak, but also learn to listen for God’s responses and direction

Find a quiet place and a quiet time where you can spend time alone before God. These are priorities to a powerful prayer life along with an effective personal devotion. Jesus always found time to spend with the Father. Since prayer was such an important part in the life of Jesus, how much more important it is to us who are broken and sinful. Time alone with the Lord will be the most comforting time in your day.

Prayer, Lord, I humbly ask You to graciously grant me a heart that desires to pray. Forgive me, I’ve just been struggling with fear and doubt that has troubled the peace I have from You. I commit myself to prayer and I am casting these things Your way right now. I’m choosing not to worry about them anymore because You will deal with them under the authority of Jesus’ name, Amen.

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