"Do not doubt His grace because of your tribulation, but believe that He loves you as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness." Spurgeon
Life may seem to be a blanket of trials and obstacles;
hours may seem filled with unanswerable questions.
Doubt may try to steal your assurance, your optimism-- but
God is in the details. Do you see Him?
Very often we overlook the details--
those tiny stitches that are holding a garment together, we may see. But rarely do we notice the tiny knots that keep the seams from pulling apart. When life seems like it is unraveling, remember, our faithful God is tying knots.~hariette petersen
The Lord says, "I AM with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15 "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." Ps. 28:7.
It makes me wonder how in the world my days turn out like they do sometimes when I read passages like these in God's Word: When I have the trials I do, encounter the people I encounter. But the more I consider the words above, I see the "operative phrase" in it all.
"I AM" is our "strength and shield".
Foremost in the life of a Christian, we must remember that the days in which we are gifted by God... He has a "plan"... He has it all "ready"... long before the alarm goes off. While we are lying in bed, wrestling with our nightmares, our doubts, our confusion, our anxieties... God IS. He knows what's coming the next day. He knows who is going to be the thorn in our side-- the weakness that will eat at our flesh. He knows the circumstance that is going to throw us for a loop. He knows the adversity we are going to face. He knows.
HE KNOWS.
And He wants us to turn to Him... for HE is our "strength and shield".
God the Father. The Almighty One. The Holy and Righteous One. The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. The Great Physician.
Though our days are filled with things we'd rather not face, we can rely on the SHIELD to keep us from temptation and harm. The arrows of Satan's demons cannot penetrate the heart of a Christian guarded by the Shield of God.
God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we look to Him, we can trust His grace to be sufficient to meet every need we have. He will keep us in perfect peace when our mind is focused upon Him. He promises. As our days become darker and the evil of man abounds, our need for the Father is greater with each morning. May we all look to Him and rest in His grace and promises. selahV
We can do that if we seek the things of Caesar rather than those of God. If we are afraid of Caesar and trust in horses and chariots rather than God, then we can certainly leave Jesus out of our business.
We can ignore His Father's Word, water down His principles, and adopt new social standards to justify the means to our end goals. If we crave the things of earth more than the treasures in heaven-- we can leave Jesus out of our business. After all, it's our business what we do with our life --our time and money-- our vote and allegiance.
We can lie, cheat, manipulate and follow Jesus, then later collect 30 pieces of silver as a sell-out. We don't have to explain ourselves to any man, woman, church, or Christian. We may never have to answer to anyone.
So, yeah... we can leave Jesus out of all our decision-making. We can claim we are under the new covenant and there is no law we must worry about because we have liberty in Christ. We can stand all night at a casino table, and dance all night with sin, and give our wealth to those who prey on the needy and vulnerable. We can wile away our life and sleep, drink and be merry. We can sleep with whom we please and condemn all others as bigots who dare to point out what Jesus thinks about the matter.
When others reject us and God, we don't have to kick the dust from our feet and move on-- we can stay and mingle and ignore where Psalms 1 tells us not to sit or stand in the way of sinners and move on down he road.
We can. But Jesus says, "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments." We can serve those we don't see eye to eye with, even if Christ says you cannot serve two masters. We can fudge on His commandments, and we can tell others to do the same-- but if we lead one astray, we might want to remember that it's better a millstone be hung around our neck. Life gets heavy when burdened by self-serving sin.
We have only one master when Jesus dwells within us. One. He is the master of our soul. He is the CEO of our lives. He is the conscience from which all things must clear. He is the standard by which all flags should fly. He is the blueprint for every structure and He is the cornerstone for every building. He is the shelter when it storms-- when people rail and point fingers. When criticism and rejection comes-- Jesus is our shield-- we can trust our life with His life.
Brothers and sisters, we are safe within the confines of any business when we lean on Jesus and abide in Him. We don't need to leave Him out to make room for the world--in business, in politics, in lifestyle. We need to leave Him in, to protect us from the world. His grace is our sufficiency. He is enough. He knows our every need before we need it. He has overcome the world.
So yes, we can leave Him out of our business-- but He is standing at the door. He's knocking and waiting to come in and sup with us-- for a while longer, anyway. There's still time...therefore...
"Pray without ceasing. Let your light so shine before man that your Father in Heaven is glorified. Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, 'Rejoice!' Whatsoever you do or say, do all to the glory of God...."
"Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:9
...we wonder what to do, or we cower in shadows--the thought of doing anything seems futile. Our hearts stop. We panic. Then we feel the rush of fear, and hear the rapid beating of our hearts as they take off in response to an imaginary starter gun's blast. We may feel paralyzed, and want to hide in our world of safety, behind the walls of difficulty and pressing problems. Even one step seems useless. I know. I've been there. So have many of my fellow saints in the LORD. Yet, Scripture gives us a promise:
"Be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen your heart, all ye who hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:24
"good" as opposed to "bad" courage-- courage based on self-reliance,
self-aggrandizement. Our courage should be wrapped in, soaked in, and
saturated with the blood of Christ. He is our defense and our shield
and refuge. He stilled the mouthes of lions. He walked in the fire with
His faithful. He calmed the raging seas
and used them as "stepping stones"* to His frightened disciples. AND it
is HE who "shall strengthen your heart" each and every person who
places their "hope in the LORD"...not in self, not in others, not in
whether this guy or that guy comes through for us...but if GOD wants it
and wills it, then we have no fear. NONE.
As I thought about yesterday's failings and today's prospects, I felt saddened. I wondered where my world was headed. I wondered if all was as bad as I thought. My troubled and discouraged mind would have me look at the impossibilities of life. Then I saw a friend's message of a similar fear. Then I saw another friend's message of even greater fears. So when I searched for encouragement in the LORD...my eyes came to rest on the scripture above. I thought about it awhile. I hope you think upon it, too. May God give you the hope and courage to face this day as He has given me. selahV
*["stepping stones"--quote from Dr. Harold Hunter on how Jesus used the same water which frightened and threatened to kill His disciples, as "stepping stones" to walk toward them in the midst of raging waves.]*
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."(Galatians 5:22,23)
JOY. Another attribute of the Spirit. Ever seen someone in the deepest conflict and circumstance and wonder how in the world they can be so happy? It's because they aren't. Happiness is a temporary state. They are exhibiting a super-natural manifestation of the Spirit. Joy. Joy is a by-product of a Spirit-filled Christian. Joy is of God. Just like Love.
The psalmist prayed for the Lord to "restore to me the joy of Your salvation." Salvation is God's gift. In that gift is joy. The immeasurable, incomprehensible inner rejoicing of a heart. In the madness of grief, joy remains. In fact, joy is the saving factor of one's sanity in the abyss of dark valleys of death.
One of the most joy-filled days of my life was the day of my son's funeral. God so filled my heart with peace and assurance that I could see no darkness...only light. Was I crazy? No. When they played the music we'd picked out, Spoken For, I Can Only Imagine and On My Way, I saw my son dancing at the feet of Jesus. I saw the peace and joy he'd always longed for on this old earth in the Heaven above. The knowledge of where my son was and the assurance of being with him someday gave me a joyful hope of things to come.
I had three speakers the day of the funeral. Each shared the most unbelieveable stories of my son's love for the Lord, the Church, his family and friends. Stories upon stories were related to us of how much he was appreciated for tiny little things he'd done. Words he'd spoken in encouragement to others. I call them candles.
You see, the darkest days of my life were those which followed the unexpected death of my son. But my son lit candles of light in others lives before he died. Then those lights broke forth into the realms of darkness and grief to lend light to see the Joy of the Lord on the day we laid his body to rest. I was still heartbroken for my loss, but the Lord ministered to that brokenness with His joy.
Joy is possible to me because of a wooden cross at Calvary. Joy in the cross. The cruel, dehumanizing, humiliating death on a cross. Joy. In Christ's sufferings. Joy in Christ's death. Joy. Because without the cross, there'd be no Joy.
So we blend love and joy. Love when it's impossible to do so. Joy when it's impossible to experience it. Yet, through our Lord and Savior's sacrificial attoning death and ressurrection, these attributes of the fruit of the Spirit live within us. What matters now is that we allow the Spirit to release His joy within our hearts so we may share His love with others. selahV
I finished doing the dishes and grabbed a cup of coffee. I finished that cup, and had another as I edited devotions for a book, and studied sayings of Jesus on the cross. In Greek, "it is finished" was an accounting term. It meant paid in full. Ever wonder what that said to onlookers at the crucifixion of Christ so many years ago? Surely a few questions rose in their minds: What could this man hanging on a cross mean by "It is finished"? He breathed no more. Was He predicting His last breath, His death? Some theologians tell us it meant that Jesus had paid in full the price for the sin of man. His death and words meant His work, His commission, on earth was over, completed, finished. But was it?
"Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled...Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19:28-30.
Three days later, Jesus rose from the grave. He stood by the open grave and questioned Mary for her weeping; He preached to her and told her not to cling to what was--but what had come through His death and resurrection. He met and talked with the lost on their way to Emmaus. (Lk.24:13-35) He appeared to the bewildered followers hovering in the Upper Room. He preached to Thomas and showed him His nail-scarred hands. He met Peter on the beach. He rose in the clouds and told thousands of onlookers to go into the world and baptize, make disciples and teach them to observe all things whatsoever He had commanded. He sat down beside His Father. He makes intercession as our advocate today. He will someday judge the world. He will separate His sheep from the goats. He will come again to take His people home. No, the cross was not the final act of Christ. There's so much more to come.
I can finish a cup of coffee, I can finish the dishes, but if I want to eat, they will get dirty again. I will always be washing the dishes. Jesus finished the commitment He made to the Father to go to the cross in obedience. He showed us how to love, how to talk, how to pray, how to sacrifice. Until we breathe our last breath, it will not be finished for us.
We sit with Him in glory and abide in HIm; we walk with Him on earth by faith, in his power; we stand with Him, in His power and protection against the evil one. We follow Him wherever He leads and rely on Him to keep us in the grace sufficient to meet every need we have to stay the course until this life is finished for us, too. What a friend we have in Jesus. What a joy to walk with Him, to talk with Him, to know His love and fulfillment of His live within us. What do you say? What are you doing with Jesus today? If you are a Christian, are you now "finished" because you know you have salvation? Or are you ready to go for a walk with someone today?
One of my favorite books in the Bible is the Psalms. I love David. He goes from utter brokenness to completeness. I relate well to David. His brokenness is in his reliance upon himself. His completeness is in the sovereignty and mercy of God. Over and over David extols the magnifigance and glory of the Lord.
Do we? Each day I think about what the Lord would have me do with my life. When I write I think about my grandchildren and their children reading what I’ve said. Will it make a difference in their lives? Will they want to know how God worked in my life–on a daily basis? Maybe. But even if they don’t, I must praise the Lord and give glory due His name. For it is written:
“One generation shall laud Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4
What works is the Lord doing in your life today that you can share with your descendants? What mighty acts is He working out in your life today that you can declare as His hand upon you? What is our generation leaving to the next?
We've all heard these things: Put your heads together and come up with a plan. Two heads are better than one. But God doesn't think that is such a good idea when it comes to us individually.
"...a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] is unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]." James 1:8
Two folks can debate and concede and battle some more, but I must make up my mind when it comes to trusting God. Wavering is worthless. James basically says we are to be focused and trusting with all our faith that God is able and will meet the needs we have. We can trust Him to keep His promises. We are not to commit to something by faith and then cut and run when the going gets tough and circumstances seem impossible. We are to hold fast to the faith within us, that is fed continually by rejecting what appears impossible. We must be willing to "wait upon the Lord", "expect the Lord" and He will do it.
When I am tempted to cut and run in the face of crisis, I recall Noah's allegiance in the face of ridicule. I remember Elijah and the fires against Baal. I remember a bloody cross and a resurrected Savior. And I recall a simple thing: a tomato seed I've sown that grew into a plant and produced fruit. selahV
THE ABOVE IS HOW TO FOLLOW THE DEVIL WITHOUT EVEN TRYING
Sometimes I wonder how much better off the world would be if everyone purposed in their hearts and minds to compliment ten people a day.
THE LORD'S ON GUARD "The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and him who has it..." Pr.22:12
Oh that Wisdom be confirmed by the knowledge we discover and grasp. God expects discretion be used in the knowledge we have so that He be glorified. God will guard our hearts and minds "but He overthrows the words of the treacherous."
With believers, knowledge comes with responsibility. All we do with what we know is accountable to God. Likewise the words of our mouth reveal the integrity of our hearts. May we speak and act with integrity with that which we know that the Lord be glorified. selahV
DAILY IMPACT Devotionals
TERRORS OF THE NIGHT
It doesn't have to be a monster at your door keeping you awake. It doesn't have to be a thief with a gun. It doesn't have to be an approaching tornado, or a rising river. It doesn't even have to be an attack on your heart, nor a life-threatening disease.
Terrors in the night are anything that robs you of peace. They may waken you with a dream. Like a thunder crash or lightning flash. They chase your thoughts from place to place and whisper words of accusation. They keep sleep in a chokehold and will not let you rest. They remind you of your failings. They taunt you with doubt and offer futility and hopelessness with situations you are facing. Terrors in the night. They are real. Yet...
"You shall not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor of the arrow ( the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday." Psalm 91:5,6.
"You shall not be afraid." Why?
"Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place." Ps. 91:9
I have a little secret that helps me get back to sleep in the midst of a dark night of demonic attack and oppression. Whenever that happens to me, and I am not a stranger to the realms of darkness enveloping my mind and trying to crush my spirit, I go to the Word. Literally. I take my Bible and I lay it upon my chest and pray. I cling to the Word and all the promises within it that may not even be clear in my mind. I begin to pray for others who have difficulties. I pray for missionaries in foreign lands who face incredible dangers. I pray for pastors under attack. I pray for battered wives, and bereaved mothers. I pray for anyone and everyone the Lord calls to my mind.
For He has given His angels charge over me to accomplish and defend and preserve me in all my ways of obedience and service. (Ps.91:11) I feel the pleasant pressure of my Bible against my heart and know that God is all-sufficient to meet my needs and those of ones I love and have committed unto His care. And then I sleep. selahV
[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]
FEARLESS CONFIDENCE
~~~~~~~~~~
Discouragement sits on every corner. It lurks in the shadows of joy, waiting for the opportune time to jump out of the darkness and wipe out all the goodness in a moment's achievement, success, or blessing. It's sole purpose is to impede forward progress. It is born of negative thinking and leads to apathy and uselessness.
Many times discouragement is carried into the rooms of our hearts by friends who linger too long at the well of negativity. But we need to take heart and not allow it to attach itself to our lives and destroy our confidence, hope, and faith.
"Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward." Hebrews 10:35
Our confidence can be thwarted and our courage quelled when we allow the stones of discouragement and arrows of despair to penetrate the armor of God. We must hold fast and cling to our fearless confidence in the Redeemer and Protector of our faith. He sits on His throne and His enemies are His footstool. Nothing can harm us, nor override His plan for our lives when we rest in His presence and power. selahV
[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]
WHEN OTHERS HURT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It seems there are many many folks who are either hurting or know someone who is hurting. And for all the wisdom, resources and desire we have, we cannot do a thing about the hurting. We sit in our worlds and ponder our usefulness. We contemplate the call of believers to reach out to brothers and sisters who need us. We long to make the difference in their lives and know we cannot. We feel an emptiness that contradicts the hope in our minds.
Yet, we cling to the faith within us that we will persevere, and those we love will endure. Then we pray without ceasing for the needs in our lives and recall the promises of God. In the difficulty of the day, we wrestle with principalities and realms of darkness and implore the Lord for assistance. We seek our Lord on our knees in brokenness and shame, we raise our voices in wordless prayer. Our Spirit makes intercession for us. Then we commit ourselves and our concerns to Him once again.
"For I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day." Pause and think about it.
I believe God brings us to these desert times to remind us of our only need--HIM. Our rest is in Him. Our hope is in Him. Our love is in Him. Our future is in Him. Our provision is in Him. And He will keep all that I commit to Him any time I bring it to Him. And He will fill up my soul with His refreshment and grant me His peace which the world cannot give. Grace, grace, marvelous grace; a grace that is greater than all my sin. Sufficient is our Lord. selahV
[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]
WILL YOU PRAY THIS PRAYER FOR ME?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“For this reason we also from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special request] for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things—
that you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please HIm in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].
[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy, Giving thanks to the Father….” Colossians 1:9-12a.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know someone was praying like that for you? For your loved ones? For your church members? For your pastor? What a wonderful way to pray! Shall we start today? selahV
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOW ARE YOU KNOWN?
Today there are folks who know you. They only know you by what you write, how you act and interact with others. They only know you by your words, your behavior–your reputation. What do they know? How are you known? When I read the passage below from Romans, I paused and thought about what Paul is saying:
“First, I thank God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because [the report of] your faith is made known to all the world and is commended everywhere.” Romans 1:8.
Wouldn’t it be the most amazing thing to have someone commend you in this way? To have such a faith that the report of it honors your Lord all over the world? When you write, do you think of this? When you talk to others, do you keep this in mind? When you begin your week, do you even consider how you are known to all the world–or your portion of it? These are questions we might all ponder today. selahV
