He Lights My Path

Sovereign

2010-06-21T09:24:00.004-05:00

The Lord has established His throne
in the heavens, and His sovereignty
rules over all." Psalm 103:19

If we're to truly walk in the peace that passes
all understanding, we must understand His character
and nature--how God works in our lives. He's going
to use every circumstance to make us more like Jesus.

Prayer:

Father, in faith I bow to You in total submission.
Your Word declares that You alone control the universe
and everything in it. Every circumstance of my life
has been sifted through Your loving hands, and today I
will rest in that comforting truth.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Search My Heart, O God

No Fear

2010-05-26T09:35:00.004-05:00

Whenever His hand is laid upon you,
it gives inexpressible peace and
comfort, and the sense that "under-
neath are the everlasting arms,"
(Deuteronomy 33:27) full of support,
provision, comfort and strength.
And once His touch comes, nothing
at all can throw you into fear again.

~Oswald Chambers~
from: My Utmost for His Highest

Without Wavering

2010-05-06T09:09:00.008-05:00

Can you discover the depths of God?
Can you discover the limits of the
Almighty? Job 11:7

If we're going to trust in the Lord
without wavering, we must remember
that His ways are often beyond our
understanding. When God doesn't
deliver you out of a trial, He
promises it will never be more
than you can bear. He'll help
you to live as more than a con-
queror, for your good and His
glory.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

Without wavering, let us hold tightly
to the hope we say we have, for God can
be trusted to keep His promise.

Hebrews 10:23

The Way

2010-04-27T09:51:00.006-05:00

Jesus said to him,
"I am the way,the
truth, and the life.
No one comes to the
Father except through
Me." John 1:4-6

Too often, we would prefer a good map of our
future rather than a relationship with the Way.
It often seems easier to follow a plan than to
cultivate a relationship. We can become more
concerned with our future than we are with
walking intimately with God today. Learn to
identify His voice. He is more than willing
to show you the way.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Faithfulness

2010-04-09T08:25:00.004-05:00

He who is faithful in what is
least is faithful also in much,
and he who is unjust in what is
least is unjust also in much.

Luke 16:10

God rewards those who are faithful.
Throughout your life God will seek
to grow you in your faith. He will
continually bring you to times when
you must trust Him. Each time you
are able to trust God at a higher
level, God will reveal more of Himself
to you. Your faith and experience of
God are directly linked. God will not
lead you beyond your present level of
trust and obedience to Him. He will
return you to your area of unfaithful-
ness until you are prepared to trust Him.
Every step of faith leads you to a deeper
relationship of faith with Him.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Our Defender

2010-03-18T08:36:00.003-06:00

We have the Lord
our God to help us
and to fight our
battles for us.

II Chronicles 32:8

Oh, how often we thwart God's intervention
on our behalf by taking up our own cause
or by striking a blow in our own defense.

There is a place of stillness that allows
God the opportunity to work for us and gives
us peace. It is a stillness that ceases our
scheming, self-vindication, and the search
for a temporary means to an end through our
own wisdom and judgement. Instead, it lets
God provide an answer, through His unfailing
and faithful love, to the cruel blow we have
suffered.

May God grant each of us this silent power
and submissive spirit.

~L. B. Cowman~
from: Streams in the Desert

Ask

2010-03-17T08:09:00.004-06:00

Behold, I am the Lord,
the God of all flesh;
is there anything too
hard for Me?

Jeremiah 32:27

God encourages us to ask freely
for the impossible as well as
the possible...since to Him
all difficulties are the same
size...less than Himself.

~J. Oswald Sanders~

In Control

2010-03-09T08:01:00.011-06:00

May I ask if you truly believe that God is
in control of your every circumstance? Are
you willing to let Him take care of you?

If God is not in charge--totally and completely--
then whose hands are we in? If He were unaware
of what was going to happen to us, then how
could He work all things together for our good
and our Christlikeness?

God is sovereign. One of His primary attributes
is love. God loves us, not matter what we are
like, no matter what we do. God is love and it
is His love that draws us to Him.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

Adequacy

2010-02-19T09:45:00.008-06:00

My help comes
from the LORD,
the Maker of
heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:2

Our feelings of inadequacy are always true if
we're trusting in ourselves or in any other
human means. Our adequacy comes from God alone.
When we remember this truth, we'll recognize God
as our source, our sufficiency, and our adequacy
for any and every situation.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

The Rock

2010-02-16T09:06:00.003-06:00

He is the Rock; His work is perfect.
Everything He does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong;
how just and upright He is!

Deuteronomy 32:4

Peace = Trust

2010-02-10T07:55:00.002-06:00

You will keep him
in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed
on You, because he
trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

Truth

2010-02-09T09:05:00.005-06:00

Watch over
your heart with
all diligence, for
from it flow the
springs of life.

Proverbs 4:23

You must know the truth so you can examine everything
in it's light. Remember Satan's kingdom is one of
darkness. Lies bring bondage. Truth liberates.
You must resolve to take "every thought captive to
the obedience of Christ." If what you think, hear,
believe or feel doesn't line up with the knowledge
of God, then it has to go. The battle for your mind
and emotions will continue to rage until you finally
arrive in heaven. That's why you must saturate your-
self in the Word of God.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

Pride/Humility

2010-02-02T08:51:00.002-06:00

When pride comes,
then comes disgrace,
but with humility
comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11:12

Satan's number one weapon is pride.
God's number one defense is humility.

~Larry Burkett~

My Help

2010-01-28T06:46:00.000-06:00

God is Love

2010-01-27T06:29:00.000-06:00

No Fear

2010-01-26T08:41:00.000-06:00

He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast,trusting
in the LORD. Psalm 112:7

Look

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Look to Me,
and be saved.

Isaiah 45:22

Troubles almost always make us look to God,
but His blessings tend to divert our atten-
tion elsewhere. We will find what we are
looking for if we will concentrate on Him.
Our difficulties, our trials, and our worries
about tomorrow all vanish when we look at God.
Build your hope on Him. No matter how many
things seem to be pressing in on you, be
determined to push them aside and look to Him.

~Oswald Chambers~
from: My Utmost for His Highest

Worth

2010-01-20T09:32:00.005-06:00

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one
and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us
and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10

God's message to His children is consistent: we've been accepted by Him and belong to Him forever. In this acceptance, we discover a sense of security, adequacy, and love that frees us to live for Him.

Our worth does not derive from anything in our character or performance but rather depends solely on our relationship with Jesus.

The world thinks love and worth are tied to performance, while security rests in material possesions. But God showed His love by sending Christ to die for us. In Him, we find value, competence, and peace. Consider whose message you are believing--God's or the world's.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

Surrender

2010-01-14T08:50:00.003-06:00

"...Give yourselves to God...
surrender your whole being to
Him to be used for righteous
purposes." Romans 6:13

The heart of worship is surrender.

Surrender is an unpopular word, disliked almost as
much as the word submission. It implies losing, and
no one wants to be a loser.

Surrender evokes the unpleasant images of admitting
defeat in battle, forfeiting a game, or yielding to
a stronger opponent. The word is almost always used
in a negative context.

In our competitive world we're taught to never quit
trying, never give up, and never give in - so we don't
hear much about surrendering. If winning is everything,
surrendering is unthinkable.

Yet, the Bible teaches us that rather than trying to win,
succeed, overcome, and conquer, we should instead yield,
submit, obey, and surrender.

And by surrendering to God, we enter into the heart of worship.
This is true worship: bringing pleasure to God as we give ourselves
completely to Him.

Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience, cooperating with your
Creator. You say, "Yes Lord" to whatever He asks of you.

You can't claim Jesus as your Lord when you refuse to obey Him.
Surrendered people obey God's word, even when it doesn't make sense.

God is not a cruel slave driver, or a bully who uses brute force to
coerce us into submission. He doesn't try to break our will, but woos
us to Himself, so that we might offer it freely to Him. God is a Lover
and a Liberator, and surrendering brings freedom, not bondage.

When we completely surrender ourselves to Jesus, we discover that
He is not a tyrant but a Savior; not a boss, but a brother; not a
dictator, but a friend.

~Rick Warren~

Confidence

2010-01-12T09:26:00.003-06:00

But blessed is the man
who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in Him.

Jeremiah 17:7

Our world is full of distrust, fear
and uncertainty. Don't allow yourself
to listen to negative messages, which
can make you lose the confidence God
gives His children. Instead, focus on
the truth in Scripture.

Facing each day with the knowledge that
our strength comes from Jesus will drive
away doubt and anxiety. We can purpose-
fully develop confidence in almighty God
by maturing in our faith. The more our
friendship with the heavenly Father deepens,
the more unshakable trust in Him will become.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

Intimacy

2010-01-11T08:48:00.003-06:00

"Jesus said to him,
'Have I been with you
so long, and yet you
have not known Me,
Philip?'" (John 14:9)

True friendship is rare on earth. It means identifying with
someone in thought, heart and spirit. The whole experience
of life is designed to enable us to enter into this closest
relationship with Jesus Christ. We receive His blessings
and know His Word, but do we really know Him?

The bearing of fruit is always shown in scripture to be the
visible result of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
The christian who is truly intimate with Jesus will never
draw attention to himself but will only show the evidence of
a life where Jesus is completely in control. This is the
outcome of allowing Jesus to satisfy every area of life to
its depth. The picture resulting from such a life is that of
the strong, calm balance that our Lord gives to those who are
intimate with Him.

~Oswald Chambers~
from: My Utmost for His Highest

Fulfilled

2010-01-08T09:13:00.003-06:00

Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself; it
must remain in the Vine. Neither can you
bear fruit unless you remain in Me.

John 15:4

Our heavenly Father will not force us to
remain with Him. If we ignore His guiding
Holy Spirit and insist on following an un-
godly path, He'll let us go our own way.

If we wander and maker ourselves top
priority over the Lord, we will also ex-
perience a disconnect with our heavenly
Father. As Christians, we cannot move off
God's chosen path without first closing our
mind and heart to His truth and His call on
our lives.

God has bestowed spiritual gifts and material
resources to build His kingdom, and He's also
provided His Spirit to offer guidance. Pur-
suing our own plan wastes what He has given us.

Chasing after dreams that are outside of God's
purpose will lead to discontent. A great weari-
ness will overtake us if we live apart from God.
Only in Christ can we find true fulfillment.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

Revelation

2010-01-07T07:40:00.002-06:00

Where there is no revelation,
the people cast off restraint;
but happy is he who keeps the law.

Proverbs 29:18

The world operates on vision. God's people live
by revelation. The world seeks grand and noble
purposes and goals to achieve. People dream up
the greatest and most satisfying things in which
they can invest their lives. God's people function
in a radically different way.

God does not ask for our opinion about what is best
for our future, our family, our church, or our country.
He already knows! What God wants is to get the attention
of His people and reveal to us what is on His heart and
what is His will, for God's ways are not our ways.

Whenever people do not base their lives on God's revelation,
they "cast off restraint." That is, they do what is right
in their own eyes. They set goals, arrange their agenda,
and then pray for God's blessings. The only way for you
to know God's will is for Him to reveal it to you. You
will never discover it on your own. When you hear from the
Father, you have an immediate agenda for your life: obedience.

Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Heart of Faith

2009-12-14T07:53:00.003-06:00

Trust
in
Him.
Psalm 37:5

The word "trust" is the heart of faith.
The word "faith" conveys more of an act
of the will, while the word "belief"
conveys an act of the mind or intellect,
but trust is the language of the heart.

Therefore, let us "trust in Him" through
all the delays, in spite of all the diffi-
culties, and in the face of all the re-
jection we encounter in life. And in spite
of our feelings and evidence to the contrary,
and even when we cannot understand our way or
our situation, may we still "trust also in Him;
[for] He shall bring it to pass".

~L. B. Cowman~
from: Streams in the Desert

Ordinary

2009-12-08T08:52:00.002-06:00

And this is love: that we walk in
obedience to His commands.

2 John 1:6

The world loves the spectacular. God has proven that
He is certainly capable of the extraordinary, but He
often chooses to work through the ordinary and seemingly
insignificant. In this way He demonstrates His love and
His power. We must learn to view success as God does.
God is interested in the heart; He is pleased with
obedience.

~Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Sunshine

2009-12-07T08:29:00.008-06:00

As God's chosen people...clothe
yourselves with kindness.

Colossians 3:12

A pleasant word is a bright ray
of sunshine on a saddened heart.

~L. B. Cowman~
from: Streams in the Desert

Be devoted to one another in
brotherly love.

Romans 12:10

Able

2009-12-03T06:57:00.004-06:00

God is able to make every grace overflow to you,
so that in every way, always having everything you
need, you may excel in every good work.

II Corinthians 9:8

I am freed to know that my God is huge and my
God is able. So I know if I don't get what I
asked from Him, if I'll cooperate, I'll get
something bigger. I'll know that a greater
"yes" in in progress.

~Beth Moore~
from: A Quick Word with Beth Moore

Be Honorable

2009-11-30T08:35:00.003-06:00

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.
Do things in such a way that everyone
can see you are honorable. Do your part
to live in peace with everyone, as much
as possible. Dear friends, never avenge
yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is
written:

"I will take vengeance;
I will repay those who deserve it;"
says the Lord.
Instead, do what the scriptures say:
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink,
and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you."

Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Romans 12: 17-21

Eternity

2009-11-25T07:10:00.003-06:00

Photo
by
Donna
Downey

What you do today matters for eternity...
~unknown~

Surrender and Trust

2009-11-23T09:06:00.002-06:00

God deals with impossibilities. If we have
experienced rebellion, unbelief, sin, and ruin
in our life, it is never too late for God to
deal triumphantly with these tragic things,
if they are brought to Him in complete surrender
and trust.

God "will repay you for the years the locusts have
eaten" (Joel 2:25), and He is trustworthy to do it
unreservedly. He does so not because of what we
are but because of who He is. God forgives and
heals and restores, for the is "the God of all
grace" (1 Peter 5:10).

Sunday School Times
Streams in the Desert

Truth

2009-11-17T08:26:00.003-06:00

Sanctify them
in the truth;
Your Word is
truth.

John 17:17

We keep our hearts cleansed through the
Word of God. When the Word cleanses us,
it cleanses us from wrong thinking, wrong
doctrine, and wrong behavior.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

Focus

2009-11-16T10:03:00.003-06:00

Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author
and perfecter of our
faith...

Hebrews 12:2

Never focus your eyes on the obstacle
or the difficulty. The obstacle will be
a matter of total indifference if you will
remember to stay focused on the Savior.

~Oswald Chambers~

Press On

2009-11-10T08:58:00.002-06:00

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
but, one thing I do, forgetting those things which are
behind and reaching forward to those things which are
ahead.

Philippians 3:13

The world will tell you that the dominating influence in your
life is your past. Christians, on the other hand, live in
freedom because Christ has overcome our past. The "old things"
have been done away with and "new things" have come. (2 Cor. 5:17)
Christians do not forget the past, but we are not controlled or
motivated by it. The Christian looks to the future with hope.
If you are preoccupied with your past, ask God to open your eyes
to the incredible future that awaits you and begin to press on
to what is ahead.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Forgiveness

2009-11-09T09:07:00.003-06:00

Photo
by
Donna
Downey

Forgiveness doesn't make the other
person right, it makes you free.

~ Stormie Omartian ~

Demonstrate Love

2009-11-03T08:59:00.004-06:00

And this is love: that we walk in obedience
to His commands. As you have heard from the
beginning, His command is that you walk in
love.

2 John 1:6

The world tells us to demand our rights,
to look out for number one, to distance
ourselves when disagreements arise with
our neighbors, co-workers, family members.
Jesus, however, calls us to demonstrate
love. And love does not seek personal
justice. Love will give up it's rights
in order to demonstrate the character of
God. Why? Because love lives on a higher
plane. Our character is never to be altered
by the behavior of others. No matter what
anyone else does, we are to walk in love.
Love even loves its enemies and in compassion
prays for those who persecute it.

Prayer:
My human nature rebels against the thought of
allowing someone to take advantage of me. Help
me to remember, Father, that You are molding me
into the image of Your Son, who humbled Himself
in obedience, even to the point of death on the
cross. (Phil. 2:8)

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

Our Connection

2009-11-02T09:11:00.006-06:00

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for
in prayer, believe that you have received it,
and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Prayer is the link that connects us with God.
It is the bridge that spans every gulf and
carries us safely over every chasm of danger
or need.

Do we truly know the power of our supernatural
weapon of prayer? Do we dare to use it with
the authority of a fath that not only asks but
also commands? God baptizes us with holy bold-
ness and divine confidence, for He is looking
not for great people but for people who will
dare to prove the greatness of their God.
(A. B. Simpson)

In your prayers, above everything else, beware of
limiting God, not only through unbelief but also
by thinking you know exactly what He can do. Learn
to expect the unexpected, beyond all that you think
or ask.

So each time you intercede through prayer, first be
quiet and worship God in His glory. Think of what He
can do, how He delights in Christ His Son, and of your
place in Him--then expect great things. (Andrew Murray)

L. B. Cowman
from: Streams in the Desert

Our prayers are God's opportunities.

Forgiveness

2009-10-29T09:09:00.003-06:00

But if you do not forgive
men their sins, your Father
will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:15

Forgiveness goes against our God-given sense
of what is just. Yet, God calls us to forgive
those who don't deserve it. When we accepted
the Lord's forgiveness, we gave up all rights
to hold anything against anyone else. An un-
forgiving heart is miserable because it is far
from God, who is the source of all peace and joy.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

His Way

2009-10-28T09:01:00.005-06:00

"I chose you..."

John 15:16

All of God's people are ordinary people who have
been made extraordinary by the purpose He has for
them. We are not workers for God by choice. It is
not that you have gotten God, but that He has gotten
you. God is at work bending, breaking, molding and
doing exactly as He chooses. Let Him have His way.

~Oswald Chambers~
from: My Utmost for His Highest

The Wise

2009-10-27T07:51:00.004-06:00

I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that You have hidden these things from the wise
and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so,
Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight."

Luke 10:21

Believing we are wise tempts us to evaluate the shortcomings
of others, yet be unaware of how much growth is still required
in ourselves.

Religious people with the most knowledge are sometimes the ones
least responsive to God's Word. Knowledge can easily lead to
pride, and pride impedes us from seeking God.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Teach Me

2009-10-21T08:59:00.003-05:00

Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!
Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.

Psalm 119:33-37

Bless Others

2009-10-20T08:16:00.004-05:00

For just as through the disobedience
of the one man the many were made sinners,
so also through the obedience of the one man
the many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:19

Just as the obedience of one Christian
can bring blessing to others, the sin
of one Christian can bring harm to many
others. Your sin will have an impact
on others. Choosing to disobey God may
cost someone God's blessing. Diligently
seek to obey every word from God, for you
do not know how your disobedience could
affect those around you. Scripture promises
that if you will obey the Lord, your life
will be a channel of blessing to others.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Never Too Busy

2009-10-19T09:19:00.004-05:00

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed,
came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

Luke 10:33

It's easy to become so busy that you are oblivious to those
in need. Your schedule can become so full of accomplishing
good things that you are of no help to the people around you.
God is at work in the lives of your friends, your neighbors,
your family members. He may ask you to interrupt your day
long enough to join Him as He ministers to them. Nothing on
your agenda, no matter how pressing, is reason enough to ignore
the voice of God when He tells you to stop and help. If you have
become too busy to minister to those around you, ask God to re-
establish your priorities so that you do not miss opportunities
to serve Him.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

His Strength

2009-10-13T08:55:00.006-05:00

I can do
all things
through
Christ who
strengthens
me.

Philippians 4:13

This is my favorite verse
and needs no explanation.

His Purpose

2009-10-12T07:59:00.004-05:00

For everything there is
a season, and a time for
every purpose under heaven.
Ecc. 3:1

God has a purpose for everything that comes into
our life...even conversations. Nothing is trivial.
Be attentive because every day is an opportunity to
see Him at work.

~Charles Stanley~

Fear the Lord

2009-10-09T08:38:00.003-05:00

The fear of
the LORD is
the beginning
of wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10

Photo by Donna Downey

To fear the Lord is to recognize God's attributes:
He is Holy, Almighty, Righteous, Pure, All-Knowing,
All-Powerful and All-Wise.

Government

2009-10-08T08:24:00.005-05:00

Where there is moral rot within a nation,
its government topples easily. But with
wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is
stability. Proverbs 28:2 (NLT)

Father, how privileged I am to be able to
pray to You! You are God Most High, ruler
over the kingdoms of the world, infinitely
greater than all earthly authorities. What
a mighty God you are!

Bring about wise decisions in the government
and courts of our country. For the good of Your
people and for the spread of the gospel, overrule
bad decisions, mistakes, and evil plans. Do the
same for all city and state governments, for leaders
of other countries, and for the leadership of the
United Nations. Guide me to the current issues and
problems You want me to focus prayer on, both in
our country and in the world. Amen.

~Ruth Myers~
from: 31 Days of Prayer

He determines the course of world events; He removes
kings and sets others on the throne. Daniel 2:21 (NLT)

Knowing God & His Word

2009-10-07T08:33:00.004-05:00

Put on the full armor of God
so that you can take your
stand against the devil's
schemes...take up the shield
of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows
of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:11 & 16

As you decide how to respond in the various
situations that will arise today, I urge you
to remember that you are in a war. Satan's
strategy is to beseige your mind until he
wears down your resistance and captures your
thoughts. From the beginning, Satan has cast
doubt on the Word of God. He wants you to
question, doubt, distort, alter, embellish,
discredit, or ignore the Word of God. Dis-
guised as an angel of light, he will do anything
and everything he can to undermine God's Word.

Know your God.
Know His Word.
And live accordingly.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

Words are Powerful

2009-10-05T09:59:00.005-05:00

Photo by Donna Downey

A good person produces good words from
a good heart, and an evil person produces
evil words from an evil heart. And I tell
you this, that you must give an account on
judgement day of every idle word you speak.
The words you say now reflect your fate then;
either you will be justified by them or you
will be condemned.

Matthew 12:35-37

What comes out of your mouth has to do with the
condition of your heart. Our words can justify
or condemn. They can bring joy to us or corrupt
and dishonor us. The words we say can either
build up or break down the soul of the person
we are speaking to. What you say and how you
say it reflects the person that you are and what
is in your heart.

Obey Me

2009-10-02T09:21:00.005-05:00

If you love
Me, obey My
commandments.

John 14:15

God has many ways to deter us from sin. One is to
provide reminders for us so that we never take dis-
obedience to Him lightly. God is absolutely just.
He loves, and He forgives, but He does not compromise
His righteousness. God deals with us uniquely. He
draws upon our experiences to teach us about Himself.
God will forgive us of our sin, but He may provide
stark reminders of the ugliness of sin. Let us thank
God that He loves us enough to remind us of the des-
tructive consequences of sin in our lives.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

All those who love Me will do what I say.
John 14:23

He who has My commandments and keeps them,
it is he who love Me.
John 14:21

My Father's World

2009-09-30T09:23:00.002-05:00

The earth is
the Lord's,
and everything
in it.

1 Corinthians 10:16

This is my Father's world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world:
He shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

~Maltbie Babcock, 1901~

Prayer

2009-09-29T08:35:00.005-05:00

Pray
without
ceasing.

1 Thes. 5:17

Photo by Donna Downey

Prayer does indeed change things...
and that thing is ourselves.

* * * * * * * * *

The power of prayer cannot be diminished by
distance; it is not limited by age, infirmity,
political changes or restrictions. The power of
prayer in the life of an obedient Christian can
only be undermined by neglect.

~David Bentley Taylor~

My Source

2009-09-28T08:56:00.004-05:00

Photo by
Donna Downey

The strength that He gives is continuous,
for He is a source of power I cannot exhaust.

...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not
grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Work in Progress

2009-09-25T09:27:00.006-05:00

God is faithful.
What He is doing in me
is more important than
what He is doing for me.

~Sheila Walsh~

Grace

2009-09-24T08:15:00.006-05:00

Photo by
Donna Downey

"My grace is sufficient for you, for
My power is made perfect in weakness."

II Corinthians 12:9

Grace is not a license to sin.
It is the power to overcome it.

Our Hearts

2009-09-23T10:06:00.005-05:00

Photo by
Donna Downey

I will give you a
new heart and put
a new spirit in you.

Ezekial 36:26

From our hearts come our response to God.
God's greatest desire is that His people
love Him with all their hearts. Jesus
said we are blessed if our hearts are pure.
Sin hardens the heart. The more sin we
allow to pass over our hearts and through
our lives, the more resistant we become to
a word from God. We cannot continue to
resist the promptings of the Holy Spirit
without becoming hardened against Him.
Exposing ourselves to evil and ungodly
influences desensitizes us to God and
His word.

~Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Superiority

2009-09-22T08:57:00.005-05:00

Photo by
Donna Downey

Are we not all children of the same Father?
Are we not all created by the same God?

Malachi 2:10

Any time we allow feelings of superiority to take
residence in our hearts and minds we are falling
prey to pride. Pride is sin and sin separates us
from our Creator. Each person in the universe was
created by the same God we worship for a purpose
that only He knows. We would do well to keep that
in mind.

Instruments

2009-09-21T09:35:00.005-05:00

photo by
Donna Downey

Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it?
Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it?
As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up,
or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!

Isaiah 10:15

One of the dangers in the Christian life is to take credit
for what God does. It is sometimes easier to handle poverty
or weakness than wealth or strength. Poverty causes us to
recognize our need for God. Prosperity persuades us that we
no longer require Him. Be careful how you handle the success
God gives you. As you enjoy His blessings in your family,
your business, or your minisry, keep in mind that you are an
instrument in the hands of the Master.

~Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Sanctification

2009-09-18T08:54:00.003-05:00

May the God of
peace Himself
sanctify you
completely.
1 Thes. 5:23

Are we willing to pay the cost of sanctification?
The cost will be a deep restriction of all our
earthly concerns and an extensive cultivation of
all our godly concerns. Sanctification means to be
intensely focused on God's point of view. Sanctifica-
tion means being made one with Jesus so that the nature
that controlled Him will control us. The resounding
evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person's life is the
unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the
freedom from everything which is not like Him.

~Oswald Chamblers~
from: My Utmost For His Highest

Still

2009-09-17T08:47:00.002-05:00

Be still and
know that I
am God.

Psalm 46:10

Whenever the sounds of the world subside in
our soul, we hear the whispering of God. He
continues to whisper to us, but we often do
not hear Him because of the noise and distrac-
tions cause by the hurried pace of our life.

~Frederick William Faber~
From: Streams in the Desert

Resting

2009-09-16T09:04:00.003-05:00

My soul finds rest
in God alone; my
salvation comes
from Him.

Psalm 62:1

A believer must rest in God. When we fret about an issue
or something we consider necessary, we're neither
committing ourselves to the Lord nor trusting in Him.
Because of our limited human viewpoint, waiting
patiently is rarely easy. However, God knows when
circumstances and timing are perfectly aligned for
His will to be done.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

Our Value

2009-09-14T09:13:00.004-05:00

How great is the love
the Father has lavished
on us, that we should be
called children of God!

1 John 3:1

Our value comes from God's love for
us, not from other's opinions of us.

Strength and Shield

2009-09-11T08:45:00.006-05:00

The Lord is my
Strength and my Shield;
my heart trusts in Him,
and I am helped.

Psalm 28:7

Expectantly

2009-09-10T09:55:00.008-05:00

But as for me, I will watch expectantly
for the LORD;I will wait for the God of
my salvation. My God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

Once you've experienced the awesomeness of
God, from then on you come to expect it.

-- Aaron Landry--

Conflict

2009-09-09T09:09:00.004-05:00

Set a guard over my mouth,
O LORD; keep watch over the
door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3

Our heavenly Father knows when people
verbally attack us, and He has promised
to protect us. Nothing can touch His
children apart from His permissive will.
He has the power to work painful times
into something beneficial. We can have
hope because His will cannot be thwarted,
even in bad circumstances. We do not have
to react to criticism with anger and self-
protectiveness, as the world does. God
has called us to represent Him in every
situation the same way Christ did--through
dependence on the heavenly Father.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

Wonderfully Made

2009-09-08T08:36:00.004-05:00

God loves
each of us
as if there
were only
one of us.

For Thou didst form my inward parts;
Thou didst weave me in my mother's
womb. I will give thanks to Thee,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made; wonderful are Thy works, and
my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:13-14

Thank You that You uniquely designed and created
me with the same care and precision You used in
creating the universe...that You formed me in
love exactly to Your specifications. I rejoice
that You have gifted me for the special purposes
You have in mind for my life. Your hands have made
and fashioned me. I am one of Your masterpieces!

~Ruth Myers~
from: 31 Days of Praise

For Good

2009-09-04T10:27:00.007-05:00

As for you, you meant evil against
me, but God meant it for good.

Genesis 50:20

In dark moments of disappointment, we may find
it challenging to keep our eyes on God rather
than on our circumstances--or those who may have
created them. An yet, only by focusing on our
faithful, Almighty God can we hope to see the
purpose He's bringing out of our difficulties.
God has a purpose.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

Righteousness

2009-09-03T09:04:00.006-05:00

They exchanged the truth
of God for a lie, and
worshiped and served the
creature rather than the
Creator.

Romans 1:25

There's much debate today about what is right and
what is wrong. As a society, we have passed from
morality to immorality to amorality. We have ad-
justed our standards to cover our unrighteousness.

What is righteousness: It's doing what God says is
right. How do we know what God says is right? The
Bible tells us what God says is right and wrong.
Heed its words carefully.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

Others

2009-09-02T07:00:00.003-05:00

Bear one another's
burdens, and so
fulfill the law
of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

When God places people in your life who are
in need, He is aware of what they lack, and
He knows He has given you the resources to
meet those needs. God does nothing by accident.
Allow God to help you see beyond the obvious
needs of others to the things He wants to
accomplish in their lives.

~Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

His Heart

2009-09-01T06:30:00.000-05:00

Even when we can't see
God's hand, we can trust
His heart.

Building Faith

2009-08-31T06:00:00.001-05:00

Consequently, faith comes from hearing
the message, and the message is heard
through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17

Faith is like a muscle, which must
be exercised in order to become
strong. Christians are to believe
God, not only for salvation, but
for everything. Faith is actually
a process that involves increasing
degrees of trust throughout life.
The Lord may not do every miraculous
thing you ask of Him, but He does
some extraordinary work in and through
each person who is obedient and willing
to trust Him. He not only works through
people of faith; He transforms them.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

Double-Minded

2009-08-28T08:20:00.005-05:00

Those who cling
to worthless
idols forfeit
the grace that
could be theirs.
Jonah 2:8

What we depend on--or give priority to--
anything besides the Lord, it becomes our god.

He gives us relationships, possessions, and
meaningful work, but we are constantly tempted
to cherish the gifts more than the Giver.
An accurate measure of priorities is the use of
our time. Do you reserve a part of each day
for God, or is every minute consumed by the
demands of life?

On what or whom do you depend? The Lord gives
us His strength and provision, but so often we
choose to rely on ourselves, others, or even
money. The tendency to worry or control is a
sign of self-reliance rather than dependence
on God.

Double-minded service will not work. We must
make up our minds and follow through with actions.
If we really believe that the God of the Bible is
the only true God, we ought to give Him our whole
life, follow Him faithfully, and serve Him with all
our gifts and abilities.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

The Thief

2009-08-26T07:31:00.001-05:00

The thief does not come
except to steal, and to
kill and to destroy.
I have come that they
may have life, and that
they may have it more
abundantly.

John 10:10

Jesus warns us to be on guard for thieves who
will try to rob us of what God has for us. The
world seeks to convince you that you will find
fulfillment if you adopt its standard of morality
for your marriage, raising your children, advancing
your career, or pursuing pleasure. If you believe
this, you will never experience the blessings God
intended for you.

Jesus wants you to live your life with security,
knowing that you are a beloved child of God. If
you are not experiencing love, joy and peace, you
have settled for less than what God intends for you.
If you have been making excuses for why you are not
experiencing an abundant and joyful life, determine
today to settle for nothing less than God's best for
your life. Stop following the world's way of finding
satisfaction. Instead, listen to the Savior's voice,
and you will find true fulfillment.

~Henry T. and Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Our Choice

2009-08-25T09:24:00.003-05:00

Set your minds
on things above,
not on earthly
things.

Colossians 3:2

We choose what we let ourselves be filled
with and God respects our choice.

How easy it is to let the world squeeze me
into its mold, into its ways of thinking.
Enable me, Lord, to fully commit my mind
to You in all that I think and in all that
I expose it to. Give me grace to be careful
what I listen to and think about, knowing
that my life is shaped by my thoughts.

~Ruth Myers~
from: 31 Days of Power

Christlikeness

2009-08-24T08:28:00.004-05:00

being confident of this,
that he who began a good
work in you will carry it
on to completion until the
day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6

As God leads you in your Christian growth,
He will allow challenges that match your
character and relationship to Him. God
will not totally change your character at
once when you become a Christian. Rather,
He will lead you through a process to become
more like His Son. He will keep working in
an area of your life until it is controlled
by the Holy Spirit. God will not take short-
cuts in His process of making you like Christ.
He sees your life from eternity and will take
as long as necessary to produce lasting spiritual
growth in you.

~Henry T. and Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

God's Help

2009-08-20T09:41:00.005-05:00

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to His power
that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the
church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

If God has called us to His highest and best,
each of us will have a time of crisis, when
all our resources will fail and when we face
either ruin or something better than we have
ever dreamed. But before we can receive the
blessing, we must rely on God's infinite help.
We must be willing to let go, surrendering
completely to Him, and cease from our own
wisdom, strength, and righteousness.

L. B. Cowman
from: Streams in the Desert

Self Reliance

2009-08-19T08:16:00.005-05:00

And my God will
meet all your needs
according to his glorious
riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Self reliance robs us of Gods good gifts.
As long as we rely on our own resources,
we will never place our trust in Him.

True wealth is found in a relationship with
God. Those who realize their inherent spiritual
poverty apart from God will trust in Him, and He
will enrich their lives immeasurably.

Henry T. and Richard Blackaby
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

His Will

2009-08-18T08:49:00.004-05:00

Nevertheless,
not as I will,
but as You will.

Matt. 26:39

It is as we seek God's kingdom on earth,
and not our own purposes, that we gain
the same mind as our heavenly Father.

Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Waiting

2009-08-17T09:56:00.004-05:00

I waited
patiently
for the
Lord.

Psalm 40:1

Waiting is difficult, for waiting requires patience,
and patience is a rare virtue. Many of us are lacking
the strength we so desire, but God gives complete power
for every task He calls us to perform. Waiting--keeping
yourself faithful to His leading--this is the secret of
strength.

God has a purpose in all of His delays. Victory is then
to be won by standing still and quietly waiting. It re-
quires much more courage to stand and wait and still not
lose heart or lose hope.

...after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13

L. B. Cowman
from: Streams in the Desert

Choose

2009-08-14T07:52:00.007-05:00

Shall we accept
good from God
and not accept
adversity?

Job 2:10

It's easy to want our lives to be all beauty
and no cost, all gain and no loss. If our
Father did not pamper His beloved Son, should
we expect Him to pamper us? Jesus Himself
assures us in John 16:33, "In this world you
will have trouble [pressures, trials, tribu-
lations,hardships, sorrows]. But take heart!
I have overcome the world". We can choose to
take heart, to cheer up, and therefore to
experience His peace in the midst of pressures
and costly trials. This can motivate us to
open our arms wide and receive what God gives
us to do, along with His sufficiency to accom-
plish it.

~Ruth Myers~
from: The Satisfied Heart

He Knows Us

2009-08-13T10:25:00.002-05:00

God is not
disillusioned
with us. He
never had
any illusions
to begin with.

~Luis Palau~

O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue
You know it completely, O LORD.

You hem me in — behind and before;
You have laid your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Psalm 139:1-6

Perfect Love

2009-08-12T09:29:00.005-05:00

God is love.

1 John 4:8

Since His love is perfect, it cannot
be improved. God already loves us perfectly,
so we never have to try to get Him to love
us more!There's a reason God's love is perfect:
it is linked inseparably with everything He is.

God's strong side is revealed in His power,
majesty, holiness, glory, righteousness, and
sovereignty. His tender side is revealed in
His warmth, graciousness, kindness, goodness,
mercy, and understanding. All these qualities
and more are behind God's love.

~Ruth Myers~
from: The Satisfied Heart

Praise

2009-08-11T08:42:00.004-05:00

Praise be to the LORD,
the God of Israel, from
everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

Psalm 41:13

True praise is unconditional. It's not an attempt
to manipulate God into producing the precise results
we hope for. Instead, it helps us accept our situation
as it is, whether or not He changes it.

Praise can flip the switch that, so to speak, turns on
that mighty, glorious presence and tunes us in to His
sufficiency. Any form of sincere, believing prayer
directs God's power into our lives and situations.

~Ruth Myers~
from: 31 Days of Praise

Take up your Cross

2009-08-10T09:05:00.005-05:00

If anyone wishes to come
after Me, he must deny
himself, and take up his
cross and follow Me.

Matthew 16:24

May I ask whether anyone looking at how you spend
your days would see evidence of self-denial, indi-
cations that you have take up your cross to follow
Christ?

We want heaven, life, eternity! Who doesn't? We hear
the good news about eternal life through Jesus Christ.
It's free, so we take it, tuck it under our arms, and
walk away. We're relieved. No hell now; heaven's our
home. Then we imagine we can get back to living our
lives as we please.

But, can we? Does true Christianity allow us to go back
to living our own lives? You cannot belong to God and
live any way you please. True Christianity is discipleship.
It's the willingness to turn around, to leave everything,
and to let Jesus Christ be all in all. It's the willingness
to follow Him wherever He leads and do whatever He says.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

Your Word

2009-08-06T10:02:00.004-05:00

All Scripture is inspired
by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for
correction, for training
in righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:16

Dear Lord, may I look intently into Your Word day by day
with a longing to know You better and do Your will at all
times. May the Spirit unfold its truths to me; may He
motivate me to meditate on it and apply it to my life.
Make me diligent to hear and read it often. Empower me to
trust You and obey all Your commands. Amen.

~Ruth Myers~
from: 31 Days of Prayer

Renew Your Mind

2009-08-05T09:34:00.007-05:00

The mind
justifies
what the
heart has
chosen.

Graphic by Amy Sumrall

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:12

And just how do we "renew" our minds?
By reading and meditating on God's Word daily.

All

2009-08-04T08:34:00.004-05:00

Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and
with all your soul and
with all your mind and
with all your strength.

Mark 12:30

This wonderful Person--the supreme Ruler of the universe,
Creator of all things, the One possessing all power and
exalted far above all--He asks me to love Him with all
my heart. He tells you and me, "This is what I want from
you first of all, more than anything else."

Before time began God decided He wanted to include others
in that circle of love. God is always yearning for us and
always has been.

For he chose us in Him before the creation of the world.

Ephesians 1:4

~Ruth Myers~
from: The Satisfied Heart

2009-08-03T08:38:00.001-05:00

Trust and Worry

2009-08-03T08:28:00.004-05:00

I will put
my trust
in You.

Hebrews
2:13

Remember always that there are two things that
are more utterly incompatible even than oil and
water, and these two are trust and worry. When
a believer really trusts anything, he ceases to
worry about the thing he has trusted. And when
he worries, it is a plain proof that he does not
trust.

~Hannah Whitall Smith~

...when the Son of Man comes, will
He find faith on the earth?

Luke 18:18

In the World

2009-07-31T09:18:00.008-05:00

My prayer is not that you take them out of the
world but that you protect them from the evil one.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

John 17:15-16

Believers are to be "in the world but not of the world."
God's children are to value the heavenly Father above all
earthly pursuits. Where God intended that we receive peace
and contentment from obeying Him, satan promotes the delusion
of self-fulfillment. No pleasure offered by the world system
is permanent or truly rewarding. One day it will be destroyed
and replaced with a kingdom devoted to God. Until Christ establishes
a new heaven and earth, believers must take part in this world. But,
we are to see it as it truly is--a place corrupted by satan. Earthly
success or pleasure can never equal the soul-satisfying kingdom that
awaits us. So be sure your heart stays turned toward God.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

Faithful

2009-07-30T08:14:00.004-05:00

Photo by
Donna Downey

For God is working in you,
giving you the desire to
obey Him and the power to
do what pleases Him.

Philippians 2:13

God is faithful. What He is doing in me is
more important than what He is doing for me.

~Sheila Walsh~

Abundance

2009-07-29T09:04:00.004-05:00

We went through fire
and through water,
yet You brought us out
into a place of abundance.

Psalm 66:12

Discouragement often brings enlargement.
He uses not only discouragement but also
desperate situations to bring new release
and enlargement into our lives--greater
fulfillment and abundance and growth.

~Ruth Myers~
from: The Satisfied Heart

Chosen

2009-07-28T09:25:00.009-05:00

You and I were created in response to the loving plan of God.

Psalm 139:14-16 "I praise you because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What You have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, You saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in Your book before I was one day old" (NCV).

We were created in love ... for love. God Himself supervised our formation. We were created for a special purpose and with a unique plan for our lives. In other words, we were created by God for God!

Psalm 100:3 "Know that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to Him; we are His people, the sheep He tends" (NCV).

He created us and chose us. And He has a special plan for each of us.

Jeremiah 29:11 "I know what I am planning for you," says the LORD. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future" (NCV).

The best plan for our lives rests solely in the hands of the One who created us. God is our creator. When our lives are broken, He can heal them. When the plan falls apart, He can fix it. We are wanted, loved and cherished by God. We belong to Him. We are chosen.

Let's Pray
Father, thank You for loving me. Thank You for the plan You have for my life. I want to follow You and obey you each day - for Your glory, Lord. I want others to examine my life and know that the only possible explanation is You. When I am in trouble, remind me to turn to You first for the answers I need. Help me to walk in the Light, to doubt my doubts and to celebrate the fact that because I am chosen ... I am blessed. I love You, Father.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

~Mary Southerland~
from: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/women/girlfriends/

All I Need

2009-07-27T09:10:00.007-05:00

Protect me, God,
because I trust in You.
I said to the Lord,
"You are my Lord.
Every good thing I have
comes from You."
...the Lord is all I
need. He takes care of me.

Psalm 16:2,5

For every need in our emotional or mental or
spiritual life, for every problem in our
relationships, for every trial we go through,
God offers something (such as His love, His
power, His provision) that can bring us through
triumphantly-if we know and believe and count on
Him in the hour of need. God is our first Source,
and ultimately the only Source, of all we need for
a full and satisfied life.

~Ruth Myers~
from: The Satisfied Heart

Our Shield

2009-07-24T09:37:00.005-05:00

...take up the
shield of faith,
with which you can
extinguish all the
flaming arrows of
the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16

How glad I am, Lord, that the complete armor
You've give us includes the shield of faith--
a massive shield that prevents damage from
the flaming arrows Satan uses to attack our
faith and our walk with You.

Thank You, Lord, that faith comes through
feeding on--and counting on--Your Word.
Thank You for Your grace in which I can
stand and for all You have provided for me.

Thank You for Your promise that You will be
with me and that You will hide me in the
shelter of Your presence. So, by faith I
choose today to dwell in You--to trust in
Your all-protective presence which evil
powers cannot pierce. Build a wall around
my life, a strong defense grounded on truth
after truth which I choose to believe. Work
deeply in me so that I'll constantly count on
the promises You've given, looking to You to
work in me, for me and through me.

Amen.

~Ruth Meyers~
from: 31 Days of Power

Slow Growth

2009-07-23T09:13:00.009-05:00

“The Lord your God will drive those
nations out ahead of you little by
little. You will not clear them away
all at once”

Deuteronomy 7:22 NLT

Although God could instantly transform us,
He has chosen to develop us slowly. Jesus
is deliberate in developing His disciples.

Why does it take so long to change and grow up?
There are several reasons.

We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a
lesson forty or fifty times to really get it. The
problems keep recurring, and we think, “Not again!
I’ve already learned that!”—but God knows better.
The history of Israel illustrates how quickly we
forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we
revert to our old patterns of behavior. We need
repeated exposure.

We have a lot to unlearn.Since most of our problems
(and all of our bad habits)didn’t develop overnight,
it’s unrealistic to expect them go away immediately.

There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly
undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of
removal and replacement. The Bible calls it “taking off the
old self” and “putting on the new self”
(Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22-25; Colossians 3:7-10, 14).

Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without
change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is
no loss without pain. We fear these losses, even if our old ways
were self-defeating, because, like a worn out pair of shoes, they
were at least comfortable and familiar.

Every change involves a loss of some kind: You must let go of
old ways in order to experience the new.

~Rick Warren~
from: PurposeDriven.com

Burdens

2009-07-22T09:33:00.009-05:00

Cast your cares
on the LORD
and He will
sustain you;
He will never
let the
righteous fall.

Psalm 55:22

Burdens come in a variety of emotional, spiritual,
and physical forms, but they all feel heavy and
cause weariness. Persistent problems and trials
drain our vitality and threaten to overwhelm us.

Every circumstance in life is lovingly sifted
through the Lord's fingers before reaching us.
From His perspective, those things which are too
heavy for us are opportunities for dependence on
Him. God never intends for any of us to carry
a burden without Him. He says to give it to Him
and promises to sustain us.

Casting your cares upon God means releasing them
fully into His control. The freedom Christ offers
will release you from the burden's oppressive weight.
He'll sustain you with His peace as you trust Him.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

He Loves Me

2009-07-21T09:58:00.004-05:00

Before I formed
you in the womb
I knew you, before
you were born I
set you apart.
Jeremiah 1:5

How could this Holy God, Creator and Ruler of all things,
have such deep love for us, tiny specks in a vast universe,
who fall short of even our own ideals?

God loves us because He is love. It's His nature to love.
God loves us because He made us. He made each of us with
great skill, and we have unique value to Him as His special
workmanship. He highly prizes us and wants us for Himself,
knowing what a love relationship with Him can mean to us--
and to Him--in this life.

God also loves us for what He knows we'll become for all
eternity. He eagerly awaits the delights in store for Him
and us when we dwell with Him forever in joyful, unbroken
fellowship.

Lord, I praise You that You are love. I pray that in new ways
day by day and month by month, I'll be to You what You long for,
as I let You and Your love be to me what I need.

~Ruth Myers~
from: The Satisfied Heart

Poor

2009-07-20T07:41:00.004-05:00

Blessed are
the poor
in spirit.

Matt. 5:3

Photo by Donna Downey

The underlying foundation of Jesus Christ's kingdom is poverty,
not possessions, not making decisions for Jesus, but having such
a sense of absolute futility that we finally admit, "Lord, I cannot
even begin to do it." Then Jesus says, "Blessed are you..." This is
the doorway to the kingdom, and yet it takes us so long to believe
that we are actually poor! The knowledge of our own poverty is what
brings us to the proper place where Jesus Christ accomplishes His work.

~Oswald Chambers~
from: My Utmost for His Highest

Blessed Controller

2009-07-17T14:21:00.008-05:00

God is the
blessed
controller of
all things.

1 Tim. 6:15
(Phillips)

With God, nothing is accidental,
nothing is incidental, and no
experience is ever wasted.

Waiting

2009-07-15T09:21:00.007-05:00

Photo
by
Donna Downey

But these things I plan won't happen right away.
Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches
when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems
slow, do not despair, for these things will
surely come to pass. Just be patient!
They will not be overdue a single day!

Habakkuk 2:3

Have you ever been in a hurry when God wasn't?
God wants to work on you before He works on the project.
We all have to go through these waiting periods.
Why do we wait? It teaches us to trust in God. We learn
that His timing is perfect. One of the facts we have to
learn is this: God's delay never destroys His purpose.
A delay is not a denial.

~Rick Warren~