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Archives for March 2015

Streams in the Desert – March 19

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Beloved, do not be surprised at the ordeal that has come to test you… you are sharing what Christ suffered; so rejoice in it (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Many a waiting hour was needful to enrich the harp of David, and many a waiting hour in the wilderness will gather for us a psalm of “thanksgiving, and the voice of melody,” to cheer the hearts of fainting ones here below, and to make glad our Father’s house on high.

What was the preparation of the son of Jesse for the songs like unto which none other have ever sounded on this earth? The outrage of the wicked, which brought forth cries for God’s help. Then the faint hope in God’s goodness blossomed into a song of rejoicing for His mighty deliverances and manifold mercies. Every sorrow was another string to his harp; every deliverance another theme for praise.

One thrill of anguish spared, one blessing unmarked or unprized, one difficulty or danger evaded, how great would have been our loss in that thrilling Psalmody in which God’s people today find the expression of their grief or praise!

To wait for God, and to suffer His will, is to know Him in the fellowship of His sufferings, and to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. So now, if the vessel is to be enlarged for spiritual understanding, be not affrighted at the wider sphere of suffering that awaits you. The Divine capacity of sympathy will have a more extended sphere, for the breathing of the Holy Ghost in the new creation never made a stoic, but left the heart’s affection tender and true.
–Anna Shipton

“He tested me ere He entrusted me” (1 Tim. 1:12, Way’s Trans.)

God’s Story… For My Life – A Humble Attitude

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Gods story

A Humble Attitude

Read Philippians 2:1-11

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:2-11)

Reflect

Many people—even Christians—live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves. But selfishness brings discord. Paul therefore stressed spiritual unity, asking the Philippians to love one another and to be one in spirit and purpose. Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people.

Often people excuse selfishness, pride, or evil by claiming their rights. But as believers, we are called to a different attitude, one that enables us to lay aside our rights in order to serve others. If we say we follow Christ, we must also live as he lived. We can develop his attitude of humility as we serve, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts. When we work together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our problems, we demonstrate Christ’s example of putting others first, and we experience unity.

Respond

Remember, you can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities to serve others. But you don’t have to live in the expectation that people will take advantage of you and treat you like a doormat. Instead, prayerfully seek the Father’s wisdom, just as Jesus did.

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365 devotional

2 Timothy 4:7–8

We all want our lives to count for something significant. Like a runner, we want to find a trophy at the finish line—something that leaves a mark on this world and gives our life meaning.

The apostle Paul was in a Roman prison facing death when he gave Timothy this honest appraisal of his own life and ministry. Like a prizefighter, he had made it to the last round. Like a distance runner, he was right at the tape and still in full stride. He expressed great joy in knowing that he had lived his life without compromising his faith in God.

One thing God wants from each of us is our faithfulness. He wants us to remain true to him. If you’re a spiritual explorer, such a life begins by taking the first step: Ask Christ to forgive you and give you direction. Once you do that, Christ will come to live in you. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Jesus will enable you to faithfully complete your life’s race.

A life marked by faithfully walking with God is a life that truly counts. At the end of your life, whatever else you think you’ll look back on—interests, accomplishments, acquisitions—nothing will compare with the satisfaction of knowing that you invested your life in spiritual things that really last. Better to face God confident that you did it his way than any other way.

Taken from NIV The Journey Bible

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Streams in the Desert – March 18

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He answered nothing (Mark 15:3).

There is no spectacle in all the Bible so sublime as the silent Savior answering not a word to the men who were maligning Him, and whom He could have laid prostrate at His feet by one look of Divine power, or one word of fiery rebuke. But He let them say and do their worst, and He stood in THE POWER OF STILLNESS–God’s holy silent Lamb.

There is a stillness that lets God work for us, and holds our peace; the stillness that ceases from its contriving and its self-vindication, and its expedients of wisdom and forethought, and lets God provide and answer the cruel blow, in His own unfailing, faithful love.

How often we lose God’s interposition by taking up our own cause, and striking for our defense. God give to us this silent power, this conquered spirit! And after the heat and strife of earth are over, men will remember us as we remember the morning dew, the gentle light and sunshine, the evening breeze, the Lamb of Calvary, and the gentle, holy heavenly Dove.
–A. B. Simpson

The day when Jesus stood alone
And felt the hearts of men like stone,
And knew He came but to atone
That day “He held His peace.”
They witnessed falsely to His word,
They bound Him with a cruel cord,
And mockingly proclaimed Him Lord;
“But Jesus held His peace.”
They spat upon Him in the face,
They dragged Him on from place to place,
They heaped upon Him all disgrace;
“But Jesus held His peace.”
My friend, have you for far much less,
With rage, which you called righteousness,
Resented slights with great distress?
Your Savior “held His peace.”
–L. S. P.

I remember once hearing Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, so well known as “The Apostle of the Indians,” utter these beautiful words: “For thirty years I have tried to see the face of Christ in those with whom I differed.”

When this spirit actuates us we shall be preserved at once from a narrow bigotry and an easy-going tolerance, from passionate vindictiveness and everything that would mar or injure our testimony for Him who came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.
–W. H. Griffith Thomas

God’s Story… For My Life – We’re at War

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Gods story

We’re at War

Read Ephesians 6:10-20

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
(Ephesians 6:13-20)

Reflect

In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the devil, who is a vicious fighter, see 1 Peter 5:8). To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of his armor. Paul is not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ, but to all individuals within the church.

The whole body needs to be armed. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church. When we believe in Christ, these beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from him and back to sin. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armor surrounding us.

Respond

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion” (Ephesians 6:18). You don’t have to isolate yourself from other people and from daily work in order to pray constantly. One way is to make quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day. Another way is to order your life around God’s desires and teachings so that your very life becomes a prayer.

Rolling Eyes

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365 devotional

Rolling Eyes (Proverbs 30:13)

Disdainful is an appropriate word for describing the disrespectful looks you will get from your children. You may tell them you won’t tolerate it, but they may ignore you. There may even be a day when a smirk or two will be thrown in with their rolling eyes.

If you know it’s coming, you can prepare for it. The best preparation is to make sure you don’t return the look. Doing so will only negate the corrective action you need to take.

Recall how you rolled your eyes at your parents so you can relate to how your child is feeling. As you do so, you will be more understanding of how your child is learning to navigate through this step toward adulthood.

The point we need to extract from Proverbs 30:13 is that these behaviors do happen. We can wish and hope it won’t, but it does, regardless of how sweet they seem as toddlers. Be aware of where your child is in their development. When they hit the eye-rolling stage, simply accept it as another phase you have to work through. Be diligent about it. Don’t let it go unchecked or their defiance might increase.

Parenting Principle

Haughty eyes are expected but not respected.

Points to Ponder

  • What looks or glances do you have that affect your family?
  • How do you handle these looks with your children?
  • How can you prepare for these issues down the road?

Taken from Once a Day Nurturing Great Kids

What’s Up With Me today?

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I got hit with this verse this early morning!

We have our son’s Maltese Solaire this week. We enjoy Solaire and his favorite places to lay are on my hospital bed or between my feet when I am in my chair. This morning as my husband went to take a shower, Solaire came out of the bathroom and jumped on my bed. I was telling God how weary I was before the day even started. I was asking for strength to do whatever He puts in my day when Solaire appeared over my face. I barely had time to blink before Solaire gave me a Good Morning kiss on my lips and teeth! Remember I can’t move or yell. I was at Solaire’s mercy.

I laid there looking at the ceiling praying, “Father, I can’t do this. It is hard to be at people’s mercy daily but now I am at a dog’s mercy? How much longer Lord? I cannot do this!” Immediately Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom” popped into my head. I pondered that while I tried not to move my mouth. I certainly want a wise heart and mind for all the days I am here!

Each day is a gift from God no matter how it starts!

solaire bed

 

 

Streams in the Desert – March 17

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Be thou there till I bring thee word (Matt. 2:13).

I’ll stay where You’ve put me;
I will, dear Lord, Though I wanted so badly to go;
I was eager to march with the ‘rank and file,’
Yes, I wanted to lead them, You know.
I planned to keep step to the music loud,
To cheer when the banner unfurled,
To stand in the midst of the fight straight and proud,
But I’ll stay where You’ve put me.
I’ll stay where You’ve put me; I’ll work, dear Lord,
Though the field be narrow and small,
And the ground be fallow, and the stones lie thick,
And there seems to be no life at all.
The field is Thine own, only give me the seed,
I’ll sow it with never a fear;
I’ll till the dry soil while I wait for the rain,
And rejoice when the green blades appear;
I’ll work where You’ve put me.
I’ll stay where You’ve put me; I will, dear Lord;
I’ll bear the day’s burden and heat,
Always trusting Thee fully; when even has come
I’ll lay heavy sheaves at Thy feet.
And then, when my earth work is ended and done,
In the light of eternity’s glow,
Life’s record all closed, I surely shall find
It was better to stay than to go;
I’ll stay where You’ve put me.

Oh restless heart, that beat against your prison bars of circumstances, yearning for a wider sphere of usefulness, leave God to order all your days. Patience and trust, in the dullness of the routine of life, will be the best preparation for a courageous bearing of the tug and strain of the larger opportunity which God may some time send you.

God’s Story… For My Life – The Joy of Submission

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Gods story

The Joy of Submission

Read Ephesians 5:21-33

For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.
(Ephesians 5:22-30)

Reflect

Submitting to another person is an often misunderstood concept. It does not mean becoming a doormat. Christ—at whose name “every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10)—submitted his will to the Father, and we honor Christ by following his example. When we submit to God, we become more willing to obey his command to submit to others, that is, to subordinate our rights to theirs. In a marriage relationship, both husband and wife are called to submit. For the wife, this means willingly following her husband’s leadership in Christ. For the husband, it means putting aside his own interests in order to care for his wife. Submission is rarely a problem in homes where both partners have a strong relationship with Christ and where each is concerned for the happiness of the other.

Paul devotes twice as many words to telling husbands to love their wives as to telling wives to submit to their husbands. How should a man love his wife? (1) He should be willing to sacrifice everything for her. (2) He should make her well-being of primary importance. (3) He should care for her as he cares for his own body. No wife needs to fear submitting to a man who treats her in this way.

Respond

You don’t have to be married to practice submission. In what ways have you submitted to God or to the will of others recently? If you still see submission as onerous, rather than as a joy, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see past the duty to gain his perspective.

God Rewards Those Who Honor Him

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365 devotional

God Rewards Those Who Honor Him (Psalm 34:9–10)

What does the phrase “fear the Lord” mean? Are we expected to cower with fright in God’s presence or live in continual terror and dread?

Fear in this sense is the appropriate response of rebellious unbelievers who flaunt God’s decrees. Having rejected Almighty God as a merciful Savior, they now face the grim prospect of meeting him only in his role as the holy Judge of the universe. One the other hand, for the beloved children of God—those whose sins have been forgiven by Christ—“fear the Lord” has a different connotation. The idea for believers is that of awe or stunned admiration in the presence of a great and good Creator. The implication is submissive reverence before a loving Lord, to worship God above all other things. It involves, in the words of the passage, the commitment to “seek” him.

Notice that the promise to those who fear the Lord is that all their needs will be met. Or, as God puts it in another place, “Those who honor me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30).

God’s Promise to Me

  • I meet the needs of those who honor me.
  • I make sure my followers have good things.

My Prayer to God

You meet the needs of those who treat you with reverence, Lord. Forgive me for the times I fail to honor you. You are the majestic king of the universe—high and lifted up. As I trust in you, you fill my life with good things.

Taken from Once a Day Bible Promises