'Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom' Psalm 90:12
The day I turned forty, I felt life ended. Anger, depression, emptiness-they all took up residency in my soul. Despite the roses and the lighthearted, morbid humour, my family couldn't pull me our of the dumps.
Thankfully, someone aligned my thoughts with reality. The LORD reminded me of Caleb, who stated when he was eighty-five that he was "as strong as the day that Moses sent him." There was Moses, who at eighty rescued the Israelites. And don't forget Abraham. He was 100 before the LORD gave him Isaac and began to fulfill those wonderful promises.
Clearly age has nothing to do with God's purpose for our life. We need to make the most of our time and use the accumulated wisdom to glorify the LORD. Our seasoned years may bring that bountiful harvest. Fret not over your age! Simply grow in grace and God's wisdom.
God's purpose for your life has nothing to do with your age. By Rhonda Lane Philips
Tuesday 26 January 2010
Wednesday 20 January 2010
Exodus 20:13-16
Today I would like to continue to share with you some of the other examples of true guilt.
* An evangelist, too often away from home and unhappily married, gave his altar call when a very attractive young woman came forward. This evangelist volunteered to give her time of follow-up and counselling. The eventual result was they had an affair. He divorced his wife and married this woman. According to the law in Deuteronomy 24:1-5 one could divorce his wife for any reason under the sun. But according to Jesus, this evangelist and new wife are living in sin(Matthew 5:31-32). Neither person in this marriage apparently felt any guilt for what they did. This is often the case when one ought to feel true guilt, but doesn't - the person feels nothing. But unless there is an unfeigned repentance, the approval of God will be withheld from this couple. Were they to acknowledge their sin and truly repent, God would forgive them - and they should be able to forgive themselves. They don't need to go back to the past; they can have a future. Divorce as described in this case is truly sin, but God forgives sin. Sadly, this couple felt no conviction of sin whatsoever. It is a case of true guilt; no awareness of sin seems evident. Sometimes people refuse to admit the grossest of sins but dig their heels in instead.
* A pastor's wife became attracted to the worship leader in their church. She began to let him know how she felt. The result was he reciprocated and expressed his feelings for her. They never had any physical involvement with each other, however. It was all in conversations - whenever they could meet or talk on the phone. But in the meantime neither was attracted to their own spouse. Their own marriages were 'dead'. What is more, neither felt the slightest guilt over what was going on; after all, they did not touch each other, much less sleep with each other. But according to Jesus they committed adultery in their hearts because of their lust. What is more, the pastor's wife who initiated the 'affair', actually caused the worship leader to lust after her. This went on for a good while. Eventually they did sleep together. The result was that two marriages and two ministries were destroyed. And as far as we know, there never was a feeling of true guilt!
Extracted from 'Totally Forgiving Ourselves' by R T Kendall
* An evangelist, too often away from home and unhappily married, gave his altar call when a very attractive young woman came forward. This evangelist volunteered to give her time of follow-up and counselling. The eventual result was they had an affair. He divorced his wife and married this woman. According to the law in Deuteronomy 24:1-5 one could divorce his wife for any reason under the sun. But according to Jesus, this evangelist and new wife are living in sin(Matthew 5:31-32). Neither person in this marriage apparently felt any guilt for what they did. This is often the case when one ought to feel true guilt, but doesn't - the person feels nothing. But unless there is an unfeigned repentance, the approval of God will be withheld from this couple. Were they to acknowledge their sin and truly repent, God would forgive them - and they should be able to forgive themselves. They don't need to go back to the past; they can have a future. Divorce as described in this case is truly sin, but God forgives sin. Sadly, this couple felt no conviction of sin whatsoever. It is a case of true guilt; no awareness of sin seems evident. Sometimes people refuse to admit the grossest of sins but dig their heels in instead.
* A pastor's wife became attracted to the worship leader in their church. She began to let him know how she felt. The result was he reciprocated and expressed his feelings for her. They never had any physical involvement with each other, however. It was all in conversations - whenever they could meet or talk on the phone. But in the meantime neither was attracted to their own spouse. Their own marriages were 'dead'. What is more, neither felt the slightest guilt over what was going on; after all, they did not touch each other, much less sleep with each other. But according to Jesus they committed adultery in their hearts because of their lust. What is more, the pastor's wife who initiated the 'affair', actually caused the worship leader to lust after her. This went on for a good while. Eventually they did sleep together. The result was that two marriages and two ministries were destroyed. And as far as we know, there never was a feeling of true guilt!
Extracted from 'Totally Forgiving Ourselves' by R T Kendall
Tuesday 19 January 2010
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (EXODUS)
True guilt refers to the fact of our offence towards God. True guilt also has its origin in sinning against people.
Based upon the teachings of Jesus, here are examples of true guilt:
* A man was promised a promotion in his company. Someone else got the job but achieved it by telling lies about the man who was promised it. Those in charge believed the lies. This man, a Christian, resented what had happened and vowed to get vengeance. He began defending himself and saying unkind things about the person who got the promotion. One sympathises with this man's deep hurt, but sadly he sinned along the way. He may or may not have felt any guilt for his efforts to vindicate himself, but the truth is - he has incurred true guilt and eventually has to answer for it. How do we know he sinned? Because of Jesus' interpretation of the sixth commandment 'You shall not murder'. The anger the man felt violated Jesus' teachings even though he did not physically kill anybody. But according to Jesus, the man's anger - hate - was sin. Were the man to see the error of his ways, all he need do is to acknowledge his sin to God, repent of it and cease doing anything to vindicate himself. True guilt need not be harboured nor carried for any length of time - it is not what God wants at all. True guilt is usually felt only for a moment or two - then confessed to God who instantly forgives. God does not say, 'You did not feel guilty long enough' or 'You don't seem sufficiently sorry.' God is not like that. Once we see our sin, confess and repent of it, as far as God is concerned, it's over. Nothing more is needed. One accepts God's forgiveness and forgives oneself. But in this particular case, the man continued to try to vindicate himself. Sadly he felt no guilt whatsoever, as far as one could tell. By R T Kendall
Tomorrow I will post some more examples of true guilt from 'Totally Forgiving Ourselves'
Based upon the teachings of Jesus, here are examples of true guilt:
* A man was promised a promotion in his company. Someone else got the job but achieved it by telling lies about the man who was promised it. Those in charge believed the lies. This man, a Christian, resented what had happened and vowed to get vengeance. He began defending himself and saying unkind things about the person who got the promotion. One sympathises with this man's deep hurt, but sadly he sinned along the way. He may or may not have felt any guilt for his efforts to vindicate himself, but the truth is - he has incurred true guilt and eventually has to answer for it. How do we know he sinned? Because of Jesus' interpretation of the sixth commandment 'You shall not murder'. The anger the man felt violated Jesus' teachings even though he did not physically kill anybody. But according to Jesus, the man's anger - hate - was sin. Were the man to see the error of his ways, all he need do is to acknowledge his sin to God, repent of it and cease doing anything to vindicate himself. True guilt need not be harboured nor carried for any length of time - it is not what God wants at all. True guilt is usually felt only for a moment or two - then confessed to God who instantly forgives. God does not say, 'You did not feel guilty long enough' or 'You don't seem sufficiently sorry.' God is not like that. Once we see our sin, confess and repent of it, as far as God is concerned, it's over. Nothing more is needed. One accepts God's forgiveness and forgives oneself. But in this particular case, the man continued to try to vindicate himself. Sadly he felt no guilt whatsoever, as far as one could tell. By R T Kendall
Tomorrow I will post some more examples of true guilt from 'Totally Forgiving Ourselves'
Monday 18 January 2010
2 Sameul 11:11
HEART-WRENCHING EXAMPLES OF FALSE GUILT
* A man backs out of his garage, does not see his two-year-old son in the driveway, runs over the child who dies within minutes. This father will blame himself forever but he did not mean to do what he did. It was not a sin, but pseudo-guilt.
* A woman puts on the brakes of her car too late, then skids into the other lane and has a head-on collision - four people in the other car die from the accident. She will be found guilty of careless driving in court, but she did not mean to hurt anybody, neither did she sin against God. It was pseudo-guilt that would bother her from then on.
* A young man is ordered to shoot and kill in war; he cannot get over the guilt of taking other peoples' lives. This is pseudo-guilt.
* A young woman is raped shortly after getting off the bus at night; she blames herself that she was not more watchful. This is another case of pseudo-guilt.
* A nurse was late in arriving at a home where she was to give the patient an injection that might have saved their life; the patient died moments before the nurse arrived. The nurse was ridden with guilt for years. But it was pseudo-guilt.
* A father who did not bond adequately with his son and a domineering mother who gave the child 'smother love' now blame themselves that their son is gay in his lifestyle. Whatever the failures of the parents - and who has not failed? - God did not hold them responsible for the way the son turned out; they suffer pseudo-guilt.
* A minister is awakened in the middle of the night by a threat on the other end of the line, 'I am going to kill myself if you don't come and help me.' The pastor, who dismissed the call as an idle threat, is ridden with guilt when he discovers the next day the man on the phone committed suicide shortly afterwards. The pastor suffered pseudo-guilt from this.
Extracted from 'Totally Forgiving Ourselves' by R T Kendall
* A man backs out of his garage, does not see his two-year-old son in the driveway, runs over the child who dies within minutes. This father will blame himself forever but he did not mean to do what he did. It was not a sin, but pseudo-guilt.
* A woman puts on the brakes of her car too late, then skids into the other lane and has a head-on collision - four people in the other car die from the accident. She will be found guilty of careless driving in court, but she did not mean to hurt anybody, neither did she sin against God. It was pseudo-guilt that would bother her from then on.
* A young man is ordered to shoot and kill in war; he cannot get over the guilt of taking other peoples' lives. This is pseudo-guilt.
* A young woman is raped shortly after getting off the bus at night; she blames herself that she was not more watchful. This is another case of pseudo-guilt.
* A nurse was late in arriving at a home where she was to give the patient an injection that might have saved their life; the patient died moments before the nurse arrived. The nurse was ridden with guilt for years. But it was pseudo-guilt.
* A father who did not bond adequately with his son and a domineering mother who gave the child 'smother love' now blame themselves that their son is gay in his lifestyle. Whatever the failures of the parents - and who has not failed? - God did not hold them responsible for the way the son turned out; they suffer pseudo-guilt.
* A minister is awakened in the middle of the night by a threat on the other end of the line, 'I am going to kill myself if you don't come and help me.' The pastor, who dismissed the call as an idle threat, is ridden with guilt when he discovers the next day the man on the phone committed suicide shortly afterwards. The pastor suffered pseudo-guilt from this.
Extracted from 'Totally Forgiving Ourselves' by R T Kendall
Sunday 17 January 2010
John 8:44
False Guilt, Pseudo-guilt or counterfeit guilt
Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He puts lies into our minds to make us feel guilty. False guilt is very real, but not true. False guilt can grip us and tear us apart.
On the other hand, true guilt exists when we feel a valid sense of shame - for having sinned against God and having not depended upon the blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.
General Examples of False Guilt:
* I pay a friend a visit, feeling guilty for not seeing him for a while; then when I am ready to leave he says, 'Leaving so soon?' And now I feel worse for visiting him.
* I feel guilty for saying 'no' to a preaching invitation(when the church felt 'led' to invite me), but feel guilty when I say 'yes' because it will mean more time away from home.
* A person says they saw me look at them, but I did not speak to them (when I don't remember seeing them at all).
* I eat in an expensive restaurant, then feel guilty for spending so much money.
* I order two newspapers to come to me, then feel guilty that neither gets read.
* I buy an expensive jacket at a reduced price and then feel guilty that I don't like it after I have worn it.
In other words, a feeling of guilt need not have sin at the core at all. We may regret bad jugdement, poor management of our time and money, not choosing the best holiday plan, not going to the doctor soon enough, not being present when someone needed us, not making a wise investment or even missing a plane or train when it was due to being held up by a traffic accident. We need a special grace utterly to forget such happenings.
Extracted from 'Totally Forgiving Ourselves" by R T Kendall
Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He puts lies into our minds to make us feel guilty. False guilt is very real, but not true. False guilt can grip us and tear us apart.
On the other hand, true guilt exists when we feel a valid sense of shame - for having sinned against God and having not depended upon the blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.
General Examples of False Guilt:
* I pay a friend a visit, feeling guilty for not seeing him for a while; then when I am ready to leave he says, 'Leaving so soon?' And now I feel worse for visiting him.
* I feel guilty for saying 'no' to a preaching invitation(when the church felt 'led' to invite me), but feel guilty when I say 'yes' because it will mean more time away from home.
* A person says they saw me look at them, but I did not speak to them (when I don't remember seeing them at all).
* I eat in an expensive restaurant, then feel guilty for spending so much money.
* I order two newspapers to come to me, then feel guilty that neither gets read.
* I buy an expensive jacket at a reduced price and then feel guilty that I don't like it after I have worn it.
In other words, a feeling of guilt need not have sin at the core at all. We may regret bad jugdement, poor management of our time and money, not choosing the best holiday plan, not going to the doctor soon enough, not being present when someone needed us, not making a wise investment or even missing a plane or train when it was due to being held up by a traffic accident. We need a special grace utterly to forget such happenings.
Extracted from 'Totally Forgiving Ourselves" by R T Kendall
Friday 15 January 2010
A furious squall came up (Mark 4:37)
Some of life's storms - great sorrow, a bitter disappointment, a crushing defeat - suddenly come upon us. Others may come slowly, appearing on the uneven edge of the horizon no larger than a person's hand. But trouble that seems so insignificant spreads until it covers the sky and overwhelms us.
Yet it is in the storm that God equips us for service. When God wants an oak tree, He plants it where the storms will shake it and the rains will beat down upon it. It is in the midnight battle with the elements that the oak develops its rugged fiber and becomes the king of the forest.
When God wants to make a person, He puts him into some storm. The history of humankind has always been rough and rugged. No one is complete until he has been out into the surge of the storm and has found the glorious fulfillment of the prayer "O God, take me, break me, make me."
Yet it is in the storm that God equips us for service. When God wants an oak tree, He plants it where the storms will shake it and the rains will beat down upon it. It is in the midnight battle with the elements that the oak develops its rugged fiber and becomes the king of the forest.
When God wants to make a person, He puts him into some storm. The history of humankind has always been rough and rugged. No one is complete until he has been out into the surge of the storm and has found the glorious fulfillment of the prayer "O God, take me, break me, make me."
Wednesday 13 January 2010
REVELATION 21:2
During the era of President Theodore Roosevelt, who loved big game hunting in Africa, a Southern Baptist missionary completed forty years of Christian service in Africa. The missionary sailed from Africa to New York and heard a band playing as the ship was coming into the harbour. He was so chuffed! He could not believe it was happening, that his friends had brought in a band to welcome him home. Tears filled his eyes as he quickly worked his way down to the exit of the ship to walk down the gangplank. Suddenly a security man stopped him and spoke officiously,"Step back, sir!" The old missionary waited while President Roosevelt, who had been on a big game hunting trip, was the first to disembark. As it happened, the old missionary was the last person to leave the ship.
He put his suitcase down as he stood on the dock. The band that had been welcoming the president of the United States had dispersed. Nobody was there to welcome the returning missionary home. Not a soul. The old man made his way to a modest hotel in New York and fell to his knees as soon as he entered his room. "Lord," he cried, 'I've served you for forty years in Africa and no one welcomes me home. President Roosevelt spends three weeks hunting and they have a band playing for him."
The Lord then whispered to the old missionary, "But you're not home yet."
One day Jesus will welcome us home. One final and eternal home.
He put his suitcase down as he stood on the dock. The band that had been welcoming the president of the United States had dispersed. Nobody was there to welcome the returning missionary home. Not a soul. The old man made his way to a modest hotel in New York and fell to his knees as soon as he entered his room. "Lord," he cried, 'I've served you for forty years in Africa and no one welcomes me home. President Roosevelt spends three weeks hunting and they have a band playing for him."
The Lord then whispered to the old missionary, "But you're not home yet."
One day Jesus will welcome us home. One final and eternal home.
Monday 11 January 2010
Comfort my people,says your God(Isaiah 40:1)
Store up comfort. This was the prophet Isaiah's mission. The world is full of hurting and comfortless hearts. But before you will be competent for this lofty ministry, you must be trained. And your training is extremely costly, for to make it complete, you too must endure the same afflictions that are wringing countless hearts of tears and blood. Consequently, your own life becomes the hospital ward where you are taught the divine art of comfort. You will be wounded so that in the binding up of your wounds by the Great Physician, you may learn how to render first aid to the wounded everywhere. Do you wonder why you are having to experience some great sorrow? Over the next ten years you will find many others afflicted in the same way. You will tell them how you suffered and were comforted. As the story unfolds, God will apply the anesthetic He once used on you to them. Then in the eager look followed by the gleam of hope that chases the shadow of despair from the soul, you will know why you were afflicted. And you will bless God for the discipline that filled your life with such a treasure of experience and helpfulness.
Saturday 9 January 2010
Deuteronomy 5:32
Is there some pr0blem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.
Is there some door closed by the Father's hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait - for when he shuts the door
He keeps the key.
Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by and by.
He keeps the key.
Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long lingerer He,
And of the door of all your future life
He keeps the key.
Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees is best,
Will give it THEE.
Anonymous
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.
Is there some door closed by the Father's hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait - for when he shuts the door
He keeps the key.
Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by and by.
He keeps the key.
Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long lingerer He,
And of the door of all your future life
He keeps the key.
Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees is best,
Will give it THEE.
Anonymous
EPHESIANS 1:4-5
"Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave Him great pleasure."
Some days it's hard for me to get my arms around the truth that God, the Creator of the universe, actually chose to adopt me into His own family. And if that weren't enough, this verse then tells me that this brings God great pleasure.
When I'm able to tuck that truth in my heart, it changes everything. When the world tells me I don't measure up, this verse tells me I'm the daughter of the King. When I feel hurt, alone, or unloved, God tells me He's loved me before He even made the world. And not only that, God likes me! He tells me I make Him smile.
When I live in the light of God's smile and His love, I can't help but be a better wife, mother, sister, and friend. I can't help but want to be a daughter who relishes pleasing her Heavenly Father. By Sue Rhodes
Some days it's hard for me to get my arms around the truth that God, the Creator of the universe, actually chose to adopt me into His own family. And if that weren't enough, this verse then tells me that this brings God great pleasure.
When I'm able to tuck that truth in my heart, it changes everything. When the world tells me I don't measure up, this verse tells me I'm the daughter of the King. When I feel hurt, alone, or unloved, God tells me He's loved me before He even made the world. And not only that, God likes me! He tells me I make Him smile.
When I live in the light of God's smile and His love, I can't help but be a better wife, mother, sister, and friend. I can't help but want to be a daughter who relishes pleasing her Heavenly Father. By Sue Rhodes
Wednesday 6 January 2010
Philippinas 4:11
A story is told of a king who went to his garden one morning, only to find everything withered and dying. He asked the oak tree that stood near the gate what the trouble was. The oak said it was tired of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine tree. The pine was troubled because it could not bear grapes like the grapevine. The grapevine was determined to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and produce fruit as large as peaches. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac.And so it went throughout the garden. Yet coming to a violet, the king found its face as bright and happy as ever and said, "Well, violet, I'm glad to find one brave little flower in the midst of this discouragement. You don't seem to be the least disheartened." The violet responded, "No, I'm not. I know I'm small, yet I thought if you wanted an oak or a pine or a peach tree or even a lilac, you would have planted one. Since I knew you wanted a violet, I'm determined to be the best little violet I can be."
Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's family
Can do it as well as you.
Luke 9:23
Daily ExerciseWe know the importance of daily exercise and how essential it is to good health. The Bible puts emphasis on daily exercise - but of a spiritual nature. Luke records about the apostles, "And every day, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach ...." Often people only stress spiritual thinking for certain events and activities such as weddings, funerals, or holidays. But the Bible underscores daily spiritual exercise.
David prayed to the Lord "morning, noon, and night". Paul "went to the synagogue to debate with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there" Jesus ".... taught daily in the Temple"
Take time daily for God's Word and power.
Daily spiritual exercise is required for ongoing spiritual health. - Spephen D. Boyd
Matthew 7:2
Peanuts!Consider how brave you would need to be if you were the first person to eat a peanut! A strangely shaped, bumpy little pod found in the dirt under a plant one day while you were out digging around. Brushing off the dirt, you open the pod, see two little brown nuts inside, open your mouth and pop them in!
Judging by their outward appearance, who would think that peanuts could be so many things? George Washington Carver discovered over a hundred different ways to use peanuts, and it all started with a bumpy little seedpod that someone took a chance on.
Sometimes people and situations are life that. You have to go beyond outward appearances and take a look inside. Given the opportunity, peanuts can be so much more than a bumpy rod. You cannont judge a peanut's value by its appearance, now can you? Anna Seden
Tuesday 5 January 2010
THE VOICE OF GOD Genesis 3:9
Creation,humanity, beauty - each whispers to us, hinting at a God that is active in our lives. Then there are historical accounts of God speaking to people directly. Such messages may be more 'felt' than heard. Sometimes they have come through a dream or vision. Occasionally a distinct voice has been experienced. It seems that the divine chooses, on occasion, to make Himself clearly understood through words, phrases and syntax. It is here that our "whispers" get a little louder.
* A 36 year-old woman devotes fifteen years of her life teaching in an Indian school. During a train trip she hears a divine call to serve in the nation's slums. She obeys, and becomes Mother Teresa of Calcuttta.
* On February 7, 1837 a young girl named Florence hears a voice calling her to devote her whole life to God. As she responds she is filled with great faith and confidence, although she has no idea what she is supposed to do. But her obedience to that whisper pays off. Florence Nightingale later becomes a heroine of hospital system reform, touching the lives of millions.
* Late one night David Wilkerson opens a copy of Life magazine and stares at an artist's impression of a boy, one of seven on trial for murder. Unexpectedly he begins to cry. He hears a persistent command - 'Go to New York city and help those boys'. Against all logic he obeys. Today, Wilkerson's Teen Challenge centres have among the highest success rates of drug and alcohol recovery programs in the world
* A 36 year-old woman devotes fifteen years of her life teaching in an Indian school. During a train trip she hears a divine call to serve in the nation's slums. She obeys, and becomes Mother Teresa of Calcuttta.
* On February 7, 1837 a young girl named Florence hears a voice calling her to devote her whole life to God. As she responds she is filled with great faith and confidence, although she has no idea what she is supposed to do. But her obedience to that whisper pays off. Florence Nightingale later becomes a heroine of hospital system reform, touching the lives of millions.
* Late one night David Wilkerson opens a copy of Life magazine and stares at an artist's impression of a boy, one of seven on trial for murder. Unexpectedly he begins to cry. He hears a persistent command - 'Go to New York city and help those boys'. Against all logic he obeys. Today, Wilkerson's Teen Challenge centres have among the highest success rates of drug and alcohol recovery programs in the world
Monday 4 January 2010
Mark 11:24
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe.
Faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but simply taking God at His word.
The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith.
You will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings. God gives us His promises in a quiet hour, seals our covenants with great and gracious words, and then steps back, waiting to see how much we believe. He then allows the Tempter to come, and the ensuing test seems to contradict all that He has spoken. This is when faith wins its crown. This is the time to look up through the storm, and among the trembling, frightened sailors declare, "I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me." (Acts 27:25)
Believe and trust; through stars and suns,
Through life and death, through soul and sense,
His wise, paternal purpose runs;
The darkness of His Providence
Is starlit with Divine intents.
Faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but simply taking God at His word.
The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith.
You will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings. God gives us His promises in a quiet hour, seals our covenants with great and gracious words, and then steps back, waiting to see how much we believe. He then allows the Tempter to come, and the ensuing test seems to contradict all that He has spoken. This is when faith wins its crown. This is the time to look up through the storm, and among the trembling, frightened sailors declare, "I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me." (Acts 27:25)
Believe and trust; through stars and suns,
Through life and death, through soul and sense,
His wise, paternal purpose runs;
The darkness of His Providence
Is starlit with Divine intents.
Sunday 3 January 2010
MATTHEW 7:7
MY JOB HIS JOB
Have you ever prayed for a friend to know the Lord? I've been praying for a friend of mine for many years. Sometimes this effort seems to be fruitless.
Prior to a recent meeting with my friend, I prayed, "Lord, I'll wait for you. You direct the conversation." We discussed everything. We even danced around salvation by talking about church.
I was puzzled. Why didn't God take this opportunity? I was ready to assist. Just before I pulled out of the parking lot, my friend knocked on the car window.
"I have a favour to ask. Last year my focus was decorating. This year's emphasis is my spiritual life. Will you pray for me?" Totally dumbfounded, I responded, "Yes."
I need to be still and know that He is God. Heart surgery takes precision and timing. I have enough trouble doing my job. God's got His down just fine. Prayer is fruitful. Lori Wildenberh
Have you ever prayed for a friend to know the Lord? I've been praying for a friend of mine for many years. Sometimes this effort seems to be fruitless.
Prior to a recent meeting with my friend, I prayed, "Lord, I'll wait for you. You direct the conversation." We discussed everything. We even danced around salvation by talking about church.
I was puzzled. Why didn't God take this opportunity? I was ready to assist. Just before I pulled out of the parking lot, my friend knocked on the car window.
"I have a favour to ask. Last year my focus was decorating. This year's emphasis is my spiritual life. Will you pray for me?" Totally dumbfounded, I responded, "Yes."
I need to be still and know that He is God. Heart surgery takes precision and timing. I have enough trouble doing my job. God's got His down just fine. Prayer is fruitful. Lori Wildenberh
1Peter 3:12
My grandfather used to work for the Texas Highway Department with a guy called Ray Alexander - a believer. Their job was to put asphalt in potholes. Ray witnessed to my grandfather and said, "Why don't you come over tonight after dinner and let me share more with you about Jesus?" So my grandfather said, 'OK.' After dinner he got up and started to leave, and my father - then aged sixteen - sasid to him, "Where are you going?" My grandfather said, "I'm going to talk to a man." My father had just gotten his driver's license and asked, "Can I drive you?" My grandfather said, "Yes, but you have to stay outside while we talk."
So they drove over; my father sat alone in the car. Finally he became a little bored, so he got out ot the car, and he went up and sat on the steps of the front porch. There was no air-conditioning back then, so the door was open. For the first time, my father heard the gospel - that Jesus was the Son of God, came to the earth and died on the cross for our sins. Ray Alexander said to my grandfather, 'Would you like to accept Jesus as your Saviour?' My grandfather said, "No. I want to think about it." Ray then said to my grandfather, "Then, if you ever decide to get saved, pray a prayer like this." And as he went through the sinner's prayer, my father, sitting on the front porch, actually prayed that prayer and got saved. He raised me in a Christian home, and I too became a Christain, then became an evangelist, did stadium crusades, preached in churches - and saw thousands of people saved.
A few years before my grandfather died at seventy-seven, forty-five years after Ray Alexander shared Christ with him, I got burdened about it. So, at a family reunion, we went into a room alone, and I shared Christ with my grandfather, and my grandfather got saved. I called Ray Alexander. Ray didn't even know that my father got saved that night forty-five years before. I said to him, "Because of you, thousands of people have come into the kingdom. And now I want you to know that my grandfather has been saved, too." Ray Alexander started to weep. "Your grandfather is the only name in the back of my Bible without a tick beside it." He told me he had prayed for my grandfather for forty-five years, but as soon as he got off the phone, he was going to put a tick beside my grandfather's name.
Everyone on his list that he had been praying for had now come to Christ.
Extract from 'Did You Think to Pray?'
So they drove over; my father sat alone in the car. Finally he became a little bored, so he got out ot the car, and he went up and sat on the steps of the front porch. There was no air-conditioning back then, so the door was open. For the first time, my father heard the gospel - that Jesus was the Son of God, came to the earth and died on the cross for our sins. Ray Alexander said to my grandfather, 'Would you like to accept Jesus as your Saviour?' My grandfather said, "No. I want to think about it." Ray then said to my grandfather, "Then, if you ever decide to get saved, pray a prayer like this." And as he went through the sinner's prayer, my father, sitting on the front porch, actually prayed that prayer and got saved. He raised me in a Christian home, and I too became a Christain, then became an evangelist, did stadium crusades, preached in churches - and saw thousands of people saved.
A few years before my grandfather died at seventy-seven, forty-five years after Ray Alexander shared Christ with him, I got burdened about it. So, at a family reunion, we went into a room alone, and I shared Christ with my grandfather, and my grandfather got saved. I called Ray Alexander. Ray didn't even know that my father got saved that night forty-five years before. I said to him, "Because of you, thousands of people have come into the kingdom. And now I want you to know that my grandfather has been saved, too." Ray Alexander started to weep. "Your grandfather is the only name in the back of my Bible without a tick beside it." He told me he had prayed for my grandfather for forty-five years, but as soon as he got off the phone, he was going to put a tick beside my grandfather's name.
Everyone on his list that he had been praying for had now come to Christ.
Extract from 'Did You Think to Pray?'
Saturday 2 January 2010
PRAYING WITH GREAT FEELING AND GREAT FAITH
Jesus' perfect faith was paralleled by perfect compassion. Here are some examples of His extraordinary compassion:-
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they wre harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.(Matthew 14:14)
I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. i do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way. (Matthew 15:32)
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (Matthew 20:34)
When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said,"Don't cry." (Luke 7:13)
I remembered several months ago when I was very distressed, the Lord touched me with His Word in Luke 7:13 while I was doing my quiet time. I wept even more because I felt He was speaking to me directly and was so comforted by Him and being so encouraged by His love, mercy and grace.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they wre harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.(Matthew 14:14)
I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. i do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way. (Matthew 15:32)
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (Matthew 20:34)
When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said,"Don't cry." (Luke 7:13)
I remembered several months ago when I was very distressed, the Lord touched me with His Word in Luke 7:13 while I was doing my quiet time. I wept even more because I felt He was speaking to me directly and was so comforted by Him and being so encouraged by His love, mercy and grace.
Friday 1 January 2010
EPHESIANS 4:24
GET NEW FURNITURE
I once lived in a tiny, but cozy, attic apartment. From time to time, for a change of perspective and in an attempt to open up more space, I'd rearrange the furniture.
Moving the couch to the other side of the room did offer a fresh perspective, but, as far as space was concerned, only incremental improvement could be achieved. Why? No matter how much I rearranged the furniture, it was still the same furniture.
If the stuff of your life is holding you back from living a holy life, then it's time to get new stuff. Incessant rearranging of your inner furniture won't bring peace or healing.
In Christ everything is new (II Corinthians 5:17), not just rearranged. To be truly changed, get rid of old thought patterns and habits and furnish your life with new behaviours and attitudes.
From A CUP OF COMFORT BY STEPHEN R. CLARK
I once lived in a tiny, but cozy, attic apartment. From time to time, for a change of perspective and in an attempt to open up more space, I'd rearrange the furniture.
Moving the couch to the other side of the room did offer a fresh perspective, but, as far as space was concerned, only incremental improvement could be achieved. Why? No matter how much I rearranged the furniture, it was still the same furniture.
If the stuff of your life is holding you back from living a holy life, then it's time to get new stuff. Incessant rearranging of your inner furniture won't bring peace or healing.
In Christ everything is new (II Corinthians 5:17), not just rearranged. To be truly changed, get rid of old thought patterns and habits and furnish your life with new behaviours and attitudes.
From A CUP OF COMFORT BY STEPHEN R. CLARK
Acts 12:5
Peter wa in prison awaiting his execution, and the church had no human power or influence that could save him. There was no earthly help available, but help could be obtained by way of heaven. So the church gave themselves to fervent and persistent prayer. And God sent an angel, who 'struck Peter on the side and woke him up' Then the angel led him past "the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself", and Peter was free.
Perhaps there is some "iron gates" in your life, blocking your way. Like a caged bird, you have often beaten against the bars, but instead of helping your situation, you have become even more tired and exhausted and caused yourself more heartache. There is a secret for you to learn - the secret of believing prayer.Then when you come to the iron gate, it will open as it did for Peter 'by itself'.
How much wasted energy and painful disappointment will be saved once you learn to pray as the early church did in the "upper room"! Insurmountable difficulties will disappear and adverse circumstances will turn favourable once you learn to pray - not with your faith but with the faith of God. Many of your loved ones have been bound by Satan and imprisioned by him for years, and they are simply waiting for the gates to be opened. They will be set free in Christ when you pray fervently and persistently in faith to God. - By C H P
Perhaps there is some "iron gates" in your life, blocking your way. Like a caged bird, you have often beaten against the bars, but instead of helping your situation, you have become even more tired and exhausted and caused yourself more heartache. There is a secret for you to learn - the secret of believing prayer.Then when you come to the iron gate, it will open as it did for Peter 'by itself'.
How much wasted energy and painful disappointment will be saved once you learn to pray as the early church did in the "upper room"! Insurmountable difficulties will disappear and adverse circumstances will turn favourable once you learn to pray - not with your faith but with the faith of God. Many of your loved ones have been bound by Satan and imprisioned by him for years, and they are simply waiting for the gates to be opened. They will be set free in Christ when you pray fervently and persistently in faith to God. - By C H P
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