The Secret 10/31

One day, one friend asked another,
"How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy,
and you never seem to get down." 


With her eyes smiling, she said,
"I know the Secret!"
"What secret is that?" 
To which she replied, 
"I'll tell you all about it, 
but you have to promise to 
share the Secret with others." 


"The Secret is this: 
I have learned there is little I can do 
in my life that will make me truly happy. 
I must depend on God to make 
me happy and to meet my needs. 
When a need arises in my life, 
I have to trust God to supply 
according to HIS riches. 
I have learned most of the time 
I don't need half of what I think I do. 
He has never let me down. 
Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy." 


The questioner's first thought was, 
"That's too simple!" 
But upon reflecting over her own life 
she recalled how she thought a bigger house 
would make her happy, but it didn't! 
She thought a better paying job 
would make her happy, but it hadn't. 
When did she realize her greatest happiness? 
Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren, 
playing games, eating pizza or reading a story, 
a simple gift from God. 


Now you know it too! 
We can't depend on people to make us happy. 
Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that. 
Trust HIM! 
And now I pass the Secret on to you! 
So once you get it, what will you do? 


YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too! 
That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU! 
But it's not really a secret... 
We just have to believe it and do it... 
Really trust God! 


Do your best; let God do the rest


My Comments: Again a lesson on trust... something like 3 devotionals in two days! I have really been dealt with on this matter, in church, chapel, and on the radio as well. It hasn’t a good day in my life to be struggling with control. There is the promise of joy and happiness, though.

Control (by Chuck Swindoll) 10/31

CONTROL
by Charles R. Swindoll
Galatians 3
It’s easy to get confused these days. “Out of control” isn’t what we want to be. People who drink too much are said to be “out of control.” Those who worry too much become emotionally “out of control.” The same goes for those who go too far with anything: prescription drugs, food, fitness, sex, work—you name it.
But wait. Does this mean we’re supposed to be “in control”? Is that our goal? I know a boss (in fact I know several) who is definitely “in control.” Folks who work for him either grin and bear it or jump ship as soon as another job surfaces. Some fathers are, without question, “in control.” They intimidate, dominate, moderate, and manipulate.
But being “in control” doesn’t necessarily mean “controlling.” A healthy, happy life requires being in control of ourselves. To be punctual, we must control the use of our time. To be prepared and ready, we must be in control of our schedule. To be a good listener, our minds and tongue must be controlled. To get a project completed, our tendency to procrastinate must be under the firm control of our determination.
This means, then, that we need to be in firm control of ourselves . . . but not controlling of others. Our example? Christ, of course. He got the job done. Without wasted effort, personal panic, or extreme demands, He accomplished the objective. Right on schedule, He went to that cross. When He sighed, “It is finished,” it was. Absolutely and completely.
Did most believe? Are you kidding? The vast majority back then, as now, didn’t give Him the time of day. Could He have grabbed the controls and forced them to sit up and take notice? I hope to shout! Remember what He said? “Thinkest thoug that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matt. 26:53). I’d call 72,000 angels being in charge, wouldn’t you? It was His own control that restrained Him from controlling others.
The Christian life boils down to a battle of the wills: Christ’s vs. our own. Every day we live we must answer, “Who’s in charge here?”
Recently I received a letter from a fine Christian couple, and I smiled understandingly at one line: “Although the Lord has taken good care of my wife and me for the past thirty-eight years, He has taken control of us for the past two and a half.”
Tell me, how long has the Lord taken care of you? Be honest now . . . has He also taken control of you? It’s easy to get confused these days. It’s even easier to take control.
Don’t get “out of control” because you’re so determined to stay “in control.”
 
Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Day by Day with Charles Swindoll (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2000). Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

My Comments: I really struggle with giving Christ control of my life. It really comes down to trusting that He will do what is best for me. My intellect knows that He will, but my will wants to be in charge... because of pride. When all is said and done, I really have no power to be in control and holding on to the reins of my life doesn’t mean I can truly direct it in the way I want. It’s kind of like the previous entry. Do I yield control to God, or does He carry me along kicking and screaming...

Kicking and Screaming 10/31

KICKING AND SCREAMING
You can learn a lot from going to the market. The longer I live the more I learn just from going there with my eyes, ears, and heart open. The latest bit of wisdom that blessed me there came just the other day. A young mother was walking with her little child while pushing a cart loaded down with fruits and vegetables. The tiny toddler was complaining the whole time about how he hated all of these foods and wanted some candy. When his mother refused he began to throw a fit. His crying, kicking, and screaming were getting louder and louder until his mom firmly said, "If you don’t behave and eat your fruits and vegetables then you won’t be getting any of the homemade cookies your grandma brought over when we get home." With these words the crying stopped and the child’s face brightened with an angelic smile. I could hear the pure delight in his voice when he said, "Oh Boy! Grandma made cookies."
I smiled then and realized that even as adults we are often like that toddler. God is holding our hands and leading us on a path of incredible growth in learning, goodness, love, and joy. The trouble is that often we are kicking and screaming all the way. We don’t want what is really good for us. We want what we think will be good for us right now. We can’t see those delicious, homemade cookies God has waiting for us, because we are too focused on that piece of hard candy in front of our eyes.
The rewards of love, joy, peace, happiness, goodness, and delight that God has waiting for us are far greater than we know. We just have to stop kicking and screaming and see that He is taking us where we need to go. We just have to enjoy our fruits and vegetables and know that even sweeter things are to come. We just have to hold our Father’s hand and trust Him to lead us through this life and back home again.
…..Joseph J. Mazzella (joecool@wirefire.com) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.com)


My Comments: Often I can’t trust the Father to know what’s best for me now, because I want what I see is available now, not realizing the better plan He has for me that is still ahead.

A thought about mercy 10/31

"You should not let a single person in the world, whatever sin that person may have committed, come before your eyes and depart without having found mercy with you. And should that person not ask for mercy from you, then you must ask it of him. And were that person to come to you a thousand times, continue to love them so as to lead them back to the right path. Always have compassion, for all of us have sinned." - St. Francis of Assisi

My Comments: It is hard sometime to forgive what has been done to you by others. God asks us to remember that we can forgive much, because we have been forgiven so very much more.

The Parable of the Father/ a.k.a. Unconditional Love 10/29

The Parable of the Father
a.k.a. Unconditional Love
 
Luke 15: 11, 20
 
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
 
      If you’ve been in church very long, you know this verse is from the passage of scripture we often call the Prodigal Son.   I’ve heard it preached that way for most, if not all, of my life.  However, the other day it was presented in a way I had never thought of before and it struck a chord so deep I wanted to share it with you.  Maybe it will bless you as it did me.  Maybe it will give you encouragement today.  If you’ve not read this passage for a while (and even if you have), I want to encourage you to go and read the whole passage. (Luke 15:11-32)
      Now, this is a parable and we often focus on the younger son, and rightly so given the context in which Jesus was speaking.  However, let’s talk a little about the father’s role in this parable.    This father had not just one son but two.   The youngest son decided he hated living at home and decided he didn’t want to live there any more.  However, having nothing of his own, he needed his inheritance to live somewhere else.  So, he demanded his father give him his inheritance.   It was a slap in the face to the father.   It said, “Dad, I sure wish you were dead but since you’re not give me what you’d give me if you were.”
      Now, here’s something interesting I didn’t know.   The word “riotous” in v. 13 comes from the noun that means prodigal’.  This is where we get the phrase ‘Prodigal Son’.   However,  prodigal doesn’t mean just one who’s gone away from all they have been taught but it means according to Zodhiates’  The Complete Word Dictionary of the New Testament  “having no hope of safety, extravagant squandering.   A prodigal is one who spends too much, who slides easily under the fatal influence of flatterers and the temptations with which he has surrounded himself into spending freely on his own lusts and appetites.   According to Funk & Wagnell’s Standard Dictionary, International Edition it means “to live a life of unrestrained feasting and drinking.   Wow… what a picture.    Up to this point, the father had provided everything his sons ever needed… including work to do.  (Yes, our children need work to do.)  When the youngest son left, he now had a bigger problem than just where to live and what to do with his life.   He had a void in his life… a father void.   So, to fill that void, he set out to please people around him in living a “riotous” life.   The son had never been connected to the father…. He didn’t know who (the character of ) his father was.  When we try to fill a "father" void by pleasing others, it will often take us so much farther down that we ever thought possible.
      Now, we’ve looked at the younger son but let’s look at the older son.  The “good” son who stayed home and worked hard to be successful.  He worked and worked.   He was not connected to his father either.  He thought to gain his father’s approval, he needed to be the better worker of the two sons.   He thought he needed to work long hours and be the best in order to succeed.  Neither of these boys knew their father's character.   They both were trying to fill a father void.  
      Okay.   Let me see if I can bring this into making some sense.   The prodigal son, thought ‘riotous’ living was the way to be “complete”.  The “good” son thought hard work was the way to get his father’s love.    The one son sought to please other people instead of the father.   The other sought his father’s attention through his hard work.
      The younger son comes to himself when all is spent and he finds himself in a pig stye.   He thought to himself, “even my father’s servants are treated better than this… I’ll just go back ask forgiveness and only ask to be treated as one of his servants”    He still had no idea of his father’s character.   When the young son comes back, the Bible says, “But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”   His father had been looking for him.   His father had great love toward him and now, instead of the son running away from his father, the father is running toward his son.  Great joy follows and feasting.   However, the older son hearing of it became angry.   Hadn’t he worked hard for his father all his life….didn’t he deserve his father’s attention?   Here is this squanderer, this ne’er-do-well and his father actually has the audacity to throw him a party!
      The father hears of his older son’s ire and goes to speak to him.   “Son, you’ve always done well and though you may not realize it, you’ve always had my heart and my attention.”
      God put in each one of us a “Father” void.   I have always heard of it as a “God” void but now, I think I understand a little more.   Some of us had earthly fathers who were less than God intended them to be in our lives.   Some of us had fathers who abused us.  Some have been abused physically, emotionally, sexually or spiritually, or a combination of these.  
      Our view of our eternal Father is skewed.   We, in the back of our mind, may think that He’s just like our earthly father was to us and when we think this, we’re afraid to have an intimate relationship with the Father for fear He’ll betray our trust just like our earthly father did.   
      However, the fact remains that we all have that “Father” void.  Some of us have tried to fill that void by being people pleasers and being a people pleaser has gotten us into more hot water than we ever thought possible.     Some of us have tried to fill that void by “working, working, working”, so we don’t have to deal with the hurt of a father who seemingly neglected us.   So we perhaps we’ll be “good enough” one day to gain our eternal “Father’s” attention.
      However, our eternal “Father” is watching for us from “a far off”.  He’s waiting for us to decide to come “home” and when we decide to humble ourselves before the Father and turn ourselves toward “home”, He's watching and He'll run toward us with great compassion and love.
      What about you?   Have you been hurting because of a betrayal of trust?   Perhaps it wasn’t your father, but someone you thought you could trust.. someone in a position of authority... perhaps a friend, a family member.   Don’t allow that betrayal to skew your vision of our eternal Father who wants to have a close walk with you.   Give the hurts, the betrayal, the inability to trust to our eternal Father.   He’s watching from “afar off” and as soon as you make a move toward Him, He’ll be running to you with love and compassion and healing.  
      Perhaps you don’t know the eternal Father through His Son Jesus Christ.   Lay down your burdens first at the Cross of Jesus Christ, admit you’re a sinner and ask for His cleansing of sin.  Then come home to the Father.   He’s waiting for you.
 
Molly Winter
Col. 1:9-10

My Comments: Again a reminder of the Father’s love for us, even when we aren’t seeking Him.

If 10/25

(Author Unknown)
If you never felt pain, 
     Then how would you know that I AM a Healer?
If you never went through anything, 
     How would you know that I AM a Deliverer?
If you never had a trial, 
     How could you call yourself an Overcomer?
If you never felt sadness, 
     How would you know that I AM a Comforter?
If you never made a mistake, 
     How would you know that I AM Forgiving?
If you knew all, 
     How would you know that I WILL answer your questions?
If you never were in trouble, 
     How would you know that I WILL come to your rescue?
If you never were broken, 
     Then how would know that I CAN make you whole?
If you never had a problem, 
     How would you know that I CAN solve them?
If you never had any suffering, 
     then how would you know what I went through?
If you never went through the fire, 
     How would you become pure?
If I gave you all things, 
     How would you appreciate them?
If I never corrected you, 
     How would you know that I LOVE you?
If you had all power, 
     Then how would you learn to depend on Me?
If your life was perfect, 
     Then what would you need Me for?
Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com/list.html

My Comments: Another poem that says it all much better than I can.

The Cross We Bear 10/24




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 We complain about the cross we bear but don’t realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can’t.
 

 

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain.... 
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall; But God's always ready, to answer your call.... 
He knows every heartache, sees every tear, a word from His lips, can calm every fear... 
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light... 
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, to give you His grace, and send you His love...

My Comments: What a great, graphic reminder that God uses the circumstances of our life that seem too overwhelming to bear, to prepare us for something ahead of us, that only He can see. His all-knowing love for us helps us by His grace to bear the cross now and to prepare us for what’s ahead.

On My Own 10/22

(By list member Debbie Preuss, October 1, 2004)
Lord, I've been trying to make it on my own 
Now I sit here, feeling all alone 
I'm overwhelmed by life and I'm feeling scared 
Wishing there was someone who really cared 
I've wandered away from Your own face 
Lord, please help me by Your infinite grace 
Father I'm weary, weary to the bone 
I know I just can't make it on my own 
Forgive me Lord, a sinner am I 
Please come near, Lord hear my cry 
The tears fall freely, I am spent 
I wonder now, where my peace went 
The bills are mounting higher and higher 
I am trapped in the mud and the mire 
Lord, please come, please be my friend 
I have a broken heart for You to mend 
Lord, please hold me, hear my pleas 
I come to You Father, down on my knees 
I know You will always stay by my side 
I want to always with You abide 
Oh Lord, I love You, this is so true 
May I live only, to glorify You 
I sit here now, not so alone 
For I know I can't make it on my own 
You will be with me all along the way 
Thank You, Father, with me You'll stay
Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com/list.html
My Comments: We look so often for people to meet needs in our lives that only God can fill; He is the only One who really cares about every need we have.

Nothing Is Too Small For God to Be Concerned About 10/22

Nothing Is Too Small For God to Be Concerned About
We often feel small and wonder if God can possibly be concerned with us each one individually. In our pain and suffering we question how God can possibly know each pain we feel. But, He has known anguish far more than we can ever know, and He certainly cares that we are in need of relief.
A statement comes due and we are short of cash; we feel alone in our financial distress, failing to realize that even our finances matter to God. He desires for us to ask for His help when we feel overwhelmed.
Relationships also concern God, He who sees nothing too small or unimportant for Him to have an interest in, knows our problems with others and the desires of our hearts. God is also concerned about those we love and cares about their well being.
Employment is a concern people worry about, forgetting that God knows our responsibilities and desires us to work. The Bible refers to a man's responsibility to labor in order to provide for his needs. God cares, too, that we have a roof over our head, food on the table, and a comfortable home in which to live.
We limit God by seeing things as too small for Him to care about; we don't want to bother Him with our problems. We think God can not possibly be bothered with our menial distresses. We see our problems as only ours to worry about, but God is not to be limited; He is interested in everything that concerns us.
The Bible tells us, five sparrows worth two pennies are not unimportant to God. He also knows every hair on our head. In other words, nothing is too insignificant for God, and He desires to meet all of our needs.
You and your problems are more important to God than you can possibly know. So instead of worrying and fretting over even the little things in your life, take them to God. Ask Him to help you find a solution and cast your problems at Jesus' feet.
Worry makes problems bigger and solutions impossible. Forgetting your responsibilities solves nothing either, but giving them to God can make the difference.
Giving problems to God doesn't mean we cease to work, stop paying bills, quit going to the doctor or living normal lives. It doesn't mean our problems will disappear. But it does mean we should listen and watch for answers and solutions that God will bring to us, sometimes in ways we least expect them.
…..(c) 2006 Betty King (baking2@charter.net) (www.bettyking.net)
My Comments: Another good reminder that we need to rely on the Lord and rest in His promise of grace, deliverance and peace.

Spiritual Vitamins A-Z 10/18

Spiritual Vitamins A to Z
Anxious? Take Vitamin A. 
(Romans 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them 
that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
Blue? Take Vitamin B. 
(Psalms 103:1) A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that 
is within me, bless His holy name.
Crushed? Take Vitamin C. 
(1 Pet 5:7) Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
Depressed? Take Vitamin D. 
(James 4:8) Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your 
hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Empty? Take Vitamin E. 
(Psalms 100:4) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His 
courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
Fearful? Take Vitamin F. 
(Isaiah 41:10) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I 
am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will 
uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Greedy? Take Vitamin G. 
(Luke 6:38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed 
down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. 
For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you 
again.
Hesitant? Take Vitamin H. 
(Isaiah 52:7) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that 
bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of 
good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Insecure? Take Vitamin I. 
(Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Jittery? Take Vitamin J. 
(Hebrews 13:8) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for 
ever.
Know nothing? Take Vitamin K. 
(Psalms 100:3) Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made 
us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Lonely? Take Vitamin L. 
(Matthew 28:20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have 
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the 
world.Amen.
Mortgaged? Take Vitamin M. 
(2 Corinthian 12:9) And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for 
thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore 
will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest 
upon me.
Nervous? Take Vitamin N. 
(Hebrews 13:5) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be 
content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave 
thee, nor forsake thee.
Overwhelmed? Take Vitamin O. 
(Romans 12:21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Perplexed or puzzled? Take Vitamin P. 
(John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as 
the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither 
let it be afraid.
Quitting? Take Vitamin Q. 
(1 Corinthian 16:13) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like 
men, be strong.
Restless? Take Vitamin R. 
(Psalms 37:7) Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not 
thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who 
bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Scared? Take Vitamin S. 
(1 Sam 22:23) Abide thou with Me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life 
seeketh thy life: but with Me thou shalt be in safeguard.
Tired? Take Vitamin T. 
(Isaiah 40:31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their 
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not 
be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Uncertain? Take Vitamin U. 
(Isaiah 43:10) Ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, and My servant whom I 
have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: 
before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.
Vain? Take Vitamin V. 
(Acts 5:16) There came also a multitude out of the cities round about 
unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean 
spirits: and they were healed every one.
Wondering what to do? Take Vitamin W. 
(Micah 6:8) He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the 
LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk 
humbly with thy God?
eXhausted? Take Vitamin X. 
(1 Tim 4:7) But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise 
thyself rather unto godliness.
Yearning for hope? Take Vitamin Y. 
(Psalms 23:4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of 
death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they 
comfort me.
Zapped? Take Vitamin Z. 
(Titus 2:14) Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all 
iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
My Comments: I just thought this list was an incredible effort to reflect all the promises God has for us when we are so overwhelmed by the circumstances of our lives.

Walking With God 10/15

Genesis 2:8
 
8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
 
Genesis 3:8
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 
 
        I find something interesting here… Though I’ve read the account of creation many times, as I am sure you have, I never gave thought to the fact that God specifically “planted a garden”.  Nor had I given  thought as to “why” God had to plant a garden specifically.  I think perhaps I just thought this was “the way God wanted to do it”.  
        Come with me, think with me, marvel with me!   I think most of the time we believe God planted the Garden of Eden for a place for Adam and Eve to live… in which they did.  However, I would like to propose to you that God specifically “planted a garden eastward in Eden”, for a place for Himself.   A place where He could not only walk in, but where He could commune with His highest creation.  God has always been the initiator of His relationship with man.  He has always created the invitation for man to come walk with Him.  However, God created the Garden of Eden as the first “sanctuary” where man could come into the very presence of God and “walk with Him.”   God had to put Adam and Eve out of His “sanctuary” because Adam (who’d been commanded to “keep” or guard the garden had allowed Satan in and subsequently they fell into sin.).
        Now fast forward with me a few years, though God’s creation had sinned and could not dwell with God has they had been created to, God had not changed.  He still wanted to walk with His creation.  So, He tells Moses in Exodus 25:8-9 to have the people make a sanctuary for Him to dwell in according to the pattern He would show Moses.  Please read Leviticus 26:11-12.  There God tells His people that He would set His tabernacle among them and that He would walk among them and be their God.   God has always desired to have a relationship with His creation.  He has always desired to make a way for them to commune with Him.  God gave them the pattern of first the Tabernacle dwelling of the wilderness and then the Temple that would be built after they had entered the Promised Land.
        Now, fast forward with me a few more years later.  The physical Temple of Israel had been destroyed.  There was no place for God’s people to come to commune with Him.  Yet God still desired to walk with His people.  His Son had been sent to make the ultimate sacrifice for our sin so that we might … come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:16  God still desired a place for His people to commune with Him.  So, after Jesus physically left this earth, He sent the Comforter or the Holy Spirit to reside in us.   We became, the temple of God… His residing place through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for our sins, according to 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  God wants to reside with us.  He wants to walk with us.  So, ever the pursuant in our relationship with Him, He made a way for us to “walk with Him.”    2 Corinthians 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.   By, the way, this is a quote from the Leviticus passage I referenced earlier.   God wants us to walk with Him.  He wants to dwell with us!  It has been His purpose from the beginning of creation to walk with us!  
        Beloved, if we are a blood-washed, born-again temple, should we not strive to keep our bodies, our mind, and spirit holy, so that a holy God can commune with us?   If there’s sin in our temple, God cannot commune with us.  He cannot walk and talk with us.  God made the way for us to talk with Him, but we must do it His way… it’s always had to be His way.   He is a HOLY God and as a HOLY God, He cannot share the same space as sin.   If there’s sin in your life, confess it and put it under the blood… then come… walk with God. 
        So, how are you doing?   Are you walking with God.   In Ephesians 5:2 Paul tells us to,  “… walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.  The only way we can walk in love is to commune with the Holy Spirit who resides in us if we are a blood washed born-again believer. 
        Perhaps you’re not a blood-washed, born-again believer.  There’s no way that you can have that “walk with God.”   You must come to Him through His precious Son, Jesus Christ who not only made the way for God to walk with us but also is the way.  God wants to walk with you, beloved.  He’s pursuing you… won’t you stop and come alongside Him and walk with Him?  If you don't know how to do that, please contact me... I would love to show you how you too can "walk with God."
    Marvel with me, dear friend....though we, God's creation, have changed, He has not... He still wants to commune with you and me!  Awesome!
 
Molly Winter
Col. 1:9-10

My Comments: This really ties in with the Seeking Him Bible study I have been doing, particularly the week on holiness. I find there are so many areas of my life where I must be pursuing holiness.

Where Are You? 10/8

Where Are You?
 
Genesis 3:8-9
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.  9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
 
      Have you wondered why you were born?   Do you wonder what your purpose is?   Or perhaps you think your purpose has been to give an eccentric God amusement as He watches you struggle in your day-to-day life.  
      The verse I’ve quoted is from a very familiar story and if you’re like me, sometimes we read the stories in the Bible and see them as we would a painting or a photograph.  We only see them in one dimension.    Now, I’d like to take you with me into this story and put flesh on it.  
      We are in the Garden of Eden.   God has created the earth and all its beauty but then He does something more…. He plants a beautiful Garden specifically for His highest creation, Adam. 
      Now, it was not just a place for Adam to live.   When God planted the Garden, He put some things in it that were reminiscent of His heavenly Home.   The tree of life and a river.   (These were in heaven already and you’ll see that if you’ll read Revelation 22:2).  When God planted the Garden, He planted it as a sanctuary for Him to meet with Adam.
      Can you see the awesomeness of this?   The God of the universe wanted to meet with His creation and He did so every day after He put Adam and Eve in the Garden.  See the first phrase in verse 8?  They heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden…. This was not a one time event.  God didn’t come specifically to the Garden on this particular day so He could catch Adam out.   It was His custom…. It was His desire to be with His Creation.    Now, God put two trees in the Garden.  One would give life and one would deliver death!   God only commanded Adam not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, because if and when he did, he would surely die.   Adam had a choice.   The choice visible to him (because as humans we need the visible to relate to the spiritual) was to eat or not eat of one tree.    The spiritual choice this pictured was between the God of all life and the death that disobedience causes.
      God had such a desire to be with His creation that He created a special place to meet with him.  However, God didn’t want a being that loved Him because he had no choice or because of duty.  He wanted His creation to choose Him.  He wanted His creation to choose to walk daily with Him.   God did not force Adam and Eve to meet with Him every day, He simply made Himself available for that walk.  When they chose that walk, their lives were more blessed than they knew.  
      However, as you and I know, they made a bad choice.   They chose to disobey His one command.  Hear the heart of God as it breaks!   The one creation who has the ability to choose God over everything and everyone else, didn’t!   So, when God comes to walk in the Garden in the cool of the day and Adam and Eve heard His voice, they hid.   Not because they were naked as they gave the excuse, but because they knew somehow they were no longer worthy to be in the presence of their Holy God.  God asks, “Adam, where are you?”  
    Now, did God not know where Adam was?   Of course, He did.   So why did He ask?   Because God always asks questions to bring to light the things we wish to hide…. i.e., our sin of disobedience.  Was God shocked at Adams choice?   Was the fact that God would now have to bring a substitute sacrifice on the scene a surprise to Him? No, Revelation 13:8 tell us of “….the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.   Though God had made a place for His creation to dwell with Him, He knew He would need to make a provision for a way back to Him and had already made that provision through “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world!” John 1:29. 
      God made a covering for Adam and Eve because try as they might make their own, it would never be good enough, then He put them out of His sanctuary.  
      When God came walking in the Garden that day, He was pursuing Adam and Eve.   He knew where they were, but they hadn’t yet realized what exactly they had lost.  They lost His Spirit that He had put in them when He created them.   Though God put them out of the Garden, He continues to pursue people to meet with.     He pursued Enoch, who walked with God.   He pursued Noah, who built the ark.   He pursued Abraham, through whom all people are blessed.  He pursued Isaac, Moses, Rahab, Ruth, David, Jonah, Mary, Peter, Paul… just to name a few and beloved, today, He's pursuing YOU!
      So, let me ask you... Where are you?  Are you a blood washed, born-again believer who has strayed for God’s design for you?   Have you lusted after things of the world thinking the Christian life is too hard to live?    Are you trying to hide from God, thinking foolishly that you can?  Perhaps you have not lusted after the things of this world, but perhaps you believe God has not provided adequately for you.    Maybe it’s not you that’s strayed, but a loved one… a parent, a child, a dear friend, a beloved mentor in the faith and your heart aches and you wonder “why, God?” 
      Can I tell you something, God is pursuing you!  He desires to dwell with you!   He wants your fellowship and companionship… yet He cannot do that if you insist on trying to hiding your sin.   Your sin separates you from Him.   
      Perhaps you are enjoying daily walks with God but someone you know is breaking your heart. They are walking apart from God, trying to hide their sin, and yet can I tell you something?   God is pursuing those in your life who seem to be walking away from Him.   John 6:44, No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  Keep praying that the Father will draw them to Jesus…Pray that they will stand still and allow Him to catch them. Only then will they know true joy and contentment.  
    Perhaps you do not even know the God who created you.   God loves you and has a made a way back to Him through His Son Jesus Christ.…Won't you come today?
    Beloved, He loves you and He loves those you love.  He is pursuing you and them!   The God of the universe is not a capricious God, one who toys with His creation.   He desires to walk with you… come, hear His voice in the Garden acknowledge whatever sin is keeping you in hiding and join Him for a walk.   Allow Him to draw you to Him and then bow in awe of your Creator!  

Molly Winter
Col. 1:9-10

My Comments: Another devotional that speaks to that love of Christ for us that He is pursuing us, searching for us, meeting us like the Father of the prodigal son who joyously ran to greet the son on his return. How can God love me so much, when I have failed Him so greatly?

A Made Up Mind 10/8

A Made Up Mind
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. 
The dye has been cast. 
The decision has been made. 
I have stepped over the line. 
I won't look back, let up, slow down or back away.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with selfish living, sight walking, small planning, "smooth knees," colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, pity or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with His patience, live by prayer and labor with His power.
My face is set; my gait is sure; my goal is heaven; my road is narrow; my way is rough, my companions are few; my Guide is reliable; my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity because I have been sustained by Christ.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner is clear.
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
---Written by a young African pastor: it was tacked on the wall of his house and found after he died as a martyr for the Gospel - seen on a wall at Southeast Bible Baptist Church, Penfield NY, Bruce Craig, pastor

My Comments: I’m sure I am NOT able to say this fully, but it should be the aim of each Christian to strive for this level of holiness and surrender to the Spirit’s leading.

Lord Prop Us Up 10/5

LORD, PROP US UP

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, "Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side."

After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

He answered, "Well sir, you see, it's like this...I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time. It's withstood a lot of weather. It's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years. It's still standing, but one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall.

"Then I got to thinking 'bout that and how much I was like that old barn. I been around a long time, I've withstood a lot of life's storms, I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing, too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leanin' side, 'cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning, at times."

[forwarded by JR] (Mikey’s Funnies)

My Comments: We all have weak areas in our lives. The Lord promises to be our strength. In fact, Paul says in II Corinthians 12:10 that our weaknesses become our strengths as we rely on the Lord. That is something I’m still struggling with, since I find I have so many weak areas in my life.

What'll it Be: A Shrub or a Tree? 10/6

(By Rev. Kerry S. Doyal, www.GetGraced.org)
Some life-options are harder than others. "Paper or plastic" - not too tough. "Do you Robin (my long suffering wife of almost 20 years), take this man . . . ?" What was she thinking?
If you were asked which would you prefer in life, blessings or curses, how much thought would that require? How about picking between these images to represent your life: a scrubby shrub in the sands of the Sahara, or a verdant tree by a river, bent over with fruit. Would you need much time to roll that around?
In Jeremiah 17:5-8, the LORD set forth two life styles that lead to very different ends: trusting in God or relying in one's self. Read it a time or two and look at the contrasts, promises, warnings and offers of grace.
"This is what the Lord says: "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited."
"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought neither shall cease from yielding fruit." (Jeremiah 17:5-8)
Studying these stark options turns them into choices for us. As we hear how one is cursed and one blessed, God asks us: Do you want to be a useless, fruitless scrub bush or a fruitful, well-grounded tree?
The cursed shrubs are guilty of something which we pride ourselves of in America. We work hard to foster and boost this in our children. We send people to counselors when they are weak in this area. Yet, a self-sufficient soul is sick and shall struggle. It is guilty of idolatry of self and abandonment of God.
Few people purposefully turn their hearts from the LORD. But the reality is when we put our saddle on mere humans, we are choosing to dismount a ride of faith in God. No man, Jesus said, can serve two masters. God is rightfully a jealous God. Put your money on man and you can bet against yourself every time.
Why do we often opt to be like hopeless lonely shrubs in the wilderness, tumbleweeds? Forget luscious fruit. Give up any hope of pictures of vital vegetation. Cursed, not blessed. What are we thinking?
Set in sharp relief are the blessed that show trust in the LORD by making Him their hope and confidence. Like the Psalmist, they say, "my help cometh from the Lord." They know if God doesn't pull through, they are sunk. The arm of flesh - their own or other's - will fail them. But God can be, must be, trusted in.
These spiritual evergreens are compared to trees along a river. Talk about green! Droughts? No sweat. These deep-rooted sturdy souls sag with food. The hot winds of life simply prune not whither them.
See if Proverbs 3:5-8 reminds you of Jeremiah 17:5-8: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." So, what'll it be, a beat down bush or a tree? Blessed or cursed? If you want to study this theme & imagery further, check out Psalms 1; 37:1-7; Mark 4:1-20, John 15:1-8.

My Comments: I have relied on myself for so long. What a source of pride and rebellion to essentially tell the Lord that I don’t need Him... I can do it all on my own. I was so wrong. As I am learning to trust in Him and rely on Him, I see His protection, love, and grace magnified in every area of my life.

God Knows Where You Are 10/4

(By Ken Gaub - Yakima, Washington)
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jer 33:3
Do you believe that God not only loves you, but knows where you are and what you're doing every minute of the day?
I certainly do after an amazing experience I had several years ago. At the time I was driving on 1-75 near Dayton, Ohio, with my wife and children. We turned off the highway for a rest and refreshment stop. My wife Barbara and children went into the restaurant. I suddenly felt the need to stretch my legs, so waved them off ahead saying I'd join them later. I bought a soft drink, and as I walked toward a Dairy Queen, feelings of self-pity enshrouded my mind. I loved the Lord and my ministry, but I felt drained, burdened. My cup was empty.
Suddenly the impatient ringing of a telephone nearby jarred me out of my doldrums. It was coming from a phone booth at a service station on the corner. Wasn't anyone going to answer the phone?
Noise form the traffic flowing through the busy intersection must have drowned out the sound because the service station attendant continued looking after his customers, oblivious to the incessant ringing.
"Why doesn't somebody answer that phone?" I muttered. I began reasoning. It may be important. What if it's an emergency? Curiosity overcame my indifference. I stepped inside the booth and picked up the phone. "Hello," I said casually and took a big sip of my drink. The operator said:" Long distance call for Ken Gaub."
My eyes widened, and I almost choked on a chunk of ice. Swallowing hard, I said, "You're crazy!" Then realizing I shouldn't speak to an operator like that, I added, "This can't be! I was walking down the road, not bothering anyone, and the phone was ringing... "Is Ken Gaub there?" the operator interrupted, "I have a long distance call for him."
It took a moment to gain control of my babbling, but I finally replied, "Yes, he is here." Searching for a possible explanation, I wondered if I could possibly be on Candid Camera! Still shaken, perplexed, I asked, "How in the world did you reach me here? I was walking down the road, the pay phone started ringing, and I just answered it on chance. You can't mean me."
"Well," the operator asked, "is Mr. Gaub there or isn't he?" "Yes, I am Ken Gaub," I said, finally convinced by the tone of her voice that the call was real. Then I heard another voice say, "Yes, that's him, operator. That's Ken Gaub."
I listened dumbfounded to a strange voice identify herself. "I'm Millie from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. You don't know me, Mr. Gaub, but I'm desperate. Please help me."
"What can I do for you?"
She began weeping. Finally she regained control and continued. "I was about to commit suicide, had just finished writing a note, when I began to pray and tell God I really didn't want to do this. Then I suddenly remembered seeing you on television and thought if I could just talk to you, you could help me. I knew that was impossible because I didn't know how to reach you, I didn't know anyone who could help me find you. Then some numbers came to my mind, and I scribbled them down."
At this point she began weeping again, and I prayed silently for wisdom to help her. She continued, "I looked at the numbers and thought, 'Wouldn't it be wonderful if I had a miracle from God, and He has given me Ken's phone number?' I decided to try calling it. I can't believe I'm talking to you. Are you in your office in California?" I replied, "Lady, I don't have an office in California. My office is in Yakima, Washington." A little surprised, she asked, "Oh really, then where are you?" "Don't you know?" I responded. "You made the call." She explained, "But I don't even know what area I'm calling. I just dialed the number that I had on this paper." "Ma'am, you won't believe this, but I'm in a phone booth in Dayton, Ohio!" "Really?" she exclaimed. "Well, what are you doing there?" I kidded her gently, "Well, I'm answering the phone. It was ringing as I walked by, so I answered it."
Knowing this encounter could only have been arranged by God, I began to counsel the woman. As she told me of her despair and frustration, the presence of the Holy Spirit flooded the phone booth giving me words of wisdom beyond my ability. In a matter of moments, she prayed the sinner's prayer and met the One who would lead her out of her situation into a new life.
I walked away from that telephone booth with an electrifying sense of our heavenly Father's concern for each of His children. What were the astronomical odds of this happening? With all the millions of phones and innumerable combinations of numbers, only an all-knowing God could have caused that woman to call that number in that phone booth at that moment in time.
Forgetting my drink and nearly bursting with exhilaration, I headed back to my family, wondering if they would believe my story. Maybe I better not tell this, I thought, but I couldn't contain it. "Barb, you won't believe this! God knows where I am!"
God also knows where you are. Place yourself in His hands and concentrate on knowing His will for your life. He will never forsake or forget you.

My Comments: I just can’t get over how many ways God has shown me in the last month that He knows me, He loves and cares for me, and He will take time to show me that in little ways that have such a profound influence in my life. The fact that God loves me more than any human being can or ever will has really come to be so precious to me in the past few weeks. I have searched so long for love to meet a need in my life, and all the time, Christ was offering an unconditional, eternal love that I had accepted, but hadn’t realized.

The Mother Dog 10/4

THE MOTHER  DOG
A week ago, my golden retriever gave birth to 6 beautiful puppies.  Since she's quite young, I was concerned about her ability to be a good mother.  I needn't have worried.  As soon as she discovered what the wiggly things were, instinct took over, and she became the personification of a good doggy mom.
A week old now, the puppies no longer require 100% of their mother's attention.  She continues to stay with them most of the time, but every once in awhile she starts to be a little restless.
Yesterday, for the first time since the puppies were born, she begged to go running with me.  Unfortunately, I couldn't let her.  She had sprained her front leg somehow just days earlier, and my normal 4 Km route would be too much for her.  I took her for a short walk instead.  As we went, I marveled at the joy she found in sniffing the bushes, watering the early spring flowers, rolling in the new grass and, generally, being a dog!  After just a few minutes, she was ready to go back home, and the restlessness was gone for the rest of the day.
As I was contemplating her behavior, it occurred to me that God has also given each of us responsibilities, and in order to accept those responsibilities, our values have to change.  Just like the focus of my dog's life became her pups, our desires and our drive must also become focused on our God-given assignment.
But what if that "God-task" takes up 10% of our time?  Or 20%?  Or even 50%?  What then?  Do we, like my dog, become restless?  Do we begin to wonder about that new movie?  About the time we're missing with our friends?  About the book we want to read?  The show we want to watch on TV?  Why aren't we acting just like my mother dog? 
And God's response?  Just like I want my dog to continue to care for her pups, God desires us to complete the task He's given us.  But He also understands our humanity (He made us, remember?) and He recognizes the need we think we have to just be human once in awhile.
There is a danger, however.  My mother dog could have chosen to romp and play forever.  If she had, someone else (like me!!!) would have had to care for the pups, and as young as they were, some of them might have died.  We can easily let these "humanly" things become our central focus in life, and when we do, we are in danger of not going back to our God-given responsibilities.
Remember, God understands our need for a tiny break from time to time.  He understands that we're still human and allows us to go out and "roll" and "sniff".  Let's just remember as we do so, to keep our God-task at the top of our priority list, and like my mother dog, return quickly to our "puppies"! 
…..Lyn Chaffart (Lyn@sermonillustrator.org) by way of Eternal Ink (eternal_ink@associate.com) (meginrose@charter.net) and “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.com) Lyn is a moderator and writer The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets (www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/) Answers2Prayer Ministries (www.Answers2Prayer.org)


My Comments: I have spent way too much time on “humanly” things and not maintaining my focus on the responsibilities God has given to me. I need to refocus and return to those priorities.