Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 20, 2014

Posted under

Challenges & Difficulty, God's Plan, God's Promises

What Does Tomorrow Bring?

Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. [Isaiah 46:10 (NLT)]

If we could see everything that was to happen in the future, not just the joy and triumphs, but the sorrow and defeats as well, would we ever get out of bed in the morning? God doesn’t just see tomorrow or next week; he sees the whole picture. I, for one, am glad that it’s God and not me who knows what that future holds. If we had known about the grief and pain or the betrayal, heartbreak, and disappointment of our lives would we ever have loved, committed, cared, taken a risk or strived? Looking back, however, I wouldn’t trade any moment of my life for someone else’s; any of the pain I endured was worth it.

Lord, when I feel bogged down by the challenges of this day and the next, help me trust you with my future.

Our suffering is not worthy the name of suffering. When I consider my crosses, tribulations, and temptations, I shame myself almost to death, thinking what are they in comparison of the sufferings of my blessed Savior Christ Jesus. [Martin Luther]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 19, 2014

Posted under

Holy Spirit, Obedience

Don’t Be an Idiot

I am in Christ, and I am telling you the truth; I do not lie. My conscience is ruled by the Holy Spirit, and it tells me I am not lying. [Romans 9:1 (NCV)]

When I learned to drive, my car had warning lights that would alert me to potential engine problems. My driver’s ed instructor called them “idiot lights” because “anyone who ignores them is an idiot.” Our conscience is led by the Holy Spirit and is our own personal warning system. Whenever we hear that voice saying, “I really shouldn’t…,” we immediately should heed that warning!

So be careful and do not refuse to listen when God speaks. [Hebrews 12:25a (NCV)]

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 18, 2014

Posted under

God's Grace & Love

Our Travel Companion

Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was at home, he asked the disciples, “What were you arguing about on the road?” They were silent. On the road they had argued about who was the greatest. [Mark 9:33-34 (GW)]

Even for the best of friends, traveling together can be challenging, if not downright difficult. The twelve disciples traveled with Jesus for about three and a half years. What was that like? Mark tells us they bickered among themselves. This probably was not the first time and certainly wasn’t the last time there was discord among the disciples. Matthew and Thomas may have been a bit jealous that Peter, James and John seemed to be Jesus’ favorites. Peter may have argued with Judas about the way he handled their treasury. For all we know, Simon might have complained that Philip snored. The disciples were twelve ordinary men with the same weakness we all have: impatience, jealousy, gossip, pride, anger, etc. One of the twelve, in fact, would betray their leader. The gospels never say the disciples were without sin; only Jesus was!

It’s good to know that we have a traveling companion in Jesus who always knows the way, won’t complain, and never asks, “Are we there yet?” We walk with the one who knows when we’re tired and hungry, who provides for our needs, and both loves and forgives us. He leads us on the one true road to life. Thank you, Jesus, for being with us wherever we go.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going. So how can we know the way?” Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me. [John 14:5-6 (GW)]

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 16, 2014

Posted under

Challenges & Difficulty, Trusting God

Is God Taking a Coffee Break?

What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody’s tending the store. The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches. I’ve been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me? A long run of bad luck, that’s what – a slap in the face every time I walk out the door. [Psalm 73:11-14 MSG]

Does it sometimes seem as if God’s blessings are for everyone else? The good life seems to happen to other people and not to us. We ask God, “Where is my reward? Why me? What did I do to deserve this trouble? Why do the wicked get rewarded when you dump trouble on me?” The rich get richer while the poor get poorer and good things happen to bad people while bad things happen to the good ones. Where is the justice?

If  life sometimes seems unfair, that’s because it is! This is one of those puzzles that never seems to have an acceptable explanation. Like the Psalmist, we need to take God’s hand, trust in Him and realize that He is truly all we really need. The good fortune of the wicked is only temporary, our reward is eternal.

When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy, I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence. I’m still in your presence, but you’ve taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me. You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again. But I’m in the very presence of God – oh, how refreshing it is! I’ve made Lord God my home. God, I’m telling the world what you do! [Psalm 73:21-28 (MSG)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 14, 2014

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, Salvation: A New You, Temptation & Sin

We Always Have a Choice

Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. [Deuteronomy 30:15 (NLT)]

God always gives us choices. Adam and Eve made a bad choice when they decided to eat the apple and mankind hasn’t stopped making poor choices since then. The Israelites chose the golden calf, Samson chose Delilah, Judas chose 30 pieces of silver, and the crowd chose Barabbas. Unfortunately, it is no better today. Some choices (the blue or white shirt, pizza or burgers, the Cubs or Sox) are of little or no consequence. Others, such as the choice of a spouse, career, or friends are of major importance. Certain decisions, however, have eternal consequences. Will we choose to love or hate, to believe or not, to follow Christ or man, and to serve God or ourselves? What choices will you make today?

Tell all the people, “This is what the Lord says: Take your choice of life or death!” [Jeremiah 21:8 (NLT)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 12, 2014

Posted under

God's Plan, Trusting God

Our Tomorrows Belong to Him

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. [Matthew 6:10b (NLT)]

O Lord, help us remember it’s your will we’re talking about and not ours. Help us recognize, accept and embrace your plan for our lives. Keep us from trying to rewrite it our own way. You hold our destinies in your hands. Our lives are yours; thank you, God.

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. [Psalm 31:14-15a (NLT)]