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October 9, 2013

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love

God’s Prescriptions

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? … No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. [Romans 8:35,37 (NLT)]

When life hurts, when we are in pain or trouble, suffering or desolate, desperate or depressed, does that mean God doesn’t love us? No! God love us and will never abandon us. Anything that brings us to our knees and makes us call out to Him can’t ever be a bad thing!

Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them; and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires. Let us trust his skill and thank him for his prescription. [Sir Isaac Newton]

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October 8, 2013

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Promises

Life Can be Unpredictable; Let’s Be Prepared

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! [Psalm 46:1-3 (NLT)]

Father, we are not equipped to meet the challenges of this day alone. But, with you at our side, we can weather any storm. Grant us the peace, courage and strength necessary to get us through the tempests (and temptations) of life.

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October 7, 2013

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God's Promises, Sharing Our Faith

Faith Can’t Be Silent

So then, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can people call on him if they have not believed in him? How can they believe in him if they have not heard his message? How can they hear if no one tells the Good News? [Romans 10:13-14 (GW)]

Our faith brings us justification, reconciliation with God and absolution for our sins, but it is our voice that confirms our salvation. It’s not enough to live a Good News life; we must share the Good News, too. Who will speak on His behalf?

 

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October 5, 2013

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God's Promises, Salvation: A New You

It isn’t Rocket Science!

If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, you will be saved. By believing you receive God’s approval and by declaring your faith you are saved. [Romans 10:9-10 (GW)]

Lord, thank you for making salvation so simple: believe in our hearts and speak with our mouths that Christ Jesus is the risen Lord!

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October 4, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Love & Works

Compassion

Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble. [1 Peter 3:8 (GW)]

Lord, stop me when I cross the line and my love and compassion become interference or control. Remind me to respect other people’s right to learn their own lessons, as painful as that sometimes may be for them (and me). Don’t let my compassion cripple the ones I love by sending a message that they are neither capable nor accountable. Keep me sensitive to the difference between empathizing or caring about someone and smothering, controlling or caring for that person.

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October 3, 2013

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God's Plan, God's Promises, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets

Letting Go

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. [Jeremiah 29:11 (GW)]

For most of us, life hasn’t turned out as we expected it would. In some ways, it is much better, but in other ways, life took some unasked for turns. We’ve all had our share of sorrow and disappointment; shattered dreams litter our lives. Lord, remind us that those were our hopes and desires, not yours. Help us release our unattainable dreams, and the grief that accompanies them, the way we would helium balloons, letting them fly away out of sight. It’s only when we let go of what will never be that we can reach out to receive what is yet to come. Reassure us, Lord, that your plan far exceeds anything we could ever have envisioned.