Daily Christian Wisdom

[dutchgirl1]

It Will All Work Out

Ephesians 1:11 is a powerful verse with a vital lesson,
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.

Over the 30 years of my Christian life, I have come to have great confidence in God’s ability to work things out. No matter what is going on or how obscured my understanding of a situation is, I believe God is always working things according to His great sovereign plan.
It is as if there is this giant tapestry that God is weaving, and my life is a part of it. I sometimes get caught up with the temporal things and the stuff that is happening, but God reminds me, “Hey, nothing is taking Me by surprise. I’m weaving all of these things into this great pattern. Your mistakes, the stuff that happens to you, it is all going to turn out alright!”
Has it ever occurred to you that nothing occurs to God? The thing you are embroiled in right now did not take God by surprise. He did not look at your situation and say, “Oh no! I didn’t figure on that! Gabriel, do you have any suggestions? What are we going to do?”
I know that sometimes in my microscopic view of things I have said, “Lord, such and such has got to happen.” And God has replied, “Well, you don’t have the big picture.” Then, as time went on, God pulled the camera back, and I got the wide view, and I realized God was up to something very cool—totally apart from what I thought “had to happen.”
Whatever your situation, you can rest assured that God has plans to work things out. God is working all things after the counsel of His own will. So relax! Even if your present circumstances have totally taken you by surprise, God saw it coming and made provision far ahead of time.

from answers for each day w/ bayless conley

[dutchgirl1]

March 1


Read Deuteronomy 1 -- 2
Highlights In Today's Reading:

Forty years after they left Egypt, the Israelites are once again at the border of the promised land. About 2 million Israelites (all the first generation) have now died, except for three men. Why? Can you name them? Moses reminds the second generation that God commanded their parents: Go in and possess the land. . . . but (they) rebelled against the Commandment of the Lord (1:8,43).

How different the history of Israel could have been if they had trusted the Word of God instead of believing the report of the ten spies. Moses reminded them of how God had blessed them in the wilderness even after they had been disobedient: The Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand . . . thou hast lacked nothing (2:7). But the first generation missed forever the blessings of Canaan (Num. 14:27-35).
To trust the Lord when we are faced with giants (13:33) and high walls (13:28) does not come naturally for anyone. These giants and high walls and are, among other things, symbolic of evil habits that attempt to control a Christian's life and are hard for Christians to overcome. They are intent on destroying our testimony as well as eventually destroying our lives. We are warned: If any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. . . . Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived (I Cor. 5:11; 6:9). Yes, without a doubt your determination and faith in the power of God can overcome all the "giants" that seek to destroy your eternal destiny. Our faith in God is increased to the degree that we read, meditate upon, and obey the Word of God because faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God ( Rom. 10:17).
As we read the Bible and act upon it, the Holy Spirit's ministry is to make the Word quick (alive, active), and powerful (Heb. 4:12) so that Bible truths become an actual part of our lives. Satan is powerful but Christ and your prayers are far more powerful. Jesus said: Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you (John 16:23). Then, we need not fear the strength or number of our hindrances, for the shield of faith . . . shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Eph. 6:16). We are called to be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit (5:18).
Jesus declared: Repent. . . . To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna (Rev. 2:16-17).
Thought for Today:

The "giants" of these turbulent economic days are fearsome and, only by reading and obeying the Word of God will the Holy Spirit guide and bring us through.

Christ Portrayed:

By Moses, who spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the Lord had given him in Commandment unto them (Deut. 1:3). Jesus faithfully told others everything God told Him to say. I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things (John 8:28).


from Bible Pathways

[Ronnie]

I've read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all right.

-Billy Graham

[dutchgirl1]

March 2, 2009

What if I was Broken?

Tracie Miles

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

Micah 7:8 (NIV)

Devotion:
His question made me stop and think. It was a simple comment, said in a teasing manner, but it instantly struck a chord in my heart.

I was cleaning out a kitchen cabinet, which had become cluttered with items that I rarely used. One of those items was an old broken can opener. I handed it to my nine year-old son and asked him to throw it away, but instead of just tossing it into the trash can, he asked if he could keep it. Why in the world would a little boy want an old, dirty, useless can opener?

He continued to try to convince me that he needed to keep it, until I finally said, "Honey, it is broken, I don't want it or need it anymore, so throw it away please." Then came his question, "Well if I was broken, would you just throw me away?"

Huh? This conversation about a silly can opener had gotten way too complicated. I assured him that I would never throw him away, no matter what, because he was too valuable to me. I gave him a hug, and he skipped off into the den to watch TV, while I stood there stunned, pondering his question.

I was reminded of a time when I was so broken, and felt dirty and useless. I remembered how a bad decision I made as a young girl caused me to spend years believing that I had no redeeming value in God's eyes. I recalled the regret that suffocated my heart for years, and how I felt God could never really love a sinner like me. I vividly remembered the overwhelming pain and regret of feeling broken, and void of worth, beauty or value.

But a smile came to my face as I remembered the day when God healed that brokenness. Sitting alone on a pew during a worship service eight years ago, tears were pouring down my face. I begged God to forgive me for my sins, just as I had done for fourteen years, but this time it was different. This time I felt God's presence and believed in His forgiveness. For the first time, I had heard His voice ring in the ears of my heart, reassuring me that I was way too valuable to be thrown away.

The following day I realized something was different. My past was still my past, but I was no longer broken. The damaged pieces of my heart were mended, and I set out on a wonderful journey to discover my worth in Gods eyes, not my own eyes. I believed that I really was too valuable to be thrown away, and that God not only could love someone like me, but that HE DID.

Are you feeling broken today? Do you see yourself as someone who God could not possibly love? Do you spend each day condemning yourself for past sins, current habits, damaged relationships, poor choices, or even self-harming behavior?

Do you wish you could stop feeling broken, or stop continuing a pattern of sin in your life, but simply do not know how? Do you ever feel like you are just too messed up to be "fixed"?

Friend, despite what you may think, you are not beyond repair. You are nothing like that dirty, broken can opener. As a child of God, you are precious, beautiful, and yes, even more valuable than gold. Whatever your situation, God can mend that crushing feeling of hopelessness and brokenness. With faith, ask Him to.

Will you delight Him by accepting His grace, mercy and forgiveness? Will you give Him the opportunity to mend you today?

Dear Lord, forgive me and heal me. Mend my brokenness. Give me hope. Help me to see myself through Your eyes only. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

[dutchgirl1]

The Reality of Suffering and Daily Struggles

A Healthy Faith is Based In Reality
David wrote, "Even through I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me" (Psalm 23:4).

That's the expression and expectation of a healthy faith. Not only that God's presence will go with us, but that there are some dark, deadly shadowed places on this old planet of ours. The valley of the shadow of death exists in this world. I have seen it. So have you. It exists because we live in a fallen world. A healthy faith gets us through that dark valley. Unhealthy faith makes us pretend the valley doesn't even exist!
The same David also penned these words:
For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me. (Psalm 40:12)
That, too, is an expression of a healthy faith. David told God (who already knew) the precise condition of his heart. And it wasn't pretty. Earlier in that same psalm, he described this incident from his own life story: "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard me cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God" (verses 1-3).
Slimy pits exist in our world just as dark valleys exist. And just as surely as believers must pass through dark valleys, so they occasionally fall into "the mud and mire," needing rescue, cleansing, and comfort.
It's true. It's real. It's the way things are-and David never shrinks from telling it all. Healthy faith helps us embrace who we are, what we are, and where we are. David declares a failing, fallible humanity and a loving, powerful God, who chooses to involve himself in the lives of individual men and women. A healthy faith acknowledges that we are neither infallible nor omniscient nor omnipotent nor omnipresent. (I have met some capable people in my life, but to this day I've never met anyone who could be in two places at the same time!) It's only by dependence on a loving God (who is all those things) that we can get through the shadowed valleys and out of the slimy pits.
Reality says we are the creatures, not the Creator.
We are vulnerable, not invulnerable.
We are flesh and blood, not steel and stone.
We are men and women, not cherubim and seraphim.
We are his sons and daughters; we are not him.
We have to embrace the fact that we are a people who must live by grace through faith every day of our lives. I'm impressed that the writer to the Hebrews urged his flock to "encourage one another daily...so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Hebrews 3:13). In other words, we need grace, encouragement, wisdom, and mutual accountability every day of our lives to keep from being hardened or deceived by sin.
That's the way it is. That's the black and white of it. That is reality. And we must either deny our vulnerability or deal with it.
Reality Can Hurt
Discomfort is reality. Pain is reality. Conflict is reality. Spiritual warfare is reality. Healthy faith helps us embrace all of these biblical realities, constantly availing ourselves of the reality of Christ's help and presence. Unhealthy, toxic faith denies the dark side, thus creating an even greater conflict.
A healthy faith accepts who we are and where we are rather than trying to conjure some artificial image for people who are not comfortable accepting us as we are. If we're based in reality, then the reality is that we've all failed, we're all sinners, and we're all stumbling along the way. We thrash about in slimy pits now and then; we feel fear as we walk narrow trails in dark valleys.
In other words, we are 100 percent, certifiably fallible-that is, human. David reminded his readers that God never forgets that fact (even though we may). He wrote: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:13-14).
Some branches of evangelical Christianity teach that believers can achieve a level of "sanctification" where they no longer sin. That is not only unbiblical, it is just plain unrealistic. Reality means seeing, understanding, and accepting the truth about who I am. And how could the old apostle have said it any plainer?
If we say that we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves, and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.... If we claim we have not sinned, we are lying and call God a liar, for he says we have sinned (1 John 1:8-10, TLB).
Do you see what John was saying about living in reality? If we choose the path of deception and deny the obvious truth, in so doing we call God a liar! If, on the other hand, we walk in reality, that is, "if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" (verse 7). That's where I want to be. Walking in the light. Admitting who I am. Enjoying the companionship of Christian friends and the Lord Jesus himself, experiencing daily cleansing from sin.
The Way It Really Is
Growing Christians strive to see the world and their lives, as they really are, not through some stained-glass filter, not through the grid of some externally imposed myth or make-believe worldview. They do not feel compelled to "explain away" hardships or events that mystify them, but are willing to live with some ambiguity, trusting God to rule the world in righteousness-even if that means difficulty for them. As with Job, we must sometimes come to that place of humility before God where we say, "Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth" (Job 40:4).
Healthy faith refuses to sweep suffering, daily struggles with the sinful nature, and inevitable relationship difficulties under a rug, pretending they don't exist. Instead, it brings those issues into the light of Scripture, the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit, and under the mutual counsel and care of trusted brothers and sisters in Christ. Unhealthy faith, on the other hand, denies reality. For those who subscribe to such false belief systems, faith is not based on a belief in the supernatural power of God, but on a desire to see magical solutions that stop pain. They hope in a servant God determined to make life easy.
Healthy faith acknowledges the supernatural power of God and does not need miraculous intervention to prove that God is real. The healthy believer does not look for God to magically change the circumstances, but looks to him in the midst of trials.
Because faith grows strong, there is no need to deny reality. Believing God is faithful to help them through their trails and tribulations, healthy believers have no need to run from reality. They see the problems before them, do what they can to resolve them, and trust God to do the rest.


by Steve Arterburn and Jack Felton

[dutchgirl1]

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

He Is Greater
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
—1 John 4:4

The devil can gain a foothold on your life in many ways.
I think one way is through drugs. Sadly, we are seeing a real revival of drug use today.
Another way I think you can open the door to demonic power is through these occult activities that people dabble in today. You may think of them as innocent, but they open the door a little bit.
Now, can demons tempt Christians? Absolutely. Can demons harass us? Without question. Even the great apostle Paul spoke of a demon power that would come and buffet him (see 2 Corinthians 12:7).
But God won’t let you face more than you can handle. He always will put His hedge of protection around you. The Bible clearly promises that when Christ comes in your life, you are free and protected.
Jesus Himself said, “ ‘Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed’ ” (John 8:36).
When Jesus comes into your heart, it is not in a timeshare plan where He occupies the heart part of the time and the devil occupies it part of the time. No, Jesus takes control and He is there to stay. Christ made this clear when he proclaimed, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (John 4:4).
But, if you are not a Christian, if Christ is not living in your heart, you are open game for the devil. Maybe you are not a drug addict or an occultist. But I will tell you this—you are still a sinner. Everybody has sinned and broken God’s commandments (see Romans 3:23).
Reach out to Jesus now. He is greater than the devil. He will forgive you. He will transform you.

from greg laurie devotions

[dutchgirl1]

God's Sovereignty and Your Mistakes

Dr. Robert Jeffress

Pathway to Victory

I'm continually amazed at the number of people who argue with the idea that God has a detailed master plan that governs our lives. They picture God as passively watching and waiting for us to make our choices as free human agents and then adjusting His plan to fit our preferences.
Do we really believe God would surrender control of His creation to the whims of His creatures? Is it plausible that a universe so intricate in design is run by Someone whose motto is "The best ability is flexibility" when it come to planning?
My former pastor Dr. W.A. Criswell once observed:
Before a stone was laid in the construction of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, the idea was born in the mind of Sir Christopher Wren. He saw it in his mind and purposed it in his heart. Before he struck a chisel against the heavy rock marble, Michelangelo saw the mighty Moses in his mind and purposed it in his heart. ...Why should it surprise us then that God, the designer and architect of the universe, should have a plan and purpose for His creation? The greater the project, the more necessary the plan.
God has a detailed plan for the universe that governs everything that happens in His creation. The apostle Paul described that plan when he wrote,
"Also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:11, emphasis added).
"All things" fall within God's intricate design for His creation. "All things" also encompasses everything that might affect your life.
Your circumstances. The decisions of governmental leaders (Proverbs 21:1), the outcome of the rolled dice in a Las Vegas casino (Proverbs 16:33), and the change of seasons (Daniel 2:21, NIV) are just some of the external circumstances that God directs. Obviously, each of these forces has the power to impact your life.
Your physical and emotional makeup. "All things" also includes the smallest details of your life. The color of your eyes, the number of hairs on your head, and even the bent of your emotions were all designed by God. The psalmist expressed that truth this way:
For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well (Psalm 139:13-14).
Your choices. God's design for your life not only includes those circumstances beyond your control but also those parts of your life that you assume are under your control. You may think you’re in charge of how you spend your time, the route you drive to work, the items you purchase at the supermarket, or even whether you finish reading this book. But consider what the writer of Proverbs claims
Man's steps are ordained by the LORD,
How then can man understand his way? (Proverbs 20:24)
Every step we take has been planned by God? I agree with the writer that such a thought is beyond comprehension. Yet it only makes sense that God would exercise control over the most minute details of our lives if His overall plan is to be accomplished.
One Thursday afternoon a few years ago, I left work a few minutes early for a haircut. On the way to the barbershop, I passed through an intersection and within a few seconds heard a screeching of brakes. I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw the car behind me decimated by another vehicle running a red light. I pulled off to the side of the road and dialed 911, but it was too late.
The driver was dead.
Later that evening I couldn't help but reflect on what had happened. What if I'd left work only a few seconds later? What if the pressure I'd applied to the accelerator had been just a little bit lighter? What if the driver who ran the red light had been applying a little more pressure to his accelerator?
My life could have been snuffed out in an instant that day.
No, I'm not implying that God loved me more than He did the victim of the accident. What I am suggesting is that since the day of my birth and the day of my death are written on God's calendar, He must have a detailed plan that includes every aspect of my life, including my choices.
Your failures. If all your steps are directed by God, wouldn’t that include your missteps and stumbles? That only makes sense. The story line of your life — already written by the Divine Author — includes all your choices, not just the good ones. Since the psalmist used our birth as an example of God's intricate plan for every aspect of our lives, let's continue using that analogy for a moment.
What if your conception was the result of the premarital liaison of two hormonally charged teenagers, an extramarital affair, or even a rape? Such conceptions occur every hour of every day.
After reading Psalm 139, could you really say your birth was an accident?
Somehow God was able to use the moral failure of others to accomplish His plan for you. If God can use other people’s mistakes for good, why are we surprised that He can also use our mistakes to achieve His purpose? It's a mind-boggling thought! But one that offers hope to anyone who has failed.

[dutchgirl1]

Philippians 2:1-11 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

LIFESTYLE
by Charles R. Swindoll

We live in a negative, hostile world. Face it, my friend, the system that surrounds us focuses on the negatives: what is wrong, not what is right; what is missing, not what is present; what is ugly, not what is beautiful; what is destructive, not what is constructive; what cannot be done, not what can be done; what hurts, not what helps; what we lack, not what we have. You question that? Pick up your local newspaper and read it through. See if the majority of the news doesn't concern itself (and the reader) with the negatives. It's contagious!
This negative mindset leads to incredible feelings of anxiety. Surround most people with enough negatives and I can guarantee the result: fear, resentment, and anger. Negative information plus hostile thinking equals anxiety.
We are also engulfed in mediocrity and cynicism (a direct result of living in a negative world). Without the motivation of divinely empowered insight and enthusiasm, people tend toward the "average," doing just enough to get by. Thus, the fallout from the system is mediocrity. The majority dictates the rules, and excitement is replaced with a shrug of the shoulders. Excellence is not only lost in the shuffle, whenever it rears its head, it is considered a threat.
That's why most people choose not to live differently. Those who take their cues from the system blend into the drab backdrop of the majority. Words like "Just go with the flow" and "Don't make waves" and "Who cares?" begin to gain a hearing.
Stop and think. In a world where all that cynicism is present, what is absent? Courage! That strong muscle of character that gives a nation its pride and gives a person the will to excel is gone.
I challenge you to be different, to stand apart from the crowd, with inner fortitude and strength of character. Be disciplined to remain consistent, strong, and diligent regardless of the odds or the demands. Have courage!

[BlueEyedEllie]

Originally Posted by dutchgirl1

Philippians 2:1-11 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

LIFESTYLE
by Charles R. Swindoll

We live in a negative, hostile world. Face it, my friend, the system that surrounds us focuses on the negatives: what is wrong, not what is right; what is missing, not what is present; what is ugly, not what is beautiful; what is destructive, not what is constructive; what cannot be done, not what can be done; what hurts, not what helps; what we lack, not what we have. You question that? Pick up your local newspaper and read it through. See if the majority of the news doesn't concern itself (and the reader) with the negatives. It's contagious!
This negative mindset leads to incredible feelings of anxiety. Surround most people with enough negatives and I can guarantee the result: fear, resentment, and anger. Negative information plus hostile thinking equals anxiety.
We are also engulfed in mediocrity and cynicism (a direct result of living in a negative world). Without the motivation of divinely empowered insight and enthusiasm, people tend toward the "average," doing just enough to get by. Thus, the fallout from the system is mediocrity. The majority dictates the rules, and excitement is replaced with a shrug of the shoulders. Excellence is not only lost in the shuffle, whenever it rears its head, it is considered a threat.
That's why most people choose not to live differently. Those who take their cues from the system blend into the drab backdrop of the majority. Words like "Just go with the flow" and "Don't make waves" and "Who cares?" begin to gain a hearing.
Stop and think. In a world where all that cynicism is present, what is absent? Courage! That strong muscle of character that gives a nation its pride and gives a person the will to excel is gone.
I challenge you to be different, to stand apart from the crowd, with inner fortitude and strength of character. Be disciplined to remain consistent, strong, and diligent regardless of the odds or the demands. Have courage!

wonderful!!! i really needed to hear this today!!!!

[dutchgirl1]

leave it to the Lord. He always knows who what when where why etc etc etc

hugs
d'gal

[dutchgirl1]

Is Your Oil Light On?

Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

In 1986, I worked as an outside salesman for Waste Management, Inc. It was not a glamorous job. I sold trash dumpster service. I figured nothing could get any more unglamorous than that? But I was wrong. because then we added a product line - portable toilets. The company's sales pitch was, "We're number one in the number two business."

Well, as unglamorous as it may have been, the job did provide me with a company car. It was my first one (I love company cars). As a rookie salesman, I was given the hand-me-down car of the fleet. It had some problems. One of them had to do with the oil light. It started to flicker one day. I figured if I was truly low on oil, the light would come on and stay on, right? WRONG. I continue to drive with the oil light flickering at me and within a few miles. BOOM!!! The engine block cracked, black smoke billowed out of the exhaust pipe, and the car was down for the count. AND, I came within an eyelash of losing my job after only being employed for a few months. It was not a happy time.

THE OIL LIGHT FOR A CHRISTIAN

Is there an oil light in the Christian life? Is there something we are to watch for that indicates a serious problem that needs immediate attention? YES! In 1 John 2:15, God warns us about loving the world. loving the world system that is controlled by Satan and opposed to the Lord and His Christ. John goes on to say that the world system is filled with 3 basic things:

1. The lust of the flesh (our appetite for immoral sex, for gluttony, for laziness)
2. The lust of the eyes (our desire for more "stuff". basically greed)
3. The boastful pride of life (our desire to have others notice "our glory")

When we start loving the ways of the world, we lose two critical things:

1. Our love for God.
2. Our desire to do His will.

IS YOUR OIL LIGHT ON?

Check your heart. Is it still on fire for the One who died for you? Is it still overwhelmed by His great love for you? Or have you started to love the world and the things in the world?

Check your feet. Are you still going in the direction of God's will. or have you veered from the path? Has God's will taken a backseat to your will? Going the way of the world is a passing pleasure. Only those who do the will of God abide forever (1 John 2:17).

My friend, you cannot love God and love this world. If you love what is anti-God and anti-Christ, you will find yourself at odds with God ("Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?" James 4:4). If that is where you find yourself today, you need to pull over and get things right before your engine block cracks.

THE OIL LIGHT PRAYER

Lord, as I honestly look at my heart, I see that I have slowly drifted away from You. I have let myself get enamored with the things of this world. My oil light is on. And God, right now I stop and ask You to forgive me and fill me once again with Your love. Fill my mind with the wonderful cross. Fill my heart with a desire to do Your will above all. I choose You, Lord. For You alone are worthy.

from pastor jeff shreve of from His heart

[dutchgirl1]

All Things


Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- Romans 8:26-28

If anybody has been through a deep valley and rested on the promises of God, they've likely been to Romans 8:28: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." That verse is so powerful you could comfort a Christian just by saying the reference. Going through a hard time? - Romans 8:28 - and they'd know what you mean.
Why is this passage so powerful? It begins with confidence, "And we know." We don't merely think, we don't wonder, we know.
The word know communicates experiential knowledge - the kind that comes from life. You didn't go to church or to college to have this explained to you. You didn't Google the answer. You know only because you've been through it. Over time you've come to know something that only those who love God can know.
Only God's children - those who have turned from their sin and embraced Christ by faith, those who are increasingly learning how to love God more and more - understand the great promise of this verse. Only those who have tested the promises of God and proven once again His faithful love can know this.
I woke up in the middle of the night this week. While there have been times when fears have descended like a cold cloud in those dark hours, this time I laid in bed and talked with the Lord. I told Him how much I loved Him. I have found that the more you go through in life, the more you love the Lord. Can you identify? You test His promises and find Him to be so good and faithful. He knows what He is doing. He is worthy of every moment of trust.
Have life's difficulties caught you off guard? Do you wonder today if God is good? If He wasn't going to use that hard thing for your good, it wouldn't have happened. He had to sign off on every single thing that touches your life (He's sovereign, remember?). If He let it happen, He's going to use it for good. That's not to say He wanted it; He's not the cause of evil, but He is the solution. He's the master chess player who takes every move we make or someone else makes and strategizes the next move to ensure His purposes are accomplished.
I have come to realize over time that the ultimate good of Romans 8:28 is not "my little blueprint for my life"; the ultimate good is God's blueprint for the universe and my place in it. I'm committed to God's purposes. I want His will to be fulfilled and His kingdom to advance. I want to be a part of that.
I believe God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him; for the good of those who are the called according to His purpose.

from james mcdonald of walk in the word.

[dutchgirl1]

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

My Grace Is Sufficient for You

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
—2 Corinthians 12:9

You know the drill. Things are going well, no crisis, no conflicts to speak of, pretty much smooth sailing.
Then seemingly out of nowhere, a storm hits. Maybe it’s a crisis, or a hardship. Maybe it’s a personal tragedy.
So what do you do when a hurricane-force storm hits and water is filling your boat?
Answer: You take heart. Because you are not alone.
When Paul was at sea on his way to Rome and the mighty tempest hit him and the others on board, he was able to courageously encourage others. He told them, “But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me” (Acts 27:22-23 nlt).
God was with him
How was Paul able to be so confident?
He was conscious of the presence of God in the face of danger. He knew that God was there with him.
And God is with us in our storms as well. God will always give us what we need when we need it.
You remember that Paul had what he called his “thorn in the flesh,” which was presumably some kind of physical disability or illness. He asked the Lord three times to remove it.
God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9), which is another way of saying, “I will be with you, Paul. Instead of a healing, I will personally be there in a special and sufficient way.”

Now it is the Lord
A.B. Simpson wrote these words:
“Once it was the Blessing, now it is the Lord.
Once it was the Feeling, now it is His Word.
Once His Gifts I wanted, now the Giver alone.
Once I sought Healing, now Himself alone.”
God is with you right now, regardless of the storm or even the shipwreck. We may not hear an audible voice, but you may hear that “still small voice” of God’s Holy Spirit. Or He will speak to you through His Word.
Then you, like Paul, can reassure others that “the Lord is in control.”
Time and time again, God reminded Paul of His presence.

• <LI class=MsoNormal style="tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">He was there when Paul was in jail in Jerusalem, as Jesus told him to “be courageous!” (see Acts 23:11) <LI class=MsoNormal style="tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">It happened in 2 Timothy 4:16-17 when Paul said, “No one stood with me . . . but the Lord stood with me.”
• And it happened here in Acts 27, in the midst of the storm.

When the boss calls you in his office . . .
You can take heart in the face of danger or uncertainty because you are aware of God’s presence with you.
When your boss says, “I’m really sorry, but I’m going to have to let you go!” Or when the doctor says, “The test results are back and I need you to come in.” Or when the telephone rings and someone says, “There’s been an accident.”
You are not alone. The Lord is standing next to you. He cares. Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

“Jesus said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

from greg laurie daily devotions

[aquiltter]

d'girl, Wow! How awesome is God! "Today's Word" is exactly what I needed to hear this morning.

[Ronnie]

Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.

-Matthew 12:33 (Revised Standard Version)

[Ronnie]

When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance.

-Joel Ostee

[dutchgirl1]

Today's Scripture

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.… Each one should test his own actions.… each one should carry his own load." Galatians 6:2-5 NIV

Thoughts for Today

As we lean on God, he often answers our prayers through other people. He calls Christians to lean on each other.
Although independence is not always admirable, interdependence is a biblical principle that carries the idea of mutual dependency.
There are times when you need to lean on others, allowing them to demonstrate God's love by helping you through a difficult time. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a step of reaching out for one of God's provisions for you—the Christian community.
Consider this…
It is important to recognize that there is a difference between leaning on others and using them. (Also a difference between helping others and allowing them to use you.)
We are to carry each other's burdens, but we are also to carry our own load. Carrying our own load means taking personal responsibility. It is a matter of finding the right balance. These verses describe that kind of balance: "Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out." 1 Thessalonians 5:13-15 MSG

Prayer…
Father, help me not to be too proud to ask others for help. Also, help me never to take advantage of other people's willingness to give. Teach us to find the right balance in leaning on each other. In Jesus' name …


taken from Living Free devotions

[dutchgirl1]

Heart Problems?

Do you remember the basketball great, Pistol Pete Maravich? He was an incredible basketball player, setting records in college that still stand today. In his college career at LSU, he scored more points than any collegiate player in history with a scoring average of 44.2 points per game. even before there was a three point shot. AMAZING!

At the age of 40, Pistol Pete, a young, on-fire Christian, died suddenly during a pick-up basketball game with Dr. James Dobson and some other guys. The cause of death was a rare heart defect. Although he was seemingly in great shape, his heart was not. Pete died because his physical heart had a serious problem.

SPIRITUAL HEART PROBLEMS

When it comes to heart trouble, pastors see more of it than the most sought-after cardiologist. So many Christians are walking around with serious heart issues - "The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart."

God does not see as man sees, "for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7). What does He see when He looks at yours? Does He see a heart that is truly on-fire for and in love with Jesus. or one that is a little cool and lacks passion?

DEVELOPING A HEART FOR GOD

1. Focus on the Cross. "We love, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Keep your mind fixed on the sacrifice Jesus paid for you when He died on the cross. Read in the Gospels everyday. It is in the Gospels where you learn to fall in love with Jesus and develop a passion for Him. If you forget the price for your redemption, your heart will begin to cool (2 Pet. 1:9).

2. Be Honest with God. Honesty and openness with God brings intimacy with God. The more you and I pour our hearts out to Him, the more we draw near to Him and begin to truly see Him as "a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24).

3. Invest in God's Kingdom. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21). Your heart will follow your treasure. If you want your heart on fire for the things of God, start investing by faith in the things of God. If you began to get serious about bringing "the whole tithe into the storehouse" and honoring God from your wealth, you would see God do amazing things in your life as a result of your obedience. He promises to open the windows of heaven when you and I crown Him King of our finances.

Note also regarding giving: it reveals your heart and is a tell-tale sign of whether or not you are a true believer. Scottish Pastor of yesteryear, Robert Murray M'Cheyne, made this profound statement, "To give largely and liberally, not grudgingly at all requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars for all eternity." WOW! Have you ever thought about it that way?

Let me encourage you in your walk with the Lord to focus on your heart. Seek Jesus with all your heart. Death often comes suddenly, like it did for Pistol Pete. God tells us to be ready. The best way to be ready to meet the Lord is to make sure your heart is right and wholly devoted to Him. Is that true of your heart?

from pastor schreve of from His heart

[dutchgirl1]

3 Phase Obedience
By Os Hillman
March 14

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matthew 22:37-39).

From 1994 to 2001, I went through what I call my "Joseph Pit" experience. It was during this time of great adversity and great growth that I wrote TGIF Today God Is First and also birthed many of the things I am doing today. During this season, I discovered a spiritual truth about how most believers experience three distinct phases of their growth toward obedience in their Christian walks.
When we first begin our spiritual journey we often make decisions from convenience. Often, we decide what the outcome is that we want and then make decisions based on the perceived outcome. If it is a positive outcome, then we will make an obedient decision. I call this outcome-based obedience.
However, God desires that each of us live an Obedience-based life. In order to transition us from an outcome-based process to an obedience-based process, he will bring a crisis into our lives. This crisis is designed to create pain which motivates us to seek Him to alleviate the pain. We have all heard of "fox-hole" Christianity. There is place of obedience for everyone! However, this is not where God desires us to remain.
Ultimately, God desires us to live a life of obedience and intimacy rooted in conviction. We obey His commands from a heart of love and devotion. During the crisis phase we discover the personal love of God in our lives which we had never experienced before. Most of us will get to this phase of our walk with God by first living a life of convenience, then we will go through the crisis that will them lead us into an intimate love relationship with God.
The Christian life can be summed up in one word - love. God's desire for each of us is to know Him intimately and to love Him with all of our heart. Have you told your Heavenly Father you love Him today?

[dutchgirl1]

"Thine is the Kingdom..."
by Max Lucado

There are certain mountains only God can climb. Ascend them and you’ll end up bruised and embarrassed. Stay away from them and you’ll sidestep a lot of stress. These mountains are described in the final phrase of the Lord’s prayer, “Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” A trio of peaks mantled by the clouds. Admire them, applaud them, but don’t climb them.
It’s not that you aren’t welcome to try, it’s just that you aren’t able. The pronoun is thine, not mine; thine is the kingdom, not mine is the kingdom. If the word Savior is in your job description, it’s because you put it there. Your role is to help the world, not save it. Mount Messiah is one mountain you weren’t made to climb.
Nor is Mount Self-Sufficient. You aren’t able to run the world, nor are you able to sustain it. Some of you think you can. You are self-made. You don’t bow your knees, you just roll up your sleeves and put in another twelve-hour day … which may be enough when it comes to making a living or building a business. But when you face your own grave or your own guilt, your power will not do the trick.
You were not made to run a kingdom, nor are you expected to be all-powerful. And you certainly can’t handle all the glory. Mount Applause is the most seductive of the three peaks. The higher you climb the more people applaud, but the thinner the air becomes. More than one person has stood at the top and shouted, “Mine is the glory!” only to lose their balance and fall.
“Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” What protection this final phrase affords. As you confess that God is in charge, you admit that you aren’t. As you proclaim that God has power, you admit that you don’t. And as you give God all the applause, there is none left to dizzy your brain.

[dutchgirl1]

Monday, March 16, 2009

Giving God a Makeover

“And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.’ ” (1 Corinthians 10:7)
At first glance, the sins that brought the children of Israel down in the wilderness don’t seem to have any rhyme or reason. But a closer examination reveals that the root problem was a lack of relationship with the true and living God.
When Moses was temporarily taken out of the scene when he went to meet with God on Mt. Sinai, the people wanted something to take his place. It was only a matter of time until they were bowing before a golden calf.
When you get down to it, Moses was their first idol, and the golden calf was their second. Moses was like God to them, so when Moses was gone, they created a god of their own making.
We do the same when we start remaking God in our own image. When we give God a 21st-century makeover, when we make God politically correct, when we start changing His Word to fit the perverted morals of our time, this becomes idolatry. We are remaking God because we are not comfortable with what He says. We don't like His standards. Thus, if we can remake God in our image, we can live the way that we want to and do as we please.
We want a celestial salad bar where we can casually stroll up, choose the attributes of God that most appeal to us, and leave the rest behind. It's religion á la carte.
When we mold God and His Word into our image, it is as much an act of idolatry as it was when the children of Israel worshiped the golden calf.

greg laurie ministries

[dutchgirl1]

Kill Me Now

If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now --
if I have found favor in your eyes -- and do not let me face my own ruin."
Numbers 11:15

...while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.
"I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."
1 Kings 19:4
Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.
Jonah 4:3

What kind of a person feels like this? A schmo like me, at times, sure. Maybe you, or people you know. Surely not the heroes of the Old Testament.
Well, truth is, even God's greatest leaders and prophets got to the point in their respective stories where, even after witnessing indescribable miracles and blessings, their circumstances were so overwhelming, impossible and undesirable their attitude was, "Just kill me now, Lord!" Exhausted in body, soul, and spirit, they cried out that they had had enough. They could go no longer in their own power.
The first quote above is from Moses, who had a People Problem. The wandering Israelites were hungry, and as usual, it fell to Moses to solve the problem. He cried out to the Lord, "Was it I who conceived these people? Was it I who brought them forth?" He looked around and couldn't figure out how to satisfy everyone.
The second quote is from Elijah, who had a Pity Problem. This was a prophet who had just called down fire from heaven, destroyed the prophets of Baal, and witnessed the end of a long drought. But just a few verses later, one vow from one wicked queen has him in such despair that he fears he can't go on like this.
The third quote is from Jonah, who had a Pouting Problem. He'd finally obeyed to the point of going to Nineveh and preaching repentance, but when the Lord relented and stayed his hand rather than destroying the city, Jonah wasn't happy. He folded his hands and "became angry" that the destruction he forecast never arrived.
Consider who these men were and what they had seen, what the Lord had done through them. Moses parted the Red Sea and led a people out of slavery. Elijah stood strong for Israel during a time of tremendous pagan influence, prayed down fire and rain, and actually never died (so chalk up at least one unanswered prayer!). Jonah is one of the first stories we tell our children, about how God provided a great fish to swallow him for such a period as he could learn about obedience and repentance.
Not only that, but these guys all show up in the Gospels, in one way or another. Moses and Elijah are present at Jesus' transfiguration (Mark 9). In Matthew 12:38-41 (NIV), Jesus tells the Pharisees they won't get any sign from him other than the sign of Jonah, foreshadowing the three days He Himself would spend in the belly of the Earth.
But interestingly enough, Christ never felt this way. He knew His destiny was to die, and even prayed that such a cup might pass from Him. And let's not forget that He is our example, not Moses, not Elijah, and not Jonah, great as they were.
When we feel the way that these guys did, we need to realize that anyone wanting to die is under attack. And our enemy can bring that attack through people, pity, and pouting. It comes when our body is not healthy, our soul is not happy, and our spirit is not holy.
But conveniently enough, Paul shows us a prayer that covers all these bases. He writes, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
You aren't alone when you feel like you can't go on, like you would be better off dead than standing strong in the face of the overwhelming task God has given you, especially when you are weak in body, soul, and spirit, and the enemy is on the attack. And truly, it is comforting to know that some of the Bible's greatest faith warriors and miracle workers shared these feelings. But it doesn't mean they were right. Let us not indulge hopelessness, for it is always around us. Instead, let us remember that we serve a God of miracles and we follow the One who never copped to people, pity, or pouting, but willingly laid His life down.


by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk

[Bearoops]

Thanks DGAL for the insperations you give to me each days. It is
Enlightening to my heart and sole to know I have PTO friends to help me focus on my faith and keep my life balanced through these troubled times. I hold all of you in my prayers and Heart. Keep up the great work we are bonded by His Love./ SKL

[dutchgirl1]

Name the Lie; Insert the Truth


Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" - Matthew 4:7-10

C.S. Lewis once said that there are two equal and opposite errors that we can fall into regarding Satan and his demons. One is to act like they don't exist; the other is to be unduly and overly interested in them.
God has it on His heart to communicate Satan's reality. More than 250 separate times in the New Testament God tells us about the chief enemy of our souls. He says, Watch out for him. He's trying to get access into your life. This is his strategy.
You may say, "I just don't think Satan is trying to mess with me. This doesn't apply to me." If you are a follower of Christ, it does.
Second Corinthians 11:14 tells us that Satan masquerades as an angel of light. The devil is not going to show up in some red Halloween outfit with the pitchfork, horns, and pointy tail. He wants you to think he looks like a cartoon character because that is no threat to you. But you're not always going to recognize him or his work. When you're least aware, he may be chiseling away at your emotional and spiritual health.
Let's brainstorm for a moment on this "angel of light" concept. For one, his deception makes him appear the opposite of what he really is. That includes those on his payroll. Not everyone who claims they speak for God is from God. "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ," (2 Corinthians 11:13).
The battleground for spiritual warfare is in one word: truth. As an angel of light, Satan lies to God's people. The battle is going on right now in the mind of every person reading this.
We get victory by following Jesus' example in battling Satan. In Matthew 4, Satan tempted Christ with lies. Make these stones into bread... (v.3). Cast Yourself down from the temple... (v.6). In response to each taunt, Jesus named the lie and inserted the truth. Jesus said, you say this, but God says this.
Although Satan is powerful, he's a weakling when faced with Scripture. He's unimpressed with our incantations or the clever things we say, but he'll run from God's Word that lives and abides forever. It's God's truth that sets you free.
Here's the goal: when Satan lies to you about spiritual issues that undermine your confidence and security in Christ Jesus, name the lie and insert God's truth.

by james mcdonald. walk in the word

[dutchgirl1]

Seduced by Cool

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27

I love chapter 3 in Tullian Tchividjian's new book Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different. The chapter is titled "Seduced by Cool" and couldn't come at a more appropriate time. The American church (there are beautiful exceptions) has been tripping over itself for years trying to keep up with cool. Pastor Tullian offers what amounts to a cold bucket of water in the face as a means of shocking us out of our infatuation with showing the world how relevant, cool, hip, etc. we can be.

Enough.

The chapter opens by quoting Spurgeon--which is almost always a good thing: "He who marries today's fashion is tomorrow's widow." From here Tchividjian launches into his jeremiad:

According to Jesus, Christianity is not cool.
There, I said it.
I'll even go a step farther: if what's fashionable in our society interests you, then true Christianity won't. It's that simple.
Think about it. Jesus said some pretty unfashionable stuff. If you want to live, you must die. If you want to find your life, you must lose it. He talked about self-sacrifice and bearing crosses and suffering and death and the dangers of riches. He talked about the need to lay down our lives for those who hate us and hurt us. He talked about serving instead of being served, about seeking last place and not first. He talked of gouging out our eyes and cutting off our hands if they cause us to sin.
He was making the profound point that daily Christian living means daily Christian dying--dying to our fascination with the sizzle of this world and living for something bigger, something thicker, something eternal. Jesus calls his people to live for what is timeless and not trendy, to take up the cross and follow him, even when it means going against social norms.
Of course, all this is flat-out uncool in a world that idolizes whatever cultural craze is in style, whatever is fashionable.
My guess is few professing Christians would disagree with Pastor Tullian's exhortation. Indeed, it will be in the main greeted with hearty "Amens."

The problem comes in resisting the allure of the world and actually embracing biblically unfashionable living for the glory of God. Tullian warns that many of us are so entrenched in the sinful patterns of this world that God's ways have become far too distant in our vision:
Our being cognitively and morally entrenched in the ways of this world is just what the devil wants. His main strategy is the same for both Christains and non-Christians: keep them feeling comfortably at home in this world. The real danger for many of us is that the longer we live, the less conscious we become of the fallen patterns, the less resistant we are to their entanglements. Though believers in Christ, many of us are attached to the world in ways that show we've forgotten our identity as exiles. For too many of us, the patterns of this fallen world have grown all too familiar, while the ways of God seem distant and strange.

Pastor Tullian presses the point throughout the book that when Christians succumb to worldliness not only is God not honored, but people are not helped. In other words, more than our "cool" people need Christ--the One who proclaimed "I am not of this world" because "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 8:23; 18:36).

In the end, blessed are the uncool.

1 John 2:15-17

Mike Pohlman, crosswalk devotional