Isolation

“And he took him aside from the multitude” (Mark 7:33).

Paul not only stood the tests in Christian activity, but in the solitude of captivity. You may stand the strain of the most intense labor, coupled with severe suffering, and yet break down utterly when laid aside from all religious activities; when forced into close confinement in some prison house.
That noble bird, soaring the highest above the clouds and enduring the longest flights, sinks into despair when in a cage where it is forced to beat its helpless wings against its prison bars. You have seen the great eagle languish in its narrow cell with bowed head and drooping wings. What a picture of the sorrow of inactivity.

Paul in prison. That was another side of life. Do you want to see how he takes it? I see him looking out over the top of his prison wall and over the heads of his enemies. I see him write a document and sign his name–not the prisoner of Festus, nor of Caesar; not the victim of the Sanhedrin; but the–”prisoner of the Lord.” He saw only the hand of God in it all. To him the prison becomes a palace. Its corridors ring with shouts of triumphant praise and joy.

Restrained from the missionary work he loved so well, he now built a new pulpit–a new witness stand–and from that place of bondage come some of the sweetest and most helpful ministries of Christian liberty. What precious messages of light come from those dark shadows of captivity.

Think of the long train of imprisoned saints who have followed in Paul’s wake. For twelve long years Bunyan‘s lips were silenced in Bedford jail. It was there that he did the greatest and best work of his life. There he wrote the book that has been read next to the Bible. He says, “I was at home in prison and I sat me down and wrote, and wrote, for joy did make me write.”

The wonderful dream of that long night has lighted the pathway of millions of weary pilgrims. That sweet-spirited French lady, Madam Guyon, lay long between prison walls. Like some caged birds that sing the sweeter for their confinement, the music of her soul has gone out far beyond the dungeon walls and scattered the desolation of many drooping hearts.

Oh, the heavenly consolation that has poured forth from places of solitude!
–S. G. Rees

The Missonary Call

Matthew 4:18-22I’ve heard every reason you can imagine for avoiding missionary service: “I haven’t been to seminary.” “I can’t preach.” “I’m too old.” “My family won’t go for it.” On and on the list goes. Let me tell you that there are thousands of active missionaries who once thought that God couldn’t use them either. I often have the privilege of hearing their stories of how the Lord turned resistance into enthusiasm.People can offer God plenty of reasons why He shouldn’t call them to spread the gospel. But His call is not issued for our consideration; He expects a response of obedience and surrender. A believer is accountable only to say yes to God’s call. It is the Lord’s responsibility to equip the chosen for the work He’s assigned. A personal plan has been mapped for each believer’s life, and God provides the personality and temperament that suits. Then He adds skills that can be developed and the spiritual gifts necessary to fulfill His mission. God makes His call with wisdom and discernment. He knows why He created you and what you’re capable of accomplishing in His strength (Eph. 2:10). Rejecting the invitation to serve Him is foolish. It would be like telling almighty God that He made a mistake. But surrender opens the door to a lifetime of service, blessing, and joy! Mission work can occur near or far. You could serve: at home by writing to prisoners; down the street by dishing out meals at a shelter; across the nation by providing flood relief; or in a foreign land by translating the gospel. In short, a missionary calling is whatever God tells you to do. Dr. Charles Stanley

What Really Matters

READ: Matthew 16:21-28

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? —Matthew 16:26

Several years ago a friend of mine visited an exhibit of relics from the infamous Titanic voyage. Exhibit visitors were given a replica ticket with the name of an actual passenger or crew member who, decades earlier, had embarked on the trip of a lifetime. After the tour group walked through the exhibit viewing pieces of silver dinnerware and other artifacts, the tour ended with an unforgettable twist.

A large board listed the names of all the passengers, including their status—first class, second class, crew. As my friend looked for the name of the person whose ticket he was holding, he noticed a line across the board dividing the names. Above the line were the names of those who were “saved” and below the line all those who were “lost.”

The parallel to our life on earth is profound. It really doesn’t make any difference how the world ranks your status. The only thing that ultimately matters is whether you are “saved” or “lost.” As Jesus said, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matt. 16:26). Perhaps you’ve already trusted in Christ for your salvation. But what about your fellow passengers? Instead of sizing them up by the externals, talk to them about their ultimate destination. —Joe Stowell

It’s not what I achieve that qualifies,
It matters not if I gain wealth or fame;
The only thing I must be certain of
Is “Have I put my trust in Jesus’ name?” —Hess

In light of eternity, what one believes is far more important than what one achieves.

Our Daily Bread

Great Compassion

READ: Isaiah 49:13-18

Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. —Isaiah 49:15

I first met my wife, Marlene, in college. I was majoring in pastoral studies, and she was working on a degree in elementary education. The first time I saw her working with children, I knew what a natural fit this was for her. She loved children. It became even more obvious when we got married and had children of our own. Seeing her with them was an education in unconditional love and acceptance. It was clear to me that there is nothing in all the world like the tender love and compassion of a mother for her newborn child.

That’s what makes Isaiah 49:15 so remarkable. It’s here that God told His people, who were feeling forsaken and forgotten (v.14), that His compassion is even greater than a mother’s: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.”

Sometimes we face struggles in life, and we are tempted to think that God has forgotten us. We may even believe that God no longer loves us. But God’s love for us is as expansive as the open arms of Christ on the cross. And the tender compassion of our heavenly Father is more dependable and more enduring than the love of a nursing mother for her infant. Be comforted—His love never fails. —Bill Crowder

God will not forget His children
Nor will He forsake our care;
His compassion is enduring—
Even when we’re unaware. —Sper

God’s love for us is as expansive as the open arms of Christ on the cross.

Our Daily Bread

Giving Thanks Always

David Wilkerson Today

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

This matter of giving thanks always was so important in Paul’s theology, he
repeats it three times. (1) “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs,” (2) “Singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord,” and (3) “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 19-20).

Without faith we cannot do this as we ought. We are pressed down by so many
problems and distresses. Of course God does not want us to fake it. It seems to
me Paul has given us the key to it all when he tells us, “…do it unto the
Father.” That great preacher John Calvin said that such singing and giving
thanks always is all feigning and hypocrisy unless we are fully persuaded that
God is our Father.

Our mouths quiver sometimes with grief so that we cannot sing; we do not feel
like giving thanks. Dire circumstances shatter our spirits. There are times the
heart cries, “Lord, do you really expect me to sing and make melody when I
hurt so badly?” “Lord, I am so burdened down with cares, I can barely lift
my head.” “Lord, I find it hard to praise and speak hymns in my heart.
There is too much fear, grief and doubt.”

Yes, it is not easy to respond to this important truth. God is not severe with
us when we hurt. We are his children. But these words are given us to find
solace and relief in such times. We become so focused on our difficulties that
we lose more than our song—we drift further and further away from God’s
eternal promises. In spite of all we face, our Lord says, “GIVE THANKS
ALWAYS.”

We become ungrateful for all he has done in the past. We get swallowed up in
praying only for ourselves, our needs, our families—we cannot lift up our
eyes to other’s suffering—suffering more than us.

I am truly convicted by this word from Paul. I want to face tomorrow determined
to sing to my Lord and give thanks for an entire day—for all things—in all
things. It may be an inaudible song; it may be weak at first; but there must be
a power in doing it, by faith, or it would not have been repeated three times.

Oh that ten thousand reading this message would endeavor to sing along with
me—what a joy it would bring to Father’s heart. Then, to follow it up by
resting in the truth that God has heard your cry, he is working out the
solution even now and every day—so go on giving thanks always and never stop
singing love songs to our precious Lord and Savior.

Dreams or Choices?

READ: Philippians 1:1-11

Approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense. —Philippians 1:10

I’ve received a lot of good advice in my life. Near the top of the list is this wise observation from a friend: “Life is not made by the dreams that you dream but by the choices that you make.”

He’s right—your life today is the sum total of all the choices you’ve made up to this point. The apostle Paul gave similar advice in Philippians 1:10, when he said to “approve the things that are excellent” (1:10). In any given situation, we have a whole continuum of choices—ranging from really rotten choices, to the mediocrity of average choices, to choices that are good, and then to those that are excellent. God wants to move us across the continuum, past our natural impulses, all the way to excellent choices.

Often it’s challenging to make the most excellent choice, especially if there aren’t many others joining us. Sometimes it may feel as if our desires and freedoms have been suppressed. But if you follow Paul’s advice, you’ll notice some really positive outcomes—like being pure and blameless and fruitful (v.11).

Make the choice to live a life filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Then revel in the result! —Joe Stowell

The little choices we must make
Will chart the course of life we take;
We either choose the path of light,
Or wander off in darkest night. —D. De Haan

Make an excellent choice and watch the ripple effect of blessing.

Our Daily Bread

The Power of The Holy Spirit

Luke 24:44-53

The principle we will explore today is basic but so powerful that it determines whether we experience victory in our lives.

You are probably familiar with the book The Little Engine That Could, in which a small engine keeps repeating the words “I think I can.” By using sheer willpower, she pulls an entire train over the mountain. That’s a nice children’s story, but the truth of the Christian life is very different. In the real world, our efforts and determination often fall short. Only by walking in the power of the Holy Spirit can the godly life be achieved.

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s Spirit would temporarily come upon saints for a particular work. However, after Jesus ascended to heaven, He sent the Spirit to dwell permanently within each believer. Consider what this means: If you’re a Christian, God is living inside of you, available to help all through life by providing guidance, comfort, and empowerment.

Obedience to Christ is too difficult for anyone relying on his own strength. And discerning what to do in every situation is far too complicated for a fleshly mind. For some reason, though, Christians often try to live life by depending on their own energy and reasoning. Defeat and failure are unavoidable without His power in our lives.

Do you recognize your need for the Lord? Begin each day confessing your dependence upon Him. Ask to be filled with His Spirit so that all you think, do, and say will be an overflow from Him. Then trust Him to work in mighty ways through you. Watch what almighty God can do.

Dr. Charles Stanley

 

 

Heat and Holiness

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. —Isaiah 43:2READ: Isaiah 43:1-13

Why is it taking my hair so long to get dry? I wondered. As usual, I was in a hurry, and I didn’t want to go outside into the wintry weather with wet hair. Then I realized the problem. I had changed the setting on the hairdryer to “warm” instead of “hot” to accommodate my niece’s preferences.

I often wish I could control the conditions of life as easily as I can change the setting on my hairdryer. I would choose a comfortable setting—not too hot, not too cold. I certainly wouldn’t choose the heat of adversity or the fire of affliction. But in the spiritual realm, warm doesn’t get the job done. We are called to holiness, and holiness often involves “heat.” To be holy means to be set apart for God—separated from anything unclean or impure. To refine and purify us, God sometimes uses the furnace of affliction. The prophet Isaiah said, “When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned” (Isa. 43:2); he didn’t say if. And the apostle Peter said that we should not be surprised by trials (1 Peter 4:12).

None of us knows when we’ll be called to walk through the fire or how hot the furnace will be. But we do know this: God’s purpose for the flames is to purify us, not to destroy us. —Julie Ackerman Link

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. —Keen

The only way God hurries holiness is by turning up the heat.

Our Daily Bread

 

Exalt Him

February 13, 2011

Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn

READ:
Psalm 46

.
. . I am God; I will be exalted. —Psalm 46:10

Be
still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations” (Ps. 46:10).
These words from a song sung long ago at the temple in Jerusalem remind us of
one of our main tasks—worshiping our awesome God.

One
way to do that is to meditate on His many attributes. Exalt God, for He
is faithful, eternal, all-knowing, just, unchangeable, gracious, holy, merciful,
longsuffering, impartial, and infinite. Our God is perfect.

Exalt
God also by realizing that He is all-powerful, almighty, personal, righteous,
unsearchable, wise, triune, accessible, self-existent, glorious, and
compassionate.

Another
way to worship God is to contemplate His names. Exalt God, for He is
Creator. He is Love. He is Redeemer. He is Shepherd. He is Savior, Lord, and
Father. He is Judge. He is Comforter. He is Teacher. He is I AM. Our God is the
Mighty One.

Dwell
on His identity. God is our shield. Our stronghold. Our light. Our
strength. Our sustainer. Our rescuer. Our fortress.

Meditate
on God’s attributes. Contemplate His names. Dwell on His identity. Adore Him.
Respect Him. Honor Him. Love Him. Exalt Him. Use the rest of your life getting
ready to worship our awesome God forever. —Dave Branon

O
worship the King,
All glorious above,
And gratefully sing
His power and
His love. —Grant

Let
everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Walk by Faith and Leave the Results to God

By Robert Moment

Walking by faith is easy when we get the results we are looking for, isn’t it? When our prayers are answered the way we want them to be and everything happens the way we want, it’s easy to have faith.

But the real test of Christian faith is in facing the silence of being “on hold” with God. Faith is a hard teacher. Faith gives us the test before we get the lesson. Sometimes we pray and pray to God and it seems like He might not be listening because we don’t get an answer right away. But we aren’t looking at it properly when we think that way. The truth is, sometimes God’s answer to our prayer is, “No,” or “Not right now.”

Because God is seeing the situations of our lives so much more clearly than we could ever hope to, He can make the right decisions for us, even if we can’t see that clearly sometimes. Remember, too, that faith means we believe in Him and His time table – we have to trust that He knows what is right for us and when it is right – and we must not ask him to prove it! That’s not faith – that’s doubt.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

- Hebrews 11:1

There’s a country song by popular singer Garth Brooks that was very popular a few years ago that has line in that says, “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers , so remember when you’re talking to the Man upstairs, just because he doesn’t answer , it doesn’t mean He don’t care…” In the song, the singer sees his old high school sweetheart and recalls that he prayed every night that God would let him marry this girl. Now he looks at his wife and thanks God that He didn’t answer those old prayers – because the Lord knew that the right woman was waiting for him.

Do you have that kind of faith in the Lord? Can you pray and not be disappointed that sometimes what you are praying for isn’t what you get? It’s hard, isn’t it? But the Lord knows that it isn’t good for us to answer everybody’s prayer to win the lottery, or even every prayer to get a particular job. Why? Because it’s easy for us to forget that we only see things in the here and now – but God sees a plan for us that stretches far into the future and He’s planning for the rest of our life and into eternity.

Continue to pray, but do so in faith, knowing that God is with you in every moment. Whether you are seeking employment, healing , new friendships, a renewal of love or a change in your own heart, give it time. Don’t give in to impatience or demand that God do it “now”. Trust in God to work in and through every circumstance you face and teach you something in every experience. Leaving the results – and the timing – to God will enrich your life in ways you can’t foresee but that He has prepared for you out of His great and abiding love for you.

Remember the Powerful Benefits of Christian Faith:

*Faith is the assurance that there will be answer to all we take to God in prayers.
*Faith is holding to the blessings we know to be true, even when the world and our lives indicate otherwise.
*Faith proclaims that nothing is impossible for us if we rely on the power of God to guide us through every situation.
*Faith in God uplifts us and gives us the courage to move forward.
*Faith in God will sustain us and bring us successfully through every crisis.
*Faith in God means you do not doubt yourself.

“Have faith in God. Truly I tell you if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you.”

- Mark 11:22-23

So the next time you pray, praise God, ask for His guidance and be willing to ask for what you need. But remember that true faith requires that asking also meaning resting in the assurance that God will see to the results without your help. Walk in faith and leave the results to God – He can handle it ! Honor Him by your Faith.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Moment