Daily Word..

Modern art in Prague (Photo credit: BrunoDelzant)

You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.

Psalm 71:20

Two little boys were on a field trip with their class to an art gallery to see an exhibit of modern art. They happened by a painting, and as they looked at it, they could see there was a nose over in one corner and an eye in the other corner, and it was all confused. So one little boy turned to the other one and said, “Don’t you think we’d better get out of here before they say we did it!”

Our world is coming to grips with the disorder that’s inherent in our fallen universe. And it’s being expressed in a way of thinking called “postmodernism,” and our arts and literature are a manifestation of that disorder. We see this disorder in our own suffering and pain, and in those seemingly random events that cause so much anguish in life.

Yet throughout Scripture, we see God taking that chaos and turning it back into order. He takes our mistakes, our pain, and our anguish, and turns them around for our good and for His glory. So when suffering hits, we know it’s not random!

Everyone experiences hard times. But in Christ, you can suffer with a purpose, knowing that God is taking the chaos in your life and will make it work for your ultimate good. And we have faith that one day, all suffering will end as we live forever in His glorious presence!

 

WHEN LIFE SEEMS CHAOTIC, TRUST FULLY THAT GOD WILL WORK EVERYTHING OUT FOR HIS GLORY AND YOUR GOOD!

Pastor Graham

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God Uses The Wicked

 

English: Joseph made ruler in Egypt (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Read | Genesis 37-39

When we don’t understand what God is doing or why, His ways can seem perplexing. The times when ungodly people seem to triumph over the righteous make us scratch our heads and wonder why the Lord doesn’t intervene. But the truth is, He oftenuses the wicked to accomplish His purpose.

Joseph faced one hard-hearted individual after another during his years in exile. His brothers shipped him off to Egypt. His boss’s wife accused him of an unspeakable crime. And even those he helped, like Pharaoh‘s cupbearer, forgot about him (Gen. 40:23). The actions (or seeming inactions) of God make little sense at this point.

But once the story of Joseph’s life was written in full, it was clear that everyone who harmed or neglected the young man contributed to God’s plan. The Lord used numerous people across several years to bring a humbled young Hebrew unexpectedly to power at the right moment to spare his family–who were the Messiah‘s ancestors–from the effects of famine.

In our circumstances, we can see God’s actions only from the limited vantage point of our humanness. We experience the events He has allowed or caused but can’t discern what He is thinking. Often the Lord’s goals and purposes are hidden from us until His plans come to fruition.

God is sovereign over all the earth. We may wonder at the strange or even terrifying turns our lives take, but we can be certain that He is in control and at work. The wicked may triumph for a season, but the final, eternal victory belongs to Christ and His righteous followers.

Dr. Charles Stanley

My Clothes Got In The Way!

hippie (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

I remember as a young evangelist preaching at a crusade before 5,000 people in
Los Angeles. At least 2,000 of those people were Christian hippies. They had
just been born again and were brought out of the hippie culture. Many of these
young people lay sprawled before me on the floor, barefoot, wearing long hair
and tattered clothes.

That night I was dressed in a spiffy blue blazer with a sharp tie, the latest
bell-bottom slacks and shiny shoes. When I took the stage, I started railing on
those kids. I said, “Some of you look awful. Put on some decent clothes and get
a haircut before you come back tomorrow night!”

Backstage after the service, I was met by a delegation of those long-haired,
young hippie Christians. One of them ran his fingers down my fashionable coat
collar and said, “What a beautiful suit.” Then he looked up at me and said,
“Brother David, we couldn’t see Jesus tonight.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“Your clothes got in the way,” he replied. I had considered them to be too
dressed down — and they had considered me to be too dressed up.

Those kids were not making fun of me. They were sincere. They wept as they told
me, “We believe you’re a man of God, but you’re missing something.” I know now
that it was mercy I lacked. I never railed on that subject again. God taught me
a hard lesson, one I pray remains in my heart.

Let me say this: Many Christians think it is enough to be pure and sanctified.
We think that is the number-one issue and that all we need to do is abstain
from evil, come out from the world and remain clean. As long as we don’t smoke,
drink, fornicate or commit adultery, we think we are pure.

No one has preached stronger messages on holiness and purity over the years
than I have. But according to James, purity is merely the first matter of
concern: “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality,
and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). Yes, first we are to be clean. But mercy,
grace and kindness are to follow.

A Welcome For All

Here’s Today’s Devotional from The Vine.

All those who the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out. - John 6:37

 

We don’t need to worry ourselves about trying to harmonize the two parts of this verse; we can believe them both, and find great comfort and joy in them. Together they bring every Christian a glorious and double confidence. Surely it is a blessing to know that God has thought about our salvation and planned for it, and then given us to Christ to be His.

If this is true, it is easy to understand the other part of this verse. Of course Christ will not “throw out” anyone who His Father gives to Him. They are His own. He knows them by name, and loves them, for He died for them. He will not ignore one of His own when He finds him lying by the wayside or among the thorns, wounded, bleeding, dying, but will take him up and bear him home in safety. We should not be anxious about the first part of this sentence; the last part is all that really concerns us. If we truly come to Christ, we are assured that He will in no way turn us away; but we must come. Then we shall find room enough, and a most loving welcome.

Peace in The Storm

Christus in the storm on the lake; Rembrandt (1633) 160 x 127cm, stolen from Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here’s Today’s Devotional from The Vine…

He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled. - Mark 6:51

 

When Jesus comes to us our trouble ceases. At His command the wildest storm instantly becomes calm. The trouble itself may not leave us but it is no longer troublesome when He is with us. The wind may not stop blowing and beat upon our lives but He makes peace within us. It is far better to have so much grace that our hearts can be calm and quiet in the fiercest storm, than to have the storm itself quieted while our hearts remain restless. Peace within is far better than calm without.

In a gallery in Italy there are two pictures side by side by different artists. One represents a sea tossed by storms. Dark clouds hang over it and the lightning-bolts pierce the sky. The angry waves roll in anger. In the turbulent water a dead human face is seen. The other represents a sea similarly storm tossed; but in the middle of the angry waters is a rock. In the rock a gap, or cleft with green plants and flowers and in the middle of these is a dove quietly sitting on her nest.

These two pictures tell the whole story of human life in this world. The first is the story of life without Christ, unblessed by His presence and peace. There is storm everywhere with no shelter. The other picture paints the peace which Christ gives. Life is just as stormy. The waves roll just as high but now there is peace. The rock represents Christ; it is in the cleft of the rock that the peace is found.  It is just like the old hymn states:

“Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.”

It is in the redemption of Christ alone that we can have peace. If we take Christ into our boats on the stormy sea, we will ride on in safety through earth’s difficulties to heaven’s shore.

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Devoted to God

Read | Psalm 62:1-2

Having been saved by faith in Christ, we express our love and gratitude through devotion to Him. Regular Bible studyand prayer will be an integral part of our daily lives. In addition,

Saul and David. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

our commitment to the Lord will be revealed through a passion to obey, a spirit of humility, and a servant’s heart.

1. Obedience. David sought to obey God all his life. As a shepherd boy, he faithfully tended the animals in his father’s fields. While king, he set aside his desire to build the temple and let Solomon lead the effort, as God had commanded. Although David lived imperfectly, his desire was to do what the Lord asked. We see from Jesus’ words in John 14:15 that obedience should be our high priority as well: He said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
2. Humility. After David killed Goliath, the crowds shouted praise about the young man. However, he did not become prideful. Instead, he remained in King Saul‘s service and waited for God to make him the ruler of Israel. Even as king, he remained humble. He knew that what had been accomplished was because of the Lord’s actions and not his own (2 Sam. 7:18).
3. Service. Whether David was a lowly shepherd or a mighty king, his goal was to obey God and serve Him.

This man after God’s own heart was devoted to his Lord. He sought to know Him and longed to carry out His will. David’s actions reflected His humble attitude of servanthood and his longing to please his heavenly Father. Take steps each day to be sure your life expresses commitment to Jesus.

Dr. Charles stanley

God Is With You Upholding You

Isaiah 41:10 10Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

It is easy to say, “Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!” when times are good. It is easy to believe that God loves you when you are on the mountain top enjoying the sunshine. But what happens when you are down in the dark valley surrounded by your enemies? Perhaps today, you are in the valley of marital, financial or bodily trouble, and you are asking, “Where is God?” My friend, He is right there with you. The God of the valleys says to you, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” When King Jehoshaphat was surrounded and outnumbered by his enemies, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel and he said to the king, “Don’t be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you. Don’t fear or be dismayed. Tomorrow, go out against them for the Lord is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:14–17) What King Jehoshaphat did next was brilliant. He acted with wisdom from on high. Instead of putting his commandos in front, he put worshipers in front! What did the worshipers sing? They sang of God’s love for them — “Praise the Lord for His love endures forever!” And God utterly destroyed their enemies! (2 Chronicles 20:21–23, NIV) Beloved, it is not the trials that make us strong, but our responses in those trials. The devil wants us to respond by asking, “Where is God?” But God wants us to respond with faith in His love for us. We are more than conquerors not because of our love for Him, but through Him who loves us. (Romans 8:37) So whatever valley you are in today, don’t be afraid. God is there with you strengthening and upholding you. Just sing of His love for you and let Him fight your battles for you! Pastor J. Prince

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Seek Spiritual Discernment

Read | Proverbs 2 At one time or another, we have all felt confused, uncertain, or misled. We can live victoriously and confidently only by possessing spiritual discernment– ability to see life from God‘s perspective. We need His help to distinguish between right and wrong, good and best, truth and error. Each day we make many decisions–some trivial and others critical. The Lord doesn’t want us to form judgments based on mere appearance or limited human reasoning. But with the world so full of deceptive information, how would we, on our own, know what to believe? God desires that we see the reality of each situation as He does. We can fully trust the Lord with our relationships as well. Since He knows every person’s heart, the only way we can wisely interact with others is to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit within us. Although God gives each of His children the capacity for spiritual discernment, many Christians are unaware of it. They stumble through life doing the best they can but fail to use this wonderful provision. Others don’t think they need it. They make choices according to their own knowledge and reasoning, never giving the Lord a second thought. Unless we cooperate with God in the development of His wonderful gift of discernment, it will lie dormant within us. A discerning spirit begins with a humble, teachable attitude. If you’ve been handling decisions, situations, and relationships through your own wisdom, confess this to God. Then ask for His perspective and search His Word for direction. Your wisdom will grow, and discernment will protect you.

God Wants Us Free From Worry

Matthew 6:25 25“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Is your heart full of worries about your health, finances, family or future? Even when all is well, some people still worry because they have heard others say, “You should worry when everything is peaceful because something is wrong when the devil leaves you alone.” So they worry even when there is nothing to worry about! But Jesus does not want you to worry about what you will eat or drink, or about your body and what you will put on your back. He tells you not to worry about your daily provisions because God, who is your heavenly Father, knows that you need all these things and He wants to add these things to you. (Matthew 6:32–33) God is the same God who took care of the children of Israel in the wilderness, feeding them with manna every day for 40 years! (Exodus 16) Under His care, His people had no lack. When the people wanted meat for dinner, He simply rained quails on them. (Numbers 11:31–32) The children of Israel only had to pick them up. If they had gone to look for meat themselves, they probably would not have found any in the desert. The problem with us today is that we think that we must do something to help ourselves. Some of us may even think that it is easy for Jesus to say, “Don’t worry. Take no thought for your life,” because He does not understand the problems we face in life. But the truth is that Jesus understands the problems we face in life. In fact, He faced what I would call the “final problem” — death. Death is the “final problem” because it puts an end to all our other problems. Jesus faced death at the cross, conquered it and rose from the dead. And because He conquered the problem of problems, we can trust Him when He tells us not to worry! Pastor J. Prince

How To Defeat Discouragement

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

John 16:33

I once heard a story about an auction they were having in hell. God said, “Satan, you need to reduce your arsenal.” So they were auctioning off some of the weapons of the enemy. And the one auctioned off at the highest price was the tool of discouragement because it is such a powerful weapon against us.

We all get discouraged from time to time. And discouragement can range from the moody blues all the way to clinical, and even severe, depression. Even some of the greatest saints of all time have been discouraged… biblical heroes such as Moses, Elijah, Jonah, David, and Peter.

Discouragement can come in all kinds of phases. One is that of listlessness—that feeling of just “blah.” And if that’s not dealt with, it moves to sadness, and eventually to helplessness as the chains of discouragement grow stronger and stronger in our lives.

But in Christ, you can overcome discouragement. As the Lord Jesus tells us in today’s passage, the peace that can overcome discouragement is found only in Him. Yes, there will be trouble in this world, but we can have victory because Christ has overcome. So whenever you feel discouraged, lean on Jesus, who has overcome so that you can have abundant life!

WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT HITS, TRUST IN JESUS BECAUSE HE HAS OVERCOME THE TROUBLES OF THE WORLD!

Pastor Graham