They will say, "What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created." 2 Peter 3:4
A number of years ago, I was a guest on a talk radio program, where a professor was debating me on the topic of Christ's return. I said that I believed Jesus Christ is coming back, while he said that we have been hearing this forever. So as we were talking I said, "Sir, I suggest that you are a fulfillment of Bible prophecy yourself. The very attitude you are taking is one of the signs of the times."
He asked me to explain, so I read to him from 2 Peter 3:3–4, which says, "Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.' "
Yes, we have heard the message before that Christ is coming back. But over the years, certain things have happened that have immense prophetic significance, including the dramatic escalation of global wars and terrorism, the push for world unity or what is often referred to as globalism, change in world economics toward a cashless society, the unprecedented increase of killer earthquakes, and false teaching permeating the church, leading to a great apostasy (a falling/turning away from faith in Christ).
What is significant is the cumulative effect, the convergence of so many more signs at one time that cause me to wonder, Are we the generation that will see the return of Christ? The Scripture likens it to a woman having labor pains (see 1 Thessalonians 5:3).
There is some disagreement among Christians on the order of prophetic events, but on this one simple truth there can be no division: Jesus Christ is coming back again soon.
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Use Your Light
Scripture of the day: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” - Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
Lately I had been going thru a few "storms," but today I thought I could see the light at the end of the tunnel ... then I realized the light wasn't at the end of the tunnel at all. It had been in my hand the whole time ... I just hadn't turned it on.
No, I am not referring to a flashlight … but the Word of God. Sometimes we get so caught up and bent out of shape in what we see in the natural, that we forget who is really in control.
God never promised us that our lives would be smooth sailing all the time, but He did promise us that He would never leave us or forsake us. So when we find ourselves in distress, we need to stop focusing on the storm and turn our attention back to the one who commands the storms to rage or to be still.
There is nothing happening in our lives that surprises God. He isn’t looking at us wondering, “oh my, how did this happen or how are we going to handle this?” There is nothing, absolutely nothing that is impossible for God. Our greatest storms don’t affect Him and we don’t have to let them affect us either if we would utilize the tool (the light of wisdom) that God has provided us through His Word.
While stress and worry were building up within me about the situations around me, God’s Word was instructing me to have faith.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6: 16
While I was panicking about the doctor’s report on a health issue, God’s word was saying that by His stripes I was healed.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
While I was confused about what the next steps were in my life, God’s word was saying He would direct my paths.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
While I was ready to give someone a serious piece of my mind, God’s word reminded me to guard my tongue.
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” James 3:6
While I was devastated at the current state of a relationship, a work situation or my life in general, God’s word reminded me that all things work together for my good.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
So stop fumbling around in the dark in the midst of your storm, whatever your storm is, and turn on your light … the Word and wisdom of God.
(via Tanya S. Martin-James )Be Blessed!
Dawn
Lately I had been going thru a few "storms," but today I thought I could see the light at the end of the tunnel ... then I realized the light wasn't at the end of the tunnel at all. It had been in my hand the whole time ... I just hadn't turned it on.
No, I am not referring to a flashlight … but the Word of God. Sometimes we get so caught up and bent out of shape in what we see in the natural, that we forget who is really in control.
God never promised us that our lives would be smooth sailing all the time, but He did promise us that He would never leave us or forsake us. So when we find ourselves in distress, we need to stop focusing on the storm and turn our attention back to the one who commands the storms to rage or to be still.
There is nothing happening in our lives that surprises God. He isn’t looking at us wondering, “oh my, how did this happen or how are we going to handle this?” There is nothing, absolutely nothing that is impossible for God. Our greatest storms don’t affect Him and we don’t have to let them affect us either if we would utilize the tool (the light of wisdom) that God has provided us through His Word.
While stress and worry were building up within me about the situations around me, God’s Word was instructing me to have faith.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6: 16
While I was panicking about the doctor’s report on a health issue, God’s word was saying that by His stripes I was healed.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
While I was confused about what the next steps were in my life, God’s word was saying He would direct my paths.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
While I was ready to give someone a serious piece of my mind, God’s word reminded me to guard my tongue.
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” James 3:6
While I was devastated at the current state of a relationship, a work situation or my life in general, God’s word reminded me that all things work together for my good.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
So stop fumbling around in the dark in the midst of your storm, whatever your storm is, and turn on your light … the Word and wisdom of God.
(via Tanya S. Martin-James )Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Would You Hire God?
1) Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. 2) After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. 3) Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. — Hosea 6:1-3
Have you ever thought about how awesome God’s resume would look? Traits: All-powerful, all-knowing, infinitely loving and merciful, everlastingly faithful. Accomplishments: Created the universe, oversees the ongoing sustenance of the world. Hobbies include parting huge bodies of water (favorite: Red Sea).
Obviously, God needs no resume; and, even if He did, we would have to go well beyond words on a cold piece of paper to pursue knowledge of Him. Sadly, many people know facts about God, but few possess a “heart understanding” of those facts’ significance. Fewer still have any personal experience with the blessings of God.
God wants you to know Him. The prophet Hosea tells us how when he writes, “Let us press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3). Just like today, many in that era some 2,700 years ago allowed blessings to distract them from, rather than help them, in developing a deeper relationship with God. But amid that spiritual wilderness, Hosea conveys some key points:
1.) It’s possible. If you hear a voice telling you otherwise, know that it’s not God, but Satan, who is attacking the knowledge of God in your life (2 Corinthians 10:5). Consider Hosea 6:6: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
2.) It’s available. Hosea writes, “His going forth is as sure as the dawn” (6:3). Now, how worried are you that the sun won’t come up tomorrow morning? Be assured that every moment God is going forth into the world He created, and showing Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are yielded to Him (2Chronicles 16:9).
3.) It’s abundant. Right now you might be thinking, but James, my problems are a lot bigger than the knowledge of God could solve. You sure about that? Why don’t you invite God, in all of His sufficiency and power and loving kindness, into the center of your circumstances, and let me know in a month how you’re doing?
Here’s a wonderful truth: A man will begin to prepare his heart to seek the Lord when he’s convinced God will respond in grace. Hosea 6:1 says, “For he has torn us, that he may heal us.”
Wherever you are, pursue the knowledge of God. The rewards are well worth it: God will restore, He will revive, He will raise up.
Prayer: Father, I do want to know You, but sometimes You seem so far off. I know that’s because of my lack of faith. Prepare my heart, and by Your Spirit, convince me that You will respond in grace. Thank You for pursuing me, even when I’m not pursuing You. Help me to know You, not just about You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Journal:
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Have you ever thought about how awesome God’s resume would look? Traits: All-powerful, all-knowing, infinitely loving and merciful, everlastingly faithful. Accomplishments: Created the universe, oversees the ongoing sustenance of the world. Hobbies include parting huge bodies of water (favorite: Red Sea).
Obviously, God needs no resume; and, even if He did, we would have to go well beyond words on a cold piece of paper to pursue knowledge of Him. Sadly, many people know facts about God, but few possess a “heart understanding” of those facts’ significance. Fewer still have any personal experience with the blessings of God.
God wants you to know Him. The prophet Hosea tells us how when he writes, “Let us press on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3). Just like today, many in that era some 2,700 years ago allowed blessings to distract them from, rather than help them, in developing a deeper relationship with God. But amid that spiritual wilderness, Hosea conveys some key points:
1.) It’s possible. If you hear a voice telling you otherwise, know that it’s not God, but Satan, who is attacking the knowledge of God in your life (2 Corinthians 10:5). Consider Hosea 6:6: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
2.) It’s available. Hosea writes, “His going forth is as sure as the dawn” (6:3). Now, how worried are you that the sun won’t come up tomorrow morning? Be assured that every moment God is going forth into the world He created, and showing Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are yielded to Him (2Chronicles 16:9).
3.) It’s abundant. Right now you might be thinking, but James, my problems are a lot bigger than the knowledge of God could solve. You sure about that? Why don’t you invite God, in all of His sufficiency and power and loving kindness, into the center of your circumstances, and let me know in a month how you’re doing?
Here’s a wonderful truth: A man will begin to prepare his heart to seek the Lord when he’s convinced God will respond in grace. Hosea 6:1 says, “For he has torn us, that he may heal us.”
Wherever you are, pursue the knowledge of God. The rewards are well worth it: God will restore, He will revive, He will raise up.
Prayer: Father, I do want to know You, but sometimes You seem so far off. I know that’s because of my lack of faith. Prepare my heart, and by Your Spirit, convince me that You will respond in grace. Thank You for pursuing me, even when I’m not pursuing You. Help me to know You, not just about You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Journal:
- Am I convinced that if I pursue God, He will respond in grace?
- Do I know a lot of facts about God, or do I know Him? Have I had a personal experience with the Lord?
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The Power of Love
4) Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5) or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6) It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 1Cor 13:4-6
Today’s verses teach that love does not “rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.” This means believers aren’t to dwell on another man’s wrongs and give up on him as a hopeless, despicable criminal. Love enables us to hate the evil unjustly visited upon the innocent while valuing the one who committed the act. More simply, we hate the sin but love the sinner.
In spite of everything that seems apparent about someone who’s been driven to sinful actions, God has created him or her with the potential to be made into something good. Outwardly, it may seem as if substandard upbringing, poor treatment, or negative influences have corrupted a person’s morality and worldview beyond repair. For such individuals, the capacity to love and rise above circumstances can get buried so deep that it may seem nonexistent.
God still considers the most evil and corrupt person worth saving. How do I know this is true? Because in the first verse we teach our school children, He said that whoever believes in God’s Son will have eternal life (John 3:16). Many of us are guilty of thinking we deserve His love because we look so good compared to unlovable kinds of people. God doesn’t work that way. He loves every single person, no matter how awful his or her sin may be.
God doesn’t want anyone to mistreat others; such sinful action will bring repercussions or divine discipline. But the Lord does extend His care, His mercy, and His salvation to anybody who wants it. He keeps no record of wrongs. He loves without conditions. And He wants us to love in the same way.
(via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Today’s verses teach that love does not “rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.” This means believers aren’t to dwell on another man’s wrongs and give up on him as a hopeless, despicable criminal. Love enables us to hate the evil unjustly visited upon the innocent while valuing the one who committed the act. More simply, we hate the sin but love the sinner.
In spite of everything that seems apparent about someone who’s been driven to sinful actions, God has created him or her with the potential to be made into something good. Outwardly, it may seem as if substandard upbringing, poor treatment, or negative influences have corrupted a person’s morality and worldview beyond repair. For such individuals, the capacity to love and rise above circumstances can get buried so deep that it may seem nonexistent.
God still considers the most evil and corrupt person worth saving. How do I know this is true? Because in the first verse we teach our school children, He said that whoever believes in God’s Son will have eternal life (John 3:16). Many of us are guilty of thinking we deserve His love because we look so good compared to unlovable kinds of people. God doesn’t work that way. He loves every single person, no matter how awful his or her sin may be.
God doesn’t want anyone to mistreat others; such sinful action will bring repercussions or divine discipline. But the Lord does extend His care, His mercy, and His salvation to anybody who wants it. He keeps no record of wrongs. He loves without conditions. And He wants us to love in the same way.
(via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, May 23, 2011
Humbly Receive
Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. —James 1:21
While reading the first chapter of James, I was struck by the phrase “humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you” (v.21 NIV). A decision with which I’d been struggling came to mind, and I thought: I don’t need to read another book, attend another seminar, or ask another friend about this. I need to obey what the Bible tells me to do. My efforts to be better informed had become a means of resisting God’s instruction rather than receiving it.
James was writing to followers of Christ when he said: “Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:21-22).
Bible scholar W. E. Vine said that the Greek word used here for receive means “deliberate and ready reception of what is offered.” Meekness is an attitude toward God “in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.” A humble heart doesn’t fight against God or contend with Him.
God’s powerful Word, implanted in our hearts, is a trustworthy source of spiritual wisdom and strength. It’s available to all who will humbly receive it.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
While reading the first chapter of James, I was struck by the phrase “humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you” (v.21 NIV). A decision with which I’d been struggling came to mind, and I thought: I don’t need to read another book, attend another seminar, or ask another friend about this. I need to obey what the Bible tells me to do. My efforts to be better informed had become a means of resisting God’s instruction rather than receiving it.
James was writing to followers of Christ when he said: “Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:21-22).
Bible scholar W. E. Vine said that the Greek word used here for receive means “deliberate and ready reception of what is offered.” Meekness is an attitude toward God “in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.” A humble heart doesn’t fight against God or contend with Him.
God’s powerful Word, implanted in our hearts, is a trustworthy source of spiritual wisdom and strength. It’s available to all who will humbly receive it.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, May 20, 2011
Just Ask for Help
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. — Matthew 14:31–32
Sometimes we are embarrassed to admit to God that we need help. We feel as though we ought to work things out ourselves. But what we ought to be doing is crying out to Jesus. There is no shame in that.
When Peter came walking on the water toward Jesus and began to sink, it hardly came as a surprise to Him. Jesus had his number. But He also knew what Peter would become. He didn't merely see him for what he was; He saw him for what he would be. And that is how God sees us as well.
Jesus knew that Peter would fail—not only in this situation, but later when Peter would deny Him. In fact, Jesus brought it to Peter's attention on one occasion (see Luke 22:31–32). So Peter's failure came as no shock to Jesus.
And just as Peter was sinking, the Bible tells us that "immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased" (Matthew 14:31–32).
The Bible doesn't say that Jesus carried Peter back. They got into the boat, which means that Peter stood up and walked with Jesus on the water once more, back to the boat. And where did Jesus take Peter and the disciples? Back to land.
We will have our miraculous moments in life, our mountaintop experiences. But mountaintops prepare us for the valleys of life, and calm waters prepare us for the storms.
Maybe you are sinking right now. Maybe you are gripped by fear, worry, and defeat. Follow the example of Peter: cry out to Jesus. He will not rebuke a person who is trying to come to Him by faith.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Sometimes we are embarrassed to admit to God that we need help. We feel as though we ought to work things out ourselves. But what we ought to be doing is crying out to Jesus. There is no shame in that.
When Peter came walking on the water toward Jesus and began to sink, it hardly came as a surprise to Him. Jesus had his number. But He also knew what Peter would become. He didn't merely see him for what he was; He saw him for what he would be. And that is how God sees us as well.
Jesus knew that Peter would fail—not only in this situation, but later when Peter would deny Him. In fact, Jesus brought it to Peter's attention on one occasion (see Luke 22:31–32). So Peter's failure came as no shock to Jesus.
And just as Peter was sinking, the Bible tells us that "immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased" (Matthew 14:31–32).
The Bible doesn't say that Jesus carried Peter back. They got into the boat, which means that Peter stood up and walked with Jesus on the water once more, back to the boat. And where did Jesus take Peter and the disciples? Back to land.
We will have our miraculous moments in life, our mountaintop experiences. But mountaintops prepare us for the valleys of life, and calm waters prepare us for the storms.
Maybe you are sinking right now. Maybe you are gripped by fear, worry, and defeat. Follow the example of Peter: cry out to Jesus. He will not rebuke a person who is trying to come to Him by faith.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, May 16, 2011
Storms that Perfect
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2–4
Some storms in our lives are not the result of our disobedience to God; they are the result of our obedience to Him. A good example of this is Job. What was Job doing wrong when all of those calamities befell him? Nothing. In fact, he was doing so well that God was bragging on him in the presence of the angels and Satan: "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" (Job 1:8).
Then the attacks on Job began. These were allowed by God to bring about change in his life. So Job went through a perfecting storm. James writes, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2–4). The end game of a perfecting storm is to make us more like Christ.
We may think that when a bad thing happens, it will always turn into a good thing, because Romans 8:28 says, "All things work together for good to those who love God. . . . " While there are some bad things that God turns into good things, there are also some bad things that are always bad things. Let's remember the verse that comes after Romans 8:28: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son . . . " (verse 29).
God's end game is not to make us happy, but to make us holy. And I believe that if we are holy, we will be happy, ultimately. It is not all about happiness; it is about becoming more like Jesus.
(By Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Some storms in our lives are not the result of our disobedience to God; they are the result of our obedience to Him. A good example of this is Job. What was Job doing wrong when all of those calamities befell him? Nothing. In fact, he was doing so well that God was bragging on him in the presence of the angels and Satan: "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" (Job 1:8).
Then the attacks on Job began. These were allowed by God to bring about change in his life. So Job went through a perfecting storm. James writes, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2–4). The end game of a perfecting storm is to make us more like Christ.
We may think that when a bad thing happens, it will always turn into a good thing, because Romans 8:28 says, "All things work together for good to those who love God. . . . " While there are some bad things that God turns into good things, there are also some bad things that are always bad things. Let's remember the verse that comes after Romans 8:28: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son . . . " (verse 29).
God's end game is not to make us happy, but to make us holy. And I believe that if we are holy, we will be happy, ultimately. It is not all about happiness; it is about becoming more like Jesus.
(By Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Confidence in God
20) No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God 21) fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22) That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23) But the words “it was counted to him” were not just written for his sake alone, 24but for ours also . . . Romans 4:20-24a
Are you a doubting person? Doubt is a lack of confidence or assurance that God will keep His promises, and for the Christian it is a very dangerous attitude. I mean, if you don’t have confidence that God will keep His promises, what do you have?
God has promised to provide for us. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” No, no—maybe God won’t provide for all of my needs. Maybe I’ll end up poor, and even destitute. That is doubt.
God has promised to protect us. Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed . . . This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” But maybe He won’t protect me, you think. Maybe something awful is going to happen. That’s doubt, too.
God has also promised to prosper us—though, as some are quick to add, that doesn’t necessarily mean financially. But, Psalm 84:11 says, “No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” But, what if . . . That’s doubt, for sure.
All three of these promises, along with hundreds of others, are signed by God Himself. Why does doubt come so easily?
Doubting is contagious. It’s easier to catch than the common cold. You’ll “catch” it surrounded by people whose lives are filled with doubt.
Doubting is passive. Faith requires action; doubting does not. Nobody ever wakes up in the morning and says, I bet today’s going to be a great day for doubting. Doubting is what takes over when you do nothing.
Doubting satisfies our tendency toward self-protection. Nobody likes to be wrong. What if I step out in faith and trust God for great things, and then nothing happens? I’m going to be disappointed. But you are disappointed because of your doubt.
Doubters are easier to find than friends of faith. How many real, genuine friends of faith do you have? I mean, people who speak the Word of God into your life and fire you up spiritually? In spiritual matters, doubting is death--plain and simple.
Ask God to grow a heart of faith in you, because you can’t do it on your own. Remember that faith is a gift (Ephesians 2:8). Go to Him humbly as the disciples did, and say, Lord, increase my faith!
Journal:
(via James MacDonald)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Are you a doubting person? Doubt is a lack of confidence or assurance that God will keep His promises, and for the Christian it is a very dangerous attitude. I mean, if you don’t have confidence that God will keep His promises, what do you have?
God has promised to provide for us. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” No, no—maybe God won’t provide for all of my needs. Maybe I’ll end up poor, and even destitute. That is doubt.
God has promised to protect us. Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed . . . This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” But maybe He won’t protect me, you think. Maybe something awful is going to happen. That’s doubt, too.
God has also promised to prosper us—though, as some are quick to add, that doesn’t necessarily mean financially. But, Psalm 84:11 says, “No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” But, what if . . . That’s doubt, for sure.
All three of these promises, along with hundreds of others, are signed by God Himself. Why does doubt come so easily?
Doubting is contagious. It’s easier to catch than the common cold. You’ll “catch” it surrounded by people whose lives are filled with doubt.
Doubting is passive. Faith requires action; doubting does not. Nobody ever wakes up in the morning and says, I bet today’s going to be a great day for doubting. Doubting is what takes over when you do nothing.
Doubting satisfies our tendency toward self-protection. Nobody likes to be wrong. What if I step out in faith and trust God for great things, and then nothing happens? I’m going to be disappointed. But you are disappointed because of your doubt.
Doubters are easier to find than friends of faith. How many real, genuine friends of faith do you have? I mean, people who speak the Word of God into your life and fire you up spiritually? In spiritual matters, doubting is death--plain and simple.
Ask God to grow a heart of faith in you, because you can’t do it on your own. Remember that faith is a gift (Ephesians 2:8). Go to Him humbly as the disciples did, and say, Lord, increase my faith!
Prayer:
Father, You have made so many promises
to me, yet I struggle with believing them.
Forgive me for doubting You. You are God!
Nothing is too hard for You! Lord,
increase my faith!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Journal:
- Am I a doubting person? What am I struggling with most right now?
(via James MacDonald)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Nothing Too Big or Small
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. — 1 Peter 5:7
Sometimes in life there will be situations in which you will not have the resources or the ability to respond. There will be circumstances beyond your control. Tests will come up, and that is when you need to trust God.
When that unexpected bill arrives, and you wonder how you will ever pay it . . . when you have that crisis with your spouse, and you wonder how you will ever get through it . . . when a loved one dies unexpectedly, and you wonder how you will survive it, here is how: you are going to trust God. You must trust God. And God will come through for you.
Nothing is too big or too small for God to respond to. Sometimes we will minimize the struggles of others. They will tell us what they are dealing with and we will think, Come on. You know what I have gone through. I have suffered so much more than you. But know that thinking is not right. Their hardship may not seem significant to you, but it is significant to them. If it concerns them, it concerns God.
Each of us should come to God with our burdens and struggles. Is there something keeping you up at night? Is there something troubling you right now? Is there a need you have? Bring it to God. It is not too big, nor is it too small and insignificant. The psalmist wrote, "Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:1–2).
When faced with a need, no matter how large or small, we are to look to God to meet it.
(by Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Sometimes in life there will be situations in which you will not have the resources or the ability to respond. There will be circumstances beyond your control. Tests will come up, and that is when you need to trust God.
When that unexpected bill arrives, and you wonder how you will ever pay it . . . when you have that crisis with your spouse, and you wonder how you will ever get through it . . . when a loved one dies unexpectedly, and you wonder how you will survive it, here is how: you are going to trust God. You must trust God. And God will come through for you.
Nothing is too big or too small for God to respond to. Sometimes we will minimize the struggles of others. They will tell us what they are dealing with and we will think, Come on. You know what I have gone through. I have suffered so much more than you. But know that thinking is not right. Their hardship may not seem significant to you, but it is significant to them. If it concerns them, it concerns God.
Each of us should come to God with our burdens and struggles. Is there something keeping you up at night? Is there something troubling you right now? Is there a need you have? Bring it to God. It is not too big, nor is it too small and insignificant. The psalmist wrote, "Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:1–2).
When faced with a need, no matter how large or small, we are to look to God to meet it.
(by Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Loving Your Enemies
43) You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” 44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46) For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47) And if you greet only your brothers, what more are doing than the others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? — Matthew 5:43-47
Enemies—how do we defeat them? By not resisting them (Matthew 5:39). Well, so I won’t resist them. But what can I do to my enemies? Here’s what you can do. Verse 44 says, “Love your enemies.” There’s a little opposite thing we’ve got going here. What does this mean? Do good. Look for an opportunity: a letter of kindness when you receive something harsh; answer an insult with a compliment; a helping hand for their need. Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” My experience is that when I return evil for evil, I’m consumed with it. But you really can overcome evil by doing good.
Here’s the hardest one though: Matthew 5:44b says, “Pray for” them. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who suffered and was killed in Nazi Germany, wrote that Matthew 5:44 “is the supreme demand in all of Scripture, to pray for your enemies.” He said, “By prayer, we go to our enemy’s side and we stand with him and plead for him to God.”
Well, what exactly would I pray for my enemies? Pray that they might come to know Christ. Pray that God would bless their lives and help them, that your heart would be softened toward them. How about that God might give the strength to forgive them? How about that, through love and prayer for my enemies, God will help me to see His grace and strength in my life in the coolest ways that I’ve never, ever seen before?
The summary of both of those things, loving them and praying for them, is the first one: it’s loving them. Remember, those are all actions, not feelings. I’m really glad Jesus doesn’t say, like your enemies. You don’t have to like your enemies. You gotta love some people, but you don’t have to like them. Love is a commitment of my will to place someone else’s needs above my own. Jesus doesn’t say we have to enjoy them, or delight in them. He says we have to choose, even if by a tight-fisted, white-knuckled choice of our wills, to trust God and do what’s right, in regard to our enemies. He tells us to love them.
Journal:
Dear Father, I realize this is a matter of obedience to You. Names have come to mind that I’m accepting as Your Spirit’s reminder. Help me to pray for my enemies, and count on You to give me guidance on the practical ways that I can love them—for Your sake and in Your strength. In Your name, Jesus, Amen.
(By James MacDonald)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Enemies—how do we defeat them? By not resisting them (Matthew 5:39). Well, so I won’t resist them. But what can I do to my enemies? Here’s what you can do. Verse 44 says, “Love your enemies.” There’s a little opposite thing we’ve got going here. What does this mean? Do good. Look for an opportunity: a letter of kindness when you receive something harsh; answer an insult with a compliment; a helping hand for their need. Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” My experience is that when I return evil for evil, I’m consumed with it. But you really can overcome evil by doing good.
Here’s the hardest one though: Matthew 5:44b says, “Pray for” them. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who suffered and was killed in Nazi Germany, wrote that Matthew 5:44 “is the supreme demand in all of Scripture, to pray for your enemies.” He said, “By prayer, we go to our enemy’s side and we stand with him and plead for him to God.”
Well, what exactly would I pray for my enemies? Pray that they might come to know Christ. Pray that God would bless their lives and help them, that your heart would be softened toward them. How about that God might give the strength to forgive them? How about that, through love and prayer for my enemies, God will help me to see His grace and strength in my life in the coolest ways that I’ve never, ever seen before?
The summary of both of those things, loving them and praying for them, is the first one: it’s loving them. Remember, those are all actions, not feelings. I’m really glad Jesus doesn’t say, like your enemies. You don’t have to like your enemies. You gotta love some people, but you don’t have to like them. Love is a commitment of my will to place someone else’s needs above my own. Jesus doesn’t say we have to enjoy them, or delight in them. He says we have to choose, even if by a tight-fisted, white-knuckled choice of our wills, to trust God and do what’s right, in regard to our enemies. He tells us to love them.
Journal:
- Who are the first three people who come to mind that I need to love, based on Jesus’ instructions?
- What actions will I commit to doing today?
Dear Father, I realize this is a matter of obedience to You. Names have come to mind that I’m accepting as Your Spirit’s reminder. Help me to pray for my enemies, and count on You to give me guidance on the practical ways that I can love them—for Your sake and in Your strength. In Your name, Jesus, Amen.
(By James MacDonald)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, May 9, 2011
It Matters to God
You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book? Psalm 56:8
Jesus taught us to pray as follows: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread . . ." (Matthew 6:9–11). In this template for all prayer, Jesus is effectively saying, "When you pray, always acknowledge the greatness of God. Pray for the will of God, and pray for the provision of God."
So when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," we are, in effect, acknowledging that everything we have comes from God. This is what we need to remember: God can take care of our needs. Do you believe that God can take care of you, even when the odds are against it? Maybe you work very hard. Maybe you save your money and invest wisely and have done well for yourself. And you say, "Well, I know it has come from God, but I played a part in it." No, it all came from God. The ability to think clearly came from God. The beat of your heart came from God. The blood coursing through your veins came from God. Everything you have is from the Lord, including the clothes you are wearing, the car you drive, the home you live in, and the spiritual gifts and talents you have. They are all from the Lord.
So when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," we are acknowledging that everything we have has come from God. And we are also saying that everything we need in the future still will come from God.
If it matters to you, it matters to God. If it troubles you, it is a concern to God. So bring it to Him. He is interested in detail.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Jesus taught us to pray as follows: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread . . ." (Matthew 6:9–11). In this template for all prayer, Jesus is effectively saying, "When you pray, always acknowledge the greatness of God. Pray for the will of God, and pray for the provision of God."
So when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," we are, in effect, acknowledging that everything we have comes from God. This is what we need to remember: God can take care of our needs. Do you believe that God can take care of you, even when the odds are against it? Maybe you work very hard. Maybe you save your money and invest wisely and have done well for yourself. And you say, "Well, I know it has come from God, but I played a part in it." No, it all came from God. The ability to think clearly came from God. The beat of your heart came from God. The blood coursing through your veins came from God. Everything you have is from the Lord, including the clothes you are wearing, the car you drive, the home you live in, and the spiritual gifts and talents you have. They are all from the Lord.
So when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," we are acknowledging that everything we have has come from God. And we are also saying that everything we need in the future still will come from God.
If it matters to you, it matters to God. If it troubles you, it is a concern to God. So bring it to Him. He is interested in detail.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Accept God’s Plan
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
" ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
No matter what may be happening today, God has good things in store for your future! It may not be easy to see now, but God has already lined up a new beginning, new friendships and new opportunities for you.
Maybe you’ve experienced some setbacks, but don’t make the mistake of expecting the same for your future. Instead, accept God’s good plan for your life by declaring His truth. As believers, our attitude should be, “Even though the economy is down, I’m not worried. I know God is going before me, and He has promised He will make rivers in the desert.” Or, “The medical report may not look good, but I have another report that says God is restoring health unto me. I believe God has already released healing, health and victory in my future.” Or, you may have a child who is not on the right course. In the natural, it seems impossible. But our report should be, “I know God can do the impossible!”
Today, be encouraged and don’t give up on your tomorrows. Accept the good plan God has for you — a plan filled with hope, purpose, blessing and increase in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Be Blessed!
" ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
No matter what may be happening today, God has good things in store for your future! It may not be easy to see now, but God has already lined up a new beginning, new friendships and new opportunities for you.
Maybe you’ve experienced some setbacks, but don’t make the mistake of expecting the same for your future. Instead, accept God’s good plan for your life by declaring His truth. As believers, our attitude should be, “Even though the economy is down, I’m not worried. I know God is going before me, and He has promised He will make rivers in the desert.” Or, “The medical report may not look good, but I have another report that says God is restoring health unto me. I believe God has already released healing, health and victory in my future.” Or, you may have a child who is not on the right course. In the natural, it seems impossible. But our report should be, “I know God can do the impossible!”
Today, be encouraged and don’t give up on your tomorrows. Accept the good plan God has for you — a plan filled with hope, purpose, blessing and increase in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for giving me hope and a future.
Thank You for loving me. Thank You for choosing me.
Thank You for delighting in me. I invite You to renew my
heart and mind to the good plans You have for me.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
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