| The Same Hand
"He cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.--Exodus 15:25
As Moses deliver the Children of Israel out of Egypt, they had not gone far when the realities of their new freedom began to register. After traveling three days in the wilderness, the large crowd had no water; and when they finally arrived at the Oasis of Marah, the water was bitter.
They cried out to Moses. Moses cried out to the LORD. The LORD showed Moses how to turn the water sweet by showing him a tree to cast into the water.
The lesson at Marah was clear, the same hand that turned water into blood in Egypt could turn bitter water into sweet. The same power that brought curses to Egypt could bring health to Israel.
If you have a seemingly impossible need today, remember that the hand that supplied your greatest need--forgiveness of sin--is the same hand that can adequately supply ALL of our needs.
Trust God to accomplish things that seem impossible.
When our problems overwhelm us,
God wants us to look to Him;
He provides the right solutions--
Lighting paths that once were dim.--Sper
Source: The Daily Bread (August 2008)
Thought: He is still God; He has not changed; and He is fighting for you--just like He did for Moses.
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Happy New Year!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
(Psalm 23:6)
Do you have bright hopes and ambitious plans for the year ahead? I think we should purposely set out to make this year a great one for God's glory! But how can we do that? We lay our plans and make our resolutions; and yet, sometimes what we deemed the year of great prospects turns out to be a year of disaster. One recent study found that seventy percent of people couldn't keep their new year resolutions even through the month of January, much less the whole year.
So how can you and I make this new year great? Let me offer a prescription of five elements that can contribute to an excellent year. . .even to a successful life! You can find these elements in Proverbs 31-10, wherein God promises that if we obey His commands, we will experience -long life and peace." As you read through the passage, you'll find these themes:
1. Keep God's commands for a long and happy life.
2. Live by mercy and truth for popularity and a good reputation.
3. Trust in and acknowledge the Lord for direction and guidance.
4. Fear the Lord, and forsake evil for good health.
5. Honor and give to the Lord your possessions for financial well-being.
Generally speaking, if you follow each command, you'll receive each corresponding reward. But keep in mind that these are general principles, not guarantees. Many people who live good and godly lives do not experience all five consequences.
Neither are these "five easy steps" to Paradise. We don't achieve admittance to heaven by following any set of rules or living a good life. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we receive salvation by God's grace only; never by human works. But if we love Jesus, we want to show Him that love by obeying God's Word.
This year ask God to show you what goals He has for you. Then ask Him how you can achieve those goals. Submit yourself to Him and purpose to love Him in all you do, and you'll most definitely have a happy and spiritually prosperous year!
THOUGHT: A year of self-surrender will bring larger blessings than fourscore years of selfishness.
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December
Christmas Compassion
Read Philippians 2:5-11
...though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
Reflecting on what Christ did for us at Christmas should give us compassion for the plight of the poor and needy. If we are prosperous, we must neither minimize the misery of living in poverty nor say it's an evidence of God's disfavor. Such attitudes are often convenient excuses for those who seek to justify their palatial homes and affluent lifestyles.
Being poor is never pleasant. Neither is it always an indication of laziness or sinfulness. Yes, hungry people sometimes do smile, and laughter can be heard in the ghettos. But it still hurts to be poor. Granted, some have nothing because they are lazy or they spend what little they do have on alcohol, gambling, etc. But this isn't true of all. Proverbs speaks of a poor man who "walketh in his uprighness" (14:12) and says he is better than a rich man who is wicked. We have no reason to think that Joseph and Mary, for example, were anything but godly and industrious, yet they were poor. They could offer only a pair of turtledoves when they dedicated Jesus in the Temple.
Jesus Himself grew up in the despised village of Nazareth and worked with His hands until He was 30 years old. During His public ministry He didn't even have "a place to lay His head". Paul tells us that He left heaven's glory and chose a life of poverty and shame so that man who is spiritually impoverished might become rich.
Could it be that one reason God permits some people to live in poverty is to give us an opportunity to show them compassion--like Christ did for us?
He whose right was heaven's glory
Chose to serve on earth below,
Leaving us a clear example
Of the love He'd have us show.
Thought: Selfishness makes Christmas a burden; love makes it a delight.
---Source:Our Daily Bread
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| Give Love On Christmas Day And All Throughout The Year |
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| Smalls minds talk about people, average minds talk about things, while great minds talk about ideas! |
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Gossip-Free Zone
Whoso privily slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that has a high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. (Psalm 101:5)
In some work places, you can get fired for gossiping. According to a 2002 survey, the average employee gossips 65 hours a year! One Chicago firm decided to become a "gossip-free zone". They require that employees never talk badly about co-workers behind their backs. If you are caught, you lose your job.
A ministry for people in the entertainment industry takes a refreshing alternative to gossip. They combat it with prayer. Instead of putting down famous people who get in trouble with bad choices, they encourage people to pray for them.
Among God's commandments to His people is "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). While this may be talking primarily about lying at judicial proceedings, gossip could also be included in the command because it violates the law of love toward our neighbor. Proverbs uses strong language to describe this use of our words: it's like "a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow" against others (25:18).
Gossip feeds into our natural desires to feel superior to others and to belong or fit in; so combating it in our personal lives can be a challenge. But if we choose to love through prayer, our lives can be a gossip-free zone.---Anne Cetas
(Source: Our Daily Bread)
Prayer:
Lord forgive us for speaking carelessly about others to make ourselves look better.
Help us to think before we speak.
Teach us to be loving with our words.
In Jesus name. Amen.
Thought:
Do Not POOR MOUTH...the words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (Proverbs 18:8)
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| No Earthly Food or Drink Can Compare
O taste and see that the Lord is good:
blessed is the man that trusts in him (Psalm 34:8)
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: he saith, ... Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
The ear tries words, as the mouth tastes meat. I believed, and therefore have I spoken. I know whom I have believed. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. The goodness of God. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
As newborn babes, do desire the sincere milk of the Word of God, that you may grow; thereby, if so, then you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Thought:
Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy.
(Source: bible.com)
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Savor the Flavor
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.---Galatians 3:28 (Galatians 3:26-29)
America has often been called "a melting pot". But obviously that is not the case. Politicians tend to fuel sensitivity to class and color divisions for their own gain. Gender tensions abound. Generational differences are more marked than ever. In fact, cultural observers are starting to say that the "melting pot" metaphor is outdated--that the goal should be a cultural "stew" in which the distinct taste of each ingredient is enhanced by the contribution of the other ingredients.
In a world where pride and prejudice abound, Jesus offers us the joy of unity across all the lines that so easily divide us. In His church, the unique flavors of our diverse backgrounds con complement each other, united "through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26) and empowered by His Spirit and our submission to His principles. In Him our diversity doesn't divide but rather unites and enriches us as we recognize that we all have Jesus, His Word, and His ways in common. As we embrace Him together, our differences become secondary and our mutal love for Him drives us to love each other as He has loved us.
Jesus is the master mixer! In His kingdom, pride and prejudice are out, and love and mutual acceptance are the order of the day.---Joe Stowell
Within the church of Jesus Christ
The joys of unity abound
When love accepts diversity
And prejudice cannot be found.---Sper
Thought:
Christ's love creates unity in the midst of diversity.
Source: Our Daily Bread, July 2008
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| We may be apples, oranges, or bananas; but in the end we are all fruit. Fruit of the blood of Jesus Christ |
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| Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16 |
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| The Unseen Presence
...for the Lord thy God is with thee wherever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)
Life is filled with innumerable dangers, both physical and spiritual; and being a child of God does not shield you from all of them. But the knowledge of the Savior's constant presence can uplift your spirit, especially when adversity comes your way.
We face situations that seem to offer no way out. Fear sweeps over our souls, and we cry out to God. Though unseen, He sends the reassuring words, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee". Like Joshua, we can take courage, knowing that the Lord is with us wherever we go.
Isn’t it good to know that God is as close to us as the very air we breathe! He is always with us which means His peace is always with us. His joy is always with us. His power is always with us, and His victory is always with us! The next time the enemy tries to tell you that you are alone, declare out loud that you serve Emmanuel—the God who is always with you!
Thought:
God is present--even when we feel He's absent.
Sources: Our Daily Bread, Osteen Ministries Daily Word
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| Drink Freely!
If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. (John 7:37)
How simply our Lord presented the gospel! He often depicted the sinner's response to the salvation He offered in terms of everyday activities. For example, He spoke of "eating," "drinking," and "receiving" when referring to eternal life.
During a gospel meeting in a town of Ohio, a man was greatly convicted of his need of the Lord Jesus. He concealed his feelings even from his wife, who was a lovely Christian. One evening after she left the house for a while, his anxiety of heart became so great that he began pacing the floor. His little daughter noticed her father's agitation and asked, "What's the matter, Daddy?" "Oh, nothing," he replied, endeavoring to calm the deep pangs of conviction. But it was all in vain. The youngster looked lovingly into his face and said with the profound simplicity of childhood, "Daddy, if you were dry, wouldn't you go and get a drink of water?" Her words startled the father. He thought of his thirsty soul, so parched and empty. Then he remembered the gospel he had heard in the meeting, which told of a freely flowing fountain opened for sin. He resisted no longer, and that night he asked Jesus to save him.
Do you have deep longing within your heart for the water of life? No person or thing can quench that thirst but Jesus. If you have tried the broken cisterns of this world, go to Him today and drink freely. He said, "But whosoever drink of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." (John 4:14)
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him. ---Bonar
Thought:
After your heart's been torn in two
And you just don't know what to do
After the rain has come and gone
And the sun still won't shine
After your body's wrecked with pain
And the doctor has thrown up his hands
After your friends have walked away
And you've run out of words to say
After you've tried everything else
Then try JESUS.
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Love Your Enemies
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the same? And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:44-48)
It is much easier to act like a Christian than it is to react like one. Most of us are good actors—we can play the part. But our reactions reveal who we really are. And maybe that is why Jesus focused so much of His teaching on reconditioning reflexes.
Pray for those who persecute you.
Love your enemies.
Bless those who curse you.
If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
What is the natural reaction when someone slaps you? You feel like slapping him back, right? But the supernatural reaction is both counterintuitive and counter-reactive. Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek. We convert curses into blessings. And anxiety becomes a catalyst for prayer!
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