For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14
How Many Children?
Dear God,
How many children do you have?
A million? Billion? Trillion?
He says, “Even more than that!
I have a multitude no one can number—
Ah! And I hold them all in my hand!
Not one is forgotten—I know all about them,
And I supply every need that they have.”
Dear Father in Heaven, How rich you must be,
Providing for such a large, growing family!
He says, “My riches are unending—
Beyond comprehending;
Compounding exponentially.”
Oh Father God, How wise you must be!
To create such a wide variety
Of people with all different personalities.
Is there no end to your creativity?
He says, “Oh no! I only do originals—
Each one priceless, unique;
And each one expressing a unique part of Me.”
The first phrase of the song “He Knows My Name” says, “I have a maker,” which reminds me of the mind-boggling fact that each one of us is formed by the hand of God. That means we can be assured that we have value and are precious simply and for no other reason than the fact that we are created in His image. Isn’t that amazing? We are small, in-process versions of our big creator God. Flowers bloom, waterfalls cascade, cheetahs run fast, and birds fly high; but none of them is made in God’s image—only we are. And not only did He make us, but He also made us with a purpose: to reflect who He is and give Him glory with our lives.
I’ll never forget watching the birth of each of my four children. How can it be that these little eternal beings, made in God’s image, who no one but God had ever met before, just popped out and showed up on planet Earth? To this day I still can’t quite comprehend it.
I remember in particular the birth of my third child, April. The minute she saw daylight, she looked around as if to say, “What’s going on around here? Who are you guys, and what are you talking about?”
Like the rest of us, she will live her God-ordained years on Earth and hopefully fulfill all the works that God has predestined for her (see Eph. 2:10). Then April will go on to live forever in worlds unknown to carry out the mystery of God’s redemptive cosmic plan. Try to get your brain around that one! Oh, and beyond that, try to fathom the It’s a Wonderful Life phenomenon: The lives of everyone April meets and interacts with during her lifetime will be altered and influenced in some way because she showed up on planet Earth that beautiful Spring day in 1998.
Another mind-boggling fact about our creator God is that He makes each one of us different. That’s right! The God we worship is so over-the-top creative that He delights in making each of us unique. There are somewhere around 6 billion of His creations on Earth right now, which doesn’t even count all the millions of people who have gone before us—and those who are yet to come. Why does He make each one of us different and unique? Well, it’s not only because He is creative; but it’s also because He is the God of the one lost lamb, the God who took time to visit with social and religious outcasts, the God who had compassion on and healed the blind man. He is the God of the individual!
We’re not just a huge mass of human beings; instead, we are each unique and we have been created to be unique expressions of who He is. In fact, I believe that if we took the time to get to know this God in an intimate way instead of just imitating one another, we would become even more unique, more interesting, more fun, more peaceful and more joyful; and we would fulfill our true potential, because He is an infinite God with limitless possibilities to express His wonderful, marvelous, fascinating nature.
All this to say, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Fearfully and wonderfully because we are made in the same image as the most awesome being in the universe—God Himself!
Journey with Jesus: Nothing of My Own
How many times must the disciples have heard Jesus say, “I do nothing of my own. I do only what My Father tells Me” (paraphrase, see John 5:19, 8:28)? One of the many examples of this is found in John 11. Lazarus, the man Jesus loved dearly, is terribly sick. So his sisters send word to Jesus to come quickly to their aid, I’m sure with the hope that perhaps Jesus will heal him.
Upon hearing of His friend’s sickness, I am certain that many emotions were stirred in Jesus’ heart. Just imagine how you would feel if your closest and dearest friend was terribly ill and dying in the hospital. Would you not rush to your friend’s aid, laying aside your plans and agendas just to be with them in their time of need?
Jesus was fully God and fully man, so I am sure that He very much wanted to make the trip immediately, to go and touch His friend Lazarus and raise him up. When He heard about Lazarus’s sickness, He was about 30 miles away from the town he lived in—at least a two-day journey!
But the Bible does not tell us that Jesus rushed out the door to go to Lazarus. Instead, “When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was” (John 11:4–6, emphasis mine).
Later in the chapter we read of Jesus finally arriving at the tomb of Lazarus, who had now already been dead for four days. Both Mary and Martha cried to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, [our] brother would not have died” (John 11:21).
Why was Jesus not there sooner? Why didn’t He go right away, as soon as He heard the news, before Lazarus died? The answer is found in John 5:19—“The
Son can do nothing of Himself.” The moment Jesus heard the news about Lazarus, He looked up and asked His Father what He must do. The Father must have told Him, “Son, it is not the time. Wait.” And so Christ waited, demonstrating absolute submission to His Father’s will.
And again, in the last few minutes of Jesus’ life, before going to the cross, the disciples witnessed Christ kneeling and again talking to His Father, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, emphasis mine). It was the Father’s will for the Son to drink the cup that He gave Him. Even though inside Jesus pleaded for it to be taken from Him, He yielded to the will of His Father. In life and in death, Christ showed how He submitted Himself to His Father’s will and authority, leaving this as an example for His disciples—and us—to follow.
Jesus was not only referring to submitting to spiritual authority either. He submitted to the governing authorities of His day as well, subject to the decisions of Herod and Pontius Pilate. If Christ, the One who rules the nations and sits at the right-hand throne of God, came to this earth and submitted to the leaders of His day, how much more should we?
How does Jesus’ example apply to our lives? Sometimes the leadership God places in our lives may be younger than we or perhaps less able or wise in our eyes. We must recognize that God is the One who placed those individuals over us. Romans 13:1–2 (NIV) says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” We cannot break God’s order.
Jesus recognized in the garden of Gethsemane, as the Roman soldiers came to take Him away, that they “could have no power at all against [Him] unless it had been given [them] from above” (John 19:11). And we must recognize the same in our lives, allowing each circumstance to be used as the tool to produce in us the submission and humility of Christ.
In Judges 7, we find the story of Gideon and his army. Starting at 32,000 men, Gideon’s army was quickly reduced to 10,000, and again until only 300 men, chosen by God, marched with him. That’s less than one percent of what he started with! But Gideon didn’t need a large army—only a small one that would simply follow instructions. According to simple math and logic, the men in his army were incredibly outnumbered and doomed to die by the massive, opposing army.
But according to the plan and instructions of the Lord, Gideon readied his men, giving each a clay pot containing a torch inside (see Judges 7:16). He then turned to his army and said, “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do” (Judges 7:17). Gideon had his men surround the enemy, holding these clay pots in their hands. When he gave them the go-ahead, the men were to break the pots and cause the light to shine out (see Judges 7). They followed Gideon’s command and defeated their enemy that day.
These 300 men were totally committed to following Gideon’s instruction regardless of how illogical it seemed. They had no opinion of their own or suggestions for Gideon on how to win the battle. Their attitude was, “Whatever you say, we will do.” Their submission to the authority of their leader was complete. And so it must be in our lives—total submission to God our Father and the leaders He places over us.
In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul writes, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” But unless we come to the place of giving up our stubborn will, our own ambitions and our way of doing things, the light of Christ will never shine out from us, the earthen vessels.
A.W. Tozer once said, “God cannot use a man greatly until He has broken him deeply.” I believe this is true. If Jesus had not submitted and listened to the Father concerning Lazarus, the glory and power of God would not have been displayed through his resurrection. If Gideon’s men decided their leader was foolish and therefore did not submit and follow his command, the battle never would have been won, nor the victory given to God. Jesus has set before us His submission as an example that we might do exactly as He has done. First Corinthians 4:2 (TLB) says, “Now the most important thing about a servant is that he does just what his master tells him to.”
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
C2TM6U6X5ZK5
Upon hearing of His friend’s sickness, I am certain that many emotions were stirred in Jesus’ heart. Just imagine how you would feel if your closest and dearest friend was terribly ill and dying in the hospital. Would you not rush to your friend’s aid, laying aside your plans and agendas just to be with them in their time of need?
Jesus was fully God and fully man, so I am sure that He very much wanted to make the trip immediately, to go and touch His friend Lazarus and raise him up. When He heard about Lazarus’s sickness, He was about 30 miles away from the town he lived in—at least a two-day journey!
But the Bible does not tell us that Jesus rushed out the door to go to Lazarus. Instead, “When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was” (John 11:4–6, emphasis mine).
Later in the chapter we read of Jesus finally arriving at the tomb of Lazarus, who had now already been dead for four days. Both Mary and Martha cried to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, [our] brother would not have died” (John 11:21).
Why was Jesus not there sooner? Why didn’t He go right away, as soon as He heard the news, before Lazarus died? The answer is found in John 5:19—“The
Son can do nothing of Himself.” The moment Jesus heard the news about Lazarus, He looked up and asked His Father what He must do. The Father must have told Him, “Son, it is not the time. Wait.” And so Christ waited, demonstrating absolute submission to His Father’s will.
And again, in the last few minutes of Jesus’ life, before going to the cross, the disciples witnessed Christ kneeling and again talking to His Father, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, emphasis mine). It was the Father’s will for the Son to drink the cup that He gave Him. Even though inside Jesus pleaded for it to be taken from Him, He yielded to the will of His Father. In life and in death, Christ showed how He submitted Himself to His Father’s will and authority, leaving this as an example for His disciples—and us—to follow.
Jesus was not only referring to submitting to spiritual authority either. He submitted to the governing authorities of His day as well, subject to the decisions of Herod and Pontius Pilate. If Christ, the One who rules the nations and sits at the right-hand throne of God, came to this earth and submitted to the leaders of His day, how much more should we?
How does Jesus’ example apply to our lives? Sometimes the leadership God places in our lives may be younger than we or perhaps less able or wise in our eyes. We must recognize that God is the One who placed those individuals over us. Romans 13:1–2 (NIV) says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” We cannot break God’s order.
Jesus recognized in the garden of Gethsemane, as the Roman soldiers came to take Him away, that they “could have no power at all against [Him] unless it had been given [them] from above” (John 19:11). And we must recognize the same in our lives, allowing each circumstance to be used as the tool to produce in us the submission and humility of Christ.
In Judges 7, we find the story of Gideon and his army. Starting at 32,000 men, Gideon’s army was quickly reduced to 10,000, and again until only 300 men, chosen by God, marched with him. That’s less than one percent of what he started with! But Gideon didn’t need a large army—only a small one that would simply follow instructions. According to simple math and logic, the men in his army were incredibly outnumbered and doomed to die by the massive, opposing army.
But according to the plan and instructions of the Lord, Gideon readied his men, giving each a clay pot containing a torch inside (see Judges 7:16). He then turned to his army and said, “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do” (Judges 7:17). Gideon had his men surround the enemy, holding these clay pots in their hands. When he gave them the go-ahead, the men were to break the pots and cause the light to shine out (see Judges 7). They followed Gideon’s command and defeated their enemy that day.
These 300 men were totally committed to following Gideon’s instruction regardless of how illogical it seemed. They had no opinion of their own or suggestions for Gideon on how to win the battle. Their attitude was, “Whatever you say, we will do.” Their submission to the authority of their leader was complete. And so it must be in our lives—total submission to God our Father and the leaders He places over us.
In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul writes, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” But unless we come to the place of giving up our stubborn will, our own ambitions and our way of doing things, the light of Christ will never shine out from us, the earthen vessels.
A.W. Tozer once said, “God cannot use a man greatly until He has broken him deeply.” I believe this is true. If Jesus had not submitted and listened to the Father concerning Lazarus, the glory and power of God would not have been displayed through his resurrection. If Gideon’s men decided their leader was foolish and therefore did not submit and follow his command, the battle never would have been won, nor the victory given to God. Jesus has set before us His submission as an example that we might do exactly as He has done. First Corinthians 4:2 (TLB) says, “Now the most important thing about a servant is that he does just what his master tells him to.”
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
C2TM6U6X5ZK5
Leap into God's Arms
Do you sometimes long for a stronger faith - one that would help you live a more adventurous, fulfilling life? Do you sense that God wants more for you, but don't feel up to embracing it?
Just as your body becomes stronger through physical exercise, your soul becomes stronger when you exercise your faith. It can be scary to take leaps of faith as you face an unknown future. But there's really no safer place to jump than into the arms of the God who loves you. Here's how you can learn to take leaps of faith:
Don't settle for a marginal existence. Decide that you want what God wants for you - a radical life that transforms you and significantly impacts God's kingdom.
Believe God's promises. Read the Bible to discover all that you are entitled to as a member of God's family, through a saving relationship with Him. Then claim your promised inheritance by believing God will do all He says He will, and living accordingly. Survey the circumstances of your life and open your eyes to the potential for God's work there if you faithfully follow where He leads you. Know that, if God has placed dreams in your heart, He will make them come true. Put your God-given talents to use and do the best work you possibly can in whatever you do. Take time on a regular basis to thank God for all He has done - and will do - for you. Ask Him to develop contentment and peace in you.
Trade the "good life" for real life. Don't strive merely for our world's version of the "good life" - acquiring all the things and relationships you think you need to be happy. Realize that the best the world has to offer can only bring you temporary satisfaction. Instead, live for God, passionately pursuing His purposes above all else. When you do this, you'll experience real fulfillment that will continue into eternity. Ask God to reveal the ultimate mission He wants you to accomplish during your time on Earth. Write your mission statement, and make decisions about how to spend your time, energy, and money according to it. Don't pin your ultimate hopes on any people, things, or circumstances. Realize that God is the only One you can count on - and the only One you really need. Don't be so caught up in the gifts that you miss the Gift-giver.
Look toward your eternal home. Understand that Earth is not your ultimate home; heaven is. Decide to spend your time on Earth growing in all the ways God wants you to prepare for eternity with Him. Be willing to leave things, places, and even people behind so you can follow wherever God leads you. Pursue joy instead of happiness. Happiness is based on your current circumstances, so it comes and goes. But the joy that comes from God is possible to have in the midst of any type of circumstances. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you experience this joy, that's more powerful than transitory happiness.
Go public with your faith. If Jesus has saved you, pass the lifeline along to others by sharing the Gospel message with them. Be alert to opportunities God gives you to do so. Ask the Holy Spirit to cause things that touch God's heart to touch your heart as well so you'll be motivated to reach out to others who need Him. Don't spend all your time with like-minded people. Develop meaningful friendships with non-Christians and model a life of holiness and love for them. Once you get to know them well, share the Gospel with them in natural ways.
Expect God to show up. Know that God is always at work, even when you can't yet see any apparent answers to some of your prayers. Approach every situation expecting God to show up - sometimes in unexpected ways. Trust in the wisdom of the One who made the universe to have perfect timing. Have confidence in His goodness and mercy. Remember that He hears every one of your prayers - even those offered in the midst of stress, doubt, or despair. Understand that God will respond to even a small amount of faith and meet you where you are.
Remember God's work. Keep traditions that remind you of powerful ways God has worked in your life in the past. Celebrate sacraments like communion that remind you of God's powerful work in history. Share family stories with your children so they can learn how God worked in their ancestor's lives.
Leave the right kind of legacy. Don't be nearly as concerned with your reputation, job, or contribution to society as you are about who you are in God’s eyes. Realize that the only that has lasting value is how well you loved God and other people. Take the time to invest in others as much as you can, sharing God's love with them. Pass on encouragement whenever you get the chance. Affirm other people's gifts and capabilities much more than pointing out their shortcomings. Spend your most valuable resource - time - serving others to accomplish things of eternal value in God's kingdom on Earth. Make reading, studying, and meditating on God's word a top priority. Then teach others how to discover the riches in the Bible themselves. Pass on the wisdom you've learned from your life experiences. Open your home to friends and family members regularly to talk about how God is working in your lives. Take as many leaps of faith as you can before God calls you take the final leap of faith from Earth to heaven.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
Just as your body becomes stronger through physical exercise, your soul becomes stronger when you exercise your faith. It can be scary to take leaps of faith as you face an unknown future. But there's really no safer place to jump than into the arms of the God who loves you. Here's how you can learn to take leaps of faith:
Don't settle for a marginal existence. Decide that you want what God wants for you - a radical life that transforms you and significantly impacts God's kingdom.
Believe God's promises. Read the Bible to discover all that you are entitled to as a member of God's family, through a saving relationship with Him. Then claim your promised inheritance by believing God will do all He says He will, and living accordingly. Survey the circumstances of your life and open your eyes to the potential for God's work there if you faithfully follow where He leads you. Know that, if God has placed dreams in your heart, He will make them come true. Put your God-given talents to use and do the best work you possibly can in whatever you do. Take time on a regular basis to thank God for all He has done - and will do - for you. Ask Him to develop contentment and peace in you.
Trade the "good life" for real life. Don't strive merely for our world's version of the "good life" - acquiring all the things and relationships you think you need to be happy. Realize that the best the world has to offer can only bring you temporary satisfaction. Instead, live for God, passionately pursuing His purposes above all else. When you do this, you'll experience real fulfillment that will continue into eternity. Ask God to reveal the ultimate mission He wants you to accomplish during your time on Earth. Write your mission statement, and make decisions about how to spend your time, energy, and money according to it. Don't pin your ultimate hopes on any people, things, or circumstances. Realize that God is the only One you can count on - and the only One you really need. Don't be so caught up in the gifts that you miss the Gift-giver.
Look toward your eternal home. Understand that Earth is not your ultimate home; heaven is. Decide to spend your time on Earth growing in all the ways God wants you to prepare for eternity with Him. Be willing to leave things, places, and even people behind so you can follow wherever God leads you. Pursue joy instead of happiness. Happiness is based on your current circumstances, so it comes and goes. But the joy that comes from God is possible to have in the midst of any type of circumstances. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you experience this joy, that's more powerful than transitory happiness.
Go public with your faith. If Jesus has saved you, pass the lifeline along to others by sharing the Gospel message with them. Be alert to opportunities God gives you to do so. Ask the Holy Spirit to cause things that touch God's heart to touch your heart as well so you'll be motivated to reach out to others who need Him. Don't spend all your time with like-minded people. Develop meaningful friendships with non-Christians and model a life of holiness and love for them. Once you get to know them well, share the Gospel with them in natural ways.
Expect God to show up. Know that God is always at work, even when you can't yet see any apparent answers to some of your prayers. Approach every situation expecting God to show up - sometimes in unexpected ways. Trust in the wisdom of the One who made the universe to have perfect timing. Have confidence in His goodness and mercy. Remember that He hears every one of your prayers - even those offered in the midst of stress, doubt, or despair. Understand that God will respond to even a small amount of faith and meet you where you are.
Remember God's work. Keep traditions that remind you of powerful ways God has worked in your life in the past. Celebrate sacraments like communion that remind you of God's powerful work in history. Share family stories with your children so they can learn how God worked in their ancestor's lives.
Leave the right kind of legacy. Don't be nearly as concerned with your reputation, job, or contribution to society as you are about who you are in God’s eyes. Realize that the only that has lasting value is how well you loved God and other people. Take the time to invest in others as much as you can, sharing God's love with them. Pass on encouragement whenever you get the chance. Affirm other people's gifts and capabilities much more than pointing out their shortcomings. Spend your most valuable resource - time - serving others to accomplish things of eternal value in God's kingdom on Earth. Make reading, studying, and meditating on God's word a top priority. Then teach others how to discover the riches in the Bible themselves. Pass on the wisdom you've learned from your life experiences. Open your home to friends and family members regularly to talk about how God is working in your lives. Take as many leaps of faith as you can before God calls you take the final leap of faith from Earth to heaven.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
Is There a Snake in Your Life?
"He reveals the deep and secret things; he knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with him." Daniel 2:22 (NIV)
Everyone has pain in their lives, some more than others. There are many kinds of pain. Physical pain can come and go but emotional pain seems to hang on forever. It can be so personal, will consume your life and permeate every thing you do. Getting rid of pain is not easy and often demands a long arduous journey of years. Dealing with pain can be especially difficult if someone in your past robbed you of your trust, your joy or the innocence of childhood.
Many people are in the habit of carrying around the pain from their past. They walk, not in the light of the promises of God, but in the shadows of a dark room where reflections are scary and the light eludes them. I was one of those people for many years. I lived with a "snake" in my life. One I hated. Instead of turning the light on to find the snake and kill it, I was constantly running as fast as I could, trying to stay in front of it. I knew in my heart that God was big enough to handle the snake but I seemed to have forged an unhealthy friendship with it that I was not willing to give up.
In searching for a way to rid myself of the snake, I learned some things. First, there is no simple or magical cure for resolving past hurts, but there is a pathway toward restoration. Forgiving and forgetting is a great thing to do - if you can - but not always the answer. Remembering and choosing to forgive will always bring honor, maturity and a certain peace to your life. Pain from the past will always find a way to creep into daily life. We have to find a way to deal with it.
We should raise our wounded spirit up to the Father. He will hear our cry.
Too many times, we condemn ourselves by thinking "A spiritual person should not feel that way." We back away from God instead of running toward him. Then we don't understand that the hurts of the past are blocking a vital fellowship with God. Problems do not just go away if we ignore them. They soon consume our lives. Constantly raise your prayers to the "keeper" of promises. As the old Gospel song says, "Have a little talk with Jesus and tell him all about your troubles".
We need to seek help in repairing any broken or shattered relationships. God commands us to do so.
Repair is a descriptive word meaning to "walk in or around, to close up, hedge or enclose." When we are wounded, we need to have a hedge about us and be sheltered or nurtured within a protective environment. It's like cleaning a wound and then putting a bandage on it for protection. We can find that hedge by seeking godly counsel and surrounding ourselves with Christian friends who care about us. Sometimes the wound is closed on the outside but infection remains on the inside. It will always bother us, just like a snake in a dark room, until we examine the problem, put it on the table and take a close look at it. The truth will free us from the problem. Circumstances may not change but our attitude will.
We can have restoration. Restoration means to rescue, retrieve or to bring back home.
When we are badly hurt, we are badly in need of restoration. We must be brought home again. But our wounds keep us bound and immobilized. We can be restored again if we return to the One who is able to restore and heal from the inside out.
If you have a snake in your life, consider your needs carefully and make yourself available to the Holy Spirit for his restorative work. Raise your problems to God by falling on your knees. Ask the Holy Spirit to build a hedge of protection around you to do a healing work in your life. Then be open to the restoration.
Ask for God's enlightenment to penetrate the dark areas of your hurt. It is only through this exposure that you can truly begin to face what has happened in your past and move on through the healing process. The key to restoration is you. Will you allow the "snake" to run rampant in your life, or will you step out in healing faith.
My Prayer for Today:
Father, please help us begin to expose those troubling areas of our lives. Shine your light on them and please show us our part in killing the snakes in our lives. Open our hearts and minds as we give you permission and time to work. Amen.
Application Steps:
If you are serious about release and peace, you must first recognize the fact that you have a problem. Then raise it up to God - find a way to repair the hurt caused by others - giving it all to God. Trust him to repair the hurt and restore you to a free and loving relationship with Him. He is waiting on you to come.
Power Verses:
"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NLT)
"Keep me, as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me." Psalm 17:8 (NIV)
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
Everyone has pain in their lives, some more than others. There are many kinds of pain. Physical pain can come and go but emotional pain seems to hang on forever. It can be so personal, will consume your life and permeate every thing you do. Getting rid of pain is not easy and often demands a long arduous journey of years. Dealing with pain can be especially difficult if someone in your past robbed you of your trust, your joy or the innocence of childhood.
Many people are in the habit of carrying around the pain from their past. They walk, not in the light of the promises of God, but in the shadows of a dark room where reflections are scary and the light eludes them. I was one of those people for many years. I lived with a "snake" in my life. One I hated. Instead of turning the light on to find the snake and kill it, I was constantly running as fast as I could, trying to stay in front of it. I knew in my heart that God was big enough to handle the snake but I seemed to have forged an unhealthy friendship with it that I was not willing to give up.
In searching for a way to rid myself of the snake, I learned some things. First, there is no simple or magical cure for resolving past hurts, but there is a pathway toward restoration. Forgiving and forgetting is a great thing to do - if you can - but not always the answer. Remembering and choosing to forgive will always bring honor, maturity and a certain peace to your life. Pain from the past will always find a way to creep into daily life. We have to find a way to deal with it.
We should raise our wounded spirit up to the Father. He will hear our cry.
Too many times, we condemn ourselves by thinking "A spiritual person should not feel that way." We back away from God instead of running toward him. Then we don't understand that the hurts of the past are blocking a vital fellowship with God. Problems do not just go away if we ignore them. They soon consume our lives. Constantly raise your prayers to the "keeper" of promises. As the old Gospel song says, "Have a little talk with Jesus and tell him all about your troubles".
We need to seek help in repairing any broken or shattered relationships. God commands us to do so.
Repair is a descriptive word meaning to "walk in or around, to close up, hedge or enclose." When we are wounded, we need to have a hedge about us and be sheltered or nurtured within a protective environment. It's like cleaning a wound and then putting a bandage on it for protection. We can find that hedge by seeking godly counsel and surrounding ourselves with Christian friends who care about us. Sometimes the wound is closed on the outside but infection remains on the inside. It will always bother us, just like a snake in a dark room, until we examine the problem, put it on the table and take a close look at it. The truth will free us from the problem. Circumstances may not change but our attitude will.
We can have restoration. Restoration means to rescue, retrieve or to bring back home.
When we are badly hurt, we are badly in need of restoration. We must be brought home again. But our wounds keep us bound and immobilized. We can be restored again if we return to the One who is able to restore and heal from the inside out.
If you have a snake in your life, consider your needs carefully and make yourself available to the Holy Spirit for his restorative work. Raise your problems to God by falling on your knees. Ask the Holy Spirit to build a hedge of protection around you to do a healing work in your life. Then be open to the restoration.
Ask for God's enlightenment to penetrate the dark areas of your hurt. It is only through this exposure that you can truly begin to face what has happened in your past and move on through the healing process. The key to restoration is you. Will you allow the "snake" to run rampant in your life, or will you step out in healing faith.
My Prayer for Today:
Father, please help us begin to expose those troubling areas of our lives. Shine your light on them and please show us our part in killing the snakes in our lives. Open our hearts and minds as we give you permission and time to work. Amen.
Application Steps:
If you are serious about release and peace, you must first recognize the fact that you have a problem. Then raise it up to God - find a way to repair the hurt caused by others - giving it all to God. Trust him to repair the hurt and restore you to a free and loving relationship with Him. He is waiting on you to come.
Power Verses:
"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NLT)
"Keep me, as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me." Psalm 17:8 (NIV)
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
Don't Settle for a Mediocre Life
As people travel through life, teachers might label them "average." Family members might limit their dreams. Bosses might stifle them. All too often, people respond by simply settling into a boring, mediocre life. That is one thing my life has never been!
But that's not the kind of life God wants for anyone. Don't settle for it! If you refuse to be satisfied by a life of mediocrity, you'll be free to pursue excellence. In the process, your life will become the unique adventure God has planned for you - and you'll fulfill your highest potential.
Here are some ways you can rise above mediocrity to excellence:
Excel at being who you are.
Embrace your uniqueness by accepting God's unconditional love for you. Know that you are today who you have decided to become, you can be more than you are right now, and you should be the best you can be as an act of worship to God. Understand that your worth is based on who you are - God's beloved child - rather than what you do. Forget who other people think you are; express yourself and become who you really are. Be real. Don't pose, posture, or pretend to gain anything.
Instead, trust God to provide it. Remember that He is on your side and He is all you'll ever really need. Respect yourself by living a life consistent with the real you. Be honest, humble, and willing to help others. Don't keep secrets or hold grudges. Focus your energy on preparing to do something great with your life. Remember that your past and current circumstances don't have to limit your future; nothing is impossible with God. Counter our culture of slick deals and shortcuts by committing to go the extra mile in all you do. Use your God-given talents. Find things you love to do and do well. Then do them the best way you can, for as long as you can.
Give everything you've got to everything you do. Know your business and develop the skills to perform it well. Be enthusiastic. Take the initiative. Make wise decisions. Be reliable. Work smart by balancing work well into your life as a whole. Make a habit of doing more than you're paid to do. Demonstrate a positive attitude. Don't listen to those who try to convince you to compromise your commitment to excellence, or your faith and morals.
Excel at being where you are.
Seize opportunities. Stop waiting for a better time or better conditions. Rely on God's power to take advantage of the opportunities He gives you. Ask yourself what problems you're facing right now, and how those problems present possibilities for you to grow. Be available for God to use whenever and however He wants. Be on the lookout for divine appointments. Conquer your fears. Ask God to give you the confidence to believe that something He has called you to will take place even when you can't yet see it.
Trust in God's wisdom even when you don't understand what He's doing in your life. Obey God even when doing so doesn't seem reasonable or won't make you popular with others. Ask God to give you the perspective to see matters over the long haul and trust Him when you can't control the outcome. Live courageously in the face of danger or difficulty. Get out of your comfort zone and take risks God calls you to take. Stick to your convictions even when they fly in the face of popular opinion. Or get you fired! Center your life on God rather than yourself. Ask God to give you the wisdom to do the right thing for the right reason, in the right way at the right time. Remember that God is faithful to keep all of His promises.
Excel with what you have.
Serve a noble cause. Let love motivate you, and let freedom be your mission. Reject apathy. Employ your passions in the service of others as God leads you. Trade mildness for wildness. Be adventurous, constantly seeking to discover more about God and act on the ideas He gives you. Spend regular time in prayer. Write out your thoughts in a journal. Think while you exercise (while your body is in motion, your brain is free to work on a subconscious level). With your character and competencies in mind, identify your calling in life. Clarify what kind of contribution you'd like to make to the world, and make decisions about how to spend your time and energy around that goal. Take the right risks. Initiate change. Eliminate as many distractions as you can.
Never quit; ask God to help you persevere. Be willing to ask for help as you do your work. Find people who will model something you need to know, but can't learn on your own. Establish relationships with a few mentors who will teach you specific skills. Build friendships with people who will motivate you. Look for people whose personalities are compatible with yours; who will respect confidentiality in your relationship; and who will be loyal, honest, merciful, and tenacious. Always turn to God - your ultimate friend - for help as well.
Excel while you can.
Realize that your time is a part of your life that you can never get back once you've spent it. Guard your time at least as carefully as you do your money. Know that wasting your time is wasting your life. Don't waste it by worrying, gossiping, nursing grudges, trying to please everyone, or living from one crisis to the next. Remember that you will have to account to God at the end of your life for how you used your time.
Think and pray about what your priorities should be, and plan your schedule around that. Focus on more than just be efficient; strive to be effective. Develop a sustainable pace in life, where you have patience and stamina. Surrender to God's motives, trust His methods, and accept His timing. Take a regular inventory of your blessings and thank God for them. Strive to finish the race of life well.
Never let go of hope, even when the future looks bleak. Pursue meaningful work and lifelong learning. Take time to rest and recharge. But never stop living life to its fullest and contributing to the world. Keep in mind the legacy that you would like to leave. Trust God to do great things in your life! I truly do.
Sincerely,
Mrs.P
But that's not the kind of life God wants for anyone. Don't settle for it! If you refuse to be satisfied by a life of mediocrity, you'll be free to pursue excellence. In the process, your life will become the unique adventure God has planned for you - and you'll fulfill your highest potential.
Here are some ways you can rise above mediocrity to excellence:
Excel at being who you are.
Embrace your uniqueness by accepting God's unconditional love for you. Know that you are today who you have decided to become, you can be more than you are right now, and you should be the best you can be as an act of worship to God. Understand that your worth is based on who you are - God's beloved child - rather than what you do. Forget who other people think you are; express yourself and become who you really are. Be real. Don't pose, posture, or pretend to gain anything.
Instead, trust God to provide it. Remember that He is on your side and He is all you'll ever really need. Respect yourself by living a life consistent with the real you. Be honest, humble, and willing to help others. Don't keep secrets or hold grudges. Focus your energy on preparing to do something great with your life. Remember that your past and current circumstances don't have to limit your future; nothing is impossible with God. Counter our culture of slick deals and shortcuts by committing to go the extra mile in all you do. Use your God-given talents. Find things you love to do and do well. Then do them the best way you can, for as long as you can.
Give everything you've got to everything you do. Know your business and develop the skills to perform it well. Be enthusiastic. Take the initiative. Make wise decisions. Be reliable. Work smart by balancing work well into your life as a whole. Make a habit of doing more than you're paid to do. Demonstrate a positive attitude. Don't listen to those who try to convince you to compromise your commitment to excellence, or your faith and morals.
Excel at being where you are.
Seize opportunities. Stop waiting for a better time or better conditions. Rely on God's power to take advantage of the opportunities He gives you. Ask yourself what problems you're facing right now, and how those problems present possibilities for you to grow. Be available for God to use whenever and however He wants. Be on the lookout for divine appointments. Conquer your fears. Ask God to give you the confidence to believe that something He has called you to will take place even when you can't yet see it.
Trust in God's wisdom even when you don't understand what He's doing in your life. Obey God even when doing so doesn't seem reasonable or won't make you popular with others. Ask God to give you the perspective to see matters over the long haul and trust Him when you can't control the outcome. Live courageously in the face of danger or difficulty. Get out of your comfort zone and take risks God calls you to take. Stick to your convictions even when they fly in the face of popular opinion. Or get you fired! Center your life on God rather than yourself. Ask God to give you the wisdom to do the right thing for the right reason, in the right way at the right time. Remember that God is faithful to keep all of His promises.
Excel with what you have.
Serve a noble cause. Let love motivate you, and let freedom be your mission. Reject apathy. Employ your passions in the service of others as God leads you. Trade mildness for wildness. Be adventurous, constantly seeking to discover more about God and act on the ideas He gives you. Spend regular time in prayer. Write out your thoughts in a journal. Think while you exercise (while your body is in motion, your brain is free to work on a subconscious level). With your character and competencies in mind, identify your calling in life. Clarify what kind of contribution you'd like to make to the world, and make decisions about how to spend your time and energy around that goal. Take the right risks. Initiate change. Eliminate as many distractions as you can.
Never quit; ask God to help you persevere. Be willing to ask for help as you do your work. Find people who will model something you need to know, but can't learn on your own. Establish relationships with a few mentors who will teach you specific skills. Build friendships with people who will motivate you. Look for people whose personalities are compatible with yours; who will respect confidentiality in your relationship; and who will be loyal, honest, merciful, and tenacious. Always turn to God - your ultimate friend - for help as well.
Excel while you can.
Realize that your time is a part of your life that you can never get back once you've spent it. Guard your time at least as carefully as you do your money. Know that wasting your time is wasting your life. Don't waste it by worrying, gossiping, nursing grudges, trying to please everyone, or living from one crisis to the next. Remember that you will have to account to God at the end of your life for how you used your time.
Think and pray about what your priorities should be, and plan your schedule around that. Focus on more than just be efficient; strive to be effective. Develop a sustainable pace in life, where you have patience and stamina. Surrender to God's motives, trust His methods, and accept His timing. Take a regular inventory of your blessings and thank God for them. Strive to finish the race of life well.
Never let go of hope, even when the future looks bleak. Pursue meaningful work and lifelong learning. Take time to rest and recharge. But never stop living life to its fullest and contributing to the world. Keep in mind the legacy that you would like to leave. Trust God to do great things in your life! I truly do.
Sincerely,
Mrs.P
The Power Within Us
Ephesians 3:14-21
Whatever we are facing in life, we as believers have a great advantage because the Holy Spirit is living within us. That doesn't mean we are always going to be successful in a worldly way, but it does mean that God gives us strength to accomplish the things He calls us to do.
The world's idea of success is more prosperity, more prominence, more position, and more power. But success in the eyes of God is discovering and pursuing His will through the power of His Spirit.
The Holy Spirit illuminates our minds so that we can think the way God thinks and understand more about Him. The Spirit also energizes our physical bodies. We all have faced situations where our human strength was exhausted, but inner strength kept us going so that we didn't even feel weary. That is the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is the Spirit of God who quickens our emotions so that we can experience love for difficult people or peace in hard circumstances. The third member of the Trinity also works in the life of the believer by enabling our will. When we have to make decisions, we can rely on Him to illumine our mind and make it possible for us to make the best choices.
The Holy Spirit releases His supernatural power in the direction that is needed at the moment - mind, body, emotion, or will. This is not a power that we can muster up, nor is it even the result of years of obeying God. The power of the Holy Spirit is God's gift to every believer.
For greater is He that is in you than is in the world!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
Whatever we are facing in life, we as believers have a great advantage because the Holy Spirit is living within us. That doesn't mean we are always going to be successful in a worldly way, but it does mean that God gives us strength to accomplish the things He calls us to do.
The world's idea of success is more prosperity, more prominence, more position, and more power. But success in the eyes of God is discovering and pursuing His will through the power of His Spirit.
The Holy Spirit illuminates our minds so that we can think the way God thinks and understand more about Him. The Spirit also energizes our physical bodies. We all have faced situations where our human strength was exhausted, but inner strength kept us going so that we didn't even feel weary. That is the power of the Holy Spirit.
It is the Spirit of God who quickens our emotions so that we can experience love for difficult people or peace in hard circumstances. The third member of the Trinity also works in the life of the believer by enabling our will. When we have to make decisions, we can rely on Him to illumine our mind and make it possible for us to make the best choices.
The Holy Spirit releases His supernatural power in the direction that is needed at the moment - mind, body, emotion, or will. This is not a power that we can muster up, nor is it even the result of years of obeying God. The power of the Holy Spirit is God's gift to every believer.
For greater is He that is in you than is in the world!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
Watching God Work
Ephesians 3:14-21
We have the privilege of serving a God who does abundantly more than we can imagine. Most believers go through their daily life with no real awareness that the Lord is at work. However, He is active all the time orchestrating circumstances, listening to our prayers, and working through us to serve others. You are God's creation, and He is at work in your life so that you will bring Him glory and honor.
We must learn to see God at work. To do that, we first need to observe how He worked in the lives of men and women in Scripture. It is also important to listen to what He says to our hearts. If we think God has never spoken to us, then we either have not been listening or we do not really expect an answer at all.
To listen and learn, we must have a right relationship with the Lord, confessing our sins and choosing to serve Him. We cannot see God at work if we are not prayerful people. Prayer centers our attention on Him. That focus opens us to the fact that we are loved enough to receive direction from our Father.
Often, though, we do not receive guidance according to our schedule. God often works over long periods of time, so we must practice patience. A human parent needs at least 18 years to teach a child how to function appropriately in the world. How much longer must it take God to achieve His goal of making us into whom He wants us to become?
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
We have the privilege of serving a God who does abundantly more than we can imagine. Most believers go through their daily life with no real awareness that the Lord is at work. However, He is active all the time orchestrating circumstances, listening to our prayers, and working through us to serve others. You are God's creation, and He is at work in your life so that you will bring Him glory and honor.
We must learn to see God at work. To do that, we first need to observe how He worked in the lives of men and women in Scripture. It is also important to listen to what He says to our hearts. If we think God has never spoken to us, then we either have not been listening or we do not really expect an answer at all.
To listen and learn, we must have a right relationship with the Lord, confessing our sins and choosing to serve Him. We cannot see God at work if we are not prayerful people. Prayer centers our attention on Him. That focus opens us to the fact that we are loved enough to receive direction from our Father.
Often, though, we do not receive guidance according to our schedule. God often works over long periods of time, so we must practice patience. A human parent needs at least 18 years to teach a child how to function appropriately in the world. How much longer must it take God to achieve His goal of making us into whom He wants us to become?
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
The Message in the Storm
Psalm 62:1-8
One of the most difficult things we are to do as believers is to "wait silently for God only." We think of waiting as passively sitting back until something happens. However, in the midst of a stormy life event, we don't want to wait. Our instinct is to react quickly and force things to change. Or we want to try and fix things ourselves immediately.
But this word "wait" means something different here - it means "pause for further instructions." Instead of passivity, we choose to stop our actions and listen for God's directive. Sometimes God is silent for a season, but He always has a purpose. He has a perfect time for us to act, and until that moment, we must wait. More strength and character are required to be still in the midst of a storm than to frantically seek our own solution. I will be giving you a perfect real life example of God's perfect timing and purpose in the form of a personal testimony this week.
I can tell you that I sometimes wait impatiently. I am nervous and question God. Or I complain. But those reactions do not fit who we are as believers. Paul tells us plainly to "be anxious for nothing" but to pray to God who offers peace. So we are to wait in silence without complaining, which means we must have patience. In order to be patient, we must trust God's wisdom, love, power, and timing. We cannot go wrong when we trust Him.
The key to peace in the storm is waiting for God only. When we refuse to wait on Him, we make bad decisions. He hears our every prayer, but we must be willing to wait in silence and listen for His reply. This is easier said than done but well worth the effort.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
One of the most difficult things we are to do as believers is to "wait silently for God only." We think of waiting as passively sitting back until something happens. However, in the midst of a stormy life event, we don't want to wait. Our instinct is to react quickly and force things to change. Or we want to try and fix things ourselves immediately.
But this word "wait" means something different here - it means "pause for further instructions." Instead of passivity, we choose to stop our actions and listen for God's directive. Sometimes God is silent for a season, but He always has a purpose. He has a perfect time for us to act, and until that moment, we must wait. More strength and character are required to be still in the midst of a storm than to frantically seek our own solution. I will be giving you a perfect real life example of God's perfect timing and purpose in the form of a personal testimony this week.
I can tell you that I sometimes wait impatiently. I am nervous and question God. Or I complain. But those reactions do not fit who we are as believers. Paul tells us plainly to "be anxious for nothing" but to pray to God who offers peace. So we are to wait in silence without complaining, which means we must have patience. In order to be patient, we must trust God's wisdom, love, power, and timing. We cannot go wrong when we trust Him.
The key to peace in the storm is waiting for God only. When we refuse to wait on Him, we make bad decisions. He hears our every prayer, but we must be willing to wait in silence and listen for His reply. This is easier said than done but well worth the effort.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
What is Worldliness?
There is no simple answer to the question: What is worldliness? But I am going to let James give what I think is his very definitive answer. What is worldliness? James says that worldliness is strife and envy. We need to go back to chapter 3 to pick up his thoughts. In James 3:13 we read, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” Faith is the major in James' university, and all elective courses are related to faith. Works of faith bring meekness. Then we read, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle” (James 3:17). There is meekness or humility, and humility means submission.
In James 3:16 we read, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” That is worldliness. And worldliness in the church has produced all the cults, denominations, factions, divisions, and cliques which have arisen and abound in the church today. There is a spirit of rivalry and jealousy in the church. In the previous verse, James describes this as “earthly”-that is, it is confined to the earth. It is “sensual”-that is, psychological. And then it's “devilish” or demonic, which is something quite terrible, my friend.
What do envy and strife produce in this world? They produce “confusion and every evil work.” With this as background, we can recognize what James is saying now in chapter 4-
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (James 4:1)
“Wars” have to do with the wars of nations. “Fightings” have to do with little skirmishes-that little fight you had in the church-you remember?
“Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” You wanted to have your own way. “Lusts that war in your members” are actually sensual pleasures. Strife and turmoil are created by conflicts and the overweening demands of the members of the body for satisfaction.
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (James 4:2)
Selfish desires, James makes it very clear, lead to war. This spirit of strife is worldliness, and it is not the true beleivers approach. These are the things which represent the old nature. A man must be regenerated by faith and be indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
What James describes here is the spirit of the world. When the spirit of the world gets into the church, you have a worldly church. My friend, do you think it is bad out on the battlefield? Did you think it was bad in Vietnam? Well, it was, but inside some churches and inside the hearts of some individuals it is just as bad. In the business world there is dog-eat-dog competition-that is worldliness. Political parties split, and one group becomes pitted against another. As capital and labor meet around the conference table, there is a battle going on. In the social world there are climbers on the social ladder who are stepping on the hands of others as they go up. In your neighborhood and mine one family does not speak to another family. Within families there are quarrels, brother against brother. Then that spirit gets into the church. That, my friend, is worldliness.
Think about for a while. Food for thought?
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
In James 3:16 we read, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” That is worldliness. And worldliness in the church has produced all the cults, denominations, factions, divisions, and cliques which have arisen and abound in the church today. There is a spirit of rivalry and jealousy in the church. In the previous verse, James describes this as “earthly”-that is, it is confined to the earth. It is “sensual”-that is, psychological. And then it's “devilish” or demonic, which is something quite terrible, my friend.
What do envy and strife produce in this world? They produce “confusion and every evil work.” With this as background, we can recognize what James is saying now in chapter 4-
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (James 4:1)
“Wars” have to do with the wars of nations. “Fightings” have to do with little skirmishes-that little fight you had in the church-you remember?
“Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” You wanted to have your own way. “Lusts that war in your members” are actually sensual pleasures. Strife and turmoil are created by conflicts and the overweening demands of the members of the body for satisfaction.
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (James 4:2)
Selfish desires, James makes it very clear, lead to war. This spirit of strife is worldliness, and it is not the true beleivers approach. These are the things which represent the old nature. A man must be regenerated by faith and be indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
What James describes here is the spirit of the world. When the spirit of the world gets into the church, you have a worldly church. My friend, do you think it is bad out on the battlefield? Did you think it was bad in Vietnam? Well, it was, but inside some churches and inside the hearts of some individuals it is just as bad. In the business world there is dog-eat-dog competition-that is worldliness. Political parties split, and one group becomes pitted against another. As capital and labor meet around the conference table, there is a battle going on. In the social world there are climbers on the social ladder who are stepping on the hands of others as they go up. In your neighborhood and mine one family does not speak to another family. Within families there are quarrels, brother against brother. Then that spirit gets into the church. That, my friend, is worldliness.
Think about for a while. Food for thought?
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
Faith Through Wins and Losses
Thou didst gird me with strength for the battle. . . . — II Samuel 22:40 (RSV)
God bless my seventh-grade history teacher, Mr. Black, for turning the dollar-bill figure of George Washington into flesh and blood for us. He walked him into our lives with descriptive tidbits told with dramatic flair.
We knew, for instance, that Washington had red hair covered with a powdered wig; that he had false teeth that gave him fits; that his face was scarred from smallpox; that he was a farmer ahead of his time in rotating crops; that in the French and Indian War he had two horses shot out from under him; that he was shy but learned to be sociable; that he wrestled a bad temper; that during the crushing winter of Valley Forge he knelt in the snow to pray.
And we knew that when, in the throes of victory over the British, the people were ready to crown him king—King George—he penned a hasty reply from his Mount Vernon home: “Banish the thought from your minds!” Instead, he submitted to the Constitution, and with Congress launched a republic, under God, with liberty and justice for all.
On this day, Washington is rightly honored as the father of our country, a larger-than-life figure. But, as Mr. Black would tell you, he was also a person with foibles and faults like all of us, whose virtues are not just to be admired; they’re to be imitated.
Lord, help me to have faith in You and stay the course through wins and losses.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
God bless my seventh-grade history teacher, Mr. Black, for turning the dollar-bill figure of George Washington into flesh and blood for us. He walked him into our lives with descriptive tidbits told with dramatic flair.
We knew, for instance, that Washington had red hair covered with a powdered wig; that he had false teeth that gave him fits; that his face was scarred from smallpox; that he was a farmer ahead of his time in rotating crops; that in the French and Indian War he had two horses shot out from under him; that he was shy but learned to be sociable; that he wrestled a bad temper; that during the crushing winter of Valley Forge he knelt in the snow to pray.
And we knew that when, in the throes of victory over the British, the people were ready to crown him king—King George—he penned a hasty reply from his Mount Vernon home: “Banish the thought from your minds!” Instead, he submitted to the Constitution, and with Congress launched a republic, under God, with liberty and justice for all.
On this day, Washington is rightly honored as the father of our country, a larger-than-life figure. But, as Mr. Black would tell you, he was also a person with foibles and faults like all of us, whose virtues are not just to be admired; they’re to be imitated.
Lord, help me to have faith in You and stay the course through wins and losses.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
The Obstacle to Humility
Proverbs 6:16-19
Humility is a healthy, godly sense of our merits, talents, and achievements. In the life of the believer, one thing stands as an obstacle to humility - pride. To think of oneself above others is the exact opposite of the lowliness of mind that God calls us to demonstrate. Pride is deceitful in that we might not recognize it in our own heart. Even more dangerous is the person who can be proud on the inside and yet appear humble to others. But we cannot fool God.
Our heavenly Father hates pride because He understands its destructive power. When we are proud, what we're really saying is that we know better than God. He places pride - "haughty eyes" - at the top of the list of seven abominations. That doesn't mean that He hates the person who is prideful. God loves all of us; consequently, He despises anything that will harm us.
Pride blocks communication with God. When Jesus stood before King Herod, who had a reputation for being prideful, the Lord refused to answer the king's questions. (Luke 23:9) Likewise, we cannot come to God in pride and expect our prayers to answered. Our worthiness is not God's basis for considering our prayer requests; the fact of the matter is that we are not worthy. God instead responds to our need.
When we try to live in our own strength, we can expect God to ridicule our schemes (Psalms 2:1-5), ruin our successes (2 Chronicles 26), and remove our status (Daniel 5). He wants us to renounce our pride before we are destroyed by it.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
Humility is a healthy, godly sense of our merits, talents, and achievements. In the life of the believer, one thing stands as an obstacle to humility - pride. To think of oneself above others is the exact opposite of the lowliness of mind that God calls us to demonstrate. Pride is deceitful in that we might not recognize it in our own heart. Even more dangerous is the person who can be proud on the inside and yet appear humble to others. But we cannot fool God.
Our heavenly Father hates pride because He understands its destructive power. When we are proud, what we're really saying is that we know better than God. He places pride - "haughty eyes" - at the top of the list of seven abominations. That doesn't mean that He hates the person who is prideful. God loves all of us; consequently, He despises anything that will harm us.
Pride blocks communication with God. When Jesus stood before King Herod, who had a reputation for being prideful, the Lord refused to answer the king's questions. (Luke 23:9) Likewise, we cannot come to God in pride and expect our prayers to answered. Our worthiness is not God's basis for considering our prayer requests; the fact of the matter is that we are not worthy. God instead responds to our need.
When we try to live in our own strength, we can expect God to ridicule our schemes (Psalms 2:1-5), ruin our successes (2 Chronicles 26), and remove our status (Daniel 5). He wants us to renounce our pride before we are destroyed by it.
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
Humility in the Life of the Believer
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus lived his earthly days with a humble spirit, and He taught us to demonstrate humility as well. In the kingdom of God, those who become like little children are honored (Matthew 18:4); the one who wants to be first must take last place (Mark 9:35); and servanthood is a mark of prominence in God's eyes. (Matthew 23:11) With His teachings, Jesus turned the world's definition of greatness upside down. In heaven, meekness is an attribute of great honor.
Humility does not automatically come to those who have few material belongings or to those who give their possessions away. The rich can be unassuming people, just as the poor can be proud. Success does not have to lead to pride, nor does defeat automatically mean humbleness. What determines humility is attitude. Jesus promises that those who humble themselves on earth will be exalted by their heavenly Father. However, He warns that those who put themselves first will find themselves opposed by God. (James 4:6)
As we recognize that we can do nothing of value apart from the Lord, we will have started on the road to meekness. When we lay down all our plans and instead accept God's, we will be leaving behind our proud selves. If we are misunderstood or treated unfairly, but stay where we are until God tells us to speak or move, then we will have begun to live the humble life.
Certain individuals have asked me why I stayed in places where I was mistreated and unappreciated. I have thought a lot about this question in recent weeks since my separation from my most recent employer. And I believe that God told me to speak when I stood up for what I believed was right with them. As a result He enabled me to move on. Yes, God does indeed work in mysterious ways. It was not pleasant the way things happened, but it truly was a blessing in disguise. So to answer this question I would have to say that I stayed where I was until God told me to speak and move. During that working year I prayed for that family and business day and night. At times I even shared my written daily messages with them. Some of which I know the Lord inspired for them.
The Lord offers to be our Master Teacher so we might learn the godly lessons of humility. Will you let Him serve you in this way?
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
Jesus lived his earthly days with a humble spirit, and He taught us to demonstrate humility as well. In the kingdom of God, those who become like little children are honored (Matthew 18:4); the one who wants to be first must take last place (Mark 9:35); and servanthood is a mark of prominence in God's eyes. (Matthew 23:11) With His teachings, Jesus turned the world's definition of greatness upside down. In heaven, meekness is an attribute of great honor.
Humility does not automatically come to those who have few material belongings or to those who give their possessions away. The rich can be unassuming people, just as the poor can be proud. Success does not have to lead to pride, nor does defeat automatically mean humbleness. What determines humility is attitude. Jesus promises that those who humble themselves on earth will be exalted by their heavenly Father. However, He warns that those who put themselves first will find themselves opposed by God. (James 4:6)
As we recognize that we can do nothing of value apart from the Lord, we will have started on the road to meekness. When we lay down all our plans and instead accept God's, we will be leaving behind our proud selves. If we are misunderstood or treated unfairly, but stay where we are until God tells us to speak or move, then we will have begun to live the humble life.
Certain individuals have asked me why I stayed in places where I was mistreated and unappreciated. I have thought a lot about this question in recent weeks since my separation from my most recent employer. And I believe that God told me to speak when I stood up for what I believed was right with them. As a result He enabled me to move on. Yes, God does indeed work in mysterious ways. It was not pleasant the way things happened, but it truly was a blessing in disguise. So to answer this question I would have to say that I stayed where I was until God told me to speak and move. During that working year I prayed for that family and business day and night. At times I even shared my written daily messages with them. Some of which I know the Lord inspired for them.
The Lord offers to be our Master Teacher so we might learn the godly lessons of humility. Will you let Him serve you in this way?
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
God's Motives
2 Samuel 22:20
He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.
Questioning someone's motives for their activities can become an overriding response to those to whom we relate. Wrong motives can result in broken relationships, poor business decisions, and falling out of God's will. Sometimes we do not know the motive of another person. It is wrong for us to assume what their motive is until we have confidence that we know their intentions. When we respond or react prematurely, we become judge and jury over them.
God has a motive for every one of His children. His desire is to bring us into a spacious place. He wants us to go beyond our borders of safety and security so that we might experience life at a level that goes beyond ourselves. What do you think of when you think of a "spacious place"? No limitations? A large, grassy field? Open air? These are positive images. Sometimes these spacious places encourage us to step out in faith into areas where we've never ventured. Sometimes we need to be rescued by the Lord. When Peter walked on the water, God was inviting him to a spacious place. He went beyond the borders of his boat and ventured into a whole new world. He didn't have complete success in his venturing out, but it was a process that would lead him to the next victory in his faith walk with Jesus. Sometimes failure is what is needed in order to move us to the next level of faith with God. However, we must be willing to fail and let God rescue us.
The Lord delights in this process. His motive for His children is always love. It is always to bring us to a new level of trust and dependence on Him.
Thank you God that you rescued me from my past failures and brought me into victory in next level of faith in You!
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.
Questioning someone's motives for their activities can become an overriding response to those to whom we relate. Wrong motives can result in broken relationships, poor business decisions, and falling out of God's will. Sometimes we do not know the motive of another person. It is wrong for us to assume what their motive is until we have confidence that we know their intentions. When we respond or react prematurely, we become judge and jury over them.
God has a motive for every one of His children. His desire is to bring us into a spacious place. He wants us to go beyond our borders of safety and security so that we might experience life at a level that goes beyond ourselves. What do you think of when you think of a "spacious place"? No limitations? A large, grassy field? Open air? These are positive images. Sometimes these spacious places encourage us to step out in faith into areas where we've never ventured. Sometimes we need to be rescued by the Lord. When Peter walked on the water, God was inviting him to a spacious place. He went beyond the borders of his boat and ventured into a whole new world. He didn't have complete success in his venturing out, but it was a process that would lead him to the next victory in his faith walk with Jesus. Sometimes failure is what is needed in order to move us to the next level of faith with God. However, we must be willing to fail and let God rescue us.
The Lord delights in this process. His motive for His children is always love. It is always to bring us to a new level of trust and dependence on Him.
Thank you God that you rescued me from my past failures and brought me into victory in next level of faith in You!
Sincerely,
Mrs. P
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