Judging lessons....

Judging.....

Last night I took a class on salsa making and the teacher added corn and flour tortillas as well...all homemade....yummmmm good. Three different salsas..and two different tortillas .....all so good...all soooo easy... And can be made to personal preference...

But the class was such a mixture of people, all interested in cooking, but a different levels...men, women, all  ages  and back grounds...one of the participants came in late, a man, looked  like he was one of the street beggars, dressed in black, scruffy, had his supplies, worked next to me...another younger one, late also, works at one of the homeless shelters in town,  one of the management .....women all ages, one handicapped,

As I looked around at the group, i thought of the sermon we had just had recently about partiality, How God shows no partiality...no judging...he wants all to come to him...and find Him trustworthy, yummmmm good. Willing to try a new recipe of life, so to speak...personal choices....oh, yes, we were at a cooking class, but we could have been just as easily at the foot of the cross..as that levels us all, no matter who, where we are In life...

Thank YOU for daily lessons , applications to the life you have designed for each of us....help me find those lessons, open my eyes to the living
Word around me everyday...

Leviticus 19:15
“‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor .

Deuteronomy 1:17
Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”

Deuteronomy 10:17
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

2 Chronicles 19:7
Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

Job 13:8
Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?

James 2:1-13

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.



Jesus calling-February 28

Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes, a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.

Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations, or those of other people. The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love. Many believers perceive Me as an unpleasable Judge, angrily searching out their faults and failures. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I died for your sins, so that I might clothe you in My garments of salvation. This is how I see you: radiant in My robe of righteousness. When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with Me throughout all eternity. Immerse yourself in My loving Presence. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of  man, grace.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
—Luke 6:37

Secrets....

Secrets....

Over the course of my life, I have kept many secrets.  Tidbits or conversations with others given in confidence....I wanted to be trustworthy...and I was accountable for those things said in secret...not hiding to be mysterious....but given with trust...

My husband, in his business, signed letters of confidentiality or had others sign these letters about business information..he or they were to hold the information secure In confidence for a certain amount of time...not to give it freely to someone else...

Secrets, confidential information, trustworthiness, accountable, confidence....words of honor, attitudes of honor, ......who can we trust, who can we tell something in confidence....knowing that it won't go to another....and not be anxious that the world will know tomorrow???

God has secrets as well...He who holds the universe together, also knows our comings and goings, our thoughts, our frame...our secret sins...he put us together In the secret places of the womb...it boggles my mind....He is so infinite and I am so finite..

He is the epitome of trustworthiness ...confidence ...and yet I doubt sometimes....I don't see the whole picture as He does or the whole purpose....but, even then, do I really want to know everything from the beginning to end?  Yes, sometimes...the whys...on some subjects...

But then I comeback around to HIs trustworthiness and I have to lay those doubts and questions down....and praise and give thanks...

Thank YOU for the secrets You hold, the infinteness You are, the trustworthiness that is your character...help me to be found trustworthy in Your sight....

Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Psalm 90:8
You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Proverbs 9:17
“Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”
(This proverb always makes me smile...food eaten in secret will not be secret long as the weight increases..).  Our secret sins will come the light and bigger clothes...


Proverbs 11:13
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

Proverbs 17:23
The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.

Jeremiah 23:24
Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.

Matthew 6:4
so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:18
so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Mark 4:11
He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables

Rebirth....

Rebirth....

There it stood, my little tree...with tiny green leaves emerging. ....I had put it away last fall, not knowing what would happen, if it would die over the winter months (it is still winter here as I look out on another layer of snow this am)... But there it was...living, after a winters rest.....

A reminder that there is life after death....of dreams, people, changes, ....

I look At the world around me....chaos in the government; wars and rumors of wars around the world; families in major changes with cancer, accidents, age issues, illnesses, deaths, job loss;  etc, etc etc...

Even this little tree, grown from acorns picked up at the 911 site in New York City a year and a half ago, had had growth problems....but it's parents were planted as a symbol of rebirth after a horrendous blow to a nation....

There is renewal, it may not look like we want it to, but there is hope for spring, sunshine, a new outlook, healing...in some form or another, unexpected blessings we sometimes have to search for, answers after darkness, light at the end of the tunnel, joy in the morning or mourning,   A helpful hand, a flower, a prayer of a friend, little surprises strewn across our rocky paths, encouraging words, whispers of our Savior....

Thank YOU for reminders of your presence.....

Psalm 90:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Isaiah 26:19
But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise— let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy— your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.

John 12:24
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Titus 3:4-6
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Many parts, one body....

Many parts, one body....

For those of us who have fibromyalgia ,it is a blatant reminder that our body is one Whenever we  have the opportunity to have something worked on....whether a massage or a medical procedure....good or bad... .if one part hurts, it all hurts and conversely, it all rejoices if it is well with no pain..

 But aside from the physical body, it is a wonderful reminder how our spiritual/church body should work...if one is hurting another has the opportunity to lift up...and if one is rejoicing, others can rejoice with it....as we grown in empathy and care for one another....

We can pray for, serve, bear with, lift up, encourage,  one another...

I thank ?god each day for those around who encourage, pray for me and I work on doing that for others as well...

Thank YOU sending others to build up, pray for the body of
Christ ..remind me and others how important it is...even if it is "just" arrows of prayer shot for the heart...help me to be in the attitude of praying or helping those around me In the body as well as others, seeking...


1 Corinthians 12:24-27
New International Version (NIV)
24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Ephesians 4:16
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 5:29-30
New International Version (NIV)
29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body...

Colossians 3:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Keep my head above the waves....

Keep my head above the waves....

We sang a new song, to me, yesterday....one of the lines, was "keep my head above the waves".
 I tried looking it up and couldn't find it, so it has another name....but As I was looking it up, I found the YouTube  site with Hillsong live concerts, as well as others...felt I like I was sitting amongst the concert attendees participating and listening to praise song after praise song...just choose the song...a multitude of venues, multitudes of people singing, praising together, worshipping in song and prayer...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HcnfT4arZtI        For one and many...

Our technology helps us be a part of the world out there that many of us aren't able to attend in person, but enjoy anyway....thank you for that...

Someday, we will be a part of the world of singers in heaven, worshiping..praising...now we have the opportunity in our churches, or at home for those who can't get out...it lifts our spirits, touches our hearts, minds, souls..new songs, old ones, the Psalms, feelings that we hold close, tears unchecked, hands down or up, whatever posture...whatever culture, skin color, language ...we can all praise in song....

Thank YOU for singing,  it touches the soul....

Psalm 98:5
make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,

Song of Songs 2:12a
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, ....

Isaiah 14:7
All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing.

Isaiah 51:11
Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.


Jesus calling-February 24

Be still in the Light of My Presence, while I communicate Love to you. There is no force in the universe as powerful as My Love. You are constantly aware of limitations: your own and others’. But there is no limit to My Love; it fills all of space, time, and eternity.

Now you see through a glass, darkly, but someday you will see Me face to Face. Then you will be able to experience fully how wide and long and high and deep is My Love for you. If you were to experience that now, you would be overwhelmed to the point of feeling crushed. But you have an eternity ahead of you, absolutely guaranteed, during which you can enjoy My Presence in unrestricted ecstasy. For now, the knowledge of My loving Presence is sufficient to carry you through each day.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
—1 Corinthians 13:12 kjv

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
—Ephesians 3:16–19

Listening.....do I hear?

Listen....

I was intrigued by the word, "listen" this last week...it came up again and again for various issues...

Listen first, speak last...
Listen to the problems, consider,  then speak....
Listen with both ears....
Listen, then find a solution....
God gave us two ears to listen and only one mouth the speak...must be some reason for that...
Listening is more important than speaking....
Am I a good listener ....or do I just want to speak?
Others want to be heard....listened to...
Just let them vent...
Am I listening for God's voice in my life....

And then it was in my devotional first thing this morning....so maybe there is something I am supposed to learn....and listen....

I looked back through the Bible, and it is there over 400 times in the NIV version...

The most occurrences are in Job, the Psalms, Proverbs...but it is all through the Scriptures...

Many, many places it says, "they/he did not listen"....and how sad the consequences....

It is important to whom we listen....

It is important on how we listen....

It is important as to why we listen...


Thank You, calling to me....never giving up...help me to have a listening ear to the right words, instructions, to need what You would have me to learn,....that I would follow the right path...to fear YOU...I don't want to persist in my former practices...

James 1:19
[ Listening and Doing ] My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Deuteronomy 27:9
[ Curses From Mount Ebal ] Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 30:20
and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 31:12
Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.

2 Kings 17:14
But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God.

2 Kings 17:40
They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices.

Psalm 81:13
“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways,

Proverbs 8:6
Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

Proverbs 8:32
“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

Proverbs 8:33
Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

Crowds of people....

Crushed by crowds.....

There has been much in the news of late of various crowds....and their reactions to events...

First, it was the 50 year anniversary of the Beatles coming to America  to play on the Ed Sullivan show...we watched that show faithfully every week when I was a child...  We didn't get much else,,actually, and I remember watching the sensation of the Beatles, bowl cut hair, singing their hearts out...mobbed all around everywhere they went....fainting females, smiles, for this style of singing....at least they were dressed....and they could carry a tune and you could understand their words...

Further, Crowds of people rioting In the streets of various nations for a multitude of reasons, rights, ideals, freedoms...destruction of humans and property....so sad to see....

Crowds at the Olympics, cheering the participants to victory, medals, coming together as a world loving sports and competition.....exciting to see ....people from all over the world in a common event...

Then the news, last night, carried the story of one of the latest teen crazes concert...so opposite of the Beatles, but causing destruction of her own and her talent blown away by the portrayal of indecency...and crowds there also, with accolades....

I looked up "crowds" In the Bible and found similar descriptions of crowds in ancient times....doing the same things we are today...funny how we really don't change through the ages...what goes around comes around....

There were riotous crowds, good and bad, honoring crowds, celebrating crowds just as there are today....crowds who followed Jesus wherever he went....or the apostles both good and destructive....different agendas...

Crowds of witnesses for the celebrations of sinners repenting....that is the best....crowds in heaven of the redeemed....crowds at the ultimate wedding feast....those are the crowds we want to participate in....crowded around the throne of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords....the Lamb...

thank YOU, for earthly reminders of heavenly ideas....


Exodus 23:2
“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd,

Ezekiel 23:42
“The noise of a carefree crowd was around her; drunkards were brought from the desert along with men from the rabble, and they put bracelets on the wrists of the woman and her sister and beautiful crowns on their heads.

Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 12:15
[ God’s Chosen Servant ] Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.

Matthew 13:2a
Such large crowds gathered around him.....

Luke 9:11
but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Acts 22:22
[ Paul the Roman Citizen ] The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!”

Do not be discouraged...

Do not be discouraged....

Going here and there, hearing others, myself, even just walking the store aisles, the national news, local news.... there is discouragement....in themselves, the economy, others,.....a tiredness that discouragement brings...down, down, down...I admit, that I get that way as well...not always "up". Especially as tax season is approaching...wars, here and there, fears on all side,  violence, joblessness, insurancelessness, the list goes on....

But, the other day, as I was struggling against the wind on one of my walks, there poked out of the ground a tiny yellow new pansy and further down the walk, the first bloom of a yellow crocus....I rejoiced, smiling, still wind driven, but hopeful...spring may come sometime, encouragement is there even in a small bright flower...the happy face of the pansy....

I want to live in that inner peace all the time, where nothing can pierce...but, I step out of that again and again....into the discouragement, fearfulness...worry...only to be drawn back when I choose to do so...taking ahold of Gods word, his hand which never leaves, always waits for my return...

It is not a place that is set apart from the world, but a place that is in the world, but with a peaceful, trusting attitude ....handing over the problems, worries to the only one who can change lives, hearts toward Himself...leaving them at His feet...letting go of the burden that I want to carry and He lightens...


Thank YOU,,,help me not be discouraged,,, thank You for the smiling face that even a flower makes, facing the blustery world...shining Your smile of encouragement.....

Deuteronomy 1:21
See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 8:1a
[ Ai Destroyed ] Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. ....
Joshua 10:25
Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”

1 Chronicles 22:13
Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

1 Chronicles 28:20
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.

2 Chronicles 20:15
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

2 Chronicles 20:17
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

2 Chronicles 32:7
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.

Job 4:5
But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed.

Ephesians 3:13
I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.



 
 

"February 20, 2014

A Grace Place
Lysa TerKeurst

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

"Does God ever get tired of my issues?"

I've asked myself this question many times throughout my lifelong struggle with emotional eating.

Over the course of my journey, I've whined to God, gotten mad at God and often ignored God. And I've worried I was going to use up all my grace with God.

I felt He would be justified to say, "Enough! Go away. I'm tired of your issues. Figure it out for yourself!" That is, until I read again the "first story" of God's grace with fresh eyes.

We often think of God's grace beginning at the cross. But as I read through the Scripture from the point of view of someone struggling with food issues, I saw a revelation of God's grace right from the start in Genesis.

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the forbidden tree and ushered sin in to the world. God handed down the consequences of their actions, which included banishment from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). They must have believed they had pushed past the boundaries of God's grace. After all, He was sending them out of the garden.

Whenever I've read that story, I thought they had to leave paradise because God was punishing them. God was disappointed in them. God was giving them what they deserved. But I was wrong. Their relocation was not a place of abandonment — it was a place of grace.

You see, there were two special trees in the Garden of Eden. One was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; this was the one with the forbidden fruit. The other was the tree of life. This was the one that gave Adam and Eve perpetual life — no diseases, no death, no sagging body parts. (Okay I'm not sure about that last benefit, but I'm banking on this reality in heaven.)

Anyhow. When they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, sin entered in. Sin corrupted everything. And at that point, it was God's absolute love and most tender mercy that ushered Adam and Eve out of the garden. Not His anger or retaliation. They had to leave.

If they'd been allowed to stay, they would have kept eating from the tree of life and lived forever, wallowing in sin. Wallowing in all the brokenness sin brings with it: disease, fear, heartbreak, separation from God.

An unending life of shame and sin would have been their fate.

God couldn't stand that for the people He loved. So, His love made them leave and allowed them to die. So that they could experience the resurrected life His Son would one day provide.

Brokenness to redemption.

God did not run out of grace at the dawn of humankind. And He will not run out of grace for you or for me. He does not want us to ever stay in a perpetual state of sin and despair. We were not created with a food struggle or physical cravings because God is angry at us. It is because He loves us so much that He allows our struggle with food to be a physical indication of a spiritual situation.

God is asking for us to go to a new place as well — and it is a place of grace!

Receive grace and let it wash away all shame and guilt from every unhealthy choice you've ever regretted and fretted over. Yes, there is work to do and progress to be made, but we will walk from here with a clean slate.

This grace and the unfathomable depth of God's love settle me. Breathes hope into my dread. And trust into my doubts.

So when I stumble along on this journey, I know this grace is there for me, and I will come running back. And once again, it will give me a soft place to land.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your grace. Help me to rely on You in the midst of my struggle today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Learn more about satisfying your deepest desire with God instead of unhealthy food with Lysa TerKeurst's bestselling book, Made to Crave. Click here to purchase your copy.

Proverbs 31 Ministries will launch its next 5-week Online Bible Study of the Made to Crave Action Plan on March 2nd. Be equipped to put realistic everyday healthy choices into practice and find encouragement on your journey to healthy living with us! Click here to sign up.

Reflect and Respond:
What issues are you tired of battling?

Bring them all to God in gut-honest prayers. Soak in the truths of His grace found in our key verse and power verse today.

Power Verse:
2 Timothy 2:1, "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus," (ESV)

© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved

Copyright © 2014 Proverbs 31 Ministries, All rights reserved.

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"Word for the Discouraged
Daily Devotional for February 21
From the Writings of Ray Stedman
 
From your friends at
www.RayStedman.org
Read the Scripture: Isaiah 49:8-26

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49:15-16)

Here Jehovah reminds Israel, Though you may feel neglected and forgotten, I cannot cast you off. I will never forget you, Can a mother forget the baby at her breast? Proverbially, of course, a mother's love is the strongest love of all. Many mothers continue to love their children no matter what they do. But it is unfortunately true that mothers can forget their children. Mothers can forget their children, but God cannot: See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. We are reminded of that scene in the gospels when Jesus, after his resurrection, appeared to his frightened disciples, huddled together in the upper room, and said to them, Behold, my hands and my feet and see that it is I (Luke 24:39). Those wounds in his hands were marks of love and their very names were engraved in his hands.

Though this passage is addressed to Israel as a nation, we Christians have a right to claim these promises for ourselves. This entire section is a great word for discouraged hearts. Do you ever feel like God has forgotten you, that he has turned his back on you? Perhaps you have made mistakes and you think that God is going to punish you all the rest of your life. Many people feel that God has totally forgotten them.

I was speaking to a group of pastors and was encouraged to hear one of them say that he had learned that he was preaching to the wrong crowd of people. He thought he was preaching to the average family, a man and his wife, their two-and-a-half children, driving a nice car, living in a beautiful home on an acre of ground, etc. But he discovered that he was really speaking mostly to another group who live in high-rise apartments, drive a sports car, have been divorced, and their family consists of his, hers and their children. They are living empty lives, climbing the corporate ladder, feeling the rush and restlessness of life, troubled by many inner problems and distresses. But God has a ministry to the discouraged and defeated ones. He will restore and do a work that will leave them amazed and baffled at the wonders that he produces.

Thank you, Lord, that you love to reach the discouraged and defeated ones. Thank you that you reached out to me and that my name is engraved in your hands.

Life Application: Because we know that Jesus is God and that He took our sins in His own body on the cross, we can know He is Immanuel, God-with-us in deepest compassion and love. How do we respond to such infinite love?

Related Message: This daily devotional was inspired by one of Ray's messages. Please read "Behold the Messiah" or listen to Ray for more on this portion of scripture.

Devotions for February from Isaiah
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Copyright © 2014 by Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book Immeasurably More: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman; compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to www.RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet."

My mom....

My mom.....

The last good picture I have of my mom in my mind...is her sitting In the hospital bed, smiling, laughing awaiting simple surgery for headaches she was experiencing from a fall..she was going to finally get the relief that she wanted...surgery went well and was a success..dad and I would come and sit each day with her in icu until she was moved into a lessor icu, she was starting to get untangled from all the monitors, starting to talk, and communicate. Then an infection took over and she was gone in 24 hours....not the expected end to a simple, routine  surgery....felt like we had been bombed, devastated....writing the obituary, making memorial plans, visiting with family, whirlwind of items to carry out...the bubble of energy and comfort....then reality....she was gone....no more wife, mother, grandmother, friend...

Mom was raised on a dairy in Ferndale, CA. The youngest daughter in a family of five children..three boys and two girls..the older sister and youngest son are still living....
She remembered loving music all her life, singing in the barn, entertaining the cows, cats, orchestrating and leading her dolls in song....a cute little blondie...loving life and her family...

She remembered her father with fondness, but he was in pain a lot, sitting late at night, rubbing his hands from milking the many cows they had each day...the less sleep, the more the pain and the cycle went on...until they found him dead one day...mom's childhood changed drastically....they moved away from the dairy, her mother  taking a job on a ranch as a cook for a ranch crew....where my dad happened to work between college years...so goes the story...they married in 1948, I arrived that year as well...

They lived on various ranches through out the state of California, working for a big ranching concern. Until,finally settling in Northern California again in 1957, after purchasing a music store for mom and dad taking a job for the State of California in the agricultural department...they eventually sold the store, mom taught music lessons for 2o years, then switched to painting and taught that until right up until her death, 30 + years, she loved learning, teaching what she learned....a counselor to all ...close to family and friends...

Pictures in your mind,,,,lasting memories...of love, family...

Thank YOU so much for the mother You gave me...she was precious in her parent's sight, her husbands' life, and her family's....


Proverbs 17:6
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 19:14
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

Isaiah 38:19
The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness.

Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Loneliness....

Loneliness....

One of the pervasive topics at a grief support group is loneliness...the loneliness that comes with widowhood and death.....especially after 30+ years of marriage but even after short times as well....you have given Yourself to another on all levels of your personhood and suddenly they are gone leaving those parts open and vulnerable, empty and emptiness ensues like nothing else....no other relationships, as much as they would like can replace that closeness....for those in good health, and/or longevity , the years can stretch out into the distance....replacement is really not the alternative....nor idle filling of time,  but purpose and finding out where God wants to use us seems to be the answer.

At first, that searching is even hard to fathom...."we are or did..."....or "we worked  together"....seem to pervade the thoughts....not what can I do....or how do I do it....the "we" is hard to let go of....to start thinking the "I"....

The grief is always there, no doubt, the tears, the memories...the past..and at some right time, we realize that it is in the past...it is memories...and we move forward ...we can't pick up the  phone, or wait for that door to open and close, or that car to arrive....or cute note to appear...they just aren't there anymore...there are still ambushes of emotion, wondering the "why" questions, or even the guilt of the "might have beens" or the  "should've or could've or why didn't "I see it coming"....but even these questions need,at sometime, to be laid to rest and life, must be faced....

Reflections.....putting life into perspective...with...where do I or we go from here....the right paths, relationships....actions, decisions ....activities.....what has meaning and what is eternal....what is right for me/ us has to answered, prayerfully,   Piece by piece....not quickly, but with a pervading  peace.....life gets put into a new order...going on...until such time as we are also called home....and the process repeated for those left behind...


Thank YOU for time, peace, reflection, comfort....You are the underlying hand that holds us together, the filler of our hearts and souls...

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    Forever ....

Isaiah 40:1
[ Comfort for God’s People ] Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

Isaiah 49:13
Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Events and monuments....

Events and monuments.....


"Events happen on our lives, we can't control them, but we can control how we react to them..."  I heard or read  this statement recently....I didn't record where. Sorry...not all the time can we control how we will react to them, though....some are just plain ambushes to our emotions...

A friend and I went to see the movie, "the monuments men". Really good, by the way. No extra sex scenes, very little profanity, there are war scenes....fairly good acting and some humor, even...it is based on a true story of a few non combatant  men sent to find the art pieces that Hitler confiscated from museums, homes and people as he swept through Europe in World War 2 before the order was carried out to destroy them all....over 5 million were recovered as well as warehouses of whole households of Jewish belongings....

They chose the react to an event happening...in order to salvage millions of pieces of art, sculptures, church icons, personal belongings...and return  them to the rightful owners if possible...

There are monuments, treasures throughout the Bible as well, eternal ones....Noah built an altar, Abraham built altars, Jacob built an altar, the Israelites built altars, some of the prophets built altars, Moses built altars, and on down the line through Revelations..monuments to attest to the provision, salvation, glory of God, ...not to worship the altar or any graven image, but a remembrance to  what He had done or was doing...we wear crosses as a symbol of the resurrection...

We usually take pictures of events, recording significant moments, sharing them and their meaning with others...monuments of a sort...or journals of life...and feelings...another remembrance...

None of these art pieces, pictures, journals, or whatever to be worshipped, but reminders of God...part of our heritage through the ages......

thank YOU for the reminders of monuments in our lives that point back to You, that may point others to You...pieces of art that You have designed Into our lives...to be treasured as a gift from Your hand....not to be forgotten and stowed away or destroyed....remembrances ....handed down from one generation to another....


Genesis 8:20
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.

Genesis 12:7
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 12:8
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.

Exodus 17:15
Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.

Exodus 20:24
“‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.

Judges 6:24
So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

1 Kings 18:32a
With the stones he built an altar in the name of The Lord...

Knight in shining. Armor....

Knight in shining armor ......

I was watching a Hallmark movie as I was treading on my treadmill....the heroine dreamed of a "knight riding up on his white horse."  I guess a lot of us women fantasize that when we are young, that perfect young man, meant just for us.....rescuing us from whatever .....riding  off into the perfect life....

As I was growing up, it was expected and accepted that I would go on to college and I did.   But, I never saw myself as a "career" woman...I saw myself as a wife and mother...I enjoyed college, getting a degree, loved the learning, the safety of academia...not really "looking" for a knight , but accepting that one would come at the right time for me...and he did....not on a horse but a green VW beetle...(.he and horses didn't get along...)

I did have the privilege of being a wife and stay at home mother through the thick and thin economic times of our marriage....we didn't have the perfect life, but we had a wonderful life with many good memories and some not so good...but, we were both human with human imperfections...

I just think if the many marriage in the Bible, Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Ruth and Boaz, Mary and Joseph, and many,many more...God brought each together for specific lives and lessons for their lives and ours...each knight with their maiden...

And then we have our "Knight" as well coming at some time, anytime...for each believer ....the son of man....whose kingdom will never end, whose truth is the truth,  who will be worshipped by all...to rule in light in a prepared place...what a storybook ending, living happily ever after for those who have put their faith in the one true God...

Thank YOU for being the true "Knight", the Creator, the Truth, the Beginning and the End...


Daniel 7:13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Matthew 17:2
There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

Matthew 28:3
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

Revelation 1:14
The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

Revelation 14:14
[ Harvesting the Earth and Trampling the Winepress ] I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

Revelation 19:11
[ The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast ] I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.

Short term missions....long term blessings...

Short term missions .....Long term blessings...

Letters are arriving suggesting  that donations are requested for various people who are in need of funds for short term mission trips...since 1972, our family has had the privilege  to house, feed, listen to, support, be a part of, read about short term and long term mission groups.  They have encompassed the world: Paraguay, Ukraine, New Zealand, Iceland, England, Australia, several African countries, Mongolia, Thailand, Mexico, Ecuador, Honduras, China, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, Alaska, the inner cities of the US, Brazil, Columbia, Nicaragua , the western US, a variety of camps in America, the Netherlands, Finland,  France, a ship that visited world ports for humanitarian help, Haiti, Poland, India, Romania, Nepal, Russia, stateside backup, and several unnamed countries.....

I heard once that 65% of long term missionaries are on the field due to  a short term mission experience that changed their lives....so if those people were not supported at some time they may not have been encouraged later to follow the plan that God had for them...that goes with any talent or bent...encouragement...

But being part of a prayer and/or financial support group is a blessing that repays over and over...for the giver, the receiver and the people to whom were ministered and generations to come....

There is nothing like hearing those excited tales from returning short term missionaries as well as the long term ones. The trials, the God moments, the answers to prayer....the future dreams, the heart changes....the people are never the same....there is a big world out there,  waiting to be entered....harvested....

Thank YOU that You allow us to be a part of the world picture, for helping others along the way...help us to be liberal in our giving, sharing....listening....help..encouraging....

Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 28:18-20
New International Version (NIV)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

2 Corinthians 1:11
as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.


Isaiah 40: 8    
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of our God endures forever.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
New International Version (NIV)
Generosity Encouraged

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Teacher vs teacher....

Teacher vs teacher....

I don't claim to be much of a teacher even though my college major was adult education. I did facilitate learning....in schools as well a s home with four children.   I hope they learned something.  It is amazing and heart warming that they cook, clean, build, work, love others, parent......and they each have their unique style....and gifting...

Later, I facilitated Bible studies and even wrote a few...as well as home economic curriculum....I am not a Stand in the front type teacher with lecture notes in hand...people only retain 3-4% of those lectures....I like the sit down and talk through the ideas until the "light" bulbs turn on and students are ready to explore and find their own conclusions...facilitating....encouraging, questioning...listening..picturing.....hands on....more and more information is retained, with  the more senses we use in learning....

In the New Testament, there are two types of teachers, teacher and Teacher....
The teachers are men, leaders in the law, or teachers of the way or ordinary people, like me... But the Teacher is the ultimate Teacher, Jesus, himself, Emmanuel, God with us....
He taught in words, stories, touch, care, provision, sight, signs, wonders, using all the senses so the people would learn of Him and come to their own conclusions and beliefs....about his purpose and life....

Thank YOU, Teacher, for taking the time, and life  to teach , share the most important teaching of yourself.....giving us then the free will to make the choices..... Even when I want to make your teaching so clear.  You are the ultimate best Teacher  and persuader of your Holy ways....

Matthew 10:25a
It is enough for students to be like their teachers, .....

Matthew 13:52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.

Matthew 19:16
[ The Rich and the Kingdom of God ] Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

Matthew 22:36
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

John 13:13
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.

John 13:14
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.


1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:29
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?

Ephesians 4:11
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

Matthew 16:14-16
New International Version (NIV)
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Happy Valentine's day....

Happy Valentine's Day....

Another day of giving heartfelt hearts and joy...or another flower buying day...wearing reds or pinks....

When I worked as a florist, this day with Mother's Day were the bread and butter days for them...getting as many arrangements out the door as possible., 3000 plus roses each year in varying arrangements as well as other red or pink flowers with balloons, cards, stuffed animals ,   Etc...we had lines of people waiting ....until we ran out of flowers....and we were exhausted....hired extra delivery people, started delivering by 8 am and were on the road continuously until each arrangement was home that night..girlfriends, daughters, wives, mistresses, husbands, boyfriends, and just friends....received and sent gifts....usually in the coldest weather of the year...it was a unique and tiring experience each year....

When I think of how God expresses his love, I think of his creation for us to enjoy...His son he sent for our salvation, His hand holding mine in times of hurt, his comfort in time of need, his provision in times of want, his compassion, his written word to ponder and meditate upon, his ever present presence...all the ways in which we have needs, he is there....caring, comforting , loving...not necessarily with red valentines but Himself...or maybe someone as a messenger...all the red roses in the world aren't worth a thing next to His love....

Thank YOU for your great love, I realize that I don't understand it all, but I know it in my heart, soul and mind....

 Psalm 19:8

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 30:12

that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 31:24

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 32:11

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Mark 12:30

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Mark 12:31

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 3:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 4:9

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

Taxes....

Taxes....

It is that season again....I have to admit, that I have never done taxes. I have collected information that my husband husband needed to send to the accountant...but not the forms and still  don't.  Now that he is gone, I have to do my part as well as his part.   I feel like the picture of the person who just wants to take a big cardboard box full of info and hand it over the the accountant.  No, there are forms to fill in, checklists to fill out...which is all well and good, but still daunting...I wake up in a panic, am I remembering everything, am I doing the right thing? Added to that, I have my father's estate also, with the same questions....fear and anxiousness.....lead to lack of sleep.....

So I opened up one of the devotionals I read daily,   And the title, "the cure for fear".  God does have a sense of humor and timing.  This one was written a long time ago about a king who lived a very long time ago, who was fearful of an army arriving to destroy his kingdom....I remembered this passage, this scene, of him opening up the threatening letter and laying it before The Lord.....

I put myself, in that scene, opening all the forms, laying them before The Lord also....what do I do, how do i do it?  Steps to follow, details to take care of, check lists to take care of.....I know it doesn't seem as horrific as losing a nation, being taken out by marauders, but the crippling fear can still be overpowering....I don't want to be taken to task by the government, ......as a rule follower, I want to do it right,  not call attention to myself or our business....

So, take those forms or  those fears, lay them out, talk with God about them...He will direct our paths...in the big things and the "little".. Nothing is too big or small for Him to take care of...we just have to hold on to his hand along get way.....

Thank YOU so much for the reminder of the battles, that are yours....the fears you take away! the direction you give....

Proverbs 3:4-6
New International Version (NIV)
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

 
"The Cure to Fear
Daily Devotional for February 13
From the Writings of Ray Stedman
 
From your friends at
www.RayStedman.org
Read the Scripture: Isaiah 36:1-37:20

Say to Hezekiah king of Judah: Do not let the god you depend on deceive you when he says, Jerusalem will not be given into the hands of the king of Assyria. Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered? (Isaiah 37:10-11)

This communication came in the form of a letter to Hezekiah. Clearly, it was intended to keep his heart fearful and anxious. It was a threat for the future, saying that although the king of Assyria was leaving for the moment, he would return again to wreak a terrible vengeance on Judah. Had Hezekiah taken the Assyrian message in that way, he would have lived in constant fear.

It is very important for Christians to understand that God does not want his people to live in fear. Fear is one of the great perils of our day. Anxieties beset us on every hand. We need to hear again the words of Jesus that we should not be anxious about tomorrow. Again and again our Lord told his disciples, Fear not. Paul told us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and a sound mind. It is not within our power to remove these threats to us, but we can meet them with faith. This is what Hezekiah does. Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.

Have you ever gone into your bedroom, knelt beside your bed, and spread your problem before the Lord? That is the only proper response to a threat to your person or faith. Here is the king's wonderful prayer.

Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Lord, are the only God. (Isaiah 37:15-20)

Notice how accurate this prayer is. Hezekiah acknowledges the facts as they are. Assyria is a powerful force that had already swept other kingdoms away before it, but these nations were depending on idols to protect them, while Hezekiah's and Judah's dependence is on the Lord of heaven and earth. To him Hezekiah prays, simply and plainly, for help.

Lord, I come to you now and spread before you all the troubles that I face. I confess that without you I am completely helpless, but you are the God who had made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord and see.

Life Application: Fear is a normal response as we walk day-by-day in this earth's shadowland--so are we developing a new "norm" to spread our fears before our Sovereign King who is "ruler of everything"?

Related Message: This daily devotional was inspired by one of Ray's messages. Please read "Faith and Folly" or listen to Ray for more on this portion of scripture.

Devotions for February from Isaiah
<< Previous Day Next Day
Subscribe/Unsubscribe to the Daily Devotion by Email
Copyright © 2014 by Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book Immeasurably More: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman; compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to www.RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet."

Wake up calls....

Wake up calls.....

Yesterday, at the beginning of the women's Bible study, the leader played a grocery store clip as people were busily shopping....someone got up in the middle of the store and started singing the Beatles song, "help"...

It was a plea to give food the those who are without....moving.....pretty soon the whole store of people were singing along...not sure of the outcome of the food drive, but it was really touching to see....

Then off into the study...Jesus relating to so many people.....helping one after another....after another...

Made me reflect, how do I help those around me?   Are they invisible? Do I see their hearts, their needs...or  am I oblivious to what is going on? Caught up in my own little world, with its own perplexities, needs?  How am I showing Christ to others along the way?? What about the lady sitting In the snow at the intersection, with her sign, "any help will do"... The child crying in the aisle, after wandering away from mom, the missionary note, asking for prayer...my own family ...the list goes on and on .....

Wake up, wake up, wake up...watch, learn, and do....my message to myself....thank you for the wake up call.....help me to be watchful for times to help....

Proverbs 27:19
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.

Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
 


"Help! Lyrics by Beatles

Help, I need somebody,
Help, not just anybody,
Help, you know I need someone, help.

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me.

And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
I know that I just need you like I've never done before.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me.

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these daya are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me, help me, help me, oh."

 
"Mechanical Religion
Daily Devotional for February 12
From the Writings of Ray Stedman
 
From your friends at
www.RayStedman.org
Read the Scripture: Isaiah 29:1-22

The Lord says: These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. (Isaiah 29:13)

Israel's problem was what we would call mechanical religion, meaningless, external conformity to a performance of religious things. This is a grave danger. When you feel yourself becoming spiritually dull, it is a warning sign that says, Watch out! You are headed for trouble. This happens to all of us on occasion. It is healthy to ask yourself at times, Have I lost my zest for God? Do I sing the hymns mechanically? Do the truths of Scripture appear to me dull and common place? Have I lost the sense of joy in my Christian experience? That is a danger sign. That is what this woe is referring to. God's provision for this is found in the latter part of verse 5 and in verse 6:

Suddenly, in an instant, the Lord Almighty will come with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with windstorm and tempest and flames of a devouring fire. (Isaiah 29:5b-6)

Suddenly God will send into your life some experience—a disaster, perhaps—something that will get your immediate and undivided attention. That is God's action to wake you up to the danger of drifting away from the vitality of a spiritual walk.

I have always appreciated the story of the two students at Duke University who went to a costume party dressed as blue devils, the mascots of Duke. They started out to the party, but by mistake they stumbled into a prayer meeting, setting off a great exodus through the doors and windows. One lady became wedged in a pew and began to scream in terror. Forgetting that they were causing her agony, the two young men rushed forward to help her. As she saw them advancing she raised her hand and said, Stop! Don't you come any further. I want you to know that I have been a member of this church for 25 years—but I've been on your side all the time! That is what we call a moment of truth. It is a very valuable experience.

At times God will send something that wakes you up suddenly to the drift in your life. This is why he has spoken so helpfully through the prophets and the apostles, warning us of the danger of spiritual drift and the danger of living mechanically as a Christian.

Thank you, Lord, for your relentless pursuit of me when I fall into mechanical religion. Open my heart to the great riches that are waiting for me through living in vital fellowship with my living, loving Lord.


Life Application: God's love for us does not tolerate pretense and external worship. Do we gratefully acknowledge His wake-up calls as His loving pursuit?

Related Message: This daily devotional was inspired by one of Ray's messages. Please read "The Black Holes of Life" or listen to Ray for more on this portion of scripture.

Devotions for February from Isaiah
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Copyright © 2014 by Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book Immeasurably More: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman; compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to www.RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet."

Ruby shoes...

Ruby shoes....

There are times when traveling, it would be nice to be home or there are times when home, it would be nice to be traveling.

I was reminded of this recently.  The picture came to mind of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, who was told to click her ruby shoes together and say,  "there is no place like home, there is no place like home" and she was there.  When you return from a voyage, it seems like all a wonderful dream, but it is nice to be home, too....

I am sure that the Israelites might have wished for those ruby shoes traveling across the desert for forty long years; or Noah in the boat for his voyage; or Ezra or Nehemiah from their posts to Jerusalem; or various traders in olden times; or paul on one of his many journeys; Christopher Columbus to the "new" world; or any of the travelers either ancient or present.  The routes of our journeys sometimes seem long and tedious.....and we long to be home...or we wish the journey not to end...in peaceful bliss...

..but we have much to learn on each journey...we see new people, new places, experience new emotions, sights, sounds, smells, tastes, feelings....some we may wish to repeat and others not....we have pictures in our minds or actual photos which are important to ourselves and maybe others....but journeys...nonetheless....

I have watched my parents and husband take their final earthly journey to their heavenly home.  Each journey entirely different from the other...some painful, and some not...painful for those watching and at loss to help...knowing that they would beyond the earthly pain and not remembering it.... No ruby shoes there to click...to wish away the pain or sorrow...we rejoice at their home going, but remain here, living, feeling, learning until our journey heavenward...for God's purpose and plan....whatever that may be.....

Thank YOU for the journeys, past, present and future....You are there with me through them all, the hard ones, the fun ones, the learning ones....You have provided graciously on each journey ....thank you....

Deuteronomy 2:7
The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.


Ezra 7:9
He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.


 Isaiah 35:7-9
New International Version (NIV)
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
    the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
    grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
8 And a highway will be there;
    it will be called the Way of Holiness;
    it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
    wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion will be there,
    nor any ravenous beast;
    they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,

1 Corinthians 16:6
Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.

Getting back to the "real" world....

Getting back to the "real" world....

As I return from a vacation. My mind starts ramping up to the "real" world... I start thinking of, planning for all of the items that need attention...business, house, appointments, etc, etc....I look at my daily planner and see what needs to be taken care of....then, as I open one of my devotions, I am caught up short by God's clear message..."be sure and put me into your plans, your day"....He still claims first place...and wants to me to remember that...

As I run to and fro...helter,  skelter, here and there,.....I need to listen to what He wants as priority...in thoughts, plans, activities ....am I doing what is important for His kingdom?   Are my treasures going toward his kingdom? Is the time spent worthwhile?
If someone looked at my schedule, what and/or whom would they think runs my life?

I have choices, the Holy Spirit's voice in the stillness of my soul, speaking words of encouragement, wisdom, truth about the priorities... Of the day ahead...To whom will I listen and follow?  Myself or Him each moment? Each hour?

Thank YOU that you , that you know the day, you know our minds and how we get started each day...You bring us back to you  with Your voice ....Your word...Your intent ...help me to make the right choices, do the right things, treasure the right treasures....

Jesus calling-February 10

Trust Me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day. Refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to Me, the King of the universe. Because I am omnipotent, I am able to bend time and events in your favor. You will find that you can accomplish more in less time, after you have given yourself to Me in rich communion. Also, as you align yourself with My perspective, you can sort out what is important and what is not.

Don’t fall into the trap of being constantly on the go. Many, many things people do in My Name have no value in My kingdom. To avoid doing meaningless works, stay in continual communication with Me. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
—Luke 10:41–42

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
—Psalm 32:8 nasb

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 19:26 ..."With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Timing .....care...

Timing...care...

Yesterday morning, I awoke in a motel far from the airport, or home to which I was "supposed" to be...in my plans...but I knew God was in control if I just let Him..
So ate a food bar, exercised, readied for the journey I thought would take me home...

Bought an all day pass,.....when I should have needed a two hour pass....caught the nearby light rail back to the airport, trudging through the snow, pulling my ever increasing weighted suitcase.., I felt I was to be at the airport by a certain time...

Arrived, checked my bag, waited and for the first standby plane, cancelled and then the next. As the weather deteriorated more and more, flights cancelled one after another..
Called my daughter who is about an hour away, retrieved my luggage, trudged back through the snow to the light rail, learned another route to be closer to her and her husband, caught the ride, changed routes, rode to end of the line.....blowing snow, cold, and at peace....wondering whether there was a shelter or a nearby store to take shelter in....there wasn't .....trudged through the snow to a building that at least blocked the wind and blowing snow....and up drives my family In their 4 wheel truck, taking my baggage in hand and we drive at their warm home....

All like a clockwork of care.....we arrive at their home, the freezing rain starts ,  covering the whole countryside with ice and impossible roads.....care and timing....wasn't my "plan" for the day, but a better plan....

.....all scheduled out with God's timing and care....his peace at the airport, with all various humanity on the light rail, at the end of the line, the weather, ....I felt cared for the whole time...watched over...

I realize that it could have turned out different, I could still be in a motel, or the airport, or riding the light rail...but had a peace about each step, the ticket, the cancellations, the changes, the ride, the new plan....much better....

A reminder that my thoughts, plans may not be his plans in the good times and even the ones I would call bad...the death of my husband was definitely not my good plan, but for some reason it was His....so I have to take them each in faith....

His destination , timing, care is sure....

thank You for your timing and care, promptings along the way....help me to listen and obey...seeing your plans unfold...for the best each moment, not doubting....



“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
—Isaiah 12:2

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
—Matthew 14:28

It is finished....

It is finished.....

Today, we start to return to reality...the end of a lovely journey into the tropics...

We have our last buffet breakfast, board our last bus, see our last sights and head across the US, hoping to make connections to all of our flights before the next big storm...put on our coats against the cold which we left a short Time ago...the warmth has been a treat, the sunshine, the wonderful  variety of people, cultures, from all walks of life and places in the world...

I have been pampered, served, gifted...by many...now it is time to face the same for others as I return .....

What a blessing it has been....rejuvenation, refreshment, warmth...sunshine, ...I have to admit, it is hard sometimes to be pampered...it could go to a better cause, or someone else could use the funds, ...but on the other hand it does furnish employment for others as well.   There is a balance in there somewhere...and I don't need to take on false guilt which is easily done for me...I have to do the things that I have peace with... And not try to take on things that I am not called to do...

Thank YOU, for the blessings that YOU have bestowed so freely, whether at home, around the world...the refreshment You provide, the time away...grant me the wisdom to know what is right, what is pure, what is honorable that glorifies You in all the things that come my way...

Jesus Calls.   February 7

Come to Me for rest and refreshment. The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary. Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.

Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway.

This sounds like an easy assignment, but it is not. Your desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of “the world, the flesh, and the devil.” Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of My choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again praise Me for the help of My Presence.

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
—Romans 8:28 amp

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.
—Psalm 42:11 nasb

Snow and the light rail....

Snow and the light rail...

Last night I arrived at the airport to snow drifts, cancelled flights, and full motels .....and no sleep for 24 hours.  So off to new adventures....found a vacant room downtown, Near the light rail service...it was amazing that the light rail was full at 11:00pm.  Other travelers, toddlers, airport workers, mothers, fathers,  drunks..people from all walks of life, using the safest mode of travel at the time....most dressed in snow appropriate weather...others not so much...in the  freezing snow weather...

It was a reminder that Christ came to seek and save the lost...all walks of life...not just the well to do, the down and out, but everyone...we are all on the same planet, journey, have many of the Same choices...it snows or rains on the just and unjust alike, no partiality....

Thank. YOU , that you cared enough for each and every person through out the ages....to come, to seek, to save.....

Job 34:19
who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?

Luke 20:21
So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

1 Timothy 5:21
I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

Romans 3:23
New International Version (NIV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

10,000 eggs....

10,000 eggs....

For a floating city like a cruise ship, they use a lot of products each day....

10,000 eggs each day, 15,000 cloth napkins each day...Parmesan cheese by the gigantic wheel instead of the little shapers we purchase....515 cooks, the list goes on and on.   The accounting of it, the planning of it is huge...just for ten days of touring around some islands....and only 6,000 people....in luxury, with all the water we need, stewards making up our rooms everyday, fresh fruit, fish, any kind of prepared dish, lobster, shrimp, English style, American style , pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, desserts, you name it...

Doesn't this story sound like a familiar Bible journey, only longer in duration?

The 40 year trip in the desert of the Israelites after leaving Egypt ...traveling to the promised land.   They, too, had food and water provided, clothes and shoes that didn't wear out carried their treasures, ...not quite as luxurious , but provided for none the less...

The provision, the movement, the route all determined by the Captain...all people accounted for, named by tribe instead of sections in a boat....traveling together with all kinds of personalities, needs, young and old...going forward, for a determined amount of time...those with cheery dispositions, others not so cheery, demanding and thankful, smiles and grouches.....

I am thankful for this trip over the desert journey, the provisions, the sites, the people who care for me...a lot less arduous....but the journey of the Israelites was and is a testimony  to God's faithfulness, provision, discipline, lessons of life, safety, Love, vision...

Thank YOU, that no matter where we are, what we are doing, You can remind us of You, the Captain, the I AM, of life...

 The book of Exodus...journeys, lists, people...

Sunrise...sunset....

Sunrise, sunset.....

I like to take pictures of sunrises and sunsets while on trips...they are each unrepeatable....each with its own cloud formations, colors, rays, new day ahead or behind...all have memorable for one reason or another...the longest I have waited for one was the Falkland Islands.   We sailed away and about a half an hour later the sun set over the islands in our wake....looking at the photo now, no one would know except me that picture is what it was...my husband patiently waited with me to get those rays...unrepeatable....

There is an older song..."sunrise, sunset, quickly goes the years/days".....

When you are on a trip or vacation, that is definitely the way it feels...you anticipate for a long time, it slowly comes about, then quickly, so quickly passes...where did the time go?   What part was your favorite?  Which part would you repeat?

Then you think about life itself,  where did it go?
Which part was your favorite?
Which part would you repeat?
How did those children grow so fast and become teenagers, adults?
Where did those gray hairs, wrinkles come from? Or so quickly?
Which parts would you leave out?

Usually we can't repeat either a vacation or life....once it is done, it is done.....

So then we have to pick and choose the way we really want to live that vacation or life...especially life....where, how, especially how.  How do we want to look back, with honor, respect for ourselves, others,  God....or regrets ....there a few re-does....

Those sunrises and sunsets do quickly pass.....

Thank YOU for each sunrise and sunset....the days that each bring, the memories of those past....may I chose to live in honor of You....

Psalm 25:12
Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.

Psalm 65:4
Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

Proverbs 8:10
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

Genesis 1:14
And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years,

2 Samuel 23:3-4
New International Version (NIV)
3 The God of Israel spoke,
    the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
    when he rules in the fear of God,
4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise
    on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain
    that brings grass from the earth.’

Hairdoes...

Hairdos....

The hair designs on these eastern islands are amazing...they elaborately braid their hair in any direction, any length, leaving it in big or little bundles.....or braid it and then arrange the braids in a multitude of ways...

We ate lunch where a lot of school students and career people where eating and there were no two braiding directions the same. All were totally different and individualized...braided side to side, diagonal, up and down,, long, short, or intricately curled...no straight.....

And men's hair vary from short cropped to very long braids, either loose or held in turban like crocheted colorful hats...

And Across the street from the "eating establishment" was a Christian bookstore..about 12 x 12, packed top to bottom with Christian books exactly like we see in America...what a delight...cards, devotionals, Bibles, novels, children's books, lessons, ....amongst the dozens of made in China or local artist...tourist stores.....

It was just a picture to me,,,not matter the hairdo, the color of skin, native culture, place on the globe, Christ is there....His light does shine.... He shines in the faces of the school children, the eatery-whose wall held a Bible verse,  the local churches, to the jolly policeman who stood watching the crowds....the smiles....

There will come a time when we all will join together in the praises of our Lord....

Thank YOU for the reminders that no one culture is above another, we all serve one Lord, ......in worship and praise.....

Psalm 95:6
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

Romans 14:11
It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

Philippians 2:10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

People weaving...

People weaving......

On all the cruise boats I have ridden on, there is a promenade deck about In the middle of the ship...a deck for walking/promenading.....where you can circumvent the whole boat on one deck,walking.   This one has it also..this one has the narrowest one I have seen. On others they put out big lounge chairs out there as well, so you can sit and relax, watching the sea pass by ...this one has chairs, and a narrow deck for walking..

at any given time there are runners, fast walkers, leisurely walkers,.....it takes three complete  circuits for one mile as the ship is long...

On the  sea days, ones which we don't go ashore, people walk a lot. The  first sea day was pretty rough and as you observed the people walking, it had the appearance of people weaving back and forth, going from side to side weaving in and out ...like they were weaving strands for a maypole....if we would have each had a strand of crepe paper, we could have made a woven boat,...with all of the weaving back and forth, back and forth, side to side ......on less rough days the weaving isn't so pronounced .....
I thought of the weaving people, others called us drunken sailors.....then you have to establish whether you want British driving rules or American....on which side to pass....as well as clockwise or counter clockwise...it all works out in the end...

There are over 4,000 passengers and 1,300 crew members aboard this vessel, so a lot of walkers....a little city riding the waves together.....

Watching and being a part of the people weaving reminded me of the crowds that followed Jesus when he went about teaching, going from place to place, sitting on the hillside, going through towns...jockeying to get near him to touch his cloak, see him...hear him.....or when he younger , sitting at the temple, talking to the elders of his time while his parents were desperately looking for Him, having assumed he was with the crowds heading home...

Zacheus  , climbing a tree to get a better look at Jesus walking by, waiting for a chance to meet this Teacher, this Man .....so compelling...with the crowds surrounding Him, .....weaving in and out , changing places...pushing toward the Truth, the Light, the Word....

Would have I joined the walkers in that day as I do each day here?   Would I have felt  compelled the listen, to jostle my way to Him?   Would I have climbed a tree to see him better?   Would I have wanted healing so bad that I just wanted to touch his cloak, in faith, desiring healing for a long term problem??? Would I have walked that path???


But here we are centuries later, am I walking the path following Him....Desiring that touch in my soul, hearing His word through his written
Word, listening closely to his comforter, whom He left as a witness to those who follow....

Thank You for the Walk ....the promenade through time to walk with me, to weave Into my life Your love, care, eternity....

Matthew 9:35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Luke 19
New International Version (NIV)
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”