Special Selection - "I'm Still Standing"

Daily Reading - "Behold, I Make All Things New." Rev 21:5 NKJV

Here is how it read today.

Fri. Feb 19

"BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW." (REV 21:5 NKJV)

How To Get Over Your Past (2)

Your past can either be an albatross around your neck, or the wind beneath your wings. So: (1) Accept what happened. If you don't you'll keep reliving it. While working in the Congo as a missionary, Helen Roseveare was brutally raped. Writing about it she says, "I must ask myself, 'Can I thank God for trusting me with this experience, even if He never tells me why?'" The secret of trust doesn't lie in answers; it lies in acceptance. It's knowing that in the midst of whatever happened, is happening, or will happen - God is in control. Either you fix your mind on that and determine to live again, or go through life feeling you never got a fair shake. (2) Bury the past or live with its ghost. Rehashing old hurts is life watching the same movie over and over, hoping for a different ending. It's not going to happen! Learn from it and move on. You don't drown by falling into the water, you drown by staying there. (3) Get out of the blame game. Blame is a waste of time. When you lame yourself you multiply guilt, chain yourself to the past, and increase your already low self-esteem. When you blame God you cut yourself off from His power, doubt replaces trust, and you put down roots of bitterness that make you cynical. When you blame others you add to the distance between them and you, and lost the only option that works - forgiveness. Instead, trust the One who promised to "make all things new," and move forward.

Special Selection - "Forward"

Daily Reading - "I Must Work The Works Of Him Who Sent Me." Jn 9:4 NKJV

Well since I was out of it somehow and posted today's reading yesterday, I might as well post the reading for yesterday today, so here it is...

"I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM WHO SENT ME." (JN 9:4 NKJV)

ZEAL

The Bible word for passion is zeal. Without it, life can become pretty drab. Everything is a "have to" and nothing is a "want to" or a "must." Zeal keeps you going when others quit. It pushes you through the toughest times and gives you energy you didn't know you possessed. Nothing can take its place: (1) Opportunity can't. Opportunity may open the door, but without zeal you won't make the most of your opportunities and you won't get to your destiny. Howard Hendricks said, "You don't put live eggs under dead chickens." That's what opportunities are to people without zeal. (2) Knowledge can't. Some of America's worst president are reputed to have been the smartest. And some of the greatest, such as Abraham Lincoln, had very little formal education. A resume may get you through the door, but that's as far as it will get you. (Talent can't. There are many people in the world with great natural talent who never achieve personal or professional success. Talent is like money; it only grows when you put it to work. (4) Others can't. You'll will never be successful without the help of others, but merely being surrounded with the right people doesn't guarantee success. A team with no heart won't succeed. Zeal is the difference-maker. And one of the secrets to having zeal, is knowing God has truly called and gifted you to do a certain thing. Jesus said: "I must work the works of Him who sent Me." This kind of zeal is not taught but "caught," so if you're lacking in it today, spend more time with Jesus.

2 for 1 Special Selection - "I Know I've Been Change" & "

Daily Reading - "They Shall Obtain Joy And Gladness; Sorrow And Sighing Shall Flee Away." Isa 51:11 NKJV

Here is how it read today.

Thurs. Feb 18

"THEY SHALL OBTAIN JOY AND GLADNESS; SORROW AND SIGHING SHALL FLEE AWAY." (ISA 51:11 NKJV)

HOW TO GET OVER YOUR PAST (1)

All of us have chapters we wish we could rewrite. Dr. Harold Bloomfield says, "Unresolved emotional pain wreaks havoc on your immune system, cardiac function, hormone levels, and other physical functions. We mus make peace with our past because our life may literally depend on it." To get over your past you must:

(1) Start looking at it differently. Reframe it. Ask, "How did it make me stronger? What do I know now that I didn't know then?" Don't focus on what you lost, but on what you gained. (2) Understand the difference between guilt and shame. Guilt is feeling bad about what you've done - it's healthy; shame is feeling bad about who you are - it's toxic and debilitating. All of us have things we'd like to change about ourselves, but when God created us He said, "It was very good" (Ge 1:31), so start seeing yourself as He sees you. (3) Stop punishing yourself with the "if only's." After stumbling badly and having God pick him up, David wrote: "Happy is the person whose sins are forgiven...whom the Lord does not consider guilty" (Ps 32:1-2 NCV). Forgive yourself; God has. Because He sees you through the cross, you are "accepted" (See Eph 1:6). (4) Move from pain to gain. Healing takes time, so expect some anger, fear and sadness. Don't disown them; they're part of the process. But don't adopt them either; know when it's time to move on. You can't walk backwards into the future, and the future God has in mind contains more happiness than any past you can remember.

Special Selection - "Have Mercy (We Pray Oh God)

Daily Reading - "Be Fruitful." Ge 1:28 NKJV

Here is how it read today.

Tues. Feb 16

"BE FRUITFUL." (GE 1:28 NKJV)

Are You Bearing Fruit? (3)

Eight times in six verses Jesus tells us to "abide" (See Jn 15). Why? Because it's not natural! Jesus knew that in the coming years His disciples would be called upon to produce enough fruit to cover the world. But you can't even begin to have that kind of impact without first achieving the one thing you're likely to neglect, or allow to be crowded out of your life - more of Him! Things will arise each day to keep you from spending quality time with the Lord. And as for an extended period of time to wait in God's presence - that'll take an effort equal to an act of Congress. So you've three options: (1) Live a worthless life. "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as branch and is withered" (Jn 15:6 NKJV). The word withered means "worthless." Don't spend your life on worthless things. (2) Accept God's discipline. "No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Heb 12:11 NKJV). What's God after? Fruit, and He will do whatever it takes to get it. We all have our "pruning stories." God's discipline usually starts with sin problem: an unconfronted behavior or attitude. And it ends when the problem ends. The discipline doesn't have to continue - it's up to us! We only experience pain as long as we hang on to sin. (3) Stay close to God. If you draw spiritual nourishment from Him each day, if you allow the power that flows through Him to flow through you, nothing will keep you from reaching the abundant life Jesus promised.

Special Selection - "One Of Us"

Daily Reading - "In The Year That King Uzziah Died, I Saw The Lord Seated On A Throne." Isa 6:1 NIV

Here is how it read today.

Fri. Feb 12

"IN THE YEAR THAT KING UZZIAH DIED, I SAW THE LORD SEATED ON A THRONE." (ISA 6:1 NIV)

Gog Is Still On The Throne!

The Bibles says that in the end times certain things will happen, like: (1) Wars, famines, and earthquakes (See MT 24:6-7). For much of the world these things are now daily reality. (2) Jesus said: "Many will come in M name...and will deceive many" (Mt 24:5 NKJV). In recent years we've seen the rise of false prophets claiming to speak for God. (3) Jesus also said: "You will be hated...for My name's sake" (Mt 24:9 NKJV). Christians are under attack worldwide in places like China, Sudan, Africa, Saudi Arabia and North Korea. (4) Jesus said: "This gospel...will be preached in all the world...the end will come" (Mt 24:14 NKJV). Technology is making this increasingly possible through print, TV, radio and the internet. (5) God said He would shake things up until only those things which cannot be shaken would remain (See Heb 12:27). All around us corporate executives are caving in to greed while our financial security goes up in smoke. But take heart Child of God - when governments flounder and leaders fail, God still rules, His Word still stands, His plans are still being fulfilled. Isaiah wrote: "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted." That's all Isaiah needed to know, and it's all you need to know too! God's not pacing the streets of heaven worrying about what's happening. He's still on the throne, so fix your eyes on Him and keep them there! Charles Spurgeon said, "God has promised to keep His people, and He will keep His promise."

Special Selection - "I'm Walking In Authority"

Daily Reading - "You...Tested Us...Refined Us Like Silver...[And]...Brought Us To A Place Of Abundance." Ps 66:10-12 NIV

Here is how it read today.

Thurs. Feb 11

"YOU...TESTED US...REFINED US LIKE SILVER...[AND]...BROUGHT US TO A PLACE OF ABUNDANCE." (PS 66:10-12 NIV)

IT'S A TEST OF FAITH

When Jesus explained the cost of following Him, some of His disciples walked away. Yet the impact of those who didn't is still felt in the world today. By the time they wrote their epistles, His apostles had learned to see every test in life as a chance to strengthen their faith and multiply their effectiveness.

Tests of faith are opportunities to surrender something of value to God, even when we have the right now to. In a test of faith you'll feel assaulted and stretched by circumstances, yet not distant from God; tried by them, but not judged or guilty. The Psalmist writes: "For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver...you brought us to a place of abundance." A test of faith doesn't really test anything unless it pushes you beyond your last test - past what you've already proven! If you try to run or pull back each time you reach what seems like your limit, you'll never know how much you can trust God - or how much He can trust you. The fire that refines us like silver can come as a job lost, a relationship lost, good health lost, or a reputation lost. But with God, the end result is never in doubt. If you're wondering today, "How much more can I take?" listen to the words of Bishop J.C. Ryle: "This only we may be assured of, that if tomorrow brings a cross, He who sends it can and will send the grace to hear it." In God's kingdom it works like this: "Faith tested, character refined, abundance given."

Special Selection - "Melody From Heaven"

Daily Reading - "Jesus Stooped Down." Jn 8:6 NKJV

Here is how it read today.

Wed. Feb 10

"JESUS STOOPED DOWN." (JN 8:6 NKJV)

LIFT THEM!

Remember the woman "caught in the act" of adultery? The Pharisees stooped to pick up stones. Jesus stopped to pick her up. Which group are you in? You can't be choosy about who you help. Some of us think we should only help those who believe like we do. No. "Uphold the weak, be patient with all" (1Th 5:14 NKJV).

There's a story about a guy who fell into a pit and couldn't get out: A subjective person came along and said, "Well, it's logical somebody would fall down there." A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into pits." A judgmental Christian said, "You deserve your pit." A realist said, "Not that's a pit." A geologist told him to appreciate the rock strata in the pit. A tax agent asked him if he was paying taxes on the pit. A self-pitying person said, ""You haven't seen anything until you've seen my pit." An optimist said, "Things could be worse." A pessimist said, "Things will get worse." Jesus, seeing the guy in the pit, reached down, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.

Have you noticed how Jesus ends his famous parable about the Good Samaritan? "Go and do likewise" (Lk 10:37 NKJV). You have power to affect the lives of those around you. Your encouragement can be the difference-maker in someone's day, week, or even life, sending them in a whole new direction. But it's difficult to encourage people if you don't know what they need. So become a student of people. Learn what makes them tick, know what lifts them.

Special Selection - "The Best In Me"

Daily Reading - "If [A Man] Has A Wife Who Is Not A Believer." 1Co 7:12 NIV

Here is how it read today.

Tues. Feb 9

"IF [A MAN] HAS A WIFE WHO IS NOT A BELIEVER." (1CO 7:12 NIV)

When Your Mate Doesn't Share Your Faith (5)

A wise husband listens to God. "Husbands...live with your wives in an understanding way...show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered" (1Pe 3:7 NAS). In this verse, the original Greek word for "understanding" implies seeking, enquiry and investigation, which are all action verbs. As a husband you must try to understand your wife. That means avoiding three things: being passive, presumptuous, or pressuring. Nothing open our hearts like feeling cherished and understood by those we value. It provides validation, which, for your wife, is more valuable than information. For a wife who doesn't share your faith, an understanding husband is God's greatest asset. So: Don't overreact when problems arise. Stay calm and handle things graciously. Use your "sound mind" to discern the needs and causes behind her behavior (See 2Ti 1:7). Ask yourself: "Does she resent church because I put it and my Christian friends before her?" Make it a priority to learn to meet her needs. "Show her honor." If she feels taken for granted or neglected your words will fall on deaf ears. Lover her, and she'll listen to you. Place her needs ahead of your own; regularly acknowledge her value to you; remember her feminine vulnerability and handle her sensitively. Follow God's instructions confidently, faithfully and patiently, "so that your prayers will not be hindered." Neglect them, and you are praying in vain. Simply do your part, pray in faith, and leave God's part to Him!

Special Selection - "Count Your Blessings"

Daily Reading - "If A Woman Has A Husband Who Is Not A Believer." 1Co 7:13 NIV

Here is how it read today.

Mon. Feb 8

"IF A WOMAN HAS A HUSBAND WHO IS NOT A BELIEVER." 1CO 7:13 NIV

"When Your Mate Doesn't Share Your Faith (4)"

A wise wife listens to God. When you know things your partner doesn't about God and His Word, it's hard to resist, "demonstrating your knowledge." But it's an art God wants you to master. Here are two Bible principles that will help you to lead, not push, your husband closer to God: (1) The principle of submission. "Wives, in the same way may be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives" (1Pe 3:1 NIV). Submission to the needs of others if hard on our pride, especially when we know we're scripturally right. The need to be "right," however, will sabotage your hopes for your mate's salvation. The words, "in teh same way," refer to 1 Peter 2:21-25 where Jesus submitted to injustice, to save us. To submit is Christ-like. It's also the best method of getting self out of God's way so God can work on your mate. (2) The principle of silence. "[That] they may be won over without words." To protect your marriage and save your husband, God exempts you from the role of being His mouthpiece. However sincere, don't "preach" at him. That includes placing Bibles, spiritual books and CD's where he can't miss them. If you do, he'll tune you out for sure. "How else will he get the message?" you ask. "By the behavior of their wives...a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1Pe 3:1-4 NIV). Try it God's way!

Special Selection - "There Is A Fountain"

It Is What It Is/Where I'm At 2/5

Daily Reading - "If A Woman Has A Husband Who Is Not A Believer." 1Co 7:13 NIV

Here is how it read today.

Fri. Feb 5

"IF A WOMAN HAS A HUSBAND WHO IS NOT A BELIEVER." (1CO 7:13 NIV)

When Your Mate Doesn't Share Your Faith (1)

Living with an unbelieving mate is both a challenge and an opportunity. It's a challenge because believers and unbelievers see life differently. And it's an opportunity because God can use you to close the gap and win them to Christ. But for that to take place you must make two commitments: (1) Commit yourself to your own growth through loving them and living with them. Once you've committed, you're ready for this practical and helpful counsel.

Remember the unbeliever's spiritual limitations. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2Co 5:17 NIV). On;y when they're "In Christ" can they be a "new creation." Only then will "the old" go! The old will dominate until they receive the new. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (Jn 3:6). Remember, the unbeliever suffers from spiritual birth defects they can't overcome until the new birth corrects them. "The flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so...those...in the flesh cannot please God" (Ro 8:7-8 NAS). If they don't love God's Word, prayer and church like you do, it's because they're controlled by the flesh and are "not even able" to. So have realistic expectations. Remember what you were like B.C. (Before Christ)? Be patient, loving and kind while God does His work in them.

Special Selection - "God's Favor"

Daily Reading - "God Blesses Those Who Are [Gentle]." Mt 5:5 NLT

Here is how it read today.

Thurs. Feb 4

"GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO ARE [GENTLE]." (MT 5:5 NLT)

Gentleness

The word "gentleness" sounds so much like weakness that we are tempted to think of the word "wimp." Nothing could be further from the truth! Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek [gentle]: for they shall inherit the earth" (KJV). Notice, the gentle don't strive, manipulate, or compete like others, yet they inherit everything. When you "inherit" something you don't have to strive for it, you receive it because you're loved, valued, and part of the family.

Gentleness is born of love. It refuses to rush to judgment; doesn't drop names of force its way because it has nothing to prove; is trouble when the structure, the budget or the corporate image becomes more important than the people we're called to serve; is grieved when the schedule leaves no time to stop and care for the young, the old, the sick or the hurting. Gentleness is a virtue hard to find in a society that admires toughness. We're encouraged to get things done and get them done on time, even though people get trampled on in the process. Success, accomplishment and productivity count, but at what cost? There's no place for gentleness in such a milieu.

Paul was a powerhouse for God, yet he wrote: "We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children" (1 Th 2:7 NIV). A gentle person treads lightly, listens carefully, looks tenderly, and touches with reverence and sensitivity. The gentle know that true growth requires nurture, not force. So let's dress ourselves in gentleness, for in our tough and unbending world, gentleness is a vivid reminder of God's presence among us.

Special Selection - "Um Good"

Daily Reading - "Blessed Are The Merciful: For They Shall Obtain Mercy." Mt 5:7

Here is how it read today.

Tues. Feb 2

"BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL: FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY." (MT 5:7)

Don't Prejudge Others

Agnes Goddard writes, "The first assignment for my husband Cecil in his art class was to sketch the San Luis Rey mission in Oceanside, California. Everyone turned in a sketch. When the teacher came to Cecil's, he held it up and said, 'Who's the figure in the doorway of the mission?' Cecil said, 'That's the padre.' The teacher said, 'Don't you think he looks a little sick?' 'He could be,' Cecil responded. 'I'm an artist, not a doctor.'"

Not a day goes by without somebody doing or saying something that evokes in us the need to form an opinion about them. The idea that we have to "sort it all out" and make judgments about it, is an idea we are born with. The ancient fathers said that judging others is a heavy burden, whereas being judged by them is a light one. Once we let go of our need to judge others, we experience an incredible freedom. We are free to "obtain mercy."

Most of us aren't aware of how deeply rooted our prejudices are. We've convinced ourselves we related easily to people who are different from us. But our spontaneous thoughts, uncensored words and knee-jerk reactions reveal that our prejudices color our thinking. Strangers (people different from us) stir up fear, suspicion and hostility. They make us lose our sense of security by being just "other." What's the answer? Only when we embrace God's unconditional love for us, and begin to see those "other" people as equally loved by Him, can we build bridges over which we can walk to share God's love and enjoy His family.