Daily Devotion

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Prone To Wander
By Bill Crowder

Read: Psalm 119:9-16
With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! —Psalm 119:10
Bible in a Year:
Deuteronomy 23-25; Mark 14:1-26
One of my favorite classic hymns is “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” which was written in 1757 by 22-year-old Robert Robinson. In the hymn’s lyrics is a line that always captures my attention and forces me to do some self-evaluation. The line says, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” I feel that way sometimes. Too often I find myself distracted and drifting, instead of having my heart and mind focused on the Savior who loves me and gave Himself for me. Robert Robinson and I are not alone in this.

In those seasons of wandering, our heart of hearts doesn’t want to drift from God—but, like Paul, we often do what we don’t want to do (Rom. 7:19), and we desperately need to turn back to the Shepherd of our heart who can draw us to Himself. David wrote of this struggle in His great anthem to the Scriptures, Psalm 119, saying, “With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!” (v.10).

Sometimes, even when our hearts long to seek God, the distractions of life can draw us away from Him and His Word. How grateful we can be for a patient, compassionate heavenly Father whose grace is always sufficient—even when we are prone to wander!

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above. —Robinson
Our tendency to wander is matched by God’s willingness to pursue.

Insight
Although high-tech media has multiplied the ways we can be tempted, the issues of the heart remain the same. The question of how we can keep ourselves pure is still related to the Word of God. Our minds are to become preoccupied with Scripture (v.9). Committing the Word to memory makes it accessible in all circumstances (v.11). By meditating on Scripture, we discover its meaning and how to apply spiritual principles (v.15). In addition, sharing with others what we learn can edify them.

 

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March 18, 2014

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Sweet Fragrance
By Cindy Hess Kasper
Read: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
We are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. —2 Corinthians 2:15
Bible in a Year:
Deuteronomy 32-34; Mark 15:26-47
Some scents are unforgettable. Recently, my husband mentioned he was running low on shaving cream. “I’ll pick some up,” I offered. “Can you get this kind?” he asked, showing me the can. “I love the smell—it’s the kind my dad always used.” I smiled, recalling the time I had been momentarily taken back to my childhood when I got a whiff of the same shampoo my mom used to wash my hair. For both Tom and me, the fragrances had brought an emotional response and pleasant memory of people we loved who were no longer around.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Memories, imagination, old sentiments, and associations are more readily reached through the sense of smell than through any other channel.”

So, what if our lives were a fragrance that attracted people to God? Second Corinthians 2:15 says that “we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” Our fragrance is pleasing to God, but it also attracts others to Him or repels them. We who understand the sacrifice of Jesus have the opportunity to be the “fragrance of Christ”—a reminder of Him—to others.

The sweet scent of the likeness of Christ can be an irresistible pull toward the Savior.

Let my hands perform His bidding,
Let my feet run in His ways,
Let my eyes see Jesus only,
Let my lips speak forth His praise. —James
When we walk with God, we leave behind a sweet fragrance that can inspire others to follow.

Insight
In today’s reading, we see a dramatic picture of Christ as victor. In the world of ancient Rome, a conquering general would be rewarded with a “triumph,” a celebrative victory parade. The conquered enemies subjugated as slaves would often follow the procession. Paul used this event familiar to his audience to represent Jesus Christ as the triumphant hero. Considering himself a slave of Christ (Phil. 1:1), Paul thought it an honor and a joy to have been conquered by the Lord he now loved and served. Often during a triumphal parade, the temple doors were thrown open and the fragrance of garlands and incense flooded the parade procession with the sweet aroma of victory. Certainly, the gospel has a sweet spiritual aroma for those who believe.

 

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Make Enemies Our Friends?
MAR 18 2014
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." - Luke 6:27-28

Jesus defined the word “enemy” as "anyone who is not for us.” In light of that definition, we all have folks we work and cross paths with, and sometimes even live with, who are not for us. They can make life miserable, yet incredibly, Jesus Christ said, “You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies.’” To love our friends is easy, but to love our enemies is unique.

At the end of the Civil War, many Northerners were demanding that the South be punished for the devastation the war had caused the United States. In the midst of this issue, a group visited President Lincoln in the White House, feeling he was being too soft on the South. One man became so incensed that he pounded on Mr. Lincoln’s desk and he said, “Mr. President, I believe in destroying my enemies!”

President Lincoln sat and reflected a moment, and then he slowly stood and this, “Do we not destroy our enemies when we make them our friends?” This is what Jesus meant, and that type of love can literally change the world.

Can you? Will you? If you will, then through Jesus, you can!

 

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Misplaced Love
By Marvin Williams
Read: Psalm 115
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. —Psalm 115:4
Bible in a Year:
Joshua 4-6; Luke 1:1-20
Martin Lindstrom, an author and speaker, thinks that cellphones have become akin to a best friend for many owners. Lindstrom’s experiment using an MRI helped him discover why. When the subjects saw or heard their phone ringing, their brains fired off neurons in the area associated with feelings of love and compassion. Lindstrom said, “It was as if they were in the presence of a girlfriend, boyfriend, or family member.”

Many things vie for our affection and time and attention, and it seems we’re always needing to evaluate where we’re focusing our lives. Joshua told the people of Israel that they were to give their affection and worship to God alone (Josh. 24:14). This was significant in contrast to the idols worshiped by the nations around them. These idols were made of metal and were only the work of men’s hands (Ps. 115:4). They were totally powerless compared to the Lord. Therefore, God’s people were exhorted to find their security in Him and not in other gods (Judg. 10:13-16). Jesus reiterated this in His discussion of the commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37).

The Lord alone is our help and shield (Ps. 115:9). May we reserve our worship for Him.

For Further Thought
What do our actions in the last few months reveal
about our affections? Is there any indication that we
have placed someone or something above God?
God is most worthy of our affections.

 

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"Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

How should we pray? God tells us that prayer should be a balance of a four-fold focus. These areas are praise, confession, thanksgiving, and then supplication, which is another word for our personal requests. Now wouldn't it be fascinating if God gave us the statistics showing how much prayer time we spend on requests versus how much time is spent thanking God, praising God, or confessing our sins? That would be an interesting stat! I know that if He did it for my own prayer life, I would see those supplications way up there on that list!

God's Word tells us that when we pray, we are to have an attitude of thanksgiving. We want to be thankful to the Lord for the many blessings in our life, for the greatest blessing of all - which is the salvation we have in Jesus Christ and the eternal abundant life that He gives us. We ought to have an attitude of thanksgiving. Because, you see, with an attitude of thanksgiving, you will be more joyful and more content with life. Praise your Lord for these many blessings and discuss your sins with the One who offers forgiveness.

Strive for this four-fold balance in your prayer life and see how it draws you closer to the Creator of the Universe.

 

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Still Working
By Dave Branon

Read: Matthew 25:14-21
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” —Matthew 25:23
Bible in a Year:
Joshua 7-9; Luke 1:21-38
Vivian and Don are in their mid-90s and have been married more than 70 years. Recently Vivian suffered a setback when she broke her hip. This has been additionally difficult because for several years both Don and Vivian have been saddened by the realization that they are no longer strong enough to be active in the life and work of their church.

However, Vivian and Don are still hard at work for the Lord: They are prayer warriors. While they may not always be physically present and visible in the life of their church, they are faithful “behind the scenes” in their service for Him.

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 reminds us that we must use the “talents” God has given us wisely. All of us have God-given skills and abilities at various levels—and we must not bury, unused, what God has given us.

It is not only in our years of strength that God will use us, but also in our youth and age, as well as in our sickness and weakness. Vivian and Don continue to serve by praying. And like them, we honor our Savior by using our skills—“each according to his own ability” (v.15) to serve Him who is worthy.

Lord, You have done so much for me. Please show
me what I can do to serve You—to honor You with
the abilities You have provided. May my life be a
living sacrifice of love and action for Your honor.
God can use you at any age—if you are willing.

Insight
The parable of the talents contains a profound and enduring message to the believer. It drives home the point that we will be justly compensated for the use of our Spirit-filled talents. Both motive and faithfulness will be key factors in how we are evaluated at the judgment (Bema) seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). “Good works” performed in the energy of the flesh or for the wrong motives will be burned up. But faithful, Spirit-filled service will be rewarded (1 Cor. 3:12-15).

 

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Coming Soon!
By David C. McCasland
Read: Revelation 22:7-21
“Surely I am coming quickly.” —Revelation 22:20
Bible in a Year:
Joshua 10-12; Luke 1:39-56
A “COMING SOON!” announcement often precedes future events in entertainment and sports, or the launch of the latest technology. The goal is to create anticipation and excitement for what is going to happen, even though it may be months away.

While reading the book of Revelation, I was impressed with the “coming soon” sense of immediacy permeating the entire book. Rather than saying, “Someday, in the far distant future, Jesus Christ is going to return to earth,” the text is filled with phrases like “things which must shortly take place” (1:1) and “the time is near” (v.3). Three times in the final chapter, the Lord says, “I am coming quickly” (Rev. 22:7,12,20). Other versions translate this phrase as, “I’m coming soon,” “I’m coming speedily,” and “I’m on My way!”

How can this be—since 2,000 years have elapsed since these words were written? “Quickly” doesn’t seem appropriate for our experience of time.

Rather than focusing on a date for His return, the Lord is urging us to set our hearts on His promise that will be fulfilled. We are called to live for Him in this present age “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).


Live as if Christ is coming back today.

Insight
As with today’s text, 2 Peter 3:1-10 deals with Jesus’ imminent return. Peter explains that “the Lord is not slack concerning His promise . . . but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (v.9).

 

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Promoting Unity
By Dennis Fisher

Read: Proverbs 6:16-19
The Lord hates . . . one who sows discord among brethren. —Proverbs 6:16,19
Bible in a Year:
Joshua 13-15; Luke 1:57-80
The language of Proverbs 6:16-19 is strong. In the citing of seven things the Lord hates, sowing “discord among brethren” makes the list. The reason for naming this sin is that it spoils the unity that Christ desires for His followers (John 17:21-22).

Those who sow discord may not initially set out to create divisions. They may be preoccupied instead with their personal needs or the interests of a group they belong to (James 4:1-10). Consider how Lot’s herdsmen argued with those of Abraham (Gen. 13:1-18); Christ’s disciples argued about personal preeminence (Luke 9:46); and divisive groups in the church at Corinth elevated party factions above the unity of the Spirit (1 Cor. 3:1-7).

So what is the best way to promote unity? It begins with the transformation of the heart. When we adopt the mind of Christ, we develop an attitude of humility and we focus on service toward others (Phil. 2:5-11). Only in Him can we access the power to “look out not only for [our] own interests, but also for the interests of others” (v.4). Soon the needs and hopes of others become more important to us than our own.

With growing bonds of love among us, we find discord replaced with joy and unity (see Ps. 133:1).

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we—
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity. —Baring-Gould
We can accomplish more together than we can alone.

 

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Do You Have Great Challenges?
MAR 23 2014
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" - Romans 8:31

I have always been inspired by people who faced great challenges and setbacks in their lives, who fought hard and achieved amazing comebacks. There is a long list of people who have done this, both real and fiction, secular, as well as biblical, and from centuries in the past, as well as recent heroes.

I have tremendous news for you. These comebacks are not just for people you read about in the history books or the latest edition of Newsweek. This very day, God is in the business of turning your setbacks into comebacks! Note what Paul wrote to the Christians being persecuted: "… we are being put to death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." Realize that God doesn’t say, "Well, I’ll arrange it where you can just squeak by!" Neither does He say, "I’ll arrange it where you can just barely endure."

No! He doesn't say any of that. What He DOES say is: “In ALL these things, we overwhelmingly conquer!” We don’t just conquer, we overwhelmingly conquer, through the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And it is this amazing power – the power of the Creator of the universe – that will help you pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and turn your setback into an overwhelming victory. May that victory be triumphed for the glory of God!

 

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"'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'" - Matthew 4:19

Jesus told His disciples, "I will make you fishers of men." What a wonderful description of their roles-to-be; He equated their previous profession with their new calling. And they would be able to use their previous knowledge to immediately become experts in this calling. How's that? What does fishing have to do with witnessing? Consider these skills of a good fisherman:

• First of all, they've got the right equipment. Do you have your Bible and a growing knowledge of the subject to be discussed?
• They know how to go where the fish are. So many Christians live in their "holy huddles." All these Bible studies, all this learning about how to share your faith, and yet so little time building relationships with non-believers. To be an effective witness, you must build relationships with non-Christians!
• Third, they know when to use the right bait. Now, fish and people are a lot alike. Fish are going to respond differently to different bait, just like people are going to have different interests and needs in their life. You must learn what those needs are and seek to help meet those needs.
• A good fisherman knows how to reel them in, and close the net. In business, we call this "closing the deal." At some point in your witnessing, you need to call for the decision.

And this is the most exciting point in your witness - the moment that person steps out in faith and decides to follow Jesus. Then you know you have become a Fisher of Men!

 

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Are Your Treasures Worth Losing Your Soul?
MAR 31 2014
"...you fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?" - Luke 12:20

Jesus Christ tells of someone who acted like a huge fool. "A certain rich man was very productive and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do since I have no place to store all that I have?' He decided to tear down his barns and build larger ones and then store all his grain and goods. Then he said, 'I have many goods laid up for years to come; now I'll take it easy and eat, drink, and be merry!'"

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is required of you and now who will own all that you have?' So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Question: When are you going to pause long enough from pursuing bigger barns and dreaming of how to fill them up, to start thinking about your soul? All that counts is "Do you know God?" and "What have you done for God and your fellow man?" Quit acting foolish and get things right with God through Jesus Christ. And do it today!

 

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So, You Want a Sign?
APR 01 2014
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1

We are a society that seems to say, "I can't just have 'faith' that something is there. I need a sign. I won't believe in it unless I can see it.'" Well, obviously, that's not really true, because every single day of our lives, we do things that require faith. Things as simple as walking on the floor of our homes, having faith that the builder did the job well enough that we won't fall through. We drive across bridges with the faith that they will hold us until we get across. How about this - these are the words posted on a sign at a local church: "Well, you have been asking me for a sign! - God." I had to laugh as I drove by that one! Now be honest. Are you one of those folks that have said at different times in your life, "You know, if I could just see a sign; if I could just see a miracle, I'd believe in God. I'd get my life straight."

I hate to disappoint you, but that's just not true! Look at all those plagues in Egypt. How did Pharaoh and the Egyptians respond? Their hearts just got harder. And look at what happened with the miracles of Jesus. People witnessed Him raise a man from the dead and all they could think about was how to get rid of Him. Most didn't change; their hearts just got harder and harder. Throughout history, people's hearts haven't changed because they saw or experienced a miracle. Miracles simply reveal if a person is hard-hearted toward God or if they have any inkling of faith.

Are you waiting for some sign or miracle to appear to give you the "proof" you're looking for to believe in God? Remember, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for." The evidence for God's existence is everywhere. What you have to decide is if you'll be open-minded enough to see it, see Him, then change your mind and believe.

 

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What’s In A Name?
By Poh Fang Chia
Read: John 1:35-42
You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church. —Matthew 16:18
Bible in a Year:
Judges 19-21; Luke 7:31-50
My friend wrote a letter to his newborn child that he wanted him to read when he was older: “My dear boy, Daddy and Mummy wish that you will find and stay focused on the Light. Your Chinese name is xin xuan.Xin means faithfulness, contentment, and integrity;xuan stands for warmth and light.” He and his wife carefully chose a name based on their hopes for their baby boy.

When Jesus renamed Simon as Peter/Cephas (John 1:42), it wasn’t a random choice. Peter means “the rock.” But it took a while for him to live up to his new name. The account of his life reveals him as a fisherman known for his rash ways—a shifting-sand kind of guy. Peter disagreed with Jesus (Matt. 16:22-23), struck a man with a sword (John 18:10-11), and even denied knowing Jesus (John 18:15-27). But in Acts, we read that God worked in and through him to establish His church. Peter truly became a rock.

If you, like Peter, are a follower of Jesus, you have a new identity. In Acts 11:26, we read, “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” The name “Christians” means “Christ-ones.” You now are one of the Christ-ones. This title lifts up who you are and calls you to become what you are not yet. God is faithful, and He will complete His good work in you (Phil. 1:6).

Dear Father, thank You for the incredible privilege
of being called Your child. May we understand
more fully what it means to be identified with Your
Son, Jesus Christ. Work in us and through us.
We honor God’s name when we call Him our Father and live like His children.
Insight
Today’s reading records a call to discipleship. After John the Baptist identified Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” two of his disciples followed Jesus. Andrew is named, but the second spiritual seeker is not. Many commentators believe that the apostle John is the second disciple. Notice the easy conversation which takes place between the two disciples and Christ. He asks what they seek. They inquire about where He is staying, and He invites them to come and see. The tenth hour by Jewish reckoning was 4:00 p.m. Obviously, the day was coming to an end. Andrew became so excited about Jesus’ invitation that he went to find his brother Simon and brought him to meet the Master.

 

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With Free Will Comes Responsibility
APR 02 2014
"...but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" - Genesis 3:3

One of the many great mysteries in the Bible is why God put that ONE tree in the Garden of Eden from which man was not to eat. Have you ever wondered why? God provided man plenty to eat, but He put that one tree in the middle of the garden and told Adam that he must not eat from it.

Well, the reason is very simple. God loves us and He created us to have fellowship with Him. There is not true love in a relationship unless we are free to reject that love. God gave man a free will to decide if we love Him enough to trust Him, and trust Him enough to obey Him. To love God is to obey Him. It’s a choice. If we have no choice, we have no opportunity to love. Instead, we’re robots or puppets.

But, what is really amazing, God’s love is so great that even though we all choose to disobey Him more often than we'd like to admit, He gives us a way to be forgiven, changed, and empowered to love Him through Jesus Christ. Why don’t you choose Christ in faith, and you’ll be forgiven and made right with God. It's a relationship like none you've known before!

 

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Check The Oil
By David C. McCasland
Read: Psalm 5
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. —Psalm 5:3
Bible in a Year:
Ruth 1-4; Luke 8:1-25
When I helped our daughters learn to drive, I included a little instruction on basic auto maintenance. We visited a local service station where they learned to check the oil every time they put fuel in the car. Today, years later, they often remind me of my six-word slogan, “Oil is cheap; engines are expensive.” Adding a quart of oil is nothing compared to replacing an engine.

Maintenance is also important in our spiritual lives. Taking time each day to read the Bible, pray, and listen to God is a key element in avoiding a breakdown. In Psalm 5, David wrote, “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You” (v.3). In the following verses he poured out his heart in praise, thanksgiving, and requests to God.

Many people find it essential to begin every day with the Lord. Before checking email, catching the news, or eating breakfast, they find some quiet moments alone to read a portion of God’s Word, praise Him for His greatness, thank Him for His love, and seek His guidance. Others spend time reading and praying at different times of the day.

It’s not magic—it’s maintenance, as we ask the Lord each day to fill our hearts with His presence on the road of life.

Give me a strong desire, O Lord, to look into Your
Word each day. Help me hide it in my heart so that
I might not stray from Your truth. Feed me and
teach me about Yourself and Your will for me.
The roots of stability come from being grounded in God’s Word and prayer.
Insight
In this morning prayer (vv.1-3), David called out to God to help him live a holy and worshipful life (vv.7-8). He extolled God’s justice, holiness, and unfailing love (vv.4-7), and he affirmed his unwavering trust in God’s presence and protection (vv.4-8,11-12) even as he faced slander, danger, and evil.

 

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Strawberry Mess
By Anne Cetas

Be of the same mind in the Lord. —Philippians 4:2
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 9:18-36
My husband and I had recently moved into our house when a man dropped off a large box of strawberries on our front sidewalk. He left a note saying he wanted us to share them with our neighbors. He meant well, but some children discovered the box before any adults did and had a strawberry-throwing party at our white house. When we returned home, we saw children we knew watching us from behind a fence. They had “returned to the scene of the crime” to see how we would react to the mess. We could have just cleaned it up ourselves, but to restore our relationship, we felt it was important to talk with them and require their help in cleaning our strawberry-stained house.

Life can get messy with relationship struggles. This was the case in the Philippian church. Two faithful servants, Euodia and Syntyche, were in sharp disagreement. The apostle Paul wrote to the church to encourage them to work through their problems (Phil. 4:2). He also wanted another person to come alongside them with a spirit of gentleness. He wrote, “I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel” (v.3).

Realizing we’ve all made messes in life, we can trust the Lord to help us deal gently with others.

Dear Lord, please give me discernment and
courage in my relationships. Help me by Your
power to be gentle and show the same love
to others that You have shown to me.
True love both confronts and restores.

Insight
As Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi comes to an end, he provides his readers with a number of imperatives: “stand fast in the Lord” (v.1); “be of the same mind” (v.2); “help [those] who labored with me in the gospel” (v.3); “rejoice in the Lord always” (v.4); and “let your gentleness be known to all men” (v.5). Notice the varied kinds of imperatives given. Because unity, support, rejoicing, and gentleness are needed depending upon the situation, sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading helps us to tap into God’s resources so that we can respond appropriately to each circumstance.

 

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Entangled in Sin
APR 07 2014
"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." - John 8:34

We have an ongoing struggle with sin. Sin has a way of multiplying and reviving itself, and launching a new and an unexpected assault on our most vulnerable areas. The Bible paints a very graphic picture of a person who becomes entrapped by his own sin. It says, "And he will be held with cords of his sin." Now what does that mean?

Have you ever seen a little bug caught in a spider's web? The more that bug struggles to become free, the more entangled in the web it becomes. That's what this verse is talking about. The person is trapped by his sin, and even when he comes to his senses and recognizes the need to change, he cannot escape by his own strength. He just gets more tangled.

But there's hope for the person caught in his sin. We can all be free from bondage by admitting our sin to God and giving Him control of our life through Jesus Christ. Only He can untangle us from the tangled web of sin that we weave!

 

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“Isn’t God Powerful!”
By Dave Branon
Read: Psalm 29
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name. —Psalm 29:2
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-28
One day, my 3-year-old granddaughter Katie surprised her mom and dad with a bit of theological expertise. She said to them, “You both had sisters who died. Then God took them up to heaven to be with Him. Isn’t God powerful!”

God’s immense power is a mystery, yet it is simple enough for a child to understand. In Katie’s young way of thinking, she knew that for God to do something so miraculous, it would mean that He is powerful. Without understanding all the details, she knew that God did something wonderful by taking her two aunts to heaven.

How often do we sit back in our more sophisticated world and marvel: “Isn’t God powerful”? Probably not often enough. We can’t know how God spun the worlds into existence with His voice (Job 38–39; Ps. 33:9; Heb. 11:3), nor can we know how He maintains control of them (Neh. 9:6). We can’t know how He planned and fulfilled the incarnation of Jesus, nor can we understand how He can make Christ’s sacrifice sufficient for our salvation. But we know these things are true.

The power of God: immeasurable in its wonder yet clear enough for us to understand. It’s yet another reason to praise Him.


Everything God does is marked with simplicity and power. —Tertullian

Insight
Psalm 29 is a graphic celebration of the strength of the Lord. Each of the elements on which the voice of the Lord is said to have an effect was a recognized symbol of strength in the ancient world, and the voice of the Lord shakes these elements with ease. But the beginning and the end of the psalm talk about the strength of people. In verse 1, the “mighty ones” are to give glory and strength to the Lord. And verse 11 gives the source of that strength, God Himself. What God gives us, we are to offer back to Him.

 

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What Gets the Attention of the World? Love.
APR 13 2014
"But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" - Acts 5:29

The paramount concern of a Christian should be to obey God. We are to do this because we trust Him and love Him. And if we’re put in a situation where that earthly authority is pressuring us to disobey the command of God, we have a decision to make: to obey earthly law or God’s law. That’s what civil disobedience is all about. But there’s a spirit in which to do it. You know, one of the reasons that Martin Luther King, Jr. was such an amazing man is that when he was arrested for disobeying man’s immoral laws on segregation, he was willing to pay the price. He recognized if we’re going to disobey government authorities, no matter how corrupt it may be, we’ve got to be willing to pay the penalty.

If you, as a Christian, are called to obey God and disobey some earthly authority, don’t be moaning and groaning, demanding your rights and talking about how unfair it is! Accept it! Rejoice in it! We’re not to be angry with those who are unjustly treating us, we’re to love them. We’re to forgive them. Our whole demeanor and spirit is to be different, and this is what gets the attention of the world! They will begin to realize you are really serious about following Jesus! That’s what God wants us to do and that’s how He wants us to respond.

 

[boldstardex]

Spoonful Of Sugar
By Julie Ackerman Link


Psalm 19:7-14
The judgments of the Lordare true and righteous altogether. . . . Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. —Psalm 19:9-10
Bible in a Year:
1 Samuel 27-29; Luke 13:1-22
Where is Mary Poppins when you need her? I know this sounds as if I’m longing for the good old days when cheerfully unrealistic movies featured characters like this fictional nanny, but what I’m really longing for are people with a vision for the future that is realistically optimistic. I yearn for joyful, creative people who can show us the positive side of what we consider negative, who can remind us that “just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.”

David wrote a song that expressed a similar truth. In his words, “the judgments of the Lord” are “sweeter also than . . . honey” (Ps. 19:9-10). Seldom do we hear that truth is sweet. More often we hear that it is bitter or hard to swallow. But truth is so much more than medicine to treat what’s wrong. It’s the diet that will prevent disease. It’s not an inoculation or an injection. It’s a gourmet meal that should be presented as a culinary delight, enticing the hungry to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (34:8).

We sing “Jesus is the sweetest name I know,” but some of us present Him as if He’s gone sour. Pure truth, untainted by pride, is the sweetest, most refreshing taste of all to those who hunger for spiritual sustenance. And we have the privilege of serving it to a starving world.

Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And He’s just the same as His lovely name,
And that’s the reason why I love Him so;
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know. —Long
The truth of the Lord endures forever. —Psalm 117:2
Insight
Psalm 19 is a song of David that celebrates how God has revealed Himself to us—first in His creation and then in the Scriptures. While the psalm does not tell us at what point in David’s life this song was written, many scholars have suggested that it was in some way a product of David’s years as a shepherd over his father’s flocks. Constantly exposed to the wonders of God’s creation, David would have found ample material to celebrate how the Creator reveals Himself in what He has made (vv.1-6).