Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
1Peter 1:8b-9 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Rob and Sue were driving to Rob's grandmother's house in the mountains for Christmas. Sue decided to drive that day, even though she had never been to the house before. She dutifully put the address into the GPS and off they went. The day was beautiful, crisp and clear with a hint of snow in the air. As they drove down the interstate, Rob began to drift off into a deep sleep. Sue thought about how tired Rob must be, after working many long days as a surgical resident. The rest will do him good, she thought. As she turned onto a back mountain road, a strange fog rolled in and made visibility nearly zero. All Sue had to go on was the instructions from the GPS, mile by mile, turn by turn. She tried to wake Rob up but he was in a deep sleep. The thick fog did not dissipate even as she went further up the mountain. Finally, the GPS indicated that they had arrived. Grandma was waiting with a nice warm fire and dinner.
So often we want to know all of the turns that our lives will take. Yet, God, in His divine wisdom, does not reveal everything at once, perhaps to save our sanity. Even so, we yearn to know where we will be in life next month, next year, ten years from now. We only know the present, our gift from the Lord as we walk this earth. He knows the end from the beginning.
Just as Rob and Sue arrived safely to Grandma's house thanks to the GPS, we too know that someday, having trusted in Jesus, we will indeed see the manifestation of our salvation. On that day, we will meet Jesus face to face, the One who we can't see yet leads us in every twist and turn of this life. Have you trusted Him, not just for your daily needs, but for your salvation? Are you wholly leaning upon Him, attune to His leading in your life? My prayer is that we all can fully trust Him through this foggy journey, knowing that one day the fog will be lifted and we will see Him face to face.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Friday, December 11, 2015
My Pain, My Gain
"though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,"
1 Peter 1:6b-7
Thought for Today: In the Republic, Plato penned the allegory of the cave in which a group of people lived their entire lives chained to a wall in a cave facing the blank wall. A fire behind them caused shadows of things and people behind them to be cast upon the wall. They began to name the shadows and based their world on the shadows on the wall.
This life that we live, with its trials and its joys, is but a mere shadow of the reality of God. Often, when we are faced with difficult circumstances we indeed think that this is unfair and that our lives should not be this way. Yet, beyond the pain, beyond our circumstances lies a whole spiritual dimension that we only see a mere glimpse of. Our Lord, in His infinite wisdom, is in the business of not wasting anything. To think that He would use our pain, our trials, our hurt to refine us, test us and make us whole is unbelievable. Yet, His plan for our sanctification is to make us strong in our faith, that we may bring Him honor and glory.
Are you facing difficult circumstances today? Do you hurt so bad that you think there is no possible way to keep moving forward? Look to the Lord for strength. He is not a cruel God, using our pain for His gain with no concern for our well being. He will walk with you through your deepest valley and lead you out on the other side, with much gained. My prayer is that you can trust Him to lead you, not trying to go on your own but rather fully surrendering to Him. Can you do that today?
1 Peter 1:6b-7
Thought for Today: In the Republic, Plato penned the allegory of the cave in which a group of people lived their entire lives chained to a wall in a cave facing the blank wall. A fire behind them caused shadows of things and people behind them to be cast upon the wall. They began to name the shadows and based their world on the shadows on the wall.
This life that we live, with its trials and its joys, is but a mere shadow of the reality of God. Often, when we are faced with difficult circumstances we indeed think that this is unfair and that our lives should not be this way. Yet, beyond the pain, beyond our circumstances lies a whole spiritual dimension that we only see a mere glimpse of. Our Lord, in His infinite wisdom, is in the business of not wasting anything. To think that He would use our pain, our trials, our hurt to refine us, test us and make us whole is unbelievable. Yet, His plan for our sanctification is to make us strong in our faith, that we may bring Him honor and glory.
Are you facing difficult circumstances today? Do you hurt so bad that you think there is no possible way to keep moving forward? Look to the Lord for strength. He is not a cruel God, using our pain for His gain with no concern for our well being. He will walk with you through your deepest valley and lead you out on the other side, with much gained. My prayer is that you can trust Him to lead you, not trying to go on your own but rather fully surrendering to Him. Can you do that today?
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Delivered
In You, O Lord, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
Psalm 31:1 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Myles and his son, Mike, were hiking a trail in the Deep Creek section of the Smoky Mountain National Park in North Carolina. It was a clear day, not a cloud in the sky. Myles and Mike stopped to rest and have something to eat. They both marveled at the blueness of the sky and the beauty of God's creation on this glorious day. After a short while, the pair began their hike again. As they were nearing one of the waterfalls, the sky began to grow dark. Myles had heard of popup thunderstorms but had never experienced one. Suddenly, he and Mike were caught in a torrential downpour. As the water fell from the sky, the ground became muddier and more difficult to walk on. All of a sudden, Myles heard a roaring sound as he turned to see raging water from a flash flood heading their way. Myles and Mike were swept away into the river. As they neared the waterfall, Myles knew that their only hope was to find something to cling to so that they would not go over the falls. In the nick of time, while holding Mike in one arm, Myles was able to grab a branch still attached to a tree on shore. The pair clung to the branch for 4 hours until rescuers arrived and pulled them out of the water.
Sometimes, life can be like the flash flood that caught Myles and Mike by surprise. Everything is going along fine and then suddenly, with no warning, we are swept away by a sea of turmoil caused by circumstances out of our control. At any moment, we feel so out of control and afraid that we might go over the falls, to a place that we will never be able to return from. During these dark times, there is only one thing to do: cling to the One in whom you have put your trust. Do you fully trust in Jesus as you take this journey of life? Are you caught in a raging river of difficult circumstances? My prayer is that you would put your trust in the One who calmed the raging sea. He knows you, He knows your circumstances and He will deliver.
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
Psalm 31:1 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Myles and his son, Mike, were hiking a trail in the Deep Creek section of the Smoky Mountain National Park in North Carolina. It was a clear day, not a cloud in the sky. Myles and Mike stopped to rest and have something to eat. They both marveled at the blueness of the sky and the beauty of God's creation on this glorious day. After a short while, the pair began their hike again. As they were nearing one of the waterfalls, the sky began to grow dark. Myles had heard of popup thunderstorms but had never experienced one. Suddenly, he and Mike were caught in a torrential downpour. As the water fell from the sky, the ground became muddier and more difficult to walk on. All of a sudden, Myles heard a roaring sound as he turned to see raging water from a flash flood heading their way. Myles and Mike were swept away into the river. As they neared the waterfall, Myles knew that their only hope was to find something to cling to so that they would not go over the falls. In the nick of time, while holding Mike in one arm, Myles was able to grab a branch still attached to a tree on shore. The pair clung to the branch for 4 hours until rescuers arrived and pulled them out of the water.
Sometimes, life can be like the flash flood that caught Myles and Mike by surprise. Everything is going along fine and then suddenly, with no warning, we are swept away by a sea of turmoil caused by circumstances out of our control. At any moment, we feel so out of control and afraid that we might go over the falls, to a place that we will never be able to return from. During these dark times, there is only one thing to do: cling to the One in whom you have put your trust. Do you fully trust in Jesus as you take this journey of life? Are you caught in a raging river of difficult circumstances? My prayer is that you would put your trust in the One who calmed the raging sea. He knows you, He knows your circumstances and He will deliver.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Never be Ashamed
In You, O Lord, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Psalm 31:1 (a)
Thought for Today: In our previous meditation, we looked at the the word trust in this verse. As you may recall, a sailor named Leo and his shipmates were evading Castro's troops after their ship sank off the coast of Cuba. Eventually, the group was captured and sent to a gulag. Can you imagine the shame that they felt, after being led away by the enemy troops. Their years of training to evade capture had failed.
Do you sometimes feel so close to losing a battle in your life? Do you worry about being ashamed that you could not handle this battle yourself? Perhaps you have been unable to overcome some circumstances in your life and feel like a failure. You've been taught that good Christians don't struggle, don't have problems. I'm here to tell you that we all struggle and will struggle until we cross over to Glory. We will never be ashamed if we put our trust fully in Jesus. You see, He uses our weaknesses, our failures, even our poor choices, for His purpose that His will be done on this earth. This day, can you trust Him fully, knowing that you will never be ashamed, bringing all of your trials, all of your weaknesses, all of your failures before Him? My prayer is that you will know His peace as you seek refuge in Him knowing that nothing is outside of His will for you.
Let me never be ashamed;
Psalm 31:1 (a)
Thought for Today: In our previous meditation, we looked at the the word trust in this verse. As you may recall, a sailor named Leo and his shipmates were evading Castro's troops after their ship sank off the coast of Cuba. Eventually, the group was captured and sent to a gulag. Can you imagine the shame that they felt, after being led away by the enemy troops. Their years of training to evade capture had failed.
Do you sometimes feel so close to losing a battle in your life? Do you worry about being ashamed that you could not handle this battle yourself? Perhaps you have been unable to overcome some circumstances in your life and feel like a failure. You've been taught that good Christians don't struggle, don't have problems. I'm here to tell you that we all struggle and will struggle until we cross over to Glory. We will never be ashamed if we put our trust fully in Jesus. You see, He uses our weaknesses, our failures, even our poor choices, for His purpose that His will be done on this earth. This day, can you trust Him fully, knowing that you will never be ashamed, bringing all of your trials, all of your weaknesses, all of your failures before Him? My prayer is that you will know His peace as you seek refuge in Him knowing that nothing is outside of His will for you.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Our Refuge
In You, O Lord, I put my trust;
Psalm 31:1(a) NKJV
Thought for today: Leo and his companions had been evading capture for days. After their patrol boat was hit by a torpedo in Cuban waters, they had managed to swim to shore. Castro's troops knew that there were survivors and sent out troops to search for the Americans, who had hidden in a swamp not far from where their ship had sunk. One night, as the exhausted sailors lie in hiding, a contingent of about 100 men fanned through the area, coming within yards of the hideout that the men had made for themselves. So close to imminent death, yet protected by their hiding place, the men felt a sense of great relief as the troops passed by without noticing them.
What is translated as trust in our English Bible actually is the Hebrew word חָסָה, which means to seek refuge or flee for protection. Like Leo and his fellow crew members, we all need protection from the enemies in our lives, whether external or internal. While, like the sailors in our story, we have a hiding place in the Lord we also can flee to Him for protection when the enemy is near. What enemies, or struggles, do you face in your daily life? Have you sought refuge in the Lord? Only He can be our Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our refuge. My prayer is that this day you will seek His protection, bringing all of your needs before our living and loving Lord.
Psalm 31:1(a) NKJV
Thought for today: Leo and his companions had been evading capture for days. After their patrol boat was hit by a torpedo in Cuban waters, they had managed to swim to shore. Castro's troops knew that there were survivors and sent out troops to search for the Americans, who had hidden in a swamp not far from where their ship had sunk. One night, as the exhausted sailors lie in hiding, a contingent of about 100 men fanned through the area, coming within yards of the hideout that the men had made for themselves. So close to imminent death, yet protected by their hiding place, the men felt a sense of great relief as the troops passed by without noticing them.
What is translated as trust in our English Bible actually is the Hebrew word חָסָה, which means to seek refuge or flee for protection. Like Leo and his fellow crew members, we all need protection from the enemies in our lives, whether external or internal. While, like the sailors in our story, we have a hiding place in the Lord we also can flee to Him for protection when the enemy is near. What enemies, or struggles, do you face in your daily life? Have you sought refuge in the Lord? Only He can be our Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our refuge. My prayer is that this day you will seek His protection, bringing all of your needs before our living and loving Lord.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Mourning into Dancing
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You for
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You for
Psalm 30:11,12
Thought for Today: It was just another day for Andrew as he pounded the pavement looking for work. He had once had everything: a lucrative career, beautiful wife and wonderful children. Now, all of this was just a memory. You see, Andrew had fallen in a very bad way, the consequences of years of hard living. Andrew met Simon, who seemed a bit different. Not just interested in filling a position, Simon was interested in Andrew, where he had been, what he had done. Within no time, Andrew was offered a job in Simon's firm. One of the benefits of this job was free housing in a beautifully remodeled mansion. After his meeting with Simon, Andrew was about ready to flip cartwheels leaving the office.
What circumstances of your life have you mourning, living in despair? Perhaps, like Andrew, you have lost everything. Maybe you have lost just a little bit, something precious to you that, once taken away, cut to your innermost being. Do you feel a sense of shame coming before the Lord, perhaps sensing His anger towards you over your choices? Realize that there is nothing that has been taken away from you, whether by your own doing or other circumstances, that the Lord cannot restore. Do not be ashamed to pour your heart out to Him, humbly asking Him to restore you and to turn your mourning into joy. May this day be one in which you dance with pure joy.
What circumstances of your life have you mourning, living in despair? Perhaps, like Andrew, you have lost everything. Maybe you have lost just a little bit, something precious to you that, once taken away, cut to your innermost being. Do you feel a sense of shame coming before the Lord, perhaps sensing His anger towards you over your choices? Realize that there is nothing that has been taken away from you, whether by your own doing or other circumstances, that the Lord cannot restore. Do not be ashamed to pour your heart out to Him, humbly asking Him to restore you and to turn your mourning into joy. May this day be one in which you dance with pure joy.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Our Helper
I cried out to You, O Lord;
And to the Lord I made supplication:
“What profit is there in my blood,
When I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You?
Will it declare Your truth?
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;
Lord, be my helper!”
Psalm 30:8-10 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: One thing that I don't do well is ask for help. I have learned over the years to not overestimate what I can do and to seek help when needed, particularly when dealing with maintenance issues around the house. This took several disasters, such as flooding a kitchen, before my stubbornness lost the battle of DIY.
Have you been in a situation where you thought that there was no way out, where your eminent demise was before you? Perhaps you thought that even the Lord could not save you. Yet, upon asking for help, He most certainly pulled you out of the pit. Why in this portion of Psalm 30 would David almost seem to barter with God, asking Him what He would gain from David's demise? It is interesting that David talks about the dust not being able to praise God or declare His truth. Does the Lord rescue us only because He wants someone to praise Him? I hardly thing so, for He, being God, could create a being to praise Him. He doesn't need us. Yet, in His wonderful love for us, He is willing to be our helper, our deliverer not because He has to be, but because He desires to do this. Our praise comes from what He does for us and is an expression of our gratitude for His amazing love for us.
This day, do you need help? Are you afraid to ask for it? Don't be afraid for He so cares for you that He will deliver you from any situation, any circumstance. Will you trust the One who dwells in the praises of His people to help you today?
And to the Lord I made supplication:
“What profit is there in my blood,
When I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You?
Will it declare Your truth?
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;
Lord, be my helper!”
Psalm 30:8-10 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: One thing that I don't do well is ask for help. I have learned over the years to not overestimate what I can do and to seek help when needed, particularly when dealing with maintenance issues around the house. This took several disasters, such as flooding a kitchen, before my stubbornness lost the battle of DIY.
Have you been in a situation where you thought that there was no way out, where your eminent demise was before you? Perhaps you thought that even the Lord could not save you. Yet, upon asking for help, He most certainly pulled you out of the pit. Why in this portion of Psalm 30 would David almost seem to barter with God, asking Him what He would gain from David's demise? It is interesting that David talks about the dust not being able to praise God or declare His truth. Does the Lord rescue us only because He wants someone to praise Him? I hardly thing so, for He, being God, could create a being to praise Him. He doesn't need us. Yet, in His wonderful love for us, He is willing to be our helper, our deliverer not because He has to be, but because He desires to do this. Our praise comes from what He does for us and is an expression of our gratitude for His amazing love for us.
This day, do you need help? Are you afraid to ask for it? Don't be afraid for He so cares for you that He will deliver you from any situation, any circumstance. Will you trust the One who dwells in the praises of His people to help you today?
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Of Troubles and Trials
Now in my prosperity I said,
“I shall never be moved.”
7 Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;
You hid Your face, and I was troubled.
Psalm 30:6,7
Thought for Today: Jim and his group were making great progress as they climbed Mt. Chocorua in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Although the trail was a bit muddy, the late spring weather was beautiful. The group reached the summit to a glorious view of the lakes region below. As he and his friends sat for lunch, Jim reflected upon their accomplishment as well as the many hikes that he had been on over the years. Suddenly, without warning, storm clouds obliterated the sky as a snow squall rolled in, trapping the group on the summit.
Life is full of mountaintop and valley experiences. We go from days where we feel like we can lick the world to other days which are full of trouble. As David writes in this psalm, we feel like our faith cannot be moved when we are prosperous and feeling blessed. When hard times strike, we take one of two approaches: run from God, feeling troubled or cling to God in the day of trouble.
Jim and his group managed to survive the snow by running to shelter in the overhang of rocks on the summit. This day, should trouble prevail in your life, will you choose to seek shelter in the shadow of the wings of the Almighty or will you see the troubles as lack of His favor and run from Him? My prayer is that you can choose the former, for this will lead to healing, safety and peace.
“I shall never be moved.”
7 Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;
You hid Your face, and I was troubled.
Psalm 30:6,7
Thought for Today: Jim and his group were making great progress as they climbed Mt. Chocorua in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Although the trail was a bit muddy, the late spring weather was beautiful. The group reached the summit to a glorious view of the lakes region below. As he and his friends sat for lunch, Jim reflected upon their accomplishment as well as the many hikes that he had been on over the years. Suddenly, without warning, storm clouds obliterated the sky as a snow squall rolled in, trapping the group on the summit.
Life is full of mountaintop and valley experiences. We go from days where we feel like we can lick the world to other days which are full of trouble. As David writes in this psalm, we feel like our faith cannot be moved when we are prosperous and feeling blessed. When hard times strike, we take one of two approaches: run from God, feeling troubled or cling to God in the day of trouble.
Jim and his group managed to survive the snow by running to shelter in the overhang of rocks on the summit. This day, should trouble prevail in your life, will you choose to seek shelter in the shadow of the wings of the Almighty or will you see the troubles as lack of His favor and run from Him? My prayer is that you can choose the former, for this will lead to healing, safety and peace.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Entering His Favor
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30: 5 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Mario and Giuseppe had a falling out over something relatively small. Mario had made a wonderful meal and invited Giuseppe and his family over for dinner. Being from a different region of Italy, Mario apparently had not cooked things the way that Giuseppe was used to. This resulted in Giuseppe getting very upset, telling Mario that he was a terrible cook. Mario asked Giuseppe and his family to leave. The two would not speak to each other for over 30 years.
We have all been the object at whom anger was directed. Have you ever felt God's anger? We see in other passages of Scripture that the Lord is slow to anger. Yet, He still can be angry with us over our sin. We so often think of God as not being able to be angry. Maybe He is not outwardly angry over our choices in life, but He must feel disappointment. Have you every been heartbroken watching someone that you care about, perhaps a child, making bad choices and then facing consequence that you knew would occur? Multiply that one thousand fold, and add to that knowing everything. That is what the Lord must feel when He looks at our lives and our choices that are outside of His will.
One day, Giuseppe ran into Mario at a neighborhood store. Tears formed in Giuseppe's eyes as he told Mario how much he had missed him and his family. Giuseppe apologized for his harsh words and Mario apologized for asking his family to leave. Now, the two families regularly dine at each other's houses, enjoying different dishes from both regions of Italy.
Sometimes, it takes a long time to turn to the Lord in repentance. But, when we do, His anger fades, our weeping subsides and we have joy basking in His favor. Do you need to repent today of a bad choice that has led you astray, outside of our Lord's favor? If so, I would urge you to do so now, lay your sin at the Father's feet so that you may again know the joy of His love and favor.
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30: 5 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Mario and Giuseppe had a falling out over something relatively small. Mario had made a wonderful meal and invited Giuseppe and his family over for dinner. Being from a different region of Italy, Mario apparently had not cooked things the way that Giuseppe was used to. This resulted in Giuseppe getting very upset, telling Mario that he was a terrible cook. Mario asked Giuseppe and his family to leave. The two would not speak to each other for over 30 years.
We have all been the object at whom anger was directed. Have you ever felt God's anger? We see in other passages of Scripture that the Lord is slow to anger. Yet, He still can be angry with us over our sin. We so often think of God as not being able to be angry. Maybe He is not outwardly angry over our choices in life, but He must feel disappointment. Have you every been heartbroken watching someone that you care about, perhaps a child, making bad choices and then facing consequence that you knew would occur? Multiply that one thousand fold, and add to that knowing everything. That is what the Lord must feel when He looks at our lives and our choices that are outside of His will.
One day, Giuseppe ran into Mario at a neighborhood store. Tears formed in Giuseppe's eyes as he told Mario how much he had missed him and his family. Giuseppe apologized for his harsh words and Mario apologized for asking his family to leave. Now, the two families regularly dine at each other's houses, enjoying different dishes from both regions of Italy.
Sometimes, it takes a long time to turn to the Lord in repentance. But, when we do, His anger fades, our weeping subsides and we have joy basking in His favor. Do you need to repent today of a bad choice that has led you astray, outside of our Lord's favor? If so, I would urge you to do so now, lay your sin at the Father's feet so that you may again know the joy of His love and favor.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Faithfulness
Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
Psalm 30:4 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: My dog Henry is a great example of faithfulness. I can be having a miserable day, even yell at him when he barks at people walking the neighborhood. Yet, when I call him to sit with me at night he is right there, as if I had never been harsh with him.
Perhaps you hold some deep seated contempt towards the Lord due to the way that life has treated you. Because of this, you really don't want to praise the Lord and faithfulness to Him is out of the question. When you shed tears over your hurts, do you think that the Lord sits on His throne silently and doesn't care? He loves you so much that the first time you shed a tear over your hurts, He shed one with you. He whose love for you sent Him to the cross doesn't want to see you in pain. Yet, He allows suffering in order that His purpose may be done in you and in me. Trials will not prevail, God's faithfulness to us will.
Faithfulness is not an act but rather a state of mind. Just like Henry is secure in my love for him and knows that I am his master, so too can we be secure knowing that we are in the loving hands of our Master. He wants you to curl up next to Him and feel His love as you pour out your heart to Him in prayer. Will you do that this day?
praise his holy name.
Psalm 30:4 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: My dog Henry is a great example of faithfulness. I can be having a miserable day, even yell at him when he barks at people walking the neighborhood. Yet, when I call him to sit with me at night he is right there, as if I had never been harsh with him.
Perhaps you hold some deep seated contempt towards the Lord due to the way that life has treated you. Because of this, you really don't want to praise the Lord and faithfulness to Him is out of the question. When you shed tears over your hurts, do you think that the Lord sits on His throne silently and doesn't care? He loves you so much that the first time you shed a tear over your hurts, He shed one with you. He whose love for you sent Him to the cross doesn't want to see you in pain. Yet, He allows suffering in order that His purpose may be done in you and in me. Trials will not prevail, God's faithfulness to us will.
Faithfulness is not an act but rather a state of mind. Just like Henry is secure in my love for him and knows that I am his master, so too can we be secure knowing that we are in the loving hands of our Master. He wants you to curl up next to Him and feel His love as you pour out your heart to Him in prayer. Will you do that this day?
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Hope
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.
Psalm 30:3 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: When I was a boy staying in a hospital I made friends with another little boy on the same floor. Neil could not speak due to the effects of a brain tumor. Somehow I and a few other boys would communicate with Neil as we gave him rides in the hospital carts that we thought were our toys. We all enjoyed playing with him, even though he could not speak. One day, everything changed as Neil suddenly began talking to us. When we told his parents, they were overjoyed beyond words. Their son, the one who the doctors thought would not talk again, was talking! To his parents, perhaps the Neil that they once knew, the one who talked, had died. Now, he was alive and well.
Have you given up hope? Perhaps you had thought that your life would be one way and it is not. Maybe you have been let down by others. You may have experienced a loss so great that you feel that a part of you has died.
When Neil was discharged from the hospital, he gave me a multicolored pen with many different barrels of ink and buttons to change the color. This reminds me of how the Lord wants us to live our lives. We see things in one color, wanting our lives to go one way. Yet, the Lord so wants us to write our lives in multiple colors, some pleasant, some painful and some in between. In the end, all of the colors will come together to tell our story, the one with threads of God's love running through every corner as evidenced by His mercy, love and long-suffering.
Will you today trust that all of the things that happen to you in this life God will turn into a beautiful picture? Trust in Him, that you may be rescued from the death of a life without hope, for He is our hope in all things, at all times.
you spared me from going down to the pit.
Psalm 30:3 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: When I was a boy staying in a hospital I made friends with another little boy on the same floor. Neil could not speak due to the effects of a brain tumor. Somehow I and a few other boys would communicate with Neil as we gave him rides in the hospital carts that we thought were our toys. We all enjoyed playing with him, even though he could not speak. One day, everything changed as Neil suddenly began talking to us. When we told his parents, they were overjoyed beyond words. Their son, the one who the doctors thought would not talk again, was talking! To his parents, perhaps the Neil that they once knew, the one who talked, had died. Now, he was alive and well.
Have you given up hope? Perhaps you had thought that your life would be one way and it is not. Maybe you have been let down by others. You may have experienced a loss so great that you feel that a part of you has died.
When Neil was discharged from the hospital, he gave me a multicolored pen with many different barrels of ink and buttons to change the color. This reminds me of how the Lord wants us to live our lives. We see things in one color, wanting our lives to go one way. Yet, the Lord so wants us to write our lives in multiple colors, some pleasant, some painful and some in between. In the end, all of the colors will come together to tell our story, the one with threads of God's love running through every corner as evidenced by His mercy, love and long-suffering.
Will you today trust that all of the things that happen to you in this life God will turn into a beautiful picture? Trust in Him, that you may be rescued from the death of a life without hope, for He is our hope in all things, at all times.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Healing
Lord my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
Psalm 30:2 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Frank awoke once again to the annoying sound, "drip, drip, drip." For weeks now, somewhere in his house there was a leak. He was not sure where it was coming from, but several times a day he would hear that dreadful dripping sound and then, mysteriously, it would stop as quickly as it started. Being the more practical one, Frank's wife Stella had suggested that they need the services of a plumber. Frank, being stubborn, would not hear of it. He told Stella that he would find the problem and fix it himself, thus saving them the cost of hiring a plumber. Unfortunately, the very next day the sound that Frank awoke to was a roar and not a drip. Had he not been home to shut off the water at the main, the damage would have been much worse. Now the source of the leak had been exposed and could be fixed, along with a lot of water damage.
Our human nature is to not ask for help and to try to do things ourselves. Unfortunately, this approach so often doesn't work and causes damage to us and to those around us. Just like the water in Frank's house left a trail of destruction in its wake, so too can an unhealed heart leave a trail of brokenness.
Is there some area of your life today that needs healing? Are you afraid to ask the Lord for help due to your own pride or fear? Let go of your pride, let go of your fear and ask Him to heal you. Surely Jehovah Rophi, our God who heals, will reach out His hand to you and bring healing. My prayer is that this day you will trust Him and let Him into the deepest places of your heart to bring healing and peace.
and you healed me.
Psalm 30:2 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Frank awoke once again to the annoying sound, "drip, drip, drip." For weeks now, somewhere in his house there was a leak. He was not sure where it was coming from, but several times a day he would hear that dreadful dripping sound and then, mysteriously, it would stop as quickly as it started. Being the more practical one, Frank's wife Stella had suggested that they need the services of a plumber. Frank, being stubborn, would not hear of it. He told Stella that he would find the problem and fix it himself, thus saving them the cost of hiring a plumber. Unfortunately, the very next day the sound that Frank awoke to was a roar and not a drip. Had he not been home to shut off the water at the main, the damage would have been much worse. Now the source of the leak had been exposed and could be fixed, along with a lot of water damage.
Our human nature is to not ask for help and to try to do things ourselves. Unfortunately, this approach so often doesn't work and causes damage to us and to those around us. Just like the water in Frank's house left a trail of destruction in its wake, so too can an unhealed heart leave a trail of brokenness.
Is there some area of your life today that needs healing? Are you afraid to ask the Lord for help due to your own pride or fear? Let go of your pride, let go of your fear and ask Him to heal you. Surely Jehovah Rophi, our God who heals, will reach out His hand to you and bring healing. My prayer is that this day you will trust Him and let Him into the deepest places of your heart to bring healing and peace.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Our Deliverer
I will exalt you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
Psalm 30:1 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Cliff and his companions were taking a hike one day in the beautiful October Colorado weather. They hiked over some foothills heading toward the mountains. As they approached a valley, the sky began to grow cloudy and it got colder. Pushing on towards their goal, they eventually found themselves in a blizzard, inadequately dressed and disoriented. All that they could see ahead of them was the beam of a bright light.
Life is full of peaks and valleys. Like Cliff's party, we too often end up in a valley as a storm forms around us. Ill prepared for the storm, we become disoriented, not knowing what to do or where to go. Sometimes the storm is external, things beyond our control. At other times, the storm rages on inside of our own spirits, as we wrestle with our own sinful nature.
As the bright light came closer, Cliff realized that it was multiple headlamps. A team of experienced hikers who had passed Cliff's party a while back before the storm had come back to find the party. They brought them to a shelter, gave them warm clothing and hot food. Once the storm subsided, both parties hiked out to safety.
Sometimes, in the midst of the storms of life, all we can do is reach out to the Lord and ask to be delivered. What storm are you facing today? Perhaps you feel so alone in the depths of your emotions or grief. Maybe you just learned of a diagnosis that you did not want to hear for you or a loved one. Whatever the storm, Jesus will shelter you and deliver you. All that you need to do is ask Him and trust Him to deliver. Will you do that today?
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
Psalm 30:1 (NKJV)
Thought for Today: Cliff and his companions were taking a hike one day in the beautiful October Colorado weather. They hiked over some foothills heading toward the mountains. As they approached a valley, the sky began to grow cloudy and it got colder. Pushing on towards their goal, they eventually found themselves in a blizzard, inadequately dressed and disoriented. All that they could see ahead of them was the beam of a bright light.
Life is full of peaks and valleys. Like Cliff's party, we too often end up in a valley as a storm forms around us. Ill prepared for the storm, we become disoriented, not knowing what to do or where to go. Sometimes the storm is external, things beyond our control. At other times, the storm rages on inside of our own spirits, as we wrestle with our own sinful nature.
As the bright light came closer, Cliff realized that it was multiple headlamps. A team of experienced hikers who had passed Cliff's party a while back before the storm had come back to find the party. They brought them to a shelter, gave them warm clothing and hot food. Once the storm subsided, both parties hiked out to safety.
Sometimes, in the midst of the storms of life, all we can do is reach out to the Lord and ask to be delivered. What storm are you facing today? Perhaps you feel so alone in the depths of your emotions or grief. Maybe you just learned of a diagnosis that you did not want to hear for you or a loved one. Whatever the storm, Jesus will shelter you and deliver you. All that you need to do is ask Him and trust Him to deliver. Will you do that today?
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