August 14 - God came to Us!

Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—

        even death on a cross!

Phil 2:6-8 (NIV)

Thought for Today: How so often we think that working harder will win us favor with God and then He will take care of all of our concerns. Realize today that you cannot work hard enough to ever merit the favor that God has bestowed upon us by choosing to know our human condition.  We could not go to Him so He came to us. Praise be to God!

Prayer: Father God, this day, may we realize the immensity of your great Love for us that sent your only Son to the cross to pay a debt that He did not earn.  May we marvel in such love and bask in the light of your presence each and every day.

Nor vex you souls with care, nor grieve
And labour longer thus,
As though your arm could ought achieve,
And bring him down to us.
He comes, He comes with ready will,
By pity moved alone,
To soothe our every grief and ill,
For all to Him are known.

(From Lyra Germanica)

August 13 - True Freedom

"I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.  For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?  I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Romans 7:21-25a (NKJV)

Thought for Today: We often find ourselves crucified between two crosses: one of guilt over what we have done, the other of regret over what we have not done.  The Apostle Paul writes in the passage above that he does the things that he does not want to do. How often, we think or do things that go against God’s word and His will for our lives.  We carry this guilt around for years, even though, if we have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, all our sins, past, present and future are forgiven.  Paul goes on to write in Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. “ 
So, if we walk with the Lord, we can trust that our sins are forgiven.

What burden of guilt are you carrying today?  Perhaps you have done some things that have not made you proud and, even after confessing them to the Lord, still feel guilty and condemned.  Know that He who rules the Earth in righteousness has broken the chains of sin once and for all.  Feel His forgiveness and be free.

God liveth ever!
Wherefore, Soul, despair thou never!
When sins and follies long forgot
Upon thy tortured conscience prey,
Oh come to God, and fear Him not,
His love shall sweep them all away;
Pains of hell at look of His,
Change to calm content and bliss.
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God o’er all forever reigns.

(From Lyra Germanica - translated German hymns by Catherine Winkworth)

August 12 - The Lord Reigns!

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
    let the distant shores rejoice.
 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
 Fire goes before him
    and consumes his foes on every side.
 His lightning lights up the world;
    the earth sees and trembles.
 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.
 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    and all peoples see his glory.

Psalm 97: 1-6

Thought for Today: It amazes me to think about God's glory and how our present worries just pale in comparison to who He is.  Oh, that we could trust in Him and cast all of our cares upon Him who is righteous, holy and just.  As you go through your day today, marvel at the glory of the Lord and cultivate an attitude of thankfulness towards Him who has been so merciful even though we don't deserve His favor.

God liveth ever!
Wherefore, Soul, despair thou never!
Our God is good, in every place
His love is known, His help is found,
His mighty arm, and tender grace
Bring good from ills that hem us round;
Easier than we think can He
Turn to joy our agony;
Soul, remember 'mid thy pains,
God o'er all for ever reigns.

(From Lyra Germanica - translated German hymns by Catherine Winkworth)

August 11 - Training

Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?
Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:27-29

Thought for Today: It is easy to think that we have been forgotten by the Lord, especially when going through a tough time.  We wait for a sign from God, pleading for an answer or an end to our struggle.  Perhaps comfort does not come from relief but in knowing who has purposed this time in His heart.  Maybe strength is not conquering, but rather a quiet realization that God uses all things in our lives for our good and for His purpose as we train for eternity with Him.

August 10 - Worry

He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more
Luke 12:22-24 (The Message)

Thought for Today: One look outside my window is all it takes to see the wonder of God’s provision for nature.  The beautiful flowers of the field, the animals gathering food, the birds singing a wonderful song. All is held together by the Lord’s hand.  We worry about our own lives so much, whether it be health, finances or relationships.   In our humanness, we lose sight of the immensity of God’s love for us and how much He wants to be our Jehovah Jireh.  That we would just get out of the way and let Him provide! 

What worry is holding you down today?  The only way to be free is to be frail.  Stop trying to cure the worry and lay it before your God.  He will provide, trust Him in this.  

August 9th - God, our strength and portion

Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25,26 (NKJV)

Thought for Today: Perhaps today you feel that you and the world around you are passing by at a frightening pace.  Your body ages; things change.  Yet, note that the psalmist makes mention of heart and flesh failing but then states that God is the strength of his heart.  While we can't control the passing of time, the aging of bodies, the heartache of loss, we can control where we place our trust and who we choose to be the shepherd of our hearts.  Trust in God and He will indeed be your strength and portion forever.

Believe - August 8th - AM

"All things are possible to him that believeth." (Mark 9:23)

Thought for today:  Gather golden sheaves of grace, for they await thee in the fields of faith. (Charles Spurgeon)