Friday, August 30, 2013

The Apple of His Eye


The Apple of His Eye

WRITTEN BY: ADMIN - AUG• 30•13
Psalm 17:8 (ESV): “Keep me as the apple of your eye….”
Did you know that God smiles when He thinks of you? It’s true. You are His most prized possession. God thinks about you continuously. The Bible says that His thoughts about you are as numerous as the sands on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18). Not only that, He keeps careful watch over you. He knows how many hairs on your head today, and He will know how many you are left with tomorrow (Luke 12:7)! There is no one like you that can fill His heart with joy, and there is no one like you that can cause His heart to ache. When you are sad, so is God. He sees every tear you cry and lovingly collects them (Psalm 56:8). God does not withhold anything good from you. There may be days when you think that God is not fair or that He is not good. This is not true. Remind yourself that the God that you serve is always looking out for your best interest. He sees the bigger picture, and He knows the end from the beginning. EVERYTHING He does, He does because of love. Trust the Lord. Take comfort in knowing that you are His child, the very apple of His eye!
Smile! You are loved today!

Perfect Point of View

Perfect Point of View – Dr. David Jeremiah

The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men....He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.
Psalm 33:13, 15
Recommended Reading
Acts 17:22-31
A man in a plane flying above a town has a better perspective on the town than a man walking on the street. If you had to choose one of them to guide you, who would you choose?
We are like the man on the street, only seeing and understanding our immediate surroundings. God, like the man in the plane, sees more. He knows each detail of our lives. As the Creator of all, He understands each intricate person and piece of the world.

He has determined our times and dwelling places. Unlike an author or painter who steps back from their created work once it is finished, God desires a daily relationship with us. We have a choice. We can rely on our own instincts and wisdom or we can rely on God for direction. When we rely on our own point of view, we are certain to take wrong turns. When we rely on God, our footsteps are sure. Who will you trust today?

It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what. 
Joni Eareckson Tada


P.S. We have been having email issues so I know theses devotions have been sporadic. I apologize but we are working on it.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE:

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE: “...let your light shine before others....” Mt5:14-16 wp.me/p29yfQ-v1 #light #Christ #testify #devotion

..the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.


..the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

James 1:17

Recommended Reading
Psalm 46


If you're worried about anything at all today, let me introduce you to the subject of the immutability of God. What do we mean when we say something is "immutable"? It means it's not capable of mutating. In other words, it is not possible for it to change. If something is immutable, it is unchanging and unchangeable. What could that be? Nothing that is part of this world. Everything in the universe is subject to change. Certainly you and I are changing. Our children are changing. Our society is changing. And even the most durable elements of our natural world and in our universe are changing.

But Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever; the Alpha and Omega. The Lord says, "I am who I am"(Exodus 3:19). Malachi 3:6 says, "I am the LORD, I do not change." In Christ we have a rock of stability. We have a Friend whose word will never go out of style. We have a Savior who is as dependable now as He was two thousand years ago.


In times of instability, focus on God's immutability.


Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; as Thou hast been, Thou forever will be. 

Thomas O. Chisholm

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Our Guardian

Our Guardian
Written By: admin - Aug• 28•13
Psalm 23:4 (ESV): “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
There is nowhere that you or I can go and be away from the Presence of God. Think about that for a moment. God is with us when we are in the green pastures and beside the still waters. He is with us when we are on the mountain tops and when we are in the valleys. And, God is with us during the darkest hours of our lives. Circumstances may seem bleak and fearful. The enemy may whisper haunting words to chill our spirits, but God is always with us. He is like a Guardian that goes before us and brings up the rear behind us. He encamps around His children (Psalm 34:7). We are protected by the covering of the Almighty. God tells us not be fearful and not to be dismayed, because He is our strength and our help, and He upholds us in His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
Rest easy…Christ is walking before you today!

Finish the Race


Finish the Race
by Ryan Duncan, Crosswalk.com Entertainment Editor

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. – 2 Timothy 4:7

The other day I was flipping through videos of old Olympic events when I came across one you might be familiar with. It followed the 1992 men’s 400 meter track semi-final in Barcelona. The race started out like any other Olympic event. The runners took their mark, and at the sound of the starters pistol took off at lightning speed.

Halfway around the track though, a runner named Derek Redmond suddenly stumbled and fell. For several seconds he didn’t move. Then to the audience horror, Redmond got up and began to limp his way around the track. Instantly coaches and medics ran onto the field and tried to get Redmond off his feet, but the runner only pushed them off and kept going. Suddenly a man broke through security and came running to Redmond’s side, it was his father.

Taking his son by the hand, the older man held Redmond up as the two of them half walked; half stumbled their way across the finish line. Sometimes, there are things in this world that point more strongly to God than any Bible verse we can memorize, and I believe the story of Redmond and his father is one of them. Life is not a race we are going to win. At some point, whether because of this fallen world or our own sin nature, all of us will stumble and fall. Many people believe that these times of tragedy prove God either does not exist, or simply does not care what happens to us, but they are wrong.

True Christian grace is that in those moments of pain and defeat, God takes us by the hand, holds us up, and says, “Let’s finish together.”

Intersecting Faith and Life: Take ten minutes to pray, read scripture, or simply spend some time alone with our Heavenly Father.

Further Reading

Isaiah 40:31

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Finding Confident Hope


Finding Confident Hope – James MacDonald

13Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” —1 Peter 1:13-16

It doesn’t take much to see that the whole world has gone crazy.

With all this insanity going on, what keeps our faith engaged? Exhorting us to endurance, the apostle Peter urged us to prepare our “minds for action, and being sober-minded, set (our) hope fully on the grace that will be brought to (us) at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13).

The energy to live the Christian life is found in one place—in our focused, conscious choice to put our hope in Jesus. Hope is the confident expectation that something better is coming tomorrow. As you look to the future:

Don’t set your hope on your physical healthset your hope on Jesus. “Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Don’t set your hope on stuffset your hope on Jesus“For one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (Luke 12:15).

Don’t set your hope on peopleset your hope on Jesus.“Put not your trust in . . . man, in whom there is no salvation . . . Blessed is he whose . . . hope is in the LORD” (Psalms 146:3-5).

No leader, pastor, family, or spouse can be everything that we hope and dream they will be. People, places, positions always let us down. Only Jesus is worthy of all our hopes and all our confidence. Maybe you find yourself a little down today. Like Peter standing on the water, the moment you take your eyes off the Lord you start to sink (Matthew 14:22-23). Lift up your eyes, set your hope fully on Jesus.

Our confident expectation is in God, who sees, knows, and will ultimately turn an upside-down world right-side up at the appearing of our Lord. Every righteous decision will be rewarded. Every wrong choice will be judged. Every motive will be revealed.

Do you need energy to keep your faith engaged? Do you need to get refocused on the real solution? Do you need hope that will endure?

Set your hope fully on Jesus. —James MacDonald

Journal:

· How has my relationship with Jesus satisfied me in the past?

· How can I tell if my hope is in anything other than Jesus?

Prayer – Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be my hope. You knew that this world would never satisfy my longings, and so You sent Your precious Son to do that. Forgive me when I look to anything else for my hope, and thank You for the pain that reminds me when I have moved my hope into anything other than Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

Sid Stewart

Executive Director

864 226-6193



GOD LIKES SPENDING TIME W/U

GOD LIKES SPENDING TIME W/U: "...Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" Lk10:40-42 wp.me/p29yfQ-uT

Monday, August 26, 2013

GOD'S PROTECTION


GOD'S PROTECTION – Dr. Neil Anderson

1 Peter 5:9
But resist him [the devil], firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world

I cannot accept someone saying, "The devil made me do it." No, he didn't make you do it; you did it. Somewhere along the line, you chose to give the devil a foothold. He merely took advantage of the opportunity you gave him. You have all the resources and protection you need to live a victorious life in Christ every day. If you're not living it, it's your choice. When you leave a door open for the devil by not resisting temptation, accusation or deception, you are vulnerable. And if you continue to allow him access to your life, he can gain a measure of control over you. You won't lose your salvation, but you will lose your daily victory.

Many Christians today who cannot control their lives in some area wallow in self-blame instead of acting responsibly to solve the problem. They berate themselves and punish themselves for not having the willpower to break a bad habit, when instead they should be resisting Satan in an area where he had obviously robbed them of control. Anything bad which you seemingly cannot stop doing, or anything good which you cannot make yourself do, could be an area of demonic control.

God's protection from demonic attack is not something you can take for granted irrespective of how you behave. This protection is conditional on your willingness to respond to God's provision. We are told to put on Christ and make no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14), to put on the armor of God and to stand firm (Ephesians 6:11), to submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7). If we irresponsibly ignore God's resources by failing to obey these commands, how can we expect Him to protect us?

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the clear direction and mighty weapons You have provided for victory in spiritual warfare.

REVIVAL

REVIVAL: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Ps51:12 wp.me/s29yfQ-revival #devotion #restore

IN THE FIRE

IN THE FIRE: “…But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire....” Dan3:25 wp.me/p29yfQ-ut #devotion #Trust #Fearless

Friday, August 23, 2013

Serve with Gladness

Serve with Gladness
Written By: admin - Aug• 23•13
Psalm 100:1-2 (ESV): “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”
The Lord loves a cheerful heart. Why? Because a cheerful heart is one at rest; one that is trusting in the Sovereignty of the Savior. God wants us to surrender our fears and worries to Him, and in His presence rejoice. When we can sing in times of sorrow or stress, we are serving God with gladness. When we can lift up His name in praise and adoration just because of Who He is and not because of something He has done for us lately, we bring honor to the Almighty. Serving the Lord with gladness is an attitude of trust and a position of rest. When we serve Him this way, we find that our hearts are filled with joy unspeakable and our faith is strengthened.
Rejoice in the God of your salvation today!

The Side Effects of Fear


The Side Effects of Fear – Dr. Charles Stanley

 


Fear obviously produces anxiety, but it also creates chaos in our lives and even affects those around us.

Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins.

Fear hinders us from becoming the people God wants us to be. When we are dominated by negative emotions, we cannot achieve the goals He has in mind for us. A lack of self-confidence stymies our belief in what the Lord can do with our lives.

Fear can drive people to destructive habits. To numb the pain of overbearing distress and foreboding, some turn to things like drugs and alcohol for artificial relief.

Fear steals peace and contentment. When we're always afraid, our life becomes centered on pessimism and gloom.

Fear creates doubt. God promises us an abundant life, but if we surrender instead to the chains of fear, our prayers won’t be worth very much.

What are you afraid of--loss, rejection, poverty, or death? Everybody will face such realities at some point. All you need to know is, God will never reject you. Whether you accept Him is your decision.

The Bible tells us that God will meet all our needs. He feeds the birds of the air and clothes the grass with the splendor of lilies. How much more, then, will He care for us, who are made in His image? Our only concern is to obey the heavenly Father and leave the consequences to Him.

 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Isaiah 41:8-13


Choosing Faith over Fear


These days, there are plenty of reasons to fear. Our world seems to be in a continuous state of war and crisis. The jobs market is dismal, natural disasters wreak havoc, and stories of crime dominate the headlines. As Christians, we know that fear should have no place in our lives, but how can we ignore what's going on around us?

Basically, there are two paths you can walk: faith or fear. It's impossible to simultaneously trust God and not trust God. Another way of saying this is that you cannot both obey and disobey Him--partial obedience is disobedience. So, which road are you traveling?

Some people who read the Bible and believe in God nevertheless choose to live with fear. Seeing others experience hardship, they start wondering if it could happen to them: Someone at my office lost his job; will I be next? Someone died in an accident--I could die too. But this kind

of "logic" places your circumstances above your relationship to God.

If Satan can get you to think like this, he has won the battle for your mind. But when you focus on God rather than your circumstances, whatever the situation is, you win. The Bible tells us, "God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline" (2 Tim. 1:7).

Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He's sufficient for all of our needs. When I accepted this as an absolute truth in my life, I found that my worrying stopped.

None Like God

None Like God
Written By: admin - Aug• 22•13
Jeremiah 10:6 (ESV) “There is none like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is great in might.”
Mankind likes to put things on a horizontal measurement. I compare myself to you; while you compare yourself to me or someone else. We make judgments about rights and wrongs, successes and failures, value and worthlessness on this horizontal rule of comparison. While it may be possible to compare oneself with another, it is harmful to our self-esteem and to our relationships with others when we do this. We, however, cannot even attempt to measure God by these same standards. There is no one like Yahweh; the One true Living God. He cannot be compared to man, because no man can match His power, His wisdom, His majesty, or His love. When other people let you down, do not assume God will too. When other people cannot help, do not assume that God cannot help either. When others do not forgive completely or love unconditionally, do not assume that God is limited to the same shortcomings of human beings. His love knows no boundaries, and His mercies are new every day. There is none like our God!
Worship the One true God today!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Living Unoffended

Living Unoffended
Written By: admin - Aug• 21•13
 
Proverbs 19:11 (ESV): “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
The word offense comes from the Greek word “skandalon;” which literally means a stick for bait. An offense is one way the enemy uses to bait and entrap God’s children. When we get angry and fight battles unwisely, we are the ones who typically suffer. By choosing to remain calm and not allow our emotions to manage us, though, we can outwit the devil at his own game. The enemy wants to upset and enslave us, but we can walk in peace and freedom. Yes, there are times when our blood boils and are lips ache to attack someone who we feel has wronged or wounded us. However, in those moments, we can trust God to be our vindicator (Psalm 9:4). His Holy Spirit will help us to walk in peace and we can leave the offender in the hands of our Father. The Scripture says that this kind of behavior is just good sense!
Let the joy of the Lord be your strength today!

Christ-Awareness


Christ-Awareness – by Oswald Chambers

My Upmost For His Highest

August 20, 2013


. . . and I will give you rest —Matthew 11:28

Whenever anything begins to disintegrate your life with Jesus Christ, turn to Him at once, asking Him to re-establish your rest. Never allow anything to remain in your life that is causing the unrest. Think of every detail of your life that is causing the disintegration as something to fight against, not as something you should allow to remain. Ask the Lord to put awareness of Himself in you, and your self-awareness will disappear. Then He will be your all in all. Beware of allowing your self-awareness to continue, because slowly but surely it will awaken self-pity, and self-pity is satanic. Don’t allow yourself to say, “Well, they have just misunderstood me, and this is something over which they should be apologizing to me; I’m sure I must have this cleared up with them already.” Learn to leave others alone regarding this. Simply ask the Lord to give you Christ-awareness, and He will steady you until your completeness in Him is absolute.

A complete life is the life of a child. When I am fully conscious of my awareness of Christ, there is something wrong. It is the sick person who really knows what health is. A child of God is not aware of the will of God because he is the will of God. When we have deviated even slightly from the will of God, we begin to ask, “Lord, what is your will?” A child of God never prays to be made aware of the fact that God answers prayer, because he is so restfully certain that God always answers prayer.

If we try to overcome our self-awareness through any of our own commonsense methods, we will only serve to strengthen our self-awareness tremendously. Jesus says, “Come to Me . . . and I will give you rest,” that is, Christ-awareness will take the place of self-awareness. Wherever Jesus comes He establishes rest— the rest of the completion of activity in our lives that is never aware of itself.

 

 

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

King of Kings

King of Kings
Written By: admin - Aug• 20•13
Revelation 19:16 (ESV): “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Jesus Christ came to this earth over 2000 years ago in humble form. He wrapped Himself in clothes of flesh and was born to a simple couple. He grew into manhood, and at the age of 30 years old began His earthly ministry. For three years He loved on and ministered to people. Then, in one grand display of love, He surrendered His life on a cross, suspended between heaven and earth, and paid the penalty of sin for you and me. After He died, was buried, and resurrected Himself from the grave, Jesus ascended to heaven. Before He left, He told His followers not to be upset, because He was only leaving in order to prepare the eternal home for His children. There is coming a day, however, when this same Jesus will return to earth to gather His children and take us home. When He comes again, it will not be simple, it will not be quiet, and it will not go unnoticed by many like the first time. When Jesus comes the second time, He will return with a mighty shout of victory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Bible says that all will bow their knees and proclaim once and for all that Jesus is LORD (Philippians 2:10)!
Jesus Christ: Born a baby; died a man; arose a Savior; returning a KING!
Honor the King of Kings today!

What God Does


What God Does
by Charles R. Swindoll
Psalm 91:3–4

While the first two verses of Psalm 91 depict the faithful character of God, verses 3 and 4 describe what God does. The psalmist names three actions the Lord takes on our behalf:

a. He delivers: from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence

b. He covers: with His pinions/under His wings

c. He shields: by His faithfulness

The Hebrew sentence structure enables us to point out particular emphases in our study from time to time. In this case, the emphatic part of verses 3–4 is "He." We might render the line: "He alone" or "He it is—not anyone else!" Practically speaking, you will find no absolute assistance or deliverance from anyone other than your Lord.

Now, one at a time, let's look at the specific actions God takes to protect and sustain us when the enemy attacks. The psalmist describes these actions using three different analogies.

1. He delivers from the snare of the trapper. The first analogy imagines a bird becoming entangled in a fowler's trap, which is baited with something the bird needs. My Webster's dictionary says that a trap is "something by which one gets entangled, something deceptively attractive." The word "deliver" is translated from natzal, meaning "to separate, to cause removal." It suggests that the bird has already been deceived by the trap and has been caught. Certain death awaits, as described by the phrase "the deadly pestilence." Literally, from "a death of destruction." One translation renders this "a violent death."

2. He covers with His pinions, under His wings. The Lord is here pictured as a bird keeping close watch over its brood. Both Psalm 36:7 and Psalm 57:1 mention the protection we have under our Lord's "wings." When danger presents itself, baby ducks and geese make a beeline for their mother, who creates a shroud with her wings. The mother will then pivot to keep her young hidden from any predators.

3. He shields by His faithfulness. The psalmist has pictured our Lord's protection in three distinct ways in verses 3 and 4. First, in the scene of a trapper. Second, in the scene of a bird and her brood. Now, in the scene of a battle. Here he assures us that we are guarded by His faithful presence. The Hebrew word for "shield" depicts a protective barrier large enough to protect a soldier from a hail of arrows. The term translated "bulwark" comes from a term that carries the idea of "surrounding." It could be another kind of large, curved shield. Because the term also denotes a particular kind of stone, the concept of a fortified barrier, such as a castle wall, makes better sense.

Regardless, the idea is the same: in the heat of battle, when the enemy's attacks become too much to bear, the faithfulness of God is there for your protection; hide behind Him.

 

 

Sid Stewart

Executive Director

864 226-6193


haven logo with tagline_MailSignatureLine

Monday, August 19, 2013

IN HIS FOLD:

IN HIS FOLD: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”Ps23:1 wp.me/p29yfQ-up #devotion #goodshepherd #rest #peace

Our Shepherd-king - Alistair Begg


Our Shepherd-king -  Alistair Begg


Christ's reign in His Church is that of a shepherd-king. He has supremacy, but it is the superiority of a wise and tender shepherd over his needy and loving flock. He commands and receives obedience, but it is the willing obedience of the well-cared-for sheep, rendered joyfully to their beloved Shepherd, whose voice they know so well. He rules by the force of love and the energy of goodness.

His reign is practical in its character. It is said, "He shall stand and shepherd." The great Head of the church is actively engaged in providing for His people. He does not sit down upon the throne in empty state or hold a scepter without wielding it in government. No; He stands and shepherds. The expression "shepherd" in the original is like an analogous one in the Greek that means to do everything expected of a shepherd: to guide, to watch, to preserve, to restore, to tend, as well as to feed.

His reign is continual in its duration. It is said, "He shall stand and shepherd"; not "He shall feed now and then and leave His position"; not "He shall one day grant a revival and then next day leave His Church to barrenness." His eyes never slumber, and His hands never rest; His heart never ceases to beat with love, and His shoulders are never weary of carrying His people's burdens.

His reign is effectually powerful in its action; "He shall . . . shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD." Wherever Christ is, there is God; and whatever Christ does is the act of the Most High. It is a joyful truth to consider that He who stands today representing the interests of His people is very God of very God, to whom every knee shall bow. We are happy to belong to such a shepherd, whose humanity communes with us and whose divinity protects us. Let us worship and bow down before Him as the people of His pasture.

An Unlikely Way to Inner Peace


An Unlikely Way to Inner Peace

Everyone wants inner peace. I was reminded of this recently when I passed a magazine rack at a local drugstore and my eyes saw a headline: How to Be Free From Worry.

There are lots of ideas out there about how to find peace. Some people say twisting your body into a little knot and meditating will do the trick. Others say taking hot baths regularly surrounded by candles is the answer. And, some believe that chanting positive phrases helps. But no one would say that experiencing trouble is a great way to find the peace that everyone longs for.

But that’s exactly what one famous Bible story illustrates.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years—but then God showed up. He heard their cries and promised to set them free under Moses’s leadership and “bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey. . .” (Exodus 3:8, NKJV).

Hallelujah!

But then God did something that seems strange. Over the course of 16 chapters, every time God’s people tried to escape from Pharaoh, the evil leader would say, “Sure, you’re free. Go ahead and leave.” But then he would change his mind because God would “harden Pharaoh’s heart” (Exodus 9:12). There are different ideas about what this phrase means, but regardless, it’s clear that God promised freedom, but then seemed to encourage—or blatantly cause—the opposite. But why?

The answer is found in Romans 9:17 when God says about Pharaoh, “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

This is why God allowed His children to be chased by Pharaoh and his army right up to the Red Sea: “that My name would be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Maybe you’re thinking, Well, that seems mean. Why would God use his children as pawns just to make Himself famous?

There’s a clue in Romans 9:23 which says that God wants to “make the riches of his glory known” to the objects of his mercy. Therefore, when God introduced Pharaoh as an enemy to his people, and they couldn’t help themselves—it was the exact vehicle He used to glorify Himself and reveal His mercy to them.

When God purposely pressed them against the Red Sea, at their greatest point of difficulty, that’s when He could put the spotlight on Himself because there was no other way out. When He rescued them, He was glorified, He demonstrated His mercy—and the result for His people was security, safety, joy—and peace.

In fact, there was so much joy and peace that they sang a song praising God when they finally crossed over the sea, free from Pharaoh and his men (Exodus 15:1-19).

What a story of comfort for us when evil seems to be winning and we are pressed against our own personal Red Sea and we wonder if anything good can come from our troubles. Isn’t it amazing? Only our glorious and loving God can make something so beautiful out of evil. We must remember this when we are in narrow, difficult places.

Difficulties are God’s opportunities to show up so that we can experience His mercy, and as a result, experience the peace that comes from knowing that God is faithful and always has our backs. Ah, yes. When only He can fix our troubles, He is glorified. When we can’t take credit for our deliverance, He is magnified. And, when He is glorified and magnified, the fruit for us is security, safety, joy—and inner peace.

That’s way better than any hot bath or thinking nice thoughts, don’t you think?

From Blueprint for Life, Shana Schutte

 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

WHEN GOD SPEAKS:

WHEN GOD SPEAKS: “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light." Gen1:3 wp.me/p29yfQ-ul #devotion #God #creation #listen

THE ONE JESUS LOVES:

THE ONE JESUS LOVES: "Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them....’” Jn21:20 wp.me/p29yfQ-uh #love #Jesus

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

LIAR, LIAR:

LIAR, LIAR: "...for he is a liar and the father of lies" Jn8:44 wp.me/p29yfQ-ud #truth #devotion #Jesus

The Theology of Rest


The Theology of Rest by Oswald Chambers

 

Why are ye fearful, 0 ye of little faith? — Matthew 8:26

When we are in fear we can do nothing less than pray to God, but Our Lord has a right to expect that those who name His Name should have an understanding confidence in Him. God expects His children to be so confident in Him that in any crisis they are the reliable ones. Our trust is in God up to a certain point, then we go back to the elementary panic prayers of those who do not know God. We get to our wits’ end, showing that we have not the slightest confidence in Him and His government of the world; He seems to be asleep, and we see nothing but breakers ahead.

"0 ye of little faith!" What a pang must have shot through the disciples – ‘Missed it again!’ And what a pang will go through us when we suddenly realize that we might have produced down right joy in the heart of Jesus by remaining absolutely confident in Him, no matter what was ahead.

There are stages in life when there is no storm, no crisis, when we do our human best; it is when a crisis arises that we instantly reveal upon whom we rely. If we have been learning to worship God and to trust Him, the crisis will reveal that we will go to the breaking point and not break in our confidence in Him.

We have been talking a great deal about sanctification – what is it all going to amount to? It should work out into rest in God which means oneness with God, a oneness which will make us not only blameless in His sight, but a deep joy to Him.

 

Monday, August 12, 2013

GOOD HOPE:

GOOD HOPE: “May our Lord Jesus Christ...encourage ur hearts & strengthen u in every good deed & word.” 2Thes2:16-17 wp.me/p29yfQ-u9

LIVING ABOVE LIFE'S CIRCUMSTANCES


LIVING ABOVE LIFE'S CIRCUMSTANCES – Neil Anderson

Philippians 4:11

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am

Some of us tend to assume that it is God's will if the circumstances are favorable and it isn't God's will if the circumstances are unfavorable. Next to the Bible, I would guess that more Christians are "guided" by this means than any other. Yet of all the possible means of guidance, this is the least authoritative and trustworthy.

I had the privilege of pastoring a church that purchased new property and went through a building program. Through most of the process the circumstances didn't seem favorable. Twice I sat with the mayor, who was also a local real estate agent, and asked him if he thought our plans were feasible. He advised us not to make the land trade, and he didn't think the city would allow us to build. He knew the real estate and the political climate better than anyone in the city. But the land swap increased our assets by millions and the city planning commission voted 7-0 in favor of our building plans.

You may have to set sail by the tide, but you'd better be guided by the stars or you're going to end up on the wrong shore. Circumstances may have their effect on your plans, but you have a far greater accountability to God. Make sure you follow Him, not the tide of circumstances.

I heard a motivational speaker say, "I don't like to recruit Christians because when the going gets tough they quit, concluding that it must not be God's will." Generally speaking, I believe that Christians should live above life's circumstances and not be guided by them.

Also be careful about applying too much significance to unusual circumstances or coincidences. "It must be God's will. Why else would that book by lying there!" It could be God's will, but I would never take that kind of a sign on its own merit. I have helped many people in occultic bondage who have made bizarre associations or attached far too much significance to irrelevant events.

Prayer: Lord, I determine to test all guidance by Your Word and not to be swayed away from Your will by circumstances or popular opinion.

 

 

Friday, August 9, 2013

EVERY GOOD THING

EVERY GOOD THING: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father...." James 1:17 wp.me/p29yfQ-u3 #good #gift

From Blueprint For Life


From Blueprint For Life

On August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito of Japan officially surrendered. World War II had finally come to an end and people around the globe celebrated a return to more peaceful times.

However, on a small island in the Philippines, four Japanese soldiers continued to fight.

They spent their days hiding in the mountains and conducting guerrilla attacks, eventually killing over thirty people. No one could have anticipated how long they would continue fighting a war that had already been won.

One day, they found a leaflet announcing the end of the war but dismissed it as allied propaganda. Five years passed before one of the four surrendered. Four years later, one of the soldiers was shot and killed. The two remaining soldiers continued their mission for the next seventeen years, until one of them was killed in a shootout with local police.

Hiroo Onada, the final remaining solder, refused to give up until his commanding officer was found and brought to the island to fulfill the promise made in 1944, “Whatever happens, we’ll come back for you.”

Onada fought 30 years longer than he needed to, in a war that had been over for decades. This is a picture of the reality that Paul describes in Galatians 5:1:

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Because of Christ, freedom is now. So often, we live like freedom is coming later, at some far-off date in the future. Unfortunately, for this reason we often choose to fight a battle that has already been won. Paul continues in Galatians 5:4-5. . .

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.

The Galatians initially embraced the message of grace. But over time they returned to their former habit of measuring their righteousness based on how well they observed the law. They were fighting a war that was already won. This was a trap. Once Christ sets us free, it is our choice to continue in the freedom of living by faith in the power of the Spirit or return to the slavery of trying to earn righteousness by human effort.



Questions for Reflection

Are you fighting a war that has already been won by trying to earn favor from God and righteousness through your own effort?

Digging Deeper?

Look up Philippians 3:9. What does this scripture say about the true source of righteousness?

Put It Into Action

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal to you if you need to fully embrace the righteousness that has been given to you through Christ. Next, write Philippians 3:9 on a notecard and place it where you can see it each day.

 

 

Thursday, August 8, 2013

CONFESSION:

CONFESSION: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful & just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us.” 1Jn1:9 wp.me/p29yfQ-tZ #light

COMMIT YOUR WORK:

COMMIT YOUR WORK: “Commit your work to the Lord, & your plans will be established" Prov16:3 wp.me/p29yfQ-tV #career #mylife #devotion

Thank God for the Sending of the Holy Spirit


Thank God for the Sending of the Holy Spirit – Matthew Henry


For the sending of the Holy Spirit to supply the want of Christ’s bodily presence, to carry on his undertaking, and to prepare things for his second coming.

I bless you that when the Lord Jesus went away, he sent his people another Helper to be with them forever, even the Spirit of truth, John 14:16-17(ESV) who shall glorify the Son, for he will take what is his and declare it to them. John 16:14(ESV)

That being exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:33(ESV) he poured it forth as rivers of living water. John 7:38(ESV)

Blessed be God for the signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, with which God bore witness to the great salvation. Hebrews 2:3-4(ESV)

And blessed be God for the promise that as earthly parents, though evil, know how to give good gifts to their children, so my heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him, Luke 11:13(ESV) that promised Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of my inheritance until I acquire the possession of it. Ephesians 1:13-14(ESV)

 

Sid Stewart

Executive Director

864 226-6193



From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:


From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

Since the first moment good came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true that Satan attempts to hinder us in our spiritual walk. From every direction on the compass, all along the line of battle, at the line of advance and at the rear and at the dawn of day and at midnight, "Satan hinder[s] us." If we work in the field, he seeks to break our plow; if we build a wall, he works to tear it down; in fact, wherever we desire to serve God in suffering or in conflict--everywhere--"Satan hinder[s] us." 

 

When we first looked to the cross for eternal life, he waged fierce conflicts to hinder us from coming to Jesus Christ. And now that we are saved, he attempts to hinder the process that is perfecting our personal character. Perhaps you are congratulating yourself, saying, "So far my walk has been consistent. No one can challenge my integrity." Beware of boasting, for you are yet to be tested. But it will happen, for Satan will direct his power against your strongest and most well-known virtue. Even if you have been a firm believer thus far, it will not be long before your faith will be attacked. Even if you are as humble as Moses, who was "more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3), expect to be tempted to speak in an unadvised way.

 

Satan is also sure to hinder us when we are earnestly engaged in prayer. He seeks to stem our insistency and fervency in order that, if possible, we will miss God's blessing. Nor is Satan less vigilant when it comes to obstructing other Christian efforts, for there has never been a revival of faith without a revival of his opposition. For example, as soon as Nehemiah began to "rebuild the wall of Jerusalem" (Neh. 2:17), Sanballat and Tobiah attempted to hinder them.

 

What should we learn from this? We should not be alarmed because "Satan hinder[s] us," for it is proof we are on the Lord's side and are working for Him. And in His strength we will win the victory and triumph over our adversary.

 

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 5:8-11).