LIVING WATER

LIVING WATER – Dr. Neil Anderson

John 7:37, 38

If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, "From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water"

The story is told of a prospector in the last century who had to make a four-day journey across a burning desert. He couldn't carry enough water to make the journey without dying of thirst, but he was assured there was a well halfway across the desert. So he set out and sure enough there was a well right where the map indicated. But when he pumped the handle, the well only burped up sand. Then he saw this sign: "Buried two feet over and two feet down is a jug of water. Dig it up and use the water to prime the pump. Drink all the water you want, but when you are done, fill the jug again for the next person."

Sure enough, two feet over and two feet down was enough water for the prospector to prime the pump or to finish his journey. Should he pour the water down the well or should he drink it?

To tell you the truth, I'd drink the water that was buried! I don't know who wrote the sign on that rusty old pump. It could be a cruel joke. I'd pour that water down a worthless well only to watch my life drain away for lack of water.

Faith always has an element of risk, but there is one factor in the above story that doesn't exist when it comes to God. I know who wrote the sign. When I pour myself into a life of faith, I know that out of my inner being shall flow rivers of living water. God said so, history verifies it, and I, for one, can testify that it is true. In the final analysis, God is not only true, He's right.

There is more than enough water in God's well for everyone, but the pump is only activated by faith. Remember: "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have proven Yourself trustworthy. Your river of living water never dries up or becomes polluted.

 

A SINGLE OFFERING

A SINGLE OFFERING: “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Heb10:14 wp.me/p29yfQ-tx

THE BEST IS YET TO COME:

	Daily Devotional (@ContemplationsW)
7/30/13, 5:42 AM THE BEST IS YET TO COME: “And this hope will not lead to disappointment....” Rom5:5 wp.me/p29yfQ-tt #devotion #hope #God #promise

CREATING OUR OWN LIGHT

CREATING OUR OWN LIGHT – Neil Anderson

Isaiah 50:11

Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your fire and among the brands you have set ablaze. This you will have from My hand; and you will lie down in torment

When your way suddenly gets dark, don't light your own fire. Our natural tendency when we don't see life God's way is to do it our way. Resist the urge to create your own light.

In Isaiah 50:11, God is not talking about the fire of judgment; He's talking about fire that creates light. When we try to find our way out of the darkness by our own devices instead of waiting for God's light, God will allow it, but misery will follow.

Let me illustrate. God called Abraham out of Ur into the Promised Land. In Genesis 12, a covenant was made in which God promised Abraham that his descendants would be more numerous than the sands of the sea or the stars in the sky. Abraham lived his life in the light of that promise, then God turned out the light.

So many years passed that his wife Sarah could no longer bear a child by natural means. God's guidance had been so clear before, but now it looked like Abraham would have to assist God in its fulfillment. Who could blame Abraham for creating his own light? Sarah supplied the match by offering her handmaiden to Abraham. Out of that union came the Arab nation which has been in conflict with the Jewish nation ever since. Abraham created his own light, God allowed it, and misery followed.

We may not have to wait as long as Abraham did, but our darkness may last for weeks, months, and possibly for some exceptional people, even years. But God is in control and He knows exactly how big a knothole He can pull us through. When your faith is stretched to its limit and you are about to break, He will pull you through to the other side and you will never go back to the shape you were in before.

Prayer: The dark times are difficult, Lord, but I thank You for how I have grown and matured as I have trusted You through them.

 

 

Sid Stewart

Executive Director

864 226-6193

www.havenofrest.cc

UP A TREE

UP A TREE: “Jesus...said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’" Lk19:5 wp.me/p29yfQ-tp #hope

Can You Trust Your Conscience?

Can You Trust Your Conscience? – Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Timothy 1:5-7

Let your conscience be your guide. This bit of folk wisdom seems to make sense since our conscience is designed to help us discern right from wrong. However, people cannot always trust their internal radar to steer them correctly; this is the case particularly with unbelievers, who don’t have the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and offer guidance for wise decisions. And while Christians do have God’s indwelling Spirit, they should be careful not to harbor sin in their lives, as that can interfere with the way their morality sensor functions.

A trustworthy conscience is programmed with scriptural teaching. Believers build a stable and sensitive spiritual radar system by applying God’s truth to their lives. They are committed to thinking and acting in ways that honor and please the Lord. Then, when sinful thoughts or choices come across that radar, it will deliver a sharp warning.

A person with a reliable conscience will have a strong desire to obey God. He won’t settle for what feels right or looks good, but instead prayerfully seeks the Lord’s will. In other words, he does not rely solely on his conscience but incorporates all of the Holy Spirit’s tools into his daily life: Scripture, prayer, etc. Moreover, when his spiritual radar sounds the alarm, he is quick to draw back and reject unwise choices.

A conscience isn’t designed to beour guide; it is a tool of theGuide. The Holy Spirit not only convicts us of sin, but He also brings to mind godly principles and leads us on a righteous path. He uses a variety of tools to conform us to the likeness of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

 

THE CREATOR

	Daily Devotional (@ContemplationsW)
7/26/13, 5:23 AM THE CREATOR: “In the beginning, God created….” Gen. 1:1 wp.me/p29yfQ-tl #devotion #God #creation #trust

Who Do You Watch?

Who Do You Watch? – Dr. David Jeremiah

My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Recommended Reading Psalm 139:1-6

Every eye is upon him as he stands above the crowd; the responsibility for the timing and execution of this piece rests on him. As he raises his baton, the silence of the room expands. When he signals, musicians lift their instruments and music fills the room. He knows each member and instrument in the orchestra and has spent many hours preparing them for this performance. He is the conductor.

God is the director of the world and all its inhabitants. We may not always be aware of His directing, but He has created all things and sustains all things. He oversees each detail of our lives (Psalm 139). When we lock our attention onto God and ask for His wisdom, He generously gives it to us. We can count on His sovereignty.

When we wait for God's cues and direction, He guides every note of our lives. He will orchestrate every moment to create a masterpiece that sings His praise and reveals His glory.

God has a time for everything, a perfect schedule. He is never too soon, never too late. The when of His will is as important as the what and the how.
Richard C. Halverson

 

 

Sid Stewart

Executive Director

864 226-6193

www.havenofrest.cc

NEW DAY

	Daily Devotional (@ContemplationsW)
7/25/13, 5:30 AM NEW DAY: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail...”Lam3:22-23 wp.me/p29yfQ-tg #devotion

Song of Quietness

Song of Quietness
by Charles R. Swindoll

Psalm 63:1–11

How easy it is to fall into the trap of "ritual religion"! So many Christians know little of a vital, fresh, day-by-day relationship with the Lord. I did not say an inactive relationship. Christians have never been more active! The tyranny of the urgent is no theoretical problem. Many a believer jumps off the Sunday treadmill of activities only to hop on the weekday treadmill of meetings, appointments, functions, rehearsals, clubs, engagements, banquets, studies, committees, and retreats. I heartily agree with the one who said, "Much of our religious activity today is nothing more than a cheap anesthetic to deaden the pain of an empty life!"1

That's a harsh truth to ponder. As a pastor, I hope to help you cultivate a consistent and meaningful walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, a relationship that thrives without needing to be pumped up and recharged with an endless succession of activities. I would wish that we all might know our Lord in such a significant way that this divine companionship, this healthy vertical relationship, becomes a steady, serene, daily communion. We must find ways to live beyond the grind of ritual religion.

In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes,

I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.

Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity that is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship and that servile imitation of the world that marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all.2

Psalm 63 is David's song about what it means to have a desperate longing for God, and what it means to be fully satisfied in Him alone. It is not a song of activity but of quietness. David didn't write a march to impel busy feet, but a sonnet to woo thirsty souls.

Believe it or not, many people don't know they're thirsty. You may not feel a deep longing to cultivate an ongoing personal interaction with God. That's probably because you have dulled your spiritual senses with activity. Career activity. Social activity. Religious activity. If so, your first response may be to slow your pace, to simplify.

REBALANCED

REBALANCED: “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Mt14:13 wp.me/p29yfQ-tb #balance

The High Cost of Wavering Faith – Dr. Charles Stanley

The High Cost of Wavering Faith – Dr. Charles Stanley

Deuteronomy 1:19-40

God has given believers personalities, abilities, and spiritual gifts which will equip them to accomplish His specific plans for their lives. But each one must choose to step out in faith and obedience. At times the Lord challenges us to do something that seems beyond our ability, but if we back off, we’ll miss His awesome blessings.

Let’s learn from the Israelites who made several choices that led to unbelief, resulting in a lifetime of aimless wandering. They . . .

• Listened to the wrong voices. To walk obediently with the Lord, we need to guard ourselves from being swayed by those who don’t understand the greatness of our God. Not only that, but we must also learn to recognize the lies of Satan. He wants us to become ineffective, accomplishing little for the kingdom of God.

• Relied on human perspective.At times trusting God conflicts with human reasoning. But those who choose to trust Him—even when the external evidence points to an impossibility—will find that He is bigger than any obstacle.

• Let feelings overcome faith. Perhaps the biggest hindrances to obedience are fearand inadequacy. An internal focus is a trust killer. The way to overcome our feelings is to rely on the Lord and His promises. He will equip us for whatever He calls us to do.

Every challenging call to obedience is a fork in the road of our lives. To go the way of unbelief will lead to a lifetime of regret and aimless wandering, but to courageously trust God and do what He says will result in the greatest blessing of your life. The choice is yours.

NO MORE ROLLERCOASTERS

NO MORE ROLLERCOASTERS: “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper....” Prov16:32 wp.me/p29yfQ-t7 #devotion

Walking in the Spirit

Walking in the Spirit – Dr. Tony Evans

In His Presence: Proverbs 9:10

“We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us”(1 John 3:24).

Since we all live in the flesh, we will struggle with the desires of the flesh until we get to heaven. But we can bring these desires under the Holy Spirit’s influence. “I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Notice that the apostle Paul doesn’t say we won’t have the desires of the flesh when we walk in the Spirit, but that we won’t carry out those desires.

Walking in the Spirit is similar to the concept of being filled with the Holy Spirit. To walk implies that the Spirit is going somewhere—there’s a destination. He always goes to the same place, to that which brings God glory. In contrast, the flesh is always moving to that which will please itself. Walking is continuous, so not only do we have to pay attention to our destination, but our walking also involves dedication. Like the filling of the Holy Spirit, walking in the Spirit is ongoing. A third aspect of walking includes dependency. The act of walking is taking one step after another.

The key to walking in the Spirit is to look to Him to give us the ability to do what we know we can’t do on our own. The moment we try to do it on our own, we reject the work of the Spirit. The Spirit doesn’t need our help; we need His.

One Minute Please

When we walk in the Spirit, the flesh will lose its ability to have the last word

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

7/22/13, 5:42 AM LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart &...Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mt22:37-39 wp.me/p29yfQ-t3 #God

Green Pastures

Green Pastures: Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing, He makes me lie down in green pastures... wp.me/p29yfQ-sY

The Power of Patience

The Power of Patience – Dr. Charles Stanley

Hebrews 6:9-15

Picture yourself waiting in a checkout line that hasn’t moved for ten minutes. Many of us would feel frustrated. We live in a generation that expects instant results.

Everyone struggles with some degree of impatience. We’re born with this trait—think about a three-month-old who wants milk in the middle of the night. The inborn reaction is to fuss at the first hint of discomfort and to keep at it until the need is met. Patterns from our old “flesh” nature make this a continual battle for most people, but one that is very worthwhile to fight.

Let’s consider the biblical definition of patience. It can mean both longsufferingand perseverance, or not giving up and yielding under pressure. In either case, it reveals itself when we are willing to wait without frustration while suffering or experiencing some strong desire. In other words, we accept difficult situations without giving God deadlines. What’s more, patience means accepting what the Lord gives, on Histimetable—or what He chooses not to give. This quality results in inner peace and lack of stress. Meanwhile, we should pray, obey, and persist as we seek God’s direction.

The danger of impatience is that we might miss the Lord’s perfect plan and His blessing. Only when we trust our Father’s will and timing can we rest peacefully.

What causes you stress? Carefully examine whether you are taking matters into your own hands or releasing the circumstance to almighty God. Listen to Psalm 37:7, which says, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Seek His way and His timing. Anything else can be destructive.

 

 

Sid Stewart

Executive Director

864 226-6193

www.havenofrest.cc

NOT AGAIN

NOT AGAIN: “4 I do not understand my own actions. 4 I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Rom7:15 wp.me/p29yfQ-sU

HIDE AND SEEK

HIDE AND SEEK: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Lk19:10 wp.me/p29yfQ-sD #devotion #Jesus #hope #Jesus

DEMONSTRATING WHAT WE BELIEVE

DEMONSTRATING WHAT WE BELIEVE - Neil Anderson

 

James 2:17 

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself

 

Faith is an action word. We cannot passively respond to God. You may have heard the story of the circus performer who strung a wire over a river and proceeded to ride across it on a unicycle. When he returned, everyone applauded. Then he asked, "Who believes I can do that with a man on my shoulders?" Everyone responded in affirmation. He said, "All right, who will hop on?" The person who hops on is the person who really believes. Faith is not just giving credence to something or someone. Faith is demonstrated reliance upon something or someone.

 

Faith has the same operating dynamic as agape love. When we refer to love as a noun, we're talking about character: patience, kindness, etc. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). When we say that God is love, we are describing His character. Paul says the goal of our instruction is love (1 Timothy 1:5); therefore, the goal of Christian education is character transformation.

 

When love is used as a verb, it is expressed by action: "For God so loved the world that He gave . . ." (John 3:16). If we say we love someone and do nothing on their behalf, it's only sentimentality and not agape love. True love is expressed by meeting the needs of others.

 

Faith has a similar dynamic. When using faith as a noun, we're talking about what we believe. But if we're talking about faith as a verb, then it is expressed in the way we live. James says it like this: "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, 'You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.' You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder" (James 2:17-19).

 

The devil believes in the existence of Jesus and knows that God's Word is true. But he doesn't seek to glorify Jesus or to obey Him. He seeks his own glory, being a rebel at heart (Romans 1:25).

 

We demonstrate what we believe by how we live our lives. If we believe it, we will do it. If we don't, then what we believe is just wishful thinking.

 

Prayer: Lord, help me put feet to my faith every day and not rely on past accomplishments.

SUCCESS COMES IN CANS, PART II

SUCCESS COMES IN CANS, PART II - Neil Anderson

 

Romans 1:17 

The righteous man shall live by faith

 

Believing that you can succeed at Christian growth and maturity takes no more effort than believing you cannot succeed. So why not believe that you can walk in faith and in the Spirit; that you can resist the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil; and that you can grow to maturity as a Christian. Allow the "Twenty Cans of Success" you began yesterday to encourage you.

 

Twenty Cans of Success (continued) Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is (2 Corinthians 3:17)? Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned because I am in Christ (Romans 8:1)? Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)? Why should I feel accursed or that I am the victim of bad luck when the Bible says that Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law that I might receive His Spirit (Galatians 3:13, 14)? Why should I be discontented when I, like Paul, can learn to be content in all my circumstances (Philippians 4:11)? Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21)? Why should I have a persecution complex knowing that nobody can be against me when God is for me (Romans 8:31)? Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives me knowledge through his indwelling Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:33; 2:12)? Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ (Romans 8:37)? Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations (John 16:33)?

 

Prayer: I rejoice in Your eternal promises, Lord. You are a Rock that never crumbles.

THE GREAT CALM

THE GREAT CALM: “[He] said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mk4:39 wp.me/p29yfQ-sy

SUCCESS COMES IN CANS, PART I

SUCCESS COMES IN CANS, PART I - Neil Anderson

 

Mark 9:24 

I do believe; help my unbelief

 

Someone has said that success comes in cans and failure in cannots. The "Twenty Cans of Success," taken from God's Word, will expand your knowledge of our faith-object, the Almighty God. Building your faith by internalizing these truths over the next two days will help lift you from the miry clay of the cannots to the reality that in Christ you can do all things.

 

Twenty Cans of Success Why should I say I can't when the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)? Why should I lack when I know that God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)? Why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)? Why should I lack faith to fulfill my calling, knowing that God has allotted to me a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)? Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God (Psalm 27:1; Daniel 11:32)? Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)? Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me in triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14)? Why should I lack wisdom when Christ became wisdom to me from God and God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask Him for it (1 Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5)? Why should I be depressed when I can recall to mind God's lovingkindness, compassion and faithfulness, and have hope (Lamentations 3:21-23)? Why should I worry and fret when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me (1 Peter 5:7)?

 

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your loving care reflected in the incredible promises in Your Word.

 

BE ACCOUNTABLE

BE ACCOUNTABLE: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another & pray for one another....” James5:16 wp.me/p29yfQ-su #devotion #friends

Are You Shouting?

Are You Shouting? - Tony Evans

In His Presence: “Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones” (Psalm 33:1).

Shirley Caesar sings a song entitled “Hold My Mule.” Itis a song about a man who was called Shouting John because he loved to worship God. The problem was that he ended up going to a city church whose members did not appreciate his form of worship. However, this did not stop John. When he felt the Spirit move, he shouted all over the church. 

It wasn’t long before he had irritated some of the members, and the deacons decided they needed to have a talk with Shouting John. Standing in one of John’s fields—where the old man had been plowing with his mule—they explained why he could not continue his antics. “We’re a quiet church,” one of the men said, “and you can’t be doing all this.”

Shouting John listened for a moment, and then he said, “Just a minute. Look out there.” He pointed to his fields. “You see all that land? I’m a [former] slave; I’m not supposed to have anything. Yet, I got all this land. Whenever I see that land or think about it, Shouting John gotta shout!”

He paused a moment and then continued, “Look at my chillen. All my chillen are alive. All my chillen are saved. All my chillen are doing fine. Whenever Shouting John thinks about the goodness of God to his chillen, Shouting John gotta shout!”

Then he said, “I get up every morning when the rooster crows and Shouting John get on the back of this mule, and it pulls that plow so Shouting John will have food all year long. When I think about God giving Shouting John a mule and the strength to plow when he is 85 years old, Shouting John gotta shout!” It was then that Shouting John turned to one of the deacons and said, “Hold my mule, I feel a shout coming on.”

When we realize where God has brought us from and the plans He has for our future, we will want to shout and never stop!

One Minute Please
The thing that determines whether or not a person is a true worshiper of Jesus Christ is the gratitude that overflows from his or her heart. 

 

THE GOAL

THE GOAL: "...Forgetting what is behind...I press on toward the goal to win the prize....” Phil3:13-14 wp.me/p29yfQ-sp #devotion

FEAR NOT!

FEAR NOT! - Neil Anderson

 

Acts 4:31 

When they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness

 

Fear is a powerful controller. It either compels us to do what is irresponsible or it impedes us from living responsibly. Recently a denominational executive spoke in our chapel, and his opening statement was, "As I travel among ourpastors, I'm overwhelmed by the realization that the number one motivation in their lives is fear of failure."

 

After several years of teaching evangelism and overseeing evangelistic outreaches, I can tell you with confidence that the number one reason people don't share their faith is fear. Agoraphobia, fear of being in public, is one of the fastest growing psychological disorders. Fear of failure, fear of the devil, fear of man, fear of everything is plaguing our society.

 

Do you know that the most frequent command of Jesus in the Gospels is "Fear not"? In anticipation of Israel's entrance into the Promised Land, God tells His people four times "Be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1). The writer of Proverbs says, "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1).

 

The fact that God doesn't look favorably on cowards and unbelievers is made evident in Revelation 21:8: "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Does it surprise you that cowardly, unbelieving people are listed in a rogue's gallery with murderers and liars? 

 

It is a characteristic of the Spirit-filled life to be bold (Acts 4:31). The early church didn't pray for "divine appointments;" they prayed for boldness. God's kingdom can only be established by faithful and courageous people.

 

Prayer: Lord, I purpose to be strong and courageous in Your name, ready and trustworthy to accomplish Your will.

 

THINK GREAT THOUGHTS

THINK GREAT THOUGHTS: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD....” Jer29:11 wp.me/p29yfQ-si #devotion #trustgod

The Source of Our Adversity

The Source of Our Adversity -Dr. Charles Stanley

Isaiah 45:5-10

When we experience hardships, we usually wonder why God allows these painful situations to come our way. It just doesn't seem to fit with His role as our loving heavenly Father. We struggle to reconcile our suffering with His love for us and His power to prevent or stop it. In order to understand what's going on, we need to consider the possible sources of adversity.

A Fallen World: When sin entered the world, suffering came with it. God could have protected us from these harmful effects by making us like puppets who could not choose sin, but that would mean we'd also be unable to choose to love Him, because love must be voluntary.

Our Own Doing: Sometimes we get ourselves into trouble with our foolish or sinful choices. If the Lord stepped in and rescued us from every negative consequence, we'd never grow into mature believers.

Satanic Attack: The Devil is our enemy. To hinder anything the Lord wants to do in and through believers, Satan will never cease to harass us. His goal is to destroy our lives and our testimonies, thereby making us weak and useless for God's purposes.

God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, the Lord is in charge of all adversity that comes our way. To deny His involvement contradicts His power and sovereignty over creation.

For us to accept that God allows--or even sends--afflictions, we must see adversity from His perspective. Is your focus on the pain of your experience or on the Lord and His faithfulness? As believers, we're assured that no adversity comes our way unless He can use it to achieve His good purposes.

Been There, Done That

Maybe you heard someone say that they are trusting God, that if He wants them to do something that He will open a door, but that if He doesn’t want them to do it, that He will close the door. This is how they plan on making a decision to do this or that, go here or there.

Granted, living by open and closed doors can sometimes be a less assertive way to live out one’s faith and therefore, perhaps, less frightening.

In 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul said that an “effective door” for ministry had opened to him. And in Acts 16:6, he talks about a closed door. After he’d been working with the Galatian churches, he decided to go into the Province of Asia. However, he said that he was “forbidden” by the Holy Spirit. No matter how this forbidding came, it came in the form of a closed door.

While God does direct us through open and closed doors, it’s unwise to make every decision based on open or closed doors.

Been There, Done That

A handful of years ago, I prayed and asked God to give me an opportunity to work with someone who could help me develop a plan for ministry and provide my organization with funding. I felt God leading me to pray and ask for help, so I did.

Within a week someone crossed my path, who, without me asking, offered to help me with a plan and provide the much-needed financial resources. It was exactly what I was looking for, so I naturally took this as God’s open door. After all, I had prayed, and. . . (tada!) there was the answer!

This “open door” turned out to be a disaster that hurt me and some people who were working with me. On the backside of that trial, I am convinced that God allowed this person to be planted in my life to help me develop discernment and to also prepare me for the future.

He also taught me four lessons about open and closed doors. I invite you to keep these in mind as you pursue God’s plans for your calling, purpose, and life.

Don’t Be in a Rush

When you experience an open door that looks exactly like what you need or want, don’t be in a hurry. God is a gentleman. He doesn’t put His foot in anyone’s back and push them forward. He doesn’t make His children panic. Instead, he leads those who belong to Him. For these reasons, it’s not necessary to be in a panicked, hurried rush to make a decision about any open door.

Pray Over It and Seek God’s Wisdom

Make sure to pray over the open door and seek wisdom in God’s Word. You may also ask others to pray for you as well. And if needed, seek wise counsel to insure that you are making the right choice and not getting tripped up. Sometimes others can see what we can’t. Our desires can cause us to miss important information that others discern.

Let the Peace of God Rule

When you have a “gut check” about something, don’t rush ahead of God and run through an open door. Instead, listen to your ”inner umpire.” Colossians 3:15 says to “let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” The peace of God is like an inner umpire telling you, “Yes, this way is good” or “No, it’s bad.” As David Wilkerson says, “The peace of God is to be the arbitrator of our lives, sitting as . . . ruler over everything.”

Sometimes I am a slow learner. It took me until my early 4os to trust the discernment that God has given me so that when I feel uneasy about something or I hear that “still, small voice” inside of me saying, “This isn’t a good idea,” that I listen.

Walk in Confidence

Remember that God is greater than all evil. There is no need to be afraid about making decisions. Rather, we can move forward in confidence knowing that He will lead. We can also rest assured that even if we get off track by going through a door that we shouldn’t, that He is faithful to teach us and use it all for His glory and our good. You can never get out of His hand.

 

By Shana Schutte, Blueprintforlife.com

HOT DAYS

HOT DAYS: “…so that the tested genuineness of your faith...though it is tested by fire...." 1Peter1:7 wp.me/p29yfQ-se #devotion

DISSPELLING DOUBT

DISSPELLING DOUBT: “...All things are possible for one who believes...I believe; help my unbelief!” Mk 9:23-24 wp.me/p29yfQ-s8 #faith

Warning: Danger Ahead!

Warning: Danger Ahead! – Dr. David Jeremiah

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

Recommended Reading 2 Peter 3:8-14

Unless a person lives on a mountaintop in the wilderness, it's hard not to be confronted with the turmoil in our world. It's not just greater awareness -- it is the fact that new developments in nuclear technology, disease, political unrest, natural disasters, and poverty make unrest a personal matter.

So how should the Christian respond? Urgency in world affairs should produce an urgency in spiritual affairs -- an urgency to share with people the sure and certain hope found only in Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter goes to great lengths to warn his readers that this world is going to come to an end in a cataclysmic fashion (2 Peter 3:10). But he also says that God is patient, not wanting any to perish. Instead of using God's patience as permission to pursue our own dreams, every Christian must endeavor to prepare those who have no hope with the hope of salvation in Christ.

If you have hope in Christ and know of others who don't, ask God to give you an open door to share His Good News with them.

The problem of the church today is not that the Gospel has lost its power, but that the church has lost its audience.
Paul Little