From: Today God Is First - Os Hillman
Hebrews 3:7 "Therefore as the Holy Spirit says, 'Oh, that today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…'"
Every believer has been wired to hear the Holy Spirit's promptings in our lives. One of the primary ways He encourages believers is through other believers. However, many of us have been duped into thinking we cannot hear God's voice.
Today, be especially sensitive to that still small voice inside of you. Whenever a thought pops into your mind that seems out of character for you, consider that it might be the Holy Spirit speaking to you. If it is indeed from God's Holy Spirit it will never be outside of His Character.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Walk By Faith
From: Today God Is First - Os Hillman
Matthew 26:39 "My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as You will."
Although God takes no pleasure in our pain, we have to acknowledge that He sometimes allows painful circumstances to occur in our lives in order to shape us and make us more like Christ. Sometimes our times of despair turn out to be a much needed light into our soul.
The lines of this poem written by an anonymous soldier express the soul of a man who has learned to view his times of adversity from a different perspective:
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among men, most richly blessed.
Do we trust God to lead us even though we can't see the pathway in front of us? Do we trust Him to be all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful? Do we believe He does all things well? Only in the darkness do we learn to walk by faith.
Matthew 26:39 "My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as You will."
Although God takes no pleasure in our pain, we have to acknowledge that He sometimes allows painful circumstances to occur in our lives in order to shape us and make us more like Christ. Sometimes our times of despair turn out to be a much needed light into our soul.
The lines of this poem written by an anonymous soldier express the soul of a man who has learned to view his times of adversity from a different perspective:
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among men, most richly blessed.
Do we trust God to lead us even though we can't see the pathway in front of us? Do we trust Him to be all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful? Do we believe He does all things well? Only in the darkness do we learn to walk by faith.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Just Listen
From: Answers For Each Day - Bayless Conley
Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you."
God always tries to warn us to keep us out of the pits and to keep our lives from danger. And He speaks to us in many different ways...through His Word, in our dreams, conversations with friends and family, even comments from strangers (often angels in disguise...see Hebrews 13:2).
As I look at my own life, I can see that I have fallen into pits at various times because I did not listen to God's warnings. There have been times I have been too busy to perceive the fact that God was talking to me. It wasn't that God wasn't warning me. He was. I just had a bunch of other things going on in my life and was not taking time to listen to Him.
He is always faithful to warn us. It's just that we are not always faithful to listen. So if you find yourself in a pit today because you did not heed God's warning, just say, "God, I'm sorry." He will forgive you. Then just take the time to listen to Him. And you will be in the position to receive His deliverance.
Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you."
God always tries to warn us to keep us out of the pits and to keep our lives from danger. And He speaks to us in many different ways...through His Word, in our dreams, conversations with friends and family, even comments from strangers (often angels in disguise...see Hebrews 13:2).
As I look at my own life, I can see that I have fallen into pits at various times because I did not listen to God's warnings. There have been times I have been too busy to perceive the fact that God was talking to me. It wasn't that God wasn't warning me. He was. I just had a bunch of other things going on in my life and was not taking time to listen to Him.
He is always faithful to warn us. It's just that we are not always faithful to listen. So if you find yourself in a pit today because you did not heed God's warning, just say, "God, I'm sorry." He will forgive you. Then just take the time to listen to Him. And you will be in the position to receive His deliverance.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Focus On Who God Is
From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries
Job 42:2 "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be hindered."
Focus on who God is—His unchanging nature. Regardless of circumstances and how you feel, hang on to God's unchanging character. Remind yourself what you know to be eternally true about God: He is good, He loves me, He is with me, He knows what I'm going through, He cares, and He has a good plan for my life. Raymond Edman said, "Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light."
When Job's life fell apart, and God was silent, Job still found reasons to praise God:
That He is good and loving. (Job 10:12)
That He is all-powerful. (Job 42:2; 37:5, 23)
That He notices every detail of my life. (Job 23:10; 31:4)
That He is in control. (Job 34:13)
That He has a plan for my life. (Job 23:14)
That He will save me. (Job 19:25)
Trust God to keep his promises. During times of spiritual dryness you must patiently rely on the promises of God, not your emotions, and realize that He is taking you to a deeper level of maturity. A friendship based on emotion is shallow indeed.
So don't be troubled by trouble. Circumstances cannot change the character of God. God's grace is still in full force; He is still for you, even when you don't feel it. In the absence of confirming circumstances, Job held on to God's Word. He said, "I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." (Job 23:12)
This trust in God's Word caused Job to remain faithful even though nothing made sense. His faith was strong in the midst of pain.
Job 42:2 "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be hindered."
Focus on who God is—His unchanging nature. Regardless of circumstances and how you feel, hang on to God's unchanging character. Remind yourself what you know to be eternally true about God: He is good, He loves me, He is with me, He knows what I'm going through, He cares, and He has a good plan for my life. Raymond Edman said, "Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light."
When Job's life fell apart, and God was silent, Job still found reasons to praise God:
That He is good and loving. (Job 10:12)
That He is all-powerful. (Job 42:2; 37:5, 23)
That He notices every detail of my life. (Job 23:10; 31:4)
That He is in control. (Job 34:13)
That He has a plan for my life. (Job 23:14)
That He will save me. (Job 19:25)
Trust God to keep his promises. During times of spiritual dryness you must patiently rely on the promises of God, not your emotions, and realize that He is taking you to a deeper level of maturity. A friendship based on emotion is shallow indeed.
So don't be troubled by trouble. Circumstances cannot change the character of God. God's grace is still in full force; He is still for you, even when you don't feel it. In the absence of confirming circumstances, Job held on to God's Word. He said, "I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread." (Job 23:12)
This trust in God's Word caused Job to remain faithful even though nothing made sense. His faith was strong in the midst of pain.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
God Knows
From: Bayless Conley Ministries
Psalm 88:3-4 "Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to the grave."
When you are in the pits, it can often seem like there is no way out. Your soul is full of trouble, you are despondent, you are overwhelmed by the problems of life, you can almost feel like something has died inside of you, and you might feel totally cut off from God, like He has somehow forgotten you. As you read the Psalms, you realize King David often felt this way.
What I want you to see in today's Scripture is that you are not alone. Every one of us has gone through these difficult days. Even King David!
God knows your struggles. Like David, take time today to share with God all that is on your heart, and He will get you out of the pits!
Psalm 88:3-4 "Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to the grave."
When you are in the pits, it can often seem like there is no way out. Your soul is full of trouble, you are despondent, you are overwhelmed by the problems of life, you can almost feel like something has died inside of you, and you might feel totally cut off from God, like He has somehow forgotten you. As you read the Psalms, you realize King David often felt this way.
What I want you to see in today's Scripture is that you are not alone. Every one of us has gone through these difficult days. Even King David!
God knows your struggles. Like David, take time today to share with God all that is on your heart, and He will get you out of the pits!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Perception Is Not Always Reality
From: Today God Is First - Os Hillman
1 Kings 19:14 "The Israelites have rejected Your covenant, broken down Your altars, and put Your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
The CEO walked into his manufacturing plant only to observe an employee standing by idly not working. Angrily, he walked over to him, peeled off a $100 bill and gave it to him: "Here, go spend your time elsewhere!" The man looked at the CEO somewhat puzzled, but left with the $100. "How long has that man worked for us?" said the CEO to the employee standing nearby. "Well sir, that man does not work for us; he is only the delivery man."
Perception is not always reality. Elijah was in a crisis. Jezebel wanted to kill him. The nation was falling to Baal worship. From his vantage point - it was all over. He was the only prophet remaining in all the land who had not bent his knee to the idol of Baal. He wanted to die.
Then, the Lord sent His angel to correct Elijah's perception: "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel - all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him" (1 Kings 19:18). There were seven thousand Elijah knew nothing about! Elijah's perception was not reality.
Whenever things are going poorly, there is a temptation to believe God is not working in the situation. We may even believe our life is over. Everything from our vantage point is dark. We see no future. However, even in these times, God's plan is being orchestrated behind the scenes. He is accomplishing His purposes. But we need a fresh perspective on our situation.
Do you need a reality check on your situation? Ask God to show you the truth. It may be very different than your perception.
1 Kings 19:14 "The Israelites have rejected Your covenant, broken down Your altars, and put Your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
The CEO walked into his manufacturing plant only to observe an employee standing by idly not working. Angrily, he walked over to him, peeled off a $100 bill and gave it to him: "Here, go spend your time elsewhere!" The man looked at the CEO somewhat puzzled, but left with the $100. "How long has that man worked for us?" said the CEO to the employee standing nearby. "Well sir, that man does not work for us; he is only the delivery man."
Perception is not always reality. Elijah was in a crisis. Jezebel wanted to kill him. The nation was falling to Baal worship. From his vantage point - it was all over. He was the only prophet remaining in all the land who had not bent his knee to the idol of Baal. He wanted to die.
Then, the Lord sent His angel to correct Elijah's perception: "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel - all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him" (1 Kings 19:18). There were seven thousand Elijah knew nothing about! Elijah's perception was not reality.
Whenever things are going poorly, there is a temptation to believe God is not working in the situation. We may even believe our life is over. Everything from our vantage point is dark. We see no future. However, even in these times, God's plan is being orchestrated behind the scenes. He is accomplishing His purposes. But we need a fresh perspective on our situation.
Do you need a reality check on your situation? Ask God to show you the truth. It may be very different than your perception.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Vision
From: My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint. If it delays it will surely come, it will not be late."
God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience.
Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision.
Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.
The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. Just don’t lose heart in the process.
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint. If it delays it will surely come, it will not be late."
God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience.
Just think of the enormous amount of free time God has! He is never in a hurry. Yet we are always in such a frantic hurry. While still in the light of the glory of the vision, we go right out to do things, but the vision is not yet real in us. God has to take us into the valley and put us through fires and floods to batter us into shape, until we get to the point where He can trust us with the reality of the vision.
Ever since God gave us the vision, He has been at work. He is getting us into the shape of the goal He has for us, and yet over and over again we try to escape from the Sculptor’s hand in an effort to batter ourselves into the shape of our own goal.
The vision that God gives is not some unattainable castle in the sky, but a vision of what God wants you to be down here. Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and whirl you around as He desires. Then as surely as God is God, and you are you, you will turn out as an exact likeness of the vision. Just don’t lose heart in the process.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Encouraging Words
From: Every Day Light - Selwyn Hughes Ministries
Proverbs 12:18 "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." It's not true. Names do hurt and produce emotional scars that stay within the soul for life.
Unkind words are like deadly missiles that penetrate all the soul's defenses and blast a hole in the personality that may take years to repair. On the other hand, words that are encouraging can lift and cheer the soul in a way that is quite amazing.
C. E. Macartney tells how he saw sitting on a bench a minister whom he had known. The man was well advanced in years and broken in health. As a result of his condition, he had given up his church and was unable to participate in any kind of pulpit ministry. Macartney says, "I turned to speak to him, expecting to hear from him some word of melancholy, reminiscence or present gloom, but I received a pleasant surprise. He told me that a woman going by had just spoken to him and told him that a message he had given many years ago had been the means of bringing her to Christ. The glow on his face was something I shall never forget."
How wonderful it will be if today you and I can say a cheerful and encouraging word to someone that will lift their burden, lighten their darkness and minister the life of God into their soul. At least let's try!
Proverbs 12:18 "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." It's not true. Names do hurt and produce emotional scars that stay within the soul for life.
Unkind words are like deadly missiles that penetrate all the soul's defenses and blast a hole in the personality that may take years to repair. On the other hand, words that are encouraging can lift and cheer the soul in a way that is quite amazing.
C. E. Macartney tells how he saw sitting on a bench a minister whom he had known. The man was well advanced in years and broken in health. As a result of his condition, he had given up his church and was unable to participate in any kind of pulpit ministry. Macartney says, "I turned to speak to him, expecting to hear from him some word of melancholy, reminiscence or present gloom, but I received a pleasant surprise. He told me that a woman going by had just spoken to him and told him that a message he had given many years ago had been the means of bringing her to Christ. The glow on his face was something I shall never forget."
How wonderful it will be if today you and I can say a cheerful and encouraging word to someone that will lift their burden, lighten their darkness and minister the life of God into their soul. At least let's try!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Freedom Always Involves A Price
From: Bryant Wright Ministries
Galatians 5:1 "It was for freedom that Christ set us free..."
In 1776, George Washington gathered his troops together and told them he needed someone for a highly secret mission behind enemy lines. A twenty-one-year-old soldier from Yale volunteered. It seemed he was going to be successful, but as he returned with the battle plans of the British, they were tipped off and he was arrested and sentenced to be hanged. The next morning, as he was facing execution, he uttered these poignant words: "My only regret is that I have but one life to lose for my country."
This young man, Nathan Hale, was willing to pay a price for freedom that required his life. In many ways, what he did symbolized what Christ has done for all of us. Christ paid the ultimate price for our freedom from the bondage of sin.
Freedom always involves a price - what Nathan Hale did for America and, likewise, what Jesus has done for us. Our choice is to accept it on repentant faith with gratitude.
Today we thank and celebrate all of those who came before us and paid the price for our freedom. God bless them and God bless America!
Galatians 5:1 "It was for freedom that Christ set us free..."
In 1776, George Washington gathered his troops together and told them he needed someone for a highly secret mission behind enemy lines. A twenty-one-year-old soldier from Yale volunteered. It seemed he was going to be successful, but as he returned with the battle plans of the British, they were tipped off and he was arrested and sentenced to be hanged. The next morning, as he was facing execution, he uttered these poignant words: "My only regret is that I have but one life to lose for my country."
This young man, Nathan Hale, was willing to pay a price for freedom that required his life. In many ways, what he did symbolized what Christ has done for all of us. Christ paid the ultimate price for our freedom from the bondage of sin.
Freedom always involves a price - what Nathan Hale did for America and, likewise, what Jesus has done for us. Our choice is to accept it on repentant faith with gratitude.
Today we thank and celebrate all of those who came before us and paid the price for our freedom. God bless them and God bless America!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Bounce-Back Mentality
From: Joe Osteen Ministries
Proverbs 24:16 "For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again."
Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you got some bad news concerning your health, or maybe a relationship didn't work out. That was a setback. It's easy to get discouraged, lose your enthusiasm, or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we're going to see God's best, we have to have a "bounce-back" mentality.
That means when you get knocked down, you don't stay down. You get back up again. You have to know that every time adversity comes against you, it's a setup for a comeback!
Remember, as a believer, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny.
If you stay in faith and keep a good attitude, you will rise again. God will turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and you'll move forward into the victory He has in store for you!
Proverbs 24:16 "For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again."
Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you got some bad news concerning your health, or maybe a relationship didn't work out. That was a setback. It's easy to get discouraged, lose your enthusiasm, or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we're going to see God's best, we have to have a "bounce-back" mentality.
That means when you get knocked down, you don't stay down. You get back up again. You have to know that every time adversity comes against you, it's a setup for a comeback!
Remember, as a believer, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny.
If you stay in faith and keep a good attitude, you will rise again. God will turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and you'll move forward into the victory He has in store for you!
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