Hungery for Christ

Rambles for the Day.

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:16:08 GMT

Jars of Clay -
And They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

This is one of my most favorite songs. well just one, I Have DOZENS of songs i love but this one REALLY touches me. Specially if your reading the Left behind series 'Nicolae' at the same time. then it REALLY grabs your gut and knots it up.. i was crying lol.

Rambles.

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:37:41 GMT

I'm ALWAYS forgetting things. always. if it can be forgotten, i've probably forgotten it. and my intended afternoon of snuggling up in my bed with my bible, went out the window. i found some information on Christian Publishing. and of course that prompted me to start looking for suggestions on what would be in a christian book. I know it's Dominantly(?) a show of my faith. but im not quite sure I could handle it. then around four, five this evening my cousin mike had to come over as the cops where at my mother's house, no I don't know why. i never got in contact with her because mike said he didn't want her knowing he'd told me WHY he had come over to my apartment. but in coming over he did answer a quick prayer i sent off to god because i don't really have a lot of food. and mike brought bread with him.
im finding that, if God wants the prayer i want answerd, he Answers it. and if he doesn't, which hasn't happend but where my sister's concerned, he says no. im Learning to be content with what he answers. my prayer for next week is like it is last week. 'Lord I don't care what else happens during the week but please give me just enough money so i can put some in offering.' I've been praying that prayer since last month. and so far the Lord's answerd it. which has made me feel FANTASTIC. I don't like not being able to put offering in the offering plate. and its more of a 'God Please remind me WHY im saveing this five' or ten or twenty dollars. so far it's only five. but five a week is better then i have been doing.

well near six seven, I went to check my email, like I do when my aim messanger 'Plops' or well 'swaps' not sure how to say what the sound is but the noise that lets me know I have email. and I saw a thing for 'News'. it was about stars. so of course I got a Signature idea. I'll post some up here.

as we can see, my spelling sucked this evening.

I've been makeing a lot of what I call signatures, i stick them in my signatures in some of my games and such for the forums. I like them. I especially like looking up the Bible versus for them.

No I wasn't being sarcastic. that IS my story and im sticking to it. God IS Holy, and He's the Ruler of Heaven and Earth. and we're lucky.

This one was my first Signature, before this one I hadn't even KNOWEN you could make signatures with 'paint'. but i learned how from 'missbimbo.com' or however that goes. so im very proud of this one. even if it is a bit hard to read the words.

I've just gotten done watching CBN on tv, or well listening, i don't really watch much. I happen to love watching CBN quite a bit. i have it on alert most of the time. unless i forget to refresh the ones before the last remind. and then i miss it. anyways i'll leave at that. considering i have no clue what else to post.

A Bit About Me

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:55:15 GMT

Okay, 'Waves' as you'll probably notice a couple weeks ago I was still useing this journal as a basic fanfic arvhice..err archive. and it wasn't the HEALTHY type of fanfiction ethir.. hmm wonder if they have Left Behind fanfiction out there. anyways, and yes i do ramble so be prepared for me to bounce all over the place. my spelling sucks. my grammer sucks. and i've been up since midnight and it's only 3:39am now. so im a bit..sleepy. but then i tend to have a habbit of being semi depressed. except for lately. its been more of a 'Frazzled' type of thing. my sisters in jail, 'shakes head' again. this is the third time in about four months. she spends more time IN jail then out of it. and for a while i was floundering with the bills but God helped me out. well with EVERYTHING. though im a little mad at myself this week. and of course its one of those rethinking over things of the next day type of mad's. where i did something stupied yesterday and am only thinking about it the next day type of mad's. i used my last five out of thirty dollars to buy veggies. i haven't had them in so long well i started thinking about htem and like an idiot, instead of putting it in offering like I HAVE been doing.. i bought veggies. 'kicks foot' yeah i have a veggie thing. veggies and fruits. and i've been slacking a bit in my bible studys. i still read bible versus.. quite a bit of them before going to bed. but i haven't been doing my 'Our Daily Bread' or the bible study for the week from our sunday school books. so for me, im considering that slacking. i have been reading from 'A Higher Calling' that i asked CBN for a copy of. i like those versus. their nice. but i haven't kept track of them in the little journal im doing that for. AND of course i talked to my sister yesterday, and the day before. ug the day before i talked to her before going to bed and couldn't get to sleep. so about midnight i came back out here to the living room, and sat down at the computer. and deleated all my RP's. now for you who dun know what that is, thats 'Roleplaying game' but it isn't.. exactly. its sorta you rp in a IM box. You play one character, I play one character. and up until I really devoted myself to christ.. which i keep on slipping on. 'sigh'.. I was doing rps that where.. we.. llllll.. the term 'Soul Sickness' comes to mind. weren't healthy for me spiritualy. im working on that. but its a hard battle. cause i was addicted to those types of rps.anyways so i Deleated them then went back in my room, turned on my MP3 to 'I Praise you in this storm' by.. ohh who were they.. I'll think of the name later.. or you'll probably give it to me.. anyways i was listening to that song after reading from 'A Higher Calling' and went to sleep at once. all the restlessness was gone. course by then that was FIVE in the morning. and Deloras called at nine.. after my alarm had woken me at eight, i had forgotten i set the thing, to let me know she'd be picking me up at such and such a time to do my shopping on wensday. yes yesterday. now we're up to yesterday. SO i did the shopping thing.. managed to stay up until six last night..and went to bed.. woke up at midnight and have been up since. yes im weird.. i bounce from subject to subject but then my thinkings just as choatic.. hmm spelled it right cool go me..

ANYWAYS. the only bible verse i can quote is john 3:16..maybe.. don't know the adress but its 'For God so Loved the world that he gave his own begotten son, that who so ever believes in him shall not die but have eternal life..' well okay so it's the gits of the verse. but remarkable thats the only one i can remamber all of.

anyways i'll let you guys go.. not that anyone READS my journal lol.. and umm probably go back to bed. later.

Proverbs 31 Ministries: Encouragement for Today - An Emotional Affair

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:51:29 GMT

This was todays devotional or..whatever their called from Proverbs 31 Ministries. and touched me, as all their posts and emails and stuff is. and for some reason everything im posting.. is comeing up underlined which yes is irritateing. as you've probably figured out i use my journal more as a 'My Keep Sake' box type deal.
nope that ohh it worked, cool, not sure i can retype whats above without it comeing off underlined so i won't mess with it. but anyways i keep my journal more as a keep sake box then anything. you know so i can find stuff. unfortunelty most of wha ti've kept , up until this point in time.. has been what i've been terming 'soul sick' stuff. meaning stuff that's not been to healthy fo rmy soul spiritualy wise and fallowing God Wise. so Im trying to fix it. i might jus thave to go through and painstakeingly erase every single post I don't want to keep. you rprobably asking 'why not just deleate the journal and start over.' cause I dunno if I'll get the same username or if they'll still count it as being in use. im not to smart when it comes to computer stuff. but anyways on to todays devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries. its a good one to.. for umm Adultry or.. fleeing from it not to clear but go ahead and read and comment. i wouldn't really know about Adultry. 'blushes' I haven't EVER dated. wanted to but.... im a little on the heavy side so not to many people want that. that and up until recantly I've been a sorta.. grumpy gloomy type of person so i've probably scared off quite a few people. and I think i'll shut up in this post for now and do a new one i seem to be in a ramble about myself mood.

February 26, 2009

An Emotional Affair

Lysa TerKeurst

"Flee from sexual immorality."

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

Devotion:

A few years ago, I watched a friend get tangled up in an emotional affair. She was a strong Christian woman who loved her family but the attraction to this other man seemed unavoidable. She tried to talk herself out of it but her heart played tricks on her mind, and the justifications for letting things continue down this path soon led her to a very dangerous place. She was becoming emotionally attached to this other man.

In a moment of desperation and fear, she confided in me what was going on. As she described how she got pulled into this place, I found myself being challenged by the realization of how subtly this had happened. She hadn't planned on being emotionally attracted to this other man. As a matter of fact, she'd always prided herself on being a woman of strong conviction and had scoffed at the idea of ever being tempted to have an affair.

It starts off simple enough - his comment that you mull over one too many times, a conversation in which you find a surprising connection, a glance that lingers just a second too long, or one of a thousand other interactions that seem innocent yet aren't. These are the dangerous seeds that can easily sprout into an emotional affair.

Some think it is a safe way to enjoy the lure of being attracted to someone other than your spouse without crossing any lines. But God boldly and plainly says in 1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee from sexual immorality." God doesn't say walk away from sexual immorality. No, He says to flee as if your very life is at stake! The time to prevent an emotional affair is before it ever starts. For me to rest on my spiritual laurels and think that it could never happen to me, made me a prideful, open target for Satan.

Jesus warned his disciples in Matthew 26:41,"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." The Life Application NIV Bible commentary says, "Jesus used Peter's drowsiness to warn him about the kinds of temptation he would soon face. The way to overcome temptation is to keep watch and pray. Watching means being aware of the possibilities of temptation, sensitive to the subtleties, spiritually equipped to fight it."

Watching:

I now realize that I need to be aware that I am just as prone to this temptation as anyone. One of the best ways to be watchful is to be praying with and for my husband. We need to be open and honest about meeting each other's needs and investing wisely in our marriage. If we get into a rough place, we need to be willing to get help. I love the quote, "If you are busy rowing the boat, you won't have time to rock it." The more my husband and I are taking care of each other, the less attractive temptations will seem.

Sensitive to the Subtleties:

I will have to be honest with myself that temptations do exist. When another man says or does something I wish my husband would say or do and doesn't, it can make me lessen my husband in my heart and build up this other man. This is a seed of poison. If watered and fed, this seed will sprout and spread and devastate. Seeds seem so small until you realize that within them they contain the potential to become huge. So, I will be steadfast to keep the fertile ground of my heart pure.

Spiritually Equipped:

Philippians 4:8 reminds us, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" (NIV). I must park my mind with the truth and the truth is I am married to an amazing man. He is not perfect and sometimes our marriage can be hard, but I made a commitment to Him in a covenant before God and there are no Biblical reasons in our marriage why we should ever part. Therefore, I've made the decision not to part - in big ways or small.

My friend did the wisest but hardest thing she could have done in telling me about her emotional affair. Not only did it help her to see she needed to flee and have someone else hold her accountable, but it also made me aware and alert to the dangers lurking in any kind of unhealthy emotional connection with another man.

Dear Lord, may I forever treasure my marriage and see it worthy to be protected. Help me to be a courageous woman who absolutely flees from any and every situation where there is even a hint of danger. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

Visit Lysa's blog

"Come hear Lysa speak in Dallas, Texas at the National Christian Book Expo. For more information, click here."

Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman: Lies that got me there, Truths that brought me back by Lyndell Hetrick Holtz

The Man You Always Wanted is the One You Already Have by Paula Friedrichsen

Application Steps:

What are some practical ways I can be:

Watching:

Sensitive to the Subtleties:

Spiritually Equipped:

Reflections:

Are there any proactive steps I need to take to guard my heart and protect my marriage today?

Is there any person or any situation I need to flee from?

Power Verses:

Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV)

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Proverbs 31 Ministries: How Is Your Marriage

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:44:16 GMT

Encouragement for Today
Welcome to Encouragement for Today, a free devotional from Christianity.com. We honor your privacy and time. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs, please use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this newsletter and you will be removed immediately.

February 23, 2009

How is Your Marriage?

Melissa Taylor

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 (NASB)

Devotion:

A while ago, I wrote a devotion where I revealed portions of my past that continue to affect my marriage today. I followed that up with another one recounting the struggle I've had being intimate with my husband. I received hundreds of letters from women of all ages who could relate to what I had written. Because I also reported that my marriage was now thriving, I received a lot of questions and concerns:

"How did your marriage go from just surviving to thriving?"

"What if your husband won't go to counseling?"

"I don't love my husband anymore; what do I do?"

"My husband doesn't make me feel good; he doesn't even notice me."

"I'm exhausted from trying to be happy."

"All my husband wants is sex; I'm just too tired."

"What if your husband is not a Christian?"

"That's great for you, but what about me?"

I wish I was equipped to answer these questions. Wouldn't it be nice if we could go to Someone who could answer all of our questions for us? We can.

One thing that helped me was prayer. I know that sounds simple. I also know it's not. It can be difficult to pray and be satisfied with God's response. We need to be committed to receiving what God offers, not just asking for what we want.

For years, I spent my time praying for God to change Jeff, my husband. I blamed Jeff for me not feeling good about myself and my life. I thought:

If he would only pay more attention to me ... then I'd be happy.

If he would just be more romantic ... then I'd be fulfilled.

I wish he understood me.

He loves his work more than me.

I wish he would read the Bible more, or pray with me.

I bought the book, Power of a Praying Wife, certain if I began praying diligently for my husband everything would be fixed. I opened the book, ready to change my husband through prayer. Imagine my surprise when the first thing the author suggested was that I pray for myself! My intentions in reading this book was to change Jeff through my prayers, not to change me. That really opened my eyes. Maybe God didn't want to change my husband; maybe He wanted to change me!

This shifted my focus on what God could do in and through me. Instead of trying to figure out how His Word applied to everyone else (especially Jeff), I focused on how it applied to me. What a difference that made!

As I prayed for myself, I also began praying for Jeff. This time I stayed out of God's way and let Him work in both our hearts. There was not quick, but steady improvement. Looking back to when I first made the decision to focus more on my role in our marriage and less on Jeff's, and compare it to today, it is like night and day.

I am a wife, but even before that I am a child of God. I pray my marriage lasts forever, but I have no guarantee of that. I do have the guarantee that my relationship with Jesus will. That's the relationship I must work on first. Amazingly, when that one is right, the rest falls into place for me. It doesn't mean that all is well, but it means I am well.

The next time you find yourself yearning for more from your marriage and husband, think about this. Instead of asking, "How is my marriage doing?" or "How is my relationship with my husband?" Ask "How am I doing?" or "How is my relationship with Jesus?"

Dear Lord, help me to turn over all of the desires in my heart to You. Work on my relationships, beginning with me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage: Protecting Your Relationship So It Will Last a Lifetime by Stormie Omartian

Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

Visit Melissa's blog

Application Steps:

Commit to having a daily quiet time with God each day this week.

Reflections:

How can I make a difference in my relationships?

Could it be me who needs to change?

Power Verses:

Galatians 6:9, "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." (NLT)

Mark 11:24-25, "I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." (NLT)

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

ODB: Waiting For The Harvest

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:39:22 GMT

February 23, 2009

Waiting For The Harvest

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DOWNLOAD: Download
READ: Mark 4:26-29

First the blade, then the head, after that the full grain . . . . The harvest has come. —Mark 4:28-29

In the book What’s Gone Wrong With the Harvest? James Engel and Wilbert Norton illustrate on a graph how people often go through a series of preconversion stages before stepping over the line of faith and receiving Jesus as their Savior.

When we hear individuals share their conversion experience, we may conclude that faith happened all at once. But their salvation frequently carries an extended back-story of spiritual pilgrimage before they made that decision. They needed time to reflect on the gospel. For them, coming to the Savior was a process.

This is similar to the process of farming: Months of waiting come to an end and workers stream into the fields to help with the harvest. One of our Lord’s parables illustrates how faith—like a crop—needs time to develop. Responding to the gospel is like a seed that grows “first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain,” until finally, “the harvest has come” (Mark 4:28-29).

Because people may need time and multiple exposures to the gospel before they are ready to make a decision, we need to be sensitive to where they are in their faith-journey. In the meantime, we can cultivate spiritual interest, pray for them, and wait for the harvest! —Dennis Fisher

Have you thought of where you’re going
When this earthly life is past?
Will the seed that you are sowing
Bring a harvest that will last? —Jacobson

We sow the seed—God produces the harvest.

CBN.com - Keep On Keeping On!

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:55:14 GMT

CHRISTIAN LIVING

Keep On Keeping On!

By Belinda Elliott
CBN.com Senior Producer

CBN.com – Fed by birds in the desert, used by God to raise someone from the dead, witnessed fire sent down from Heaven, and swept away to eternity by a chariot of fire, the Old Testament prophet Elijah had quite the adventure!

But even he had his down days.

Elijah had been doing great things for God. He had just recently participated in one of the biggest showdowns in history between the Lord and a pagan god. The people were amazed as Elijah called on the one true God and He answered in a magnificent way. (Check out the story in 1 Kings 18).

After that demonstration of power, it seemed like the people were convinced that the pagan god they had been serving was a fake. But this sentiment was to be short-lived.

After Elijah embarrassed her fake god, Israel’s queen Jezebel promised to get even. Elijah quickly went from a confident man proclaiming the Word of God to a coward on the run from a crazed woman who wanted to kill him.

Though he had seen God’s power at work, he felt alone. It seemed as if the rest of the nation had become wicked. They had abandoned their worship of God and pursued pagan gods instead.

Had he made any progress at all? How could he continue to work for God when it seemed no one was listening?

Have you ever felt that way? Perhaps you are serving in the ministry that God has called you to but you haven’t seen the results that you thought you would. Or maybe God has given you a clear directive, but every time you make any progress toward what He has told you to do you find another obstacle in the way.

Or perhaps you are the only Christian in your family or in your circle of friends. In a post-modern culture where it seems like “anything goes,” it can be difficult to keep God’s moral standards. When many around us live contrary to God’s Word, it is difficult to not be swayed by their influence. Sometimes being “in the world, but not of it” is harder than we care to admit.

If you have felt like this, you are in good company. Elijah also felt like he had been laboring in vain. He cried out to God, “Lord God All-Powerful, I have always served you as well as I could. But the people of Israel have broken their agreement with you, destroyed your altars, and killed your prophets with swords. I am the only prophet left, and now they are trying to kill me, too" (1 Kings 19:14).

He wasn’t just feeling pressured by the culture around him. Nor was this a case of simply not fitting in with his friends or family. His very life was at stake.

I recently re-read this story, and I noticed something that I had never seen before. After Elijah makes his complaint to God, the Lord immediately gives him a new assignment. It’s not that God ignores Elijah’s complaint, but it’s pretty obvious that God didn’t want the prophet to stop working.

The sentiment behind the Lord’s command to Elijah was basically, “Keep on keeping on.”

But He did add a word of encouragement. At the end of His instructions to Elijah, God makes one last observation: “I have seven thousand people left in Israel who have never bowed down before Baal and whose mouths have never kissed his idol" (1 Kings 19:18).

I find that verse to be quite hopeful. Although Elijah thought he was the only one continuing to serve God, it turns out there were numerous people still seeking the Lord. And what’s even more encouraging is that this faithful group didn’t escape the Lord’s attention. He saw them and knew of their faithfulness.

He sees our faithfulness too.

Every time we choose His way instead of our own, He takes note of it. Each time we sacrifice ourselves in some way for His kingdom, whether it is through our time, talents, or finances, He sees it. Whenever we are obedient to Him, He notices.

And His Word promises that our faithfulness will not go unrewarded. When we become discouraged by the wickedness around us, we must remember that the place we call home for now is not our final destination. Our reward will be in Heaven. One day we will see the fruits of our labors.

Galatians 6:9 instructs us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Even if we are the only ones among our peers, in our workplaces, or in our families who are serving the Lord, we must continue to stay strong in our faith. We never know how He may use the witness of our lives to draw someone to Him. In the meantime, we can rest assured that He sees every situation we encounter and He walks through each one with us.

What can we do when we become discouraged in our service?

I believe we can take a lesson from Elijah. Pray. Remember God’s promises. And keep on keeping on!

Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Meet Him today.

*Scriptures used in this article taken from the New Century Version.

Comments? Email me

CBN.com - Satisfy Your Craving

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:50:42 GMT

CHRISTIAN LIVING

Satisfy Your Craving

By Belinda Elliott
CBN.com Senior Producer

CBN.com – It was a bad case of the munchies. It was late afternoon and I was craving Cookies and Cream ice cream – the kind that contains big chunks of Oreos. My car was in the shop and I was working from home with no means of transportation, making this sweet treat impossible to obtain.

Deciding to choose a healthier, yet sweet, option I grabbed a bag of grapes from the refrigerator. I’d eaten three or four and was thinking, Okay, these aren’t so bad. Then I noticed the grape that I was holding had a spot of mold on it. Yuck! How long have these been in the fridge? I thought.

So I threw those out and scanned the shelves for another healthy option. Carrots -- those are sweet, right? Maybe this will cure my craving, I thought. After eating a couple, I had to put them back. Carrots will simply not do when Oreos are on the brain.

My next attempt was a bit of chocolate. Actually, a lot of chocolate. It took several different tries before I finally gave up. With Hershey Kiss and chocolate mint wrappers all around, I decided there was nothing in the house that would satisfy my hankering for the sweet taste of Oreos mixed with ice cream.

Have you ever had a craving for something, and it wouldn’t go away until you obtained the item desired? My insatiable desire for sweets that day reminded me of a different kind of craving I often feel. A soul craving.

At a recent chapel service, the speaker was discussing Hebrews 11, the “faith chapter”. He zeroed in on verse six, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” The speaker explained that some versions use the phrase “diligently seek Him,” and that one meaning usually translated for this verse is to “crave” God.

To crave is an intense feeling, as I found out in my search for the “perfect” sweet treat. And it doesn’t only happen with food. Some things that we crave are simple enough that we can go purchase them immediately, if we want to. A new purse, a new pair of shoes, or a new outfit are easy items to obtain, if we don’t mind shelling out our cash for them.

Sometimes we crave things that we have no way to provide ourselves. A job, a spouse, a baby, these are things that we long for as we wait for God to provide them. And sometimes, even after we get them, we find ourselves still feeling unfulfilled because they turn out to be less than the “perfect” way that we’d imagined them.

It’s usually a scenario like that which leads to my soul cravings. There are times when I find myself longing for more than life is offering. I love my job, my spouse, my friends, and my church. I lead a full and fulfilling life, yet something inside me becomes unsatisfied.

That’s when the Lord often whispers to me, You’re doing it again.

Doing what, Lord? I ask.

Filling My place with other things, He replies.

Ouch!

But it’s true. Sometimes I seek fulfillment in every other area of life before I realize what is missing. I let worldly concerns crowd out the most important thing, time spent with my Savior. Without that time alone with Him, I will always feel like there is something missing.

Lately, I’ve had the song “Draw Me Close to You,” stuck in my head. For days, the chorus has been nagging at me. It says, You’re all I want. You’re all I’ve ever needed. Lord, help me know you are near.

Have I ever come to a place in my life where Jesus is truly all I want and all I need? If everything else were to be taken away from me today, would He be enough?

That’s a tough question to ponder, but I believe that’s what it means to really “crave” Jesus.

Do we crave God as much as we crave other things? Do we so long to spend time in His presence each day that nothing will keep us from meeting with Him? Fortunately, this is one craving that will never leave us hungering. Jesus is ready and waiting to nourish our souls every day.

Whether circumstances in our lives are the currently the best they’ve ever been or the worst they’ve ever been, the “abundant life” that Scripture promises will remain out of reach until we seek out the One who offers everything we need.

The next time you feel that pull of dissatisfaction, give into that craving! Grab your Bible and get alone with God. Ultimately, there is nothing else that will satisfy us.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.
- Psalm 62:5

Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Meet Him today and find the peace, freedom, and fulfillment that your heart has been longing for.

Comments? Email me

Our Daily Bread: Is That You, Neighbor?

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:22:34 GMT

February 21, 2009

Is That You, Neighbor?

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DOWNLOAD: Download
READ: Luke 6:27-36

And who is my neighbor? —Luke 10:29

An English yachtsman sailing in the Caribbean, 4,000 miles from home, lost his mast in a storm. He had been adrift for 2 days, and was taking water in 20-foot waves, when his desperate SOS was picked up. According to Ananova news service, 90 minutes later he was rescued by the captain of a 116,000-ton superliner.

Only when he was pulled out of the water did the rescued sailor discover that the captain who had responded to his call for help was a neighbor from his Hampshire village of Warsash. The rescued man later asked, “What are the chances of being rescued in the middle of nowhere by your neighbor?”

Jesus saw neighbors in unlikely places. When an expert in Jewish law asked Him to define the neighbor we are to love, Jesus drew a big circle. He told the story of a merciful Samaritan to show that a neighbor is the friend, stranger, or enemy who needs the help we can give (Luke 10).

To distinguish ourselves as Jesus’ people, we need to show kindness even to those who wish us harm (Luke 6:32-34). Only then will we reflect the heart of the One who, while we were still His enemies, paid the ultimate price to come to our rescue. —Mart De Haan

How many lives shall I touch today?
How many neighbors will pass my way?
I can bless so many and help so much
If I meet each one with a Christlike touch. —Jones

Our love for Christ is only as real as our love for our neighbor.

To read today's Our Daily Bread online visit our website.
Copyright 2009, RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA. Written permission must be obtained from RBC Ministries for any further posting or distribution. RBC Ministries produces a variety of Bible resources, which are available for the asking. RBC Ministries is not funded by any group or denomination, and support comes voluntarily from its members and friends. Write rbc@rbc.org for more information.

Christianity.com: Turning the Daughter's Heart to the Father's

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:17:00 GMT

Christianity.com Daily Inspirations
Welcome to Daily Inspirations, a free devotional from Christianity.com. We honor your privacy and time. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs, please use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this newsletter and you will be removed immediately.

Turning the Daughter's Heart to the Father's
By Os Hillman

February 21

"He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse" (Mal 4:6).

I came into the room and greeted my wife. Within a few moments I began to cry uncontrollably. My wife was naturally concerned as she had never seen me do this. I had just returned from dinner with my eighteen year-old-daughter. I had listened to how fearful she was of the future. I was concluding a commitment to a seven year child support and alimony from a divorce that had taken place many years earlier but the impact was still apparent in my daughter's life. It was something I had fought against but lost. I was angry and broken over what she was feeling. It all came to the surface like a boil that needed to burst.

A few months later I had to speak at a conference in Minneapolis. A dear friend came up to me and said, "Os, we want to pray for you and Angie downstairs. Can you come down?" "Sure, we will be right down," I said. We went downstairs to meet them and sat down. My friend and his friend Ron began to pray for us. Ron began to speak about my life in very specific terms. "You have a daughter-...The Lord says she has a gift in writing-poetry-and she has creative gifts. The Lord says she has been in a stronghold for many years in her life but he is about to bring her out of that stronghold. He is turning the daughter's heart back to the father's and He is bringing her home. The Lord says He has seen the tears you have shed for her in your bedroom."

By this time, Angie and I are on the floor weeping. We went home with this profound experience. Within a year, my daughter came to Christ and even came to live at our home for a year.

Do you have a son or daughter that is not walking with God right now? Lay your desire before the Lord and ask Him to draw him or her to Himself. He can do it.

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.

Handbook to Renewal

Set Your Mind on Biblical Truth
Designed to renew your mind on a daily basis, this beautiful leather-bound handbook is most effective when used just before going to sleep so that you set your mind on biblical truth for the rest of the night. Each night, the readings are structured around five kinds of affirmations from Scripture: The Attributes of God, The Works of God, My Relationship to God, The Character I Want to Cultivate, and My Relationship to Others. Order This Resource

Proverbs 31 Ministries

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:56:02 GMT

February 20, 2009

The Whitening Process

Marybeth Whalen

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow."

Psalm 51:7 (NIV)

Devotion:

When my dental hygienist of a mom gave me a free whitening kit from her dentist's office, I was elated. The cost of the whitening treatment had been far too expensive for me in the past, so I had never pursued it. But free I could do! Unfortunately, I quickly discovered this whole teeth whitening thing wasn't the blissful experience I had anticipated. It was far more painful and complicated than I understood when I began. As I thought about this, I realized it was a parallel to the Christian life.

Whitening is painful. The chemicals they use in the bleaching process can cause pain. The nerves under the gum-line that are exposed to these chemicals can really hurt, making things you used to do without thinking--like eating, for example--impossible. I thought about how this applies to God's process of making us white as snow, as today's verse says. We want that process to be quick and easy. We don't want Him to make things we used to do to become painful or unpleasant. And yet, by exposing those nerves--the stuff we keep hidden under the surface--we are forced to change things about ourselves. We don't want the pain, and yet sometimes pain is the only thing that will cause the change God wants to bring about in us.

Whitening takes a long time. I was asking my mom why they don't just make a product that works in one application. Why does this process have to be so drawn out? "Because," she answered, "The chemicals are so harsh you couldn't take it all in one application, so they break it up a little at a time." I thought about how gentle and loving our Heavenly Father is, allowing us to go through a process of refinement, instead of being exposed to more than we can take all at once. He leads us along the path of righteousness -- a journey. He never gives us more than we can take, balancing just the right amount of pain mixed with just the right amount of perfectly timed relief. It might take longer than we want, but we can find peace in knowing that the end-result will be worth waiting for.

Whitening isn't convenient. I couldn't find an ideal time to submit myself to this process. Finding three hours to wear a tray full of chemicals in my mouth just wasn't happening. The refiner's fire is like this. It is never convenient and it certainly won't fit into your neatly ordered life to develop the character of Christ. And if you wait until you are "ready" to submit to it with your whole heart, well, it likely will never get done. God wants us to come before Him and say, "I will make the time to undergo what You have for me, because I want to be all I can for You, Lord." When He hears this from us, He moves within our lives to bring about dazzling change.

God's whitening process--it might not be easy, or tidy, or even close to what we expected, but we can trust it will be for the best.

Dear Lord, the cry of David's heart is the cry of my heart: I want You to cleanse me, to make me whiter than snow. I understand that pain, discomfort and inconvenience will be part of that process. Help me to submit to that process every step of the way and to trust You at all times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do you know Him?

Pierced By the Word: 31 Meditations for Your Soul by John Piper

For the Write Reason General Editor Marybeth Whalen

Visit Marybeth's blog

Application Steps:

Sit quietly with the Lord asking Him, "Lord, what areas in my life need to be cleaned?"

Enlist the encouragement of a good friend in Christ for accountability in making and keeping the choice to be refined.

Reflections:

Have you gone through a painful time that you can now see was part of your "whitening process"?

Do you struggle with submitting yourself to the inconvenience of God's maturation process?

Power Verses:

I Peter 4:12-13, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." (NIV)

Psalm 23:3, "He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." (NIV)

Zechariah 13:9, "This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'" (NIV)

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Our Daily Bread: Dying for Justice

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:53:27 GMT

February 20, 2009

Dying For Justice

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DOWNLOAD: Download
READ: Deut. 24:14-22

You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. —Deuteronomy 24:18

When Presbyterian clergyman Elijah Lovejoy (1802–1837) left the pulpit, he returned to the printing presses in order to reach more people. After witnessing a lynching, Lovejoy committed to fighting the injustice of slavery. His life was threatened by hateful mobs, but this did not stop him: “If by compromise is meant that I should cease from my duty, I cannot make it. I fear God more than I fear man. Crush me if you will, but I shall die at my post.” Four days after these words, he was killed at the hands of another angry mob.

Concern about justice for the oppressed is evident throughout Scripture. It was especially clear when God established the rules for His covenant people after they were released from Egyptian bondage (Deut. 24:18-22). Moses emphasized concern for the underprivileged (Ex. 22:22-27; 23:6-9; Lev. 19:9-10). Repeatedly, the Israelites were reminded that they had been slaves in Egypt and should deal justly with the underprivileged in their community. They were to love strangers (“aliens”) because God loves them, and the Israelites had themselves been aliens in Egypt (Ex. 23:9; Lev. 19:34; Deut. 10:17-19).

God desires that His people affirm the supreme worth of every individual by fighting against injustice. —Marvin Williams

Open my eyes, Lord, to people around me,
Help me to see them as You do above;
Give me the wisdom and strength to take action
So others may see the depth of Your love. —K. De Haan

Standing for justice means fighting against injustice.

Christianity.com: February 20, 2009 - Give us This Day Our Daily Bread

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:47:23 GMT

Week of February 20

"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread."
by Max Lucado

What a statement of trust! Whatever you want me to have is all I want. Some days the plate runs over. God keeps bringing out more food and we keep loosening our belt. A promotion. A privilege. A friendship. A gift. A lifetime of grace. An eternity of joy. There are times when we literally push ourselves back from the table, amazed at God's kindness. "You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup fills with blessing" (Ps. 23:5 MSG).

And then there are those days when, well, when we have to eat our broccoli. Our daily bread could be tears or sorrow or discipline. Our portion may include adversity as well as opportunity.

This verse was on my mind last night during family devotions. I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies. "Every day," I explained, "God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?"

The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren't they? Some days are "three cookie days." Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables--twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn't it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does little for our nutrition, but a lot for our attitude.

All are important and all are from God.

The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did. In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. "My Father," he prayed, "if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matt. 26:39).

Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God's help, he did. And with God's help, you can too.

From
The Great House of God
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001) Max Lucado

Christianity.com Devotional Pause Before Reacting

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:25:39 GMT

February 19, 2009

Pause Before Reacting

Lysa TerKeurst

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

Devotion:

A few years ago, Art and I hit a rough place financially. Some investments we'd made went bad and we lost nearly our entire life savings. I was knee deep in 3 small children at the time and hadn't a clue that financial danger was looming on the horizon.

That is until Art came home one day and the look on his face spoke of utter defeat. How could we have lost so much? He'd been wise with our finances. He'd done his research. He was a faithful saver. I stood stunned in our foyer that day, as Art told me the news.

There were many different directions my reaction could have gone in the minutes that followed. I was upset. When Art first talked of making these particular investments, I shared with him that I didn't have a good feeling about it. But, in the end, I let him make the final decision.

So many times in my marriage, I've chosen the wrong words - words that were tainted with bitterness, words that were emotionally toxic. But I'm so thankful the Lord had been working on preparing my heart for this moment and instead of reacting immediately with what would have been a disastrous response, I paused. I allowed the Holy Spirit a few seconds to interrupt my natural flesh feelings.

Then, because of God's Spirit working in me, I was able to wrap my arms around my husband and speak life-giving words into his weary heart. "I love you Art. I loved you yesterday when we had everything. I love you today when we have nothing. I love you for who you are, not what you have."

A few years later, Art and I were on Dr. Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program. On the show Art was asked, "I know you and Lysa had a rough start to your marriage. But what happened that made you know you'd stick by her forever, no matter what?"

Without hesitation, Art recounted my reaction over the lost investments.

I cried.

Had I been left to my own flesh reaction that day, it could have set us on the road to marital disaster. But, because of God's response being stored up in me, this situation wound up bringing us closer together than we'd ever been.

I realized how crucial it is to always be aware of God's preparation in our lives. Because He stands in our yesterday, today and tomorrow, He sees all. And He knows the perfect way to prepare our hearts for every situation.

When we embrace His preparations, even a girl with firecrackers in her blood like me can have reactions that honor God and breathe life into relationships.

Dear Lord, remind me to pause before I react. Sometimes the stresses of life pull at my emotions, which cause me to have reactions that tear at my relationships. Please forgive me for poor reactions in my past. Thank You for second chances. Thank You for the way You prepare my heart for everything You see that I'll be facing today, tomorrow and in all my tomorrows to come. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog

Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst

Application Steps:

Part of embracing His preparations are to pray prayers that make God my focus rather than my circumstances--- Here are a few I've been inspired to pray:

God, despite my circumstances, I will find reasons to praise You.

God, even when I feel disappointed by what life brings, I will trust You to bring good out of bad.

God, no matter what, I will hold on to You and Your truths.

God, my deepest desire is for more of You in me. And if that is the desire of my heart, I will never be disillusioned.

Reflections:

When hard situations arise, do I tend to react out of my emotions or out of a well-prepared heart of love? How might pausing help me to react better?

Power Verses:

Proverbs 15:4, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (NIV)

John 15:4, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (NIV)

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

February 19, 2009 - CBN Devotional

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:23:49 GMT

February 19, 2009

Celebrate Winter

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DOWNLOAD: Download
READ: Psalm 42

Why are you cast down, O my soul? . . . Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. —Psalm 42:5

I love living where there are four seasons. But even though I love settling down with a good book by a crackling fire when it’s snowing, I must admit that my love for the seasons grows a little dim when the long gray days of winter drone on into February.

Yet regardless of the weather, there is always something special about winter: Christmas! Thankfully, long after the decorations are down, the reality of Christmas still lifts my spirits no matter what’s happening.

If it weren’t for the reality of Christ’s birth, not only would winter be dark and dreary, but our hearts would be bleak and have nothing to hope for. No hope for the freedom from guilt and judgment. No hope of His reassuring and strengthening presence through dark and difficult times. No hope for a future secured in heaven.

In the winter of a troubled life, the psalmist asked, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” The remedy was clear: “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” (Ps. 42:5).

In C. S. Lewis’ tales of Narnia, Mr. Tumnus complains that in Narnia it is “always winter and never Christmas.” But for those of us who know the God who made the seasons, it is always Christmas in our hearts! —Joe Stowell

When our lives are heavy laden,
Cold and bleak as winter long,
Stir the embers in our hearts, Lord;
Make Your flame burn bright and strong. —Kieda

Let the reality of Christmas chase away the blahs of winter.

Christianity.com Daily Inspirational - Ultimate Security

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:21:16 GMT

Ultimate Security

Listen to Audio (right click to save)

A local businessman was in to share with our Ministry Team a while back, and he made a fascinating observation about his family. He's got three children; two are all grown up and in their late 20s. His youngest is just a nine year old girl. He assured us that she wasn't a "mistake." In fact, she was their choice. And he pointed out something the authorities made very clear at the time the adoption went through. There could come a time when he had a major falling out with one of his natural-born children - a time when he could conceivably, as a father, disown that child; even put him out of the will. But not so with this girl he was adopting. He was legally committed to never disown her, to never put her out of his will, and to always take care of her. They said, in essence, "When you adopt a child, she is your child forever."

For my businessman friend, that experience with adoption opened up a whole new world in terms of his personal relationship with God. It could be the same for you. Because adoption plays a central part in whether or not you actually belong to God, whether or not you go to heaven when you die.

In our word for today from the Word of God, the Lord pulls back the curtain of eternity to let us see this panoramic view of how God has planned and provided for you joining His family. Ephesians 1:4 says this: "In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons (or His children) through Jesus Christ...In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." God has had His eye on you before there was a world! And He made a plan to adopt you into His family so you could be with Him forever.

There are few more comforting and more peace-giving words in the English language than this one - secure. But security may be something you've never had much of in your life. You've experienced a lot of conditional love, performance love, but not much love that would be there no matter how unlovable you are. Maybe there have been people or positions or things that were your security blanket but they're gone, and with them, that sense of being safe. If you've been disappointed in relationships, if you've been hurt a lot, or if you're tired of losing what you were hanging onto, then you're ready to be adopted by God.

Remember what the authorities told my friend, "When you adopt a child, she is yours forever." That's the kind of unshakable, unlosable security God is offering you. Adoptions can be expensive. For God to adopt you, the price was unthinkable - the sacrifice of His one and only Son on the cross. Because there's no way you could be a daughter or son in God's family with all the wrong things you've done. After all, God the Father is perfect. But, as the verse says, God offers forgiveness of sins through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. Your sin was paid for so your sin could be forgiven. And God stands ready to make you His child.

But only if you want Him to. Only if you'll pin all your hopes on Jesus and what He did on the cross for you. At the moment you give yourself to Jesus, you are adopted into God's family, and you finally belong. You're finally secure.

If you're ready to join God's family, would you tell Jesus that? And then, I hope you'll go to our website where you'll find a lot of valuable, practical information on how to be sure you belong to Jesus Christ. It's YoursForLife.net. I hope you'll go there at your first convenience today. Or you can call and get for no charge my booklet Yours For Life just by calling 877-741-1200.

Your lifelong search for a love you could never lose can end this very day. God has paid the price to adopt you. His arms are open wide. It's time for you to run into your Father's waiting arms. Once you do, He'll never let you go.

Learn how to begin a personal, love-relationship with the God who made you.

February 19,2009 Proverbs 31 Ministeries - Pause Before Reacting

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:14:05 GMT

Pause Before Reacting

19 Feb 2009

Lysa TerKeurst

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

A few years ago, Art and I hit a rough place financially. Some investments we'd made went bad and we lost nearly our entire life savings. I was knee deep in 3 small children at the time and hadn't a clue that financial danger was looming on the horizon.

That is until Art came home one day and the look on his face spoke of utter defeat. How could we have lost so much? He'd been wise with our finances. He'd done his research. He was a faithful saver. I stood stunned in our foyer that day, as Art told me the news.

There were many different directions my reaction could have gone in the minutes that followed. I was upset. When Art first talked of making these particular investments, I shared with him that I didn't have a good feeling about it. But, in the end, I let him make the final decision.

So many times in my marriage, I've chosen the wrong words - words that were tainted with bitterness, words that were emotionally toxic. But I'm so thankful the Lord had been working on preparing my heart for this moment and instead of reacting immediately with what would have been a disastrous response, I paused. I allowed the Holy Spirit a few seconds to interrupt my natural flesh feelings.

Then, because of God's Spirit working in me, I was able to wrap my arms around my husband and speak life-giving words into his weary heart. "I love you Art. I loved you yesterday when we had everything. I love you today when we have nothing. I love you for who you are, not what you have."

A few years later, Art and I were on Dr. Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program. On the show Art was asked, "I know you and Lysa had a rough start to your marriage. But what happened that made you know you'd stick by her forever, no matter what?"

Without hesitation, Art recounted my reaction over the lost investments.

I cried.

Had I been left to my own flesh reaction that day, it could have set us on the road to marital disaster. But, because of God's response being stored up in me, this situation wound up bringing us closer together than we'd ever been.

I realized how crucial it is to always be aware of God's preparation in our lives. Because He stands in our yesterday, today and tomorrow, He sees all. And He knows the perfect way to prepare our hearts for every situation.

When we embrace His preparations, even a girl with firecrackers in her blood like me can have reactions that honor God and breathe life into relationships.

Dear Lord, remind me to pause before I react. Sometimes the stresses of life pull at my emotions, which cause me to have reactions that tear at my relationships. Please forgive me for poor reactions in my past. Thank You for second chances. Thank You for the way You prepare my heart for everything You see that I'll be facing today, tomorrow and in all my tomorrows to come. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Come hear Lysa speak in Dallas, Texas at the National Christian Book Expo. For more information, click here.

Visit Lysa TerKeurst's blog

Capture His Heart by Lysa TerKeurst

The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst

Application Steps:
Part of embracing His preparations are to pray prayers that make God my focus rather than my circumstances--- Here are a few I've been inspired to pray:

God, despite my circumstances, I will find reasons to praise You.

God, even when I feel disappointed by what life brings, I will trust You to bring good out of bad.

God, no matter what, I will hold on to You and Your truths.

God, my deepest desire is for more of You in me. And if that is the desire of my heart, I will never be disillusioned.

Reflections:
When hard situations arise, do I tend to react out of my emotions or out of a well-prepared heart of love? How might pausing help me to react better?

Power Verses:
Proverbs 15:4, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." (NIV)

John 15:4, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (NIV)

You are subscribed as:

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC 28105
877-P31-HOME (877-731-4663)

February 18, 2009 Making Melody

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:17:29 GMT

February 18, 2009

Making Melody

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DOWNLOAD: Download
READ: Psalm 126

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. —Ephesians 5:19

Do you know why bees hum? It’s because they can’t remember the words!

Ironically, that old joke reminds me of a serious story I read about a man awaiting heart bypass surgery. He was aware that people die during surgery. As he thought about all that could go wrong, he felt very much alone.

Then an orderly walked into his room to take him to surgery. As the young man began to push his gurney along the corridor, the patient heard him humming an ancient Irish hymn, “Be Thou My Vision.” It prompted his memories of lush green fields and the ancient stone ruins of Ireland, the land of his birth. The hymn flooded his soul like a fresh breath of home. When the orderly finished with that song, he hummed Horatio Spafford’s hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul.”

When they stopped outside the surgical suite, the man thanked him for the hymns. “God has used you this day,” he said, “to remove my fears and restore my soul.” “How so?” the orderly asked in surprise. “Your ‘hums’ brought God to me,” the man replied.

“The Lord has done great things for us” (Ps. 126:3). He has filled our heart with song. He may even use our “hums” to restore someone’s soul. —David Roper

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart—
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night—
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. —Irish hymn
© Chatto and Windus, Ltd., London.

Praise flows freely from the choir of the redeemed.

February 18,2009 A Brownie Knife

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:12:45 GMT

February 18, 2009

A Brownie Knife

Sylvia Basham, She Speaks! Graduate

"But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose."

1 Corinthians 12.18 (ESV)

Devotion:

Oddly enough, I'm thinking about plastic knives today. You know, the kind you get with your to-go meal at restaurants, packaged with a plastic fork, spoon, and napkin?

For years I ditched the plastic knife, thinking they are a waste of energy and not very useful at cutting my food. Steak, chicken, pot roast ...metal knives slice right through these, but not plastic knives. Hard foods are not their forte. Where plastic knives do excel, however, is in cutting fresh from the oven, piping hot brownies!

Have you ever cut brownies with a table knife and made a ragged mess out of them? Well, I've discovered a way to enjoy them, and keep them in tact, while they're still warm. I've used this trick successfully for years, as my hips will attest. Nice squares of warm, gooey chocolate goodness with smooth edges can be yours when cut with a plastic knife.

Knowing plastic knives' special knack for cutting brownies, I use them specifically for that purpose. I don't try to cut cardboard, steak or wood with them. That would be a senseless misuse of their gifts.

Oh, but how often have I misused my gifts or stepped away from my natural talents, attempting something I am not really cut out to do? This usually leads to frustration and a mess.

The point is this: God designed each one of us with certain abilities, but we tend to look at the abilities of the other women and we get caught in the comparison trap. We try to emulate her gifts and her talents when God has called us to something totally different.

Some of my friends have better culinary skills. Some of my friends train their children better than I. Some of my friends are well organized. Some of my friends...well, it really doesn't matter. What does matter is this: What am I going to do with what I am?

Paul puts it this way in I Corinthians 12.17-19: "If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be?" (ESV)

In what way has God gifted you? Have you yet to use that talent for His glory? Are you a wonderful hostess? Then don't compare yourself to the woman who is a teacher. Are you an organizer? Then don't compare yourself to the woman who is creative. Are you great with children? Then don't compare yourself to the woman who writes the newsletter.

After many years of anguish over my place in this world, or in my church, or in a women's group, I've come to embrace that which God has blessed me with. And I've decided I love being a plastic brownie knife!

Dear Lord, thank You for the gifts and talents You've given each of us. Please show us where we are most useful for Your kingdom and Your purposes. Give us boldness to carry out Your will especially when it might be an unexpected task. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

She Speaks Conference

Youniquely Woman: Becoming Who God Designed You To Be by Kay Arthur, Emilie Barnes and Donna Otto

Shaped with Purpose CD and companion Workbook by Renee Swope

The Confident Woman by Anabel Gillham

Application Steps:

Pray and ask God to reveal your gifts and passions which can best be used to further His kingdom. Embrace and excel in your uniqueness. Be available when opportunities arise for which your talents are best suited.

Reflections:

Are you grateful for your gifts or do you dismiss them as useless?

Are you second-guessing God and making comparisons with the talents of others?

Will you choose to love who God created you to be?

Power Verses:

2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (NIV)

Matthew 25:22-23, "The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" (NIV)

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Our Daily Bread - Perhaps Today

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:36:22 GMT

A year ago, I read an article saying that millions of TV sets in the United States would stop working today unless they were able to receive digital signals. Notices appeared in electronics stores, and the government even offered a free $40 coupon toward the purchase of a converter box.

I suspect that most people took the necessary steps to make sure their TV set would work when they turned it on today. We usually respond well to warnings tied to specific dates, but often fail to prepare for an event that will come “some day.”

When the disciples asked Jesus about the date of His return (Matt. 24:3), He told them that only God the Father knows: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (v.36). Then He urged them to be prepared so that they would not be taken by surprise. “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (v.44).

We don’t know when Jesus will return; He may come at any time. Dr. M. R. De Haan, founder of RBC Ministries, kept a two-word motto in his office: “Perhaps Today.”

When we make our daily plans, are we aware that Christ may return? Are we prepared to meet Him? — David C. McCasland

The darkness deepens! Yes, but dawn is nearer!
The Lord from heaven may soon be on His way;
The “blessed hope” in these dark days grows dearer,
Our Savior Christ will come—perhaps today! —Smith

If Christ comes today, will you be ready to meet Him?

Yes, But God

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:22:06 GMT

Yes, But God

Two of the most beautiful words in the Bible are “but God.”

We are totally depraved sinners who cannot earn or merit in any way, a right relationship with God. Before I became a Christian, I was “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). I “walked according to the course of this world, according to the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience” (v. 2). I too “lived in the lust of my flesh, indulging in the desires of the flesh and of the mind and was by nature a child of wrath, even as the rest” (v. 3).

That is an ugly picture, but it is true of my life before Christ conquered me.

It is the sad state of every person outside of Christ. We have each failed in the eyes of a holy and righteous God. We are sinners. Our lives do not bring glory to God. Because we are sinners, we cannot please Him with our self-righteousness and religious works, no matter how good our motives or our works.

Yes, “But God.” How beautiful are those words to the depraved sinner.

Yes, “but God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us” (v. 4).

That same holy and righteous God had “mercy” on us. The word means loving kindness, help in the time of need. It is God’s active intervention to help. He is the Helper of the helpless.

He treats us in mercy because He loves us. We absolutely deserve eternal condemnation in an eternal hell. If you disagree with that statement, you do not understand free grace. You are not claiming God’s grace alone in Christ alone to save you. We are undeserving of God’s free grace. We deserve the death penalty (Rom. 3:23: 6:23).

“But God . . . loved us” (John 3:16; Rom. 5:6, 8).

“But God . . . loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions” (Eph. 2:5).

“But God . . . made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus” (v. 6). That is grace! We have a completely new relationship with God because of His rich love, mercy and grace.

Dead in transgressions? Dead in sin? Yes. But God performs resurrections. He reaches down to sinners, and brings them to spiritual life again. He calls them, and His voice brings life to the dead.

No one can take the credit but God alone. It is God’s sovereign, free grace that makes us right with God.

“But God . . . . in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (v. 7). Through out all eternity the redeemed will sing, “Saved by Grace.” We are trophies of God’s saving grace and will be to His honor and glory alone through out eternity (Rev. 4:8-11; 5:9-17).

“But God” rich in mercy, loved us, with His great love, and made us alive with Him, raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in a vital union with Him and saved us by His grace.

Apart from the quickening voice of God there would be no hope for anyone.

We were the objects of His wrath, but God out of the great love with which He loved us had mercy upon us. We were dead, and dead men do not rise, but God made us alive with Christ. We were slaves, dead, powerless, but God has raised us up with Christ and set us at His own right hand, in a position of honor and power.

Selah!

February 17,2009 'Keep Chalking the Line'

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:59:07 GMT

February 17, 2009

Keep Chalking the Line

Lynn Cowell

"And the Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.'" Genesis 2:16 -17 (NIV)

Devotion:

When it came to football, my mother-in-law gave me great advice, "You can either get mad or learn to love it too." I took the latter part of her advice. So, along with 90 million other Americans, I was recently glued to my TV watching the Super Bowl. It reminded me of several years ago when my husband and I had the opportunity to be one of the screaming fans attending the Super Bowl.

Knowing this was once-in-a-lifetime, we arrived at the stadium hours before the game to watch preparations. We took in everything, including the caretakers pushing their carts up and down, carefully chalking in the boundary lines.

At any football game, depending on the weather, these lines might be facing a tough day. Rain, snow, cleats, smashed bodies might beat against them for hours. At the end of the game, they are no longer white, straight and clean. In some places, they may have been completely rubbed away. But when game time rolls around again, the caretakers pull out their carts and chalk the lines back in.

Often, as a parent of two teens and a pre-teen, I grow weary of "chalking in the lines." Peer pressure, TV, music, and FaceBook all beat against the boundary lines of safety and obedience I have helped create for them. I am prone to think to myself as my children leave the house with keys in hand, "I don't have to remind them to not blare the music. They know. I've told them before." Or, "It isn't necessary to tell them not to have the opposite sex in the house when you are gone. You have told them that many times." But then I remember that the world is constantly repeating its opinion on what is fun, acceptable, and okay. So I must chalk in the lines by reminding them of the boundaries the Lord has called me to put in their life.

The Lord is our example of setting boundaries with those we love. In the Garden of Eden, He made it clear to His children that they were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He set the boundary. It was then up to Adam and Eve to obey.

Just recently, I had to chalk the lines again. My son asked me if he could attend an event, to which my answer had to be "no." With tear-filled eyes, I explained why. Needless to say, he was not happy! But then I remembered another conversation we had several months ago when he said, "Mom, thanks for my curfew. It has kept me out of trouble many times." That was evidence enough for me that when we set the boundaries, with love, they know we care deeply about them.

When the day has been long, when you are tired, trying to cook, run a load of laundry and figure out what time you need to leave for the next rehearsal, my hope is that you will not grow weary in "chalking in your lines." I pray that one day soon, your child will thank you, too.

Dear Lord, help me. Sometimes as a parent, I get tired: tired of going against the world that seems to have no boundaries. In Your strength, help me to lovingly show my child the way. Soften their heart to accept and obey. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Boundaries: When to Say Yes & How to Say No by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend

The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst

Visit Lynn's blog

Join us for more Everyday Life encouragement

Application Steps:

Write a list of boundaries for your family and your home. During natural conversations (in the car, during breakfast) casually bring these up a little at a time, making sure your child knows what your boundaries are.

Reflections:

Are there any areas in your own life where you have overstepped God's boundaries?

Do you discuss boundaries with your child at times when it won't turn into a heated argument?

Power Verses:

2 Thessalonians 3:13, "And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right." (NIV)

Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (NIV)

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

The Beginning of everything

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:30:01 GMT

The Beginning

1.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2.
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

4.
God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

5.
God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day.

6.
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."

7.
So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so.

8.
God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning--the second day.

9.
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.

10.
God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.

11.
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.

12.
The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

13.
And there was evening, and there was morning--the third day.

14.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,

15.
and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.

16.
God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

17.
God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,

18.
to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.

19.
And there was evening, and there was morning--the fourth day.

20.
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."

21.
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

22.
God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth."

23.
And there was evening, and there was morning--the fifth day.

24.
And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.

25.
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

26.
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

27.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

28.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

29.
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

30.
And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

31.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.

Christianity.com Daily Inspirational

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:16:07 GMT

Week of February 16

Jesus Cleans Up Peter's Mess!

When they which were about him saw what would follow,
they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite them with the sword?
And one of them smote the servant of the high priest,
and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered,
Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
- Luke 22:49-51

Have you ever had a time when it nearly broke your heart to see what a mess a friend had made of his life? Because you loved your friend so much, you were willing to do anything necessary to assist him in getting his life back in order again. Although you knew it would be difficult, you were nonetheless willing to step into his disorder, chaos, and confusion to help him because you knew he'd never get out of his mess by himself.

Let's see what Jesus did for Peter that night in the Garden of Gethsemane after Peter chopped off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest. There is something we can learn from the example Jesus gave us that night.

What Peter did to Malchus was not only scandalous - it was against the law and therefore punishable. Peter's actions were criminal! First, Peter stole a sword that didn't belong to him - and not just any ol' sword either, but the sword of a Roman soldier! This, then, was actually a military violation that could have sent Peter to prison for many years. But besides stealing military hardware, he defied the honor of a Roman soldier - a deed that would have assuredly led to his own physical execution by the Roman government.

These wrongdoings were sufficient to ruin Peter's entire life. But in addition to these breaches of law, he could have also been sentenced for physically injuring a fellow citizen! And this wasn't just any citizen. As the servant of the high priest, Malchus was an extremely well-known man in the city of Jerusalem. Had Peter escaped the charges of stealing military equipment and defying the dignity of a Roman soldier, he would have been imprisoned for injuring a person of such stature in the city of Jerusalem.

Jesus had just been sweating blood from the intense spiritual battle He fought in prayer in the Garden. Then He had received the kiss of betrayal from a friend and was therefore facing the prospect of the Cross and three days in the grave. Now a new problem had been thrust upon Him. Because of Peter's impetuous, unauthorized behavior, Jesus had to put everything on hold for a moment so He could step forward and fix the mess Peter had created!

As blood poured from the side of Malchus' head and dripped from the blade Peter held in his hand, Jesus asked the soldiers, "Suffer ye thus far..." (Luke 22:51). This was the equivalent of saying, "Let Me just do one more thing before you take Me!" Then Jesus reached out to Malchus and "...touched his ear, and healed him." Rather than allow Himself to be taken away while Peter was still subject to arrest, imprisonment, and possible execution, Jesus stopped the entire process to fix the mess Peter made that night.

The Bible says that Jesus "touched" the servant. The Greek word for "touch" is aptomai, a word that means to firmly grasp or to hold tightly. This is very important, for it lets us know that Jesus didn't just lightly touch Malchus; He firmly grabbed the servant's head and held him tightly. This is important because it tells us the tenacity with which Jesus prayed! When He laid His hands on people, they knew that hands had been laid on them!

The Bible doesn't tell us whether Jesus touched the stump that remained from the severed ear and grew a new ear or grabbed the old ear from the ground and miraculously set it back in its place. Regardless of how the miracle occurred, however, the word aptomai ("touched") lets us know that Jesus was aggressive in the way He touched the man.

As a result of Jesus' touch, Malchus was completely "healed" (v. 51). The word "healed" is the Greek word iaomai, which means to cure, to restore, or to heal. Jesus completely restored Malchus' ear before the soldiers bound Him and led Him out of the Garden.

That night in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' very words knocked 300 to 600 soldiers off their feet and flat on their backs. He didn't need Peter's help. He didn't request Peter's intervention. Nevertheless, Peter suddenly jumped in the middle of God's business and tried to create a revolt. Yet rather than walk off and leave Peter in the mess he had made by his own doings, Jesus stopped everything that was happening and intervened on his behalf. Jesus took the time to heal Malchus' ear for two primary reasons: 1) because He is a Healer and 2) because He didn't want Peter to be arrested for his impulsive actions.

The next time you think you are too busy or too important to get involved in a friend's problem, remember this example that Jesus gave us on the night of His arrest. That night Jesus had a lot on His mind, but He still stopped everything to help a friend. He could have said, "Peter, you've made this mess by yourself; now you can fix it by yourself." But it was clear that Peter would never get out of this trouble without assistance, so Jesus stepped in to help Peter get things back in order again.

When you are tempted to be judgmental about other people's self-imposed problems, it would be good for you to remember the many times God's mercy has intervened to save you from messy situations that you created yourself. Even though you deserved to get in trouble, God loved you enough to come right alongside you and help you pull things together so you could get out of that mess. Now whenever you see others in trouble, you have the opportunity to be an extension of God's mercy to them.

Put everything on hold for a few minutes so you can reach out to a friend in trouble; then do whatever you can to help restore the situation. If this was important enough for Jesus to do, then you have time to do it too! Make it a priority today to be a faithful friend to the end, just as Jesus was to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I am so thankful for the many times You have stepped into my life to clean up the messes I've created by myself. Had I been more patient and waited on You, I could have avoided the problems that stole my time, my thoughts, my energies, and my money. Forgive me for being impetuous, and help me learn to wait on You. When I see others make the same mistakes I've made, help me remember the times You have helped me so I can respond with a heart filled with compassion and not with judgment, reaching out to help them recover from the mistakes they have made!

I pray this in Jesus' name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am merciful and compassionate to people who have messed up their lives. Their problems are my opportunities to allow God to use me in their lives by helping them recover from their mistakes. God loves these people so much that He wants to send me alongside them to assist, teach, and do whatever I can to help them get back on their feet again. I have been so touched by God's mercy myself that judgment and condemnation cannot operate inside me! Rather than lecture people about their mistakes so they feel even worse about what they have done, I am God's mercy extended to support them in their time of trouble!

I declare this by faith in Jesus' name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

Can you recollect a time in your life when you were so impatient with what was happening in your life that you took matters in your own hands to speed them up a bit - only to find out that you made things much worse?
Can you think of other people who need God to supernaturally intervene to fix the messes they have made? Have you asked God if He wants to use you to help them find a way out of this difficult time they are facing right now?
When you consider Jesus' attitude toward those who are undeserving, how does it affect your attitude toward others who find themselves in some kind of self-made trouble?

I just had to share this with everyone, it's such a good thing.and a good lesson i know i learned something from it.

Change in Focus.

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:44:29 GMT

Now for those who, for some reason or another, have stumbled across and stayed with my Live Journal. I've always been a christian, I just haven't lived a christian life. and though i'll probably slide. Im gonna try and refocus myself towards Jesus. and hopefully I'll stay there, good lord willing. I've alsow been Visiting CBN.com a lot. and it's a great site to go to. I love it, sure i still have a lot of area's in my life that i could straighten up but I thought first to do my computer 'life' as you will. and im trying to 'fix' it. to stay that way.
anyways i thought i'd let you know i am trying to fix up my life so things will probably change.

Hungery for Christ

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The Beginning of everything

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