Fuel for the day...

Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Hebrews 10:23 MSG

We have ample evidence that the Lord is able to guide. The promises cover every imaginable situation. All we need to do is to take the hand he stretches out. ~ Elisabeth Elliot ~

I read the following thought today: “God’s Holy Word is a transforming, life-changing, one-of-a-kind treasure. A passing acquaintance with it is insufficient for Christians who seek to obey God’s Word and to understand His will.”

God’s Word will transform our life in some respect today if we actually take the time to soak it into our lives. It is the covenant promises of God Almighty that should give us the fuel to face whatever difficulties our day holds.  I’m afraid that we try to rely only on what we hear of Scripture on Sundays. If we truly believe His Word to be His transforming truth, we should be studying and meditating on it every single day.

How well do you know the promises of God?  He has a new revelation for you today if you will take the time to meditate on His Word and allow Him to speak His indescribable love to your heart.

Joy is the soul’s buoyant response to a God of promise, presence, and power.  ~ Susan Lenzkes ~

A new month...

It's hard to believe we are already four days into the month of May.  We closed out April with a great time of worship with the Berry Brothers last Sunday evening.  As usual they entertained us, but more importantly they drew us to the throne of Grace through singing and it was a beautiful time of worship. I was glad to see so many other churches and visitors joining us for the evening.

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:9-10

Many have started out the month of May with a heavy heart from family illness or death or other struggles. Remember that the Lord is your stronghold (a place of security, a fortified place) in times of trouble.  He can use every situation, even the most difficult ones, for your good and His glory if you will allow Him to.

When the bed is the softest we are most tempted to rise at lazy hours; but when comfort is gone, and the couch is hard, if we rise earlier to seek the Lord, we have much for which to thank the wilderness.  C. H. Spurgeon

“The waves you face may be big today. Don’t take your eyes off of Jesus.  He has power over the waves.”

Every day we have the choice to be swallowed up by the waves or to reach out to Jesus, and it is my prayer that each morning this month finds you reaching out to Him.

Another world

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same. C.S. Lewis

It will serve us well on this Monday morning to remember that nothing in this world can satisfy our inner longing which only the Lord can satisfy. If we could live this week with His kingdom in view, that ‘other country’ as Lewis describes it, we would not be tempted to be unthankful for our earthly blessings, and we would also not be tempted to seek our fulfillment in those earthly blessings.

What difference would it make in your life this week if you made God’s kingdom the main object of the moments of your days and your greatest desire to help others to do the same?

Just for you...

As we enter this week before Easter, think about this amazing truth as told by Max Lucado:

When God entered time and became a man, he who was boundless became bound. Imprisoned in flesh. Restricted by weary-prone muscles and eyelids. For more than three decades, his once limitless reach would be limited to the stretch of an arm, his speed checked to the pace of human feet.

I wonder, was he ever tempted to reclaim his boundlessness? In the middle of a long trip, did he ever consider transporting himself to the next city? When the rain chilled his bones, was he tempted to change the weather? When the heat parched his lips, did he give thought to popping over to the Caribbean for some refreshment?

If ever he entertained such thoughts, he never gave in to them. Not once. Stop and think about this. Not once did Christ use his supernatural powers for personal comfort. With one word he could’ve transformed the hard earth into a soft bed, but he didn’t. With a wave of his hand, he could’ve boomeranged the spit of his accusers back into their faces, but he didn’t. With an arch of his brow, he could’ve paralyzed the hand of the soldier as he braided the crown of thorns. But he didn’t.

But want to know the coolest thing about the One who gave up the crown of heaven for a crown of thorns?

He did it for you. Just for you.

We need to be reminded how great is this gift of grace and just how personal the gift is to each of us.

Flash Back Friday

Another look back a few years...