Mar22

Blessed Roots

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But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
   whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
   that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
   its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
   and never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

 

A tree planted by a stream doesn’t have to search far for its life-giving nourishment. Its close proximity to water ensures that it will remain lush and fertile, regardless of extreme heat or periods of extended drought. This well-rooted tree has several distinct characteristics:

  • It will never move away from its life-source.
  • It doesn’t fear extreme conditions.
  • It has no worries in times of drought.
  • It never fails to bear fruit.

 

Just as a tree planted by a stream thrives in any type of condition, our lives will be fruitful and blessed regardless of our circumstances if we keep ourselves firmly rooted in close relationship with our Heavenly life-source. By remaining deeply grounded in our trust and confidence in God, we can flourish no matter what sort of malady life brings. Faith in God eliminates fear and erases worries when we are hit with the extremes of life or when we face extended periods of “drought.”

Being blessed doesn’t mean that we will never see adversity. It simply means that we are internally equipped to handle difficult trials. When the winds of hardship blow, we can sink our roots even deeper into the rich soil of God’s love and soak up the life-giving nourishment of His Holy Word. He is our inner strength and our firm foundation. The blessings which flow from His throne are eternal, but we must choose to plant ourselves next to Him. By placing our trust and confidence in Him, we do not need to fear the “what-ifs” in life, nor do we need to worry about our future. He promises to provide, protect and guide us through any situation.

Blessed are those
   …who delight in the law of the LORD
   and meditate on his law day and night.
They are like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
   whatever they do prospers.

Psalm1: 1–4

 


Mar11

Your Heavenly GPS

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Whether you turn to the right or to the left,

Your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,

“This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV 2011)

 

If you have a GPS system in your car, you are familiar with these types of directions: “In a quarter of a mile, right turn ahead.” “Stay straight ahead.” “Left lane ahead.” Or even, “Make a legal U-turn.” Do you ever wish there was a GPS system for your life with a gentle voice telling you which direction you should take for major decisions?

 

As a child of God, you do have a personal GPS system built in with your Heavenly Father. By reading His word and praying to Him for help in making your decisions, He will give you the answers you need. Listen for God’s guidance in your life. He will tell you the path you should take.

 

Pray and ask Him to give you wisdom and direction. He is faithful to answer your requests.

 

“…Your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.””

Mar10

Something Special

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“…God not only loves you very much

But also has put His hand on you

For something special.”

1 Thessalonians 1:4 (MSG)

 

God loves you unconditionally. No matter where you go or what you have done in your life, you can never escape God’s love. He knew you as you were formed in your mother’s womb, and He’s been watching you grow and develop since your birth. He knows you by name, and His eyes are continually upon you. As a unique workmanship of the Master Craftsman, you are His treasured possession.

Like an open book, the stages of your life are spread out before God. He designed you especially for a certain mission. You are gifted with a specific set of skills and abilities, and you are part of God’s ongoing work in the world. Before the beginning of time, He knew His special plans for you, and He placed you exactly where you are for a reason. He wants to use your gifts and talents in an extraordinary way.

Not only does God love you very much, but He also has His hand upon you for something special…

Ask Him to reveal your one-of-a-kind assignment.


Mar9

The Reason for Your Existence

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My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love…

Colossians 2:2a

 

Do you have a purpose for your life that defines who you are and provides a framework for your priorities? Have you established an intentional goal that sets the stage for each new day, one that focuses your thoughts and serves as the underlying theme for every moment of your life? Having a purpose gives clarity and guidance for every decision you make, every action you take, every word you speak, and every thought you think. It serves as a lens though which you view the world.

The dictionary defines purpose as “the reason for which something exists.” If you are searching for “purpose” and meaning for your life, turn to God and ask Him to help you find this. He uniquely designed each one of us with a specific purpose in mind. Who better than the Creator Himself to provide the answer for which you are searching?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,

“Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

Plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11


Mar4

Step into the Water

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“When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.

Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before…”

Joshua 3:3-4

The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s presence and power to the Israelites. It was their most sacred treasure. The ark was a golden rectangular box which was constructed to the exact specifications as God had commanded. The contents inside the ark included the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments (representing God’s authority), a jar of manna (representing God’s miraculous provision), and Aaron’s staff (representing God’s power). As the Israelites were heading to the Promised Land, they were commanded to follow the ark wherever it was carried by the priests. God instructed Joshua, the Israelite’s leader, concerning which direction the priests should head with the ark.

On the day that the Israelites entered the Promised Land of Canaan after forty years of wandering, God’s “roadmap” for the priests with the ark led to the banks of the Jordan River. The Jordan River at this time was at flood stage. Yet with the river overflowing its banks, God gave these specific instructions: in order to cross the river into the Promised Land, the priests had to step into the water with the ark.

As soon as the priests stepped their feet into the raging river, the water from upstream stopped flowing. The entire nation of Israel walked across a dry riverbed into the land which God had promised them forty years before. This was the second time in which God had miraculously parted the waters for the nation of Israel. This testimony of God’s supernatural power served to strengthen the Israelites faith in God and remind them that He keeps His promises. His presence was with them through their entire journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. He was with them at the end of their wanderings just like He was with them from the very beginning.

Today we do not have a golden “Ark of the Covenant” to follow in our wanderings. But we do have God’s word, His presence, and His power. Sometimes in our journey through life, we come upon a “raging river” or some form of roadblock. When we approach this type of obstacle, we must trust God in His guidance to us. He will faithfully bring us through to the other side if we simply “take a step into the water.” Often God provides no solution to our problems until we trust Him and move ahead with what we know in our hearts we should do. By taking a step of obedience, we display our faith in God, and then He clears the path ahead.

What are the “raging rivers” you are facing in your life? Follow God’s direction so you will know which way to go, “since you have never been this way before.” Step into the water, and allow God to show his powerful and miraculous ways to you.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet
       and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105


Mar3

Beyond Imagination

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“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
      “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
      so my ways are higher than your ways
      and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 (New Living Translation)

 

God’s ideas are limitless. When something seems humanly impossible, God can craft a solution that would be unimaginable to us. If you feel like you have come upon a “roadblock” regarding an issue you are facing or you feel like you are dealing with a problem in which there is “no way out,” ask God to reveal His solution to you. When God shows up on the scene, you will be amazed at the incomprehensible ways He chooses to rescue His children. Think about the way he parted the Red Sea for the Israelites! Do you think they would have ever guessed that they would walk across it on dry land? He’s willing and able to do the same for you in whatever situation you are dealing with. His ways are far beyond anything we can imagine!

Don’t limit God to your way of thinking by trying to make Him fit into your plans. Instead, strive to fit your life into God’s plans.


 

Mar1

Love With Action

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Dear children,

Let us not love with words or speech

But with actions and in truth

1 John 3:18 (NIV,
©2010)

 

Real love goes far beyond pretense or politeness…and surpasses the mere expression of words. Sincere love requires purposeful, focused effort and concentration. It demands our time, money and personal involvement. It means investing in others and helping them become better people. No one is capable of expressing love to an entire community, but you can make a difference ~ one person at a time. Look for people who need your love today, and display it to them as a “verb.” ~

 

Love: / [luhv] verb

  1. Waiting instead of hurrying. 2) Showing up when there is no time. 3) Listening rather than talking. 4) Forgiving instead of holding a grudge. 5) Assuming the best. 6) Choosing kindness rather than anger. 7) Celebrating instead of envying. 8) Anticipating needs. 9) Choosing to be humble. 10) Never giving up – Continuing to the end…

    (Author Unknown)

Feb25

The Purpose of His Presence

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God goes in front of you to Guide you,

Behind you to Encourage you,

Above and below you to Sustain you,

And beside you as a Friend goes with a Friend.

(Author unknown)

Feb24

Measureless Wisdom

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God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight,

And a breadth of understanding

As measureless as the sand on the seashore.

1 Kings 4: 29

 

Imagine the Creator of the Universe offering you this proposition:

“Ask for whatever you want me to give you…”

What do you think your request would be? Abundant Wealth? Fame? Happiness? Health? A passing grade on your next test? A luxurious new home? A winning lottery ticket? A fancy sports car? A wide screen TV?

When given the chance to have anything in the world, Solomon asked for “a discerning heart” in order to govern God’s chosen people and to distinguish between right and wrong. His request for wisdom pleased God so much that not only did He grant Solomon’s desire, but He also gave him what he did not ask for – wealth and honor. Furthermore, God promised to give him a long life if he obeyed His statues and commands like his father, David.

Notice that Solomon’s request was based upon his desire to carry out his job as king. He realized that if he had discernment he could lead well and make wise decisions. He knew that God had chosen him for that lofty position, but he thought of himself as a “little child” who didn’t know how to fulfill his royal duties. Imagine that! The one man on earth, whose renown for knowledge has been passed down through the ages, felt inadequate and ill-equipped when he was tapped as the king of Israel. The responsibility of ruling a great nation whose numbers were too numerous to count was overwhelming to Solomon, but he wasn’t asking God to do the job for him; he merely asked for the personal resources which would allow God to do the job through him.

Another interesting thing about Solomon’s request is that he asked for “heart knowledge” not “head knowledge.” He wanted a discerning heart, which implies “God-centered” wisdom, as opposed to “self-centered” wisdom. Intelligence without compassion can be a dangerous thing, but wisdom applied through the filter of a heart filled with God’s love is divinely inspired and can impact the world for eternity.

Throughout most of Solomon’s reign, he applied his wisdom well because He continually sought God’s guidance. For the nation of Israel, the fruits of this wisdom were peace, prosperity and security. During the time of his rule, we see a great example of what can happen when a nation is obedient to God’s commands and trusting Him for direction.

Another example we see from Solomon’s life is what can happen when God’s wisdom is not applied to all areas of our lives. God granted Solomon a wise and discerning heart, but it is clear that this gift of wisdom did not guarantee that he would not make mistakes. Solomon married hundreds of pagan women in order to seal many foreign agreements. This went against not only his father’s last instructions to him, but also God’s direct commands. He allowed his wives to affect his loyalty to God, and his actions remind us how easy it is to know what is right and yet not do it.

Knowing what actions are required of us means little if we do not have the will to follow through on that knowledge. Solomon was wise at ruling the nation of Israel, but he was foolish in his personal life. Although he was the wisest man ever to walk the earth, he allowed the influence of unbelievers to ultimately bring tragedy to the entire nation of Israel. One of the greatest kings of Israel fell because he did not turn from his sins. From Solomon’s example we can learn this important principle: your gifts, talents, abilities and strengths won’t be of much benefit if you fail to deal with your weaknesses.

God promises to supply all our needs if we put His kingdom, His principles and His interests first. While He does not promise us great riches, He does promise to satisfy our deepest needs if we place His will as our top priority.

Is God is asking you to take on a role in your life that seems too big for you to handle? Do you feel overwhelmed with the mountain of responsibilities facing you? Before you begin your ascent, spend time in God’s Word and on your knees before your Heavenly Father. Ask him for a “discerning heart” so that you may be well equipped to take on this role and achieve His goals in the process.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God…” James 1:5a

 

 


Feb22

Rock Solid Savior

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I love you, LORD;

You are my Strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
      my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
   He is my shield, the power that saves me,
      and my place of safety.

Psalm 18:1-2 (New Living Translation)

 

God’s protection of His children can take many forms. He is our Strength whose power is limitless. He is our Rock, our firm foundation that can’t be moved. He is our Fortress, a place of safety and refuge. He is our Shield who comes between us and harm. Nothing can ever pluck you from the eternal security of God’s hands. He is our mighty and wonderful Savior. Take refuge in His loving arms. Call upon Him for help.