Time With God

Lately, I have been feeling pushes to find ways to incorporate time with God into all the different parts of my day.  I am reminded of Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."  And, I feel encouraged.  Last night, my son asked how I knew that I would go to heaven when I died.  I told him of my deep beliefs.  The subject got changed to the snowplows on the road.  Then, a minute later, I said, "John 3:16"....perhaps the only bible verse Kurt has committed to memory.  He paused, and I knew he was saying the verse in his head and he said, "yeeaaah". My soul felt very well.

Scripture Union is a great source of encouragement to bible reading.  Currently, they are putting out a series to help followers of Jesus to get on track with their New Years resolutions.  Here is todays help:

Give Distractions to God

It’s a noisy world out there! Even the most disciplined Bible reader faces plenty of distractions: unexpected phone calls, family interruptions and pet emergencies. And sometimes, the biggest distractions come from within: our fears, frustrations, temptations and worries. Unfortunately you can’t always control or avoid these distractions. So when they come, use them for good!
Incorporate distractions into your time with God. If young children interrupt, invite them up on your lap and read the Bible together. If the phone rings, pray for the caller after you hang up. If your thoughts wander to your worries and concerns, give those thoughts to the Lord in prayer. Don’t get too frustrated by the distractions. They may be the very things God wants you to pray about.

Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father

Loved & Want to Save this Post to Refer Back

Six Questions That Might Just Change a Life

 

by Kati Gibson

Perhaps time isn’t the enemy – maybe it’s how we use it.

In a world of spinning to do lists, places to go, things to plan, and people to love — how do we
remember the most important person of all?

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you
died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory. ~ The Apostle Paul, Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

Perhaps we’re designed to do it together.
At the breakfast table, we gather. Slurping milk from bowls of cereal, crunching granola, asking
questions.
“What has God been teaching you?”
“Who have you been loving on, investing in, or encouraging?”
“Who have you been praying for? ”
“What have you learned from someone?”
“Do you have any news to share about the Christians around the world?”
“How can I help you?”
And in this place — at home, with family around the table. With friends holding cups of coffee –
it’s safe here.
It’s safe to even say  –

“I have no idea. I’m just barely keeping my own head above water.”

Then we walk together. We walk the roads together until we are not only surviving but truly
living. Possibly even carrying each others burdens?


What if we all stopped for just for a moment and asked.
Yes, ask as we gather for meals with our family — of course. But what about you and I — them and they?

Through talking,
we’re loving
learning
teaching
educating
encouraging
helping.

Maybe this would do so much more for us than talking about last nights TV show or even
possibly the weather?
Maybe this simple little thing could start a revolution.

Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6 NIV, The Apostle Paul
I thank my God every time I remember you. ~ Philippians 1 NIV, The Apostle Paul written along side his friend, Timothy
A friend loves at all times. ~ Proverbs 17 NIV, King Solomon

The beauty of it all, friends? If six are too many – we can always start with one. {and live}
In the words of Jude, a servant of Christ Jesus and a brother of James – Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
{Lovingly living} along side you, in humbleness & Grace ~
Kati at Our Glorious Days  ; )

Source for Post: http://www.incourage.me/

Lord of the Sabbath

November 26 - The Sabbath and Acts of Mercy

by letters@gty.org (Grace to You)

But if you had known what this means, “I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.- Matthew 12:7–8
God has not hesitated to set aside His laws for the sake of mercy toward sinners. Otherwise none of them would be saved or even born, because He would have destroyed them right after they sinned. God’s plan was not to condemn all sinners but to save from its penalty those who believe in His Son. And if a righteous and just God displays that kind of love and mercy, how much more ought His children reflect the same quality of mercy?
Because the Old Testament Sabbath was God’s special day, faithful Jews would have wanted to show mercy on that day. But the leaders, due to their wrong-headed interpretation of the Sabbath and their basic unbelief, actually violated the spirit of the Sabbath. They refused acts of mercy on that day, not because of biblical devotion to the law, but because they lacked compassion.
Since the “Lord of the Sabbath” has come, the obligation of a Sabbath rest is no longer applicable to believers. Under the new covenant, they have the freedom as to whether or not they honor any day above others. Whatever position they take, they must glorify the Lord (Rom. 14:5–6), but not impose their thinking on fellow believers (Gal. 4:9–10; Col. 2:16).
Strict Sabbath observance was never to supplant sincere mercy and compassion by believers. God is merciful and commands us as Christians to be merciful.

---

Ask Yourself
Rather than looking at the Sabbath as a day for not doing certain things, what might be some deliberate actions you could undertake on the Sabbath, whether in hospitality or compassion or service?

The Spirit Gives Life

“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” -2 Corinthians 3:6

This verse speaks to me today.  I spent yesterday watching several shows on a channel of television of the Seventh Day Adventists.  It's followers are, usually, devout, mission-oriented and true lovers of God.  They call themselves Seventh Day Adventists as they believe in the seventh day Sabbath of Saturday, the last day of the week.  They give very strong credence to all of the laws in the bible.  I love this denomination for their passion to live for Christ.  Yet, at the end of the day of listening to them, I was extremely disheartened.  I cannot come close to living a pure life by God's written laws.  What's more, I believe that there is a living spiritual warfare constantly at work.  I was reminded how much it appears that worldly influences affect our very souls.  It makes me want to live in a bubble.  It kills my spirit of following the great commission,...winning souls to Christ.

As we live in this world, I struggle with how to guard my children's hearts who so much want to participate in  some of the lives of their friends.  Seeing my children in their social struggles gives me a microcosm of the challenges in a secular world.

I thank God that He gave us Christ, the atoning lamb.  His blood purifies us that the Holy Spirit may come reside with us to live a life acceptable to God and useful to His purposes.  Our response of gratitude should move us in a direction of life that gravitates to His holiness.  But, God uses us as we are, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to be ambassadors to His eternal kingdom.

The Spirit gives life. The law, however desirable, provides a standard that I cannot meet without Christ.

Sunday may be an original day of worship to a pagan God of the Sun.  I don't know how to reach a world teaching the laws.  I can reach hearts trying to live for Christ.

May God bless you as you allow His Holy Spirit to take residence in your hearts.  Peace.

God First

source

"You shall have not other gods before me."
Exo 20:3, NIV

Transforming Heart Required in New Birth

Superficial, benign, religion is not part of the kingdom.....

September 22 - Nicodemus’s Inquiry: What Is the Kingdom?
by letters@gty.org (Grace to You)

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” - John 3:1-3

Nicodemus came to Jesus as one of those superficial believers mentioned in John 2:23–25. But the Lord refused to accept Nicodemus’s profession, which was based on the signs he had witnessed (v. 2).

Jesus went straight to the real issue—the transformation of Nicodemus’s heart by the new birth, which is the act of God by which He imparts eternal life to those who are “dead in . . . trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). Jesus answered his unasked question, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

By the “kingdom of God,” Jesus is speaking specifically of the kingdom of salvation, the spiritual realm where those who have been born again by divine power through faith now live under the rule of God mediated through His Son. Nicodemus, like his fellow Jews, eagerly anticipated that glorious realm. But they believed that being descendants of Abraham, observing the law, and performing external religious rituals would gain them entrance into that kingdom. As Jesus made clear, no matter how religiously active someone might be, no one can enter the kingdom without experiencing the personal regeneration of the new birth.


Ask Yourself

What are some questions you commonly hear that purport to be genuine interest toward Christian discipleship, but in reality are dodges and smokescreens that disguise a rebellious, disinterested heart? What’s the best way to respond to comments like these? What can you learn from Jesus’ dealings with Nicodemus?



From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Grace to You Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com .  Please refer here for the original post on Grace to You.

Vegetables and Brussel Sprouts

I do believe that I am going to try to deliver this message for Upward's this Year,....in spite of the fact that I do not like public speaking.

A couple years ago, God told me, in my soul, to call someone that very day,...at that very time.  I didn't follow the leading because frankly, I hate conflict.  Most of the communications that I had with that person for the preceding weeks had been extremely uncomfortable with shouts, attacks and inappropriate comments.  I was being verbally abused.  But, I knew that we were at a pivotal point in some conflict; and, I just wanted to continuing running away.  This person and I had boundary issues as long as I can remember.  But, that may be a story for another time, not today.

The reason for this prelude is just that I learned that when God tells me to do something, I need to listen and obey.  How do I know it is God?  I don't always know with 100% assurance.  Sometimes, I feel pretty sure it is, other times, not so much.  If the instruction would align with God's directions in the bible, I try to listen and obey.  Since that day of disobedience, I have gone out on a limb a few times with some crazy but good directives.  Here is my latest:

Vegetables.

Vegetables are good for us.

The bible.  God's word.

The bible is good for us.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV), All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Brussel Sprouts.

Brussel Sprouts are good for us.  I hate Brussel Sprouts.  But, they are good for me.  They are good for us.

God's word that teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains in righteousness.... sometimes, I don't like it so much.  Sometimes, I want to do what I want to do even though I know it is not good for my soul.

I know that I never want to eat Brussel Sprouts even though they are good for my body.

Lord, help us to see that your word, your commandments, your directives are truly for our best.  Help us to consider and obey as it is good food for our soul.

Defeating the Devil's Strategies

John 21:15-19 (NIV)
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

---------------

Commentary by In Touch Ministries:

All of us make tracks through the valley of failure. Then the key question is, What we will do next? Sadly, many believers who stumble give up a vibrant kingdom-serving life for a defeated existence. But failure can also be a chance for a new beginning of living in Christ's strength.

In pride, Peter thought his faith was the strongest of all the disciples' and swore that even if the others left Jesus, he never would (Mark 14:29). Yet when the time of testing came, he denied even knowing Christ--and did so three times (Matt. 26:69-75). Satan hoped the disciple would be so wounded by his own disloyalty that his faith would be undermined by shame, condemnation, and despair.

Likewise, when the Enemy sifts believers today, his goal is for us to become shelved and ineffective for God's kingdom. That's why he goes after our strengths, especially the areas in which we proudly consider ourselves invincible. But if we're willing, the Lord can use our failures to do spiritual housecleaning, as He did in Peter's life. After the resurrection, Jesus met with the disciple personally and restored him, preparing him to become a great leader in the early church. He made it clear that Peter's potential to serve was defined, not by failure, but by his unwavering love for Christ.

Peter laid down his pride, received the healing Jesus offered, and put on courage with the Holy Spirit's help. He then risked his life fearlessly to further the gospel, and many came to Christ through his example. Failure was the catalyst that grew in him a stronger, more authentic faith.

---------------

Commentary by author

We all have stories of failure.  What happens to me when I fail?  All too often, I lose hope and want to give up.  But, when I don't, or when something happens to force me to contemplate this grim response, I realize that persistence and perseverance lead me to much greater things.

Do you know some of my story?  My life is full of failures.  As a microcosm of my failed experiences, I offer to you, this Summer 2012.  I put all things on hold to offer my children a rich, nurturing, loving and educational summer.  I tell my employer that I am only able to work one morning a week, I shut down my craft room, and prepare our summer days to physical activities, learning, field trips and relationships. 

What happens? I'm thrown off by emotions from death, broken relationships and health issues.  I get drawn in to help at work when they are struggling.

Then I read, “Feed my lambs.” Well, at least two of them are being fed.  And, when I work more, I give more to the church, which goes to feeding more people. I guess I'm not totally off the mark here.

Next instruction: “Take care of my sheep.” This refers to the Lord's flock, the church today.  (fail)

Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (epic fail)

I have managed to focus on my circumstances!  Jesus did not.  Following him means looking at others and trying to help, heal, encourage, strengthen and have relationship with others.

When Peter realized his failure, he made a turn around.  When Martha complained of Mary not helping her with the physical task of serving, God rebuked Martha.  41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

What did Mary do?  She spent time with God.

I tell myself again --- fill yourself with God -- why does such a simple task become so difficult to obey?  Selfishly, I still want to be glorified by my tasks rather than glorifying him.

Where are you today?  Are you spending time sitting with Jesus?  Are you putting on the full armor by staying in His word? Are you trying to follow Him and die to self?

With all your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind, Love Him....

Friendship: A Help to Holiness

John 15:12-15 (NIV)
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

In Touch Ministries Commentary:
In all of God's creation, just one thing did not meet with His approval. He looked upon Adam, who was the only being of his kind, and said, "It is not good for the man to be alone" (Gen. 2:18). The Creator designed people for emotional, mental, and physical intimacy so they'd be able to share their innermost selves with one another.

Jesus explained this to His disciples, saying they should love each other as He had loved them. In a God-honoring friendship, two people build each other up and spur one another toward Christlikeness. Many people, however, fall far short of making and maintaining relationships that sharpen their faith (Prov. 27:17). They instead welcome the trivial talk of casual acquaintances: the weather, tough bosses, and world affairs are safe topics. Sadly, believers often shy away from the penetrating conversations about sin, accountability, and biblical living that would serve to enrich their faith.

Strong relationships begin with men and women who decide to risk their pride and comfort in order to love as Jesus does. They recognize that friends are meant to motivate one another toward holiness. In a friendship of mutual trust and submission, two people will confess sin, offer gentle reproof, and share burdens.

The walls we build to keep people at a distance are often defenses against God as well: we don't want Him too close to our most personal business. But as believers learn to share openly and freely with a brother or sister in Christ, they develop the capacity to be more honest with God.

Note by Blog author:  So true! For whether it is fear of turning people off by complaining, revealing too much personal information that could later be used against me or just pride, I often fall into the situations as noted above.  But even harder still is receiving information like this from others.  Do we listen without judgement, value other's infirmities or privacy, treat that information kindly and comfort others properly when they break down their walls of pride?  Who can we listen to today with the love of Christ?

Grace to You - On Judging

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. - Matthew 7:1

One of the central messages of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to His followers is for them to be discerning and perceptive in what they believe and what they do. All Christians need to make every effort to judge between truth and falsehood, between the internal and the external, between reality and sham, and between true righteousness and false righteousness.

Every message we hear is to be judged for the soundness of its doctrine. Paul told the Galatians, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” (Gal. 1:8).

Not to rebuke sin is a form of hatred, not love. Refusing to warn a person about his sin is just as unloving as refusing to warn him about a serious disease he may have. The writer of Hebrews calls for a level of spiritual maturity wherein Christians “because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Heb. 5:14).

So in Matthew 7:1, Jesus is not telling us never to think or make value judgments. He is referring to the self-righteous, egotistical judgment and unmerciful condemnation of others practiced by the scribes and Pharisees. Their primary concern was not to help others from sin to holiness, but to condemn them to eternal judgment because of actions and attitudes that did not square with their own worldly, self-made traditions.

Jesus is referring to the judgment of motives that no human being can know of another—judgment of external form. What Jesus is forbidding is self-righteous, hasty, unmerciful, prejudiced, and unwarranted condemnation based on human standards and human understanding.

Ask Yourself

This is one Bible verse our culture feels good about knowing—and thrusting into the faces of Christians at every opportunity. But how do you see this concept twisted in people’s dealings with others and in matters of morality?



From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.



Grace to You

Only God Is Full Enough to Fill Our Voids - excerpt from Charles Stanley

Drawing from the Source

Read | Jeremiah 2:13

For us as believers, contentment should be governed by inner attitude and the decisions we make rather than by external circumstances. Because Paul had learned this secret, he was able to experience joy and peace in any kind of situation--whether he was surrounded by friends or isolated in a Roman prison; whether he had plenty or was in great need.

The apostle understood what it meant to live in Christ and to have Christ living in him (John 15:1-9; Gal. 5:22-23). He had made a simple but profound faith decision to draw his life from the Lord and, as a result, had the calm assurance that what he possessed inside could never be stolen. He was confident in his identity as a child of the Almighty, with full access to the abundant life Jesus offers.

I want to challenge you--this week, when something threatens to steal your contentment, choose to draw from God; decide to stop drawing from other sources and trying to be in control. When you find yourself becoming flustered, anxious, or angry, stop and say, "Lord, You are my source, and I draw from You the capacity to be kind. I draw from You the forgiveness I need to extend right now. I draw from You the love I need to express." This decision is a matter of simple trust.

Watch and see how God will quiet your spirit and provide confidence when you draw only from Him as your source. You'll be surprised at your own attitude: when you respond from within--rather than from the flesh--Jesus will give you the ability to respond as He would.

Praying in His Will

How do you pray?  Jesus stated His request, but immediately succumbed in prayer to the will of the Father.  God's ways are greater for He knows the big picture.
Calvary Fellowship Podcasts on Prayer

How Jesus Fulfilled the Law—Moral and Judicial

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. - Matthew 5:17

The moral law was God’s foundational code. Jesus fulfilled that law by His perfect righteousness. He obeyed every commandment, met every requirement, and lived up to every standard.

But most important, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament by being its fulfillment. He did not simply teach it fully and exemplify it fully—He was it fully. He did not come simply to teach righteousness and to model righteousness; He came as divine righteousness. What He said and what He did reflected who He is.

God’s judicial law was given to provide unique identity for Israel as a nation that belonged to Jehovah. The laws relating to agriculture, settlement of disputes, diet, cleanliness, dress, and such things were special standards by which His chosen people were to live before the Lord and apart from the world. This judicial law Jesus fulfilled on the cross.

Jesus’ crucifixion marked Israel’s ultimate apostasy in the final rejection of her Messiah and the interruption of God’s dealing with that people as a nation. With that, the judicial law passed away because Israel no longer served as His chosen nation.

Praise God, He will someday redeem and restore Israel (Rom. 9–11), but in the meanwhile the church is His chosen body of people on earth (1 Peter 2:9–10). All the redeemed—those who receive the work of the cross—are His chosen ones.
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com .

My Thoughts:  As we look to this day and age, believers should set themselves apart from the mainstream by reflecting God's and Christ's righteousness, in wanting to live in the ways ordained from the bible, Old and New Testament, in the way the Israelites were originally ordained .  To do that, we must surrender our lives to Christ and try to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Then, life is a process of sanctification, growing in Christian maturity, to live in God's will and by His plans.

As we fill our lives with Him, our lives will naturally mature, not by our efforts but His, to be fruitful as God righteousness begins to transform us.  When done perfectly, it would set us apart, as holy and attractive to others who desire  love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (referring to the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23) But, it does mean relinquishing our will and desires of things which are not holy, not because of law but to enable the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and transform us.

We are now part of His chosen ones.  Can we set ourselves apart and fill ourselves with Him, reflecting the glory of the Lord? If we truly did, others would be drawn to the fruits in our lives.
God bless you and keep you and let His light shine upon you and give you peace,  Janine

Reasons for Gladness

by letters@gty.org (Grace to You)

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Matthew 5:12

Jesus provides us with two reasons for our rejoicing and being glad when we are persecuted for His sake.

First, He says, “Your reward in heaven is great.” Whatever we do for the Lord now, including suffering for Him—especially suffering for Him—reaps eternal divi-dends.

But God’s dividends aren’t ordinary dividends. They are not only “eternal” but also “great.” We often hear, and perhaps are tempted to think, that it is unspiritual and crass to serve God for the sake of rewards. But that is one of the motives God Himself gives for serving Him. We first of all serve and obey Christ because we love Him, just as on earth He obeyed the Father because He loved Him. But it was also because of “the joy set before Him” that Christ Himself “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2). It is neither selfish nor unspiritual to do the Lord’s work for a motive that He Himself gives and has followed.

Second, we are to rejoice because the world “persecuted the prophets who were before” us in the same way that it persecutes us. Persecution is a mark of our faithfulness just as it was a mark of the prophets’ faithfulness. When we suffer for Christ’s sake, we know beyond a doubt that we belong to God because we are experiencing the same reaction from the world that the prophets experienced. So realize that if you are persecuted, you belong in the line of that great company of righteous servants.

Ask Yourself

What’s your immediate reaction to the idea that we labor for the “reward” of God’s blessing? God knows our hearts. He has given us desires to register our growth and progress in the faith. As long as the reward we seek is more of Jesus and to see Him glorified, should we be averse to wanting return on our faithful investment?

Beauty In Waiting

by Jennifer

As winter comes to an end, I think about the bulbs we put into the earth months ago. Holes dug, bulbs lovingly placed, covered with soil. Put to rest until spring. If we plant them at any other time, they would not grow. There would be no blooms.  They need all that time in the ground, in the dark. Resting. Waiting.
But only for a time.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… Ecclesiastes 3:1

At times I feel that twinge of impatience about something, but I try to remember there is a time for everything.Practice patience.
Sometimes I begin to feel overwhelmed, but I remind myself that this is just a busy time, a busy season. It will pass.
At times I focus on concerns about this and that. Questioning and wondering, but I remind myself I do not need to worry. He knows.

Soon there will be blooms. The time will come for these little bulbs to burst out of the soil and shine. God reminds me that there is a time for everything. This is His answer to my concerns and impatience and questioning.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

There is beauty in the waiting. Like those bulbs waiting patiently until it is their time to shine. He is working in me… in ways I can not see or fully understand. In the quiet and dark times, things are happening. Growing is happening. Changes are happening. Even if we do not see them.
In time, at the right time, in His time, we will see. This gives me comfort and so much hope! I do not have to see to know. I do not have to seek immediate gratification because things are coming.
In His time for me, I will see.
 
He has a time for us. Perfect timing. We just need to wait and trust. He will bring us what is best for us in its time. With this hope, I have no reason to hurry. I can take time for the life moments that are all important. The little moments that can be rushed by all too easily. With this hope, I understand. Whether it be a season of waiting or a season of blooming, He makes it all beautiful.
I feel I am in a season of waiting and that is ok. I trust there is a reason. Do you find yourself in a time of waiting or time of blooming? With His help, are you finding the patience in your season?
By Jennifer, StudioJRU 

The Way to Holiness

by letters@gty.org (Grace to You)

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. - Matthew 5:8
Throughout the history of the church, many have thought the best way to achieve spiritual purity and holiness is by living apart from the normal cares and distractions of the world and devoting oneself entirely to meditation and prayer. The problem with sin, however, is not primarily the world around us but the worldliness within us, which we cannot escape by living in isolation from other people.
But God always provides for what He demands, and He has provided ways for us to live purely. First, we must realize that we are unable to live a single holy moment without the Lord’s guidance and power. “Who can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin’?” (Prov. 20:9). The obvious answer is, “No one.” Cleansing begins with recognition of weakness, which in turn reaches out for the strength of God.
Second, we must stay in God’s Word. It is impossible to stay in God’s will apart from His Word. Jesus said, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3).
Third, it is essential to be controlled by and walking in the will and way of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
Fourth, we must pray. We cannot stay in God’s will or understand and obey His Word unless we stay near Him. With David we cry, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Ps. 51:10).
Begin to pursue the right ways to develop holiness in your life.
Ask Yourself
How is impurity showing itself most visibly in your heart—or perhaps disguising itself most subtly? Realize afresh that holy living is impossible outside of a living, active relationship with Christ and the ongoing enablement of the Holy Spirit. Commit yourself to surrendering all to follow Him in righteousness.


From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com .
Additional Resources

• Free Sermon Downloads 
• Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1 
• NAS MacArthur Study Bible (Hardcover) 

Purity Is More than Sincerity

by letters@gty.org (Grace to You)

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. - Matthew 5:8
Purity of heart is much more than sincerity. A motive can be sincere yet can easily lead to worthless and sinful things. The pagan priests who opposed Elijah demonstrated great sincerity when they lacerated their bodies to induce Baal to send fire down to consume their sacrifices (1 Kings 18:28). But their sincerity did not produce the desired results, and it did not enable them to see the error of their paganism because their sincere trust was in that very paganism.
Even genuinely good deeds that do not come from a genuinely good heart are of no spiritual value. A person may be extremely religious and constantly engaged in doing good things, yet he or she cannot please God unless their heart is right with Him.
The ultimate standard for purity of heart is perfection of heart. Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). One hundred percent purity is God’s standard for the heart, which makes God Himself the standard.
You can’t be pleasing to God until you are pure as He is pure—until you are holy as He is holy and perfect as He is perfect. Only purity of heart through Jesus Christ will reconcile people to God. What standard of purity are you following?
Ask Yourself
To what extent is your measure of purity defined by culture or others’ opinions or anything other than the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ? Check yourself in this, for if staying a few shades cleaner than current society makes you feel pure by comparison, your standards will do nothing but slip over time.


From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com .
Additional Resources

• Free Sermon Downloads 
• Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1 
• NAS MacArthur Study Bible (Hardcover) 

Bind My Wandering Heart to Thee (from (in)courage)

bind my heart…

 

by Especially Heather

So many times I run from you. So many times I hide from your perfect will in my life.
So many times you bring me back.
Ive been sitting here this morning having my quiet time, drinking my coffee. I love mornings like this, where I can sit and soak up my time with the Lord. Lately I have been questioning a lot about my ability (or inability) to fully trust Him. To have complete relinquishment of myself.
My head gets in the way of my heart.
I want my life to not only serve Him, but I want it to be a fragrant offering to Him. There is so much I can’t do on my own. So much I cant overcome on my own. Yet He still stands there waiting for me to ask Him for his hand. Its so very hard sometimes to honestly believe that someone else knows what is right for me. It is hard for me to just sit and wait for His will, yet when I do, life holds so much more peace and joy.
Worship is my heart.  I want really to worship Him.  I want my life to be a pleasing fragrance. I want my worship to be so enveloped in awe and adoration that those around me gain a true understanding of the personal and emotional relationship they can have with a loving God. I bow my pride before Him and pour my veil of worship out. Even in the midst of my ugliness and my vileness, He still longs for that personal relationship with me.
It is what I was created for.
Pouring out my heart. Why is that so hard? Why is it so hard for me to show Him the areas of my life that he already knows exist? Why do I think that I can hide things from an all compassing, all knowing jealous God?
I confess now my selfishness, my pride, my longing for the things of this world. I humbly lay down my life in front of him- like I have done so many times before. I give him my life.
Actually, I give him back the life he gave me.
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to have absolute abandon? Have you ever been in a place in your relationship with Christ where you feel so completely out of control of everything, yet so at peace? I long for that, I long for the relationship with Him that causes me to completely release my grip on my life. I long for the realness of just crawling in His lap and laying my head on His shoulder like a child does.
Complete and utter trust.
Christ is not a lofty God sitting way up there, looking at us way down here. He isn’t waiting for us to sing a hymn and light a candle. He doesn’t care about our rituals, He isn’t impressed with them.
He created us for the relationship. He created us for His joy. He created us to worship Him.
He created us to be REAL.
Sunday mornings are meaningless to Him if they are lathered up in shiny offerings of pride. He wants us to cry with Him. He wants us to share our darkest and most hurtful moments with Him. He wants us to understand that our relationship with him was meant to be intimate, emotional, honest.
He longs for those moments with us.
By: Heather,  Especially Heather  

As I Grieve Over Current Headlines This Reading Helps

February 10 - Distinctiveness of the Beatitudes

by letters@gty.org (Grace to You)

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:3
The series of conditional blessings Jesus promises, beginning with this verse and continuing through verse 12, are known as the Beatitudes. This name refers to a state of happiness or bliss. The blessedness promised in each is a divine characteristic, one that men and women can realize only as they share in God’s nature (cf. 2 Peter 1:4). When believers are truly blessed, they don’t experience merely an external, circumstantial feeling of happiness, but a deep sense of spiritual contentedness and well-being based on the objective spiritual reality that they belong to God.
We must understand that Christ’s beatitudes are distinctive and firm pronouncements, not merely ambiguous probabilities. Our Lord does not say that if we have the qualities the Beatitudes set forth, we are only likely to be happy; nor is this simply His wish for us. Adherence to these attitudes and practices will result in blessedness, just as surely as judgmental woes await those who are the subject of His pronouncements in Matthew 23.
The blessed life is the opposite of the cursed life. Blessedness is possessed by those who truly have the inner characteristics of the Beatitudes. Conversely, cursedness represents those who don’t know the Beatitudes, such as the Jewish religionists of Jesus’ time.
The Beatitudes are also distinctively progressive, each leading to the next in logical succession. Poverty of spirit demonstrates a right attitude about ourselves. That leads to mourning, gentleness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, showing mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking. If we have these traits we will rebuke the world so that it persecutes us and allows us to be lights in its midst.
Ask Yourself
We have often stated—rightly so—that God is more interested in making us holy than making us happy. So does it surprise you to see that happiness is a gift Jesus offers to those who take His Word to heart? What’s wrong with a theology that looks suspiciously at happiness?

Today's Reading Spoke Clarity to me

January 29 - Jesus’ Authoritative Preaching

by letters@gty.org (Grace to You)

From that time Jesus began to preach. - Matthew 4:17
Our Lord heralded the gospel message with certainty. His mission was not to dispute or argue with His opponents but to preach the truth of salvation. He did not merely proclaim certainties, but He did so with the utmost authority (cf. Matt. 7:29).
The scribes could not teach with authority because they had mingled so many man-made opinions and interpretations in with biblical truths that any sense of authority for them had long since disappeared. It was thus quite astounding when the people again heard one like Jesus preach with real authority, as the prophets had (cf. Matt. 7:28–29).
Jesus also preached precisely and only what His Father commissioned Him to proclaim, which no doubt gave added weight to His authority. He testified to this fact quite directly, “I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49; cf. 3:34; 8:38).
Based on this divine authority, Christ sends us out into the world as His ambassadors by saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matt. 28:18b–19a). All believers who are faithful witnesses for the gospel will proclaim God’s certain truth by His authority—and with His power.
Ask Yourself
The authority of Jesus that registered with the people of His day also had something to do with His authenticity. If people don’t show much respect for God and His Word today, how much of it is due to a lack of authenticity in His people? Pray that we would exude His grace-filled reality.

Happy New Year