The Carpenter's Chapel (9)

[following-Him]

The devotional readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

KEEP RUNNING

24 Apr 2012''...Let us run...the race marked out for us.'' Hebrews 12:1

Look what Jesus endured: 1) Temptation. We imagine the wilderness temptation as three isolated events scattered over a forty-day period. No: 'The devil tempted Jesus for forty days...' (Luke 4:2 NCV). Every step, whispering in His ear; every turn of the path, sowing doubt; forty days of non-stop temptation! When it was over satan would flee, angels would come and strengthen Him, and He would leave the wilderness to go out and minister as no one ever has. But first He had to get through the temptation. So do you. And the good news is, strengthened by God's grace, you can. 2) Accusation. '...Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "No, he deceives the people' ' (John 7:12 NIV). 'The Jews then said, "That clinches it. We were right all along when we...said you were crazy-demon possessed!' ' (John 8:48 TM). They accused Him unfairly, but Jesus kept running. You must too. 3) Rejection. His family thought He was mad. The neighbours treated Him badly. When He returned to His home town they tried to throw Him off a cliff (Luke 4:29). But Jesus kept running. So must you. 4) Shame. At the cross He became 'sin' personified (2 Corinthians 5:21). Though He never stole, lied or lusted, He bore the shame of every thief, liar and adulterer. How did Jesus do it? What kept Him going? The Bible answers: '...Who for the joy set before him endured...' (Hebrews 12:2 NIV). Jesus had already lived in heaven, and knowing what awaited Him enabled Him to endure and finish the race. And the same joy awaits you too.

Our Daily Bread

Cutting A Trail

The Native Americans of Michigan were the state’s first highway route engineers. With few exceptions, Michigan’s major highways follow the trails they cut through the wilderness hundreds of years before the white man came. A trail was 12-18 inches wide, and for safety the people followed single file. Then pack horses followed these trails, widening them. Later came wagons, and the trails became dirt roads and then highways.
In a similar way, Solomon followed the trail of his father and in turn paved the way for his sons and grandsons. He did this by encouraging his sons to heed his instructions just as he had followed the sound teaching of his father (Prov. 4:4-5). So this father, giving his sons good practical and spiritual counsel, was passing on what he had learned from the boys’ grandfather, David, who was called a “man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). The younger generation of believers often learns best about God from the family.

Our physical and spiritual children watch the path we’re taking. As God’s men and women, let’s make certain we cut a righteous, wise, and clear trail. Then if ongoing generations choose to follow, the trail can become a highway—an ongoing legacy to God’s glory.

Lord, as I walk my path of life,
Help my feet step straight and true;
That those who follow after me,
Will be tracking straight with You. —Egner

When we follow God, we blaze a trail
for those who would follow.

 

[following-Him]

The Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org) are the readings for today.

Word For Today

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ADVISE!25 Apr 2012''...He who heeds counsel is wise.'' Proverbs 12:15When someone comes to you with a personal problem, ask them the following questions: What do you think caused the problem? What have you done about it? What Scriptures are you standing on? What do you think I might be able to do, that you haven't already done? These questions will help you weed out those who genuinely want help, from those who only want attention. Some people see prayer as a magic wand; they think you can wave it over them and their problem will just go away, then they can go back to living their lives the way they please. Here's another situation. Someone may say, 'The doctor has suggested surgery. What should I do?' Unless you're a doctor, be very careful what you advise. If God has spoken to someone and they have faith that He will heal them, don't throw cold water on them. So what should you do? Jesus said, '...If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven' (Matthew 18:19 NKJV). The real question is, are they standing on their faith or yours? You can teach people God's Word, but you can't force them to come up to your level of faith until they're ready. Sometimes people may be ready and all they're seeking is confirmation. The Bible says: 'You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things' (1John 2:20 NKJV). But unless God has let you 'know,' be careful what you advise!

Our Daily Bread

Everything Is Beautiful

The beauty of the black lacy design against the pastel purple and orange background grabbed my attention. The intricacy of the fragile pattern led me to assume that it had been created by a skilled artist. As I looked more closely at the photo, however, I saw the artist admiring his work from a corner of the photo. The “artist” was a worm, and its work of art was a partially eaten leaf.

What made the image beautiful was not the destruction of the leaf but the light glowing through the holes. As I gazed at the photo, I began thinking about lives that have been eaten by the “worms” of sin. The effects are ravaging. Sin eats away at us as we suffer the consequences of our own bad choices or those of others. We are all its victims.

But the photo also reminded me of the hope we have in God. Through the prophet Joel, God said to Israel, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). And from Isaiah we learn that the Lord appointed him to “console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes” (Isa. 61:3).

Satan does everything he can to make us ugly, but the Light of the World can make us beautiful—despite Satan’s best efforts.

Sin ravages a fruitful life
When it is not addressed;
But God restores and makes us right
Once sin has been confessed. —Sper

God doesn’t remove all of our imperfections,
but He makes us beautiful by shining through them.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

YOUR BIBLE-READ IT EVERY DAY (1)26 Apr 2012''The word of the Lord stands forever.'' 1 Peter 1:25Let's read what some of the most notable leaders in history have said about the Bible. William Gladstone, a Prime Minister of the UK: 'There is but one question of the hour: How to bring the truths of God's Word into vital contact with the minds and hearts of all classes of people.' Goethe: 'I consider the gospels to be thoroughly genuine; for in them there is the effective reflection of a sublimity which emanated from the person of Christ; and this is as divine as ever the divine appeared on earth.' President Ulysses S. Grant: 'Hold fast to the Bible as the anchor of your liberties. Write its precepts on your heart and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for the progress made, and to this we must look as our guide in the future.' President Woodrow Wilson: 'A man has deprived himself of the best there is in the world, who has deprived himself of this: knowledge of the Bible. When you have read the Bible you will know that it is the Word of God because you will have found it the key to your own heart, your own happiness, and your own duty.' President Abraham Lincoln: 'I have only to say that it is the best gift God has given to man.' Like the law of gravity, the Bible will never become redundant. Whittier wrote: 'We come back laden from our quest, to find that all the sages said, is in the book our mothers read.' Your Bible-read it every day.

Our Daily Bread

True Religion

I recently saw an ad for a brand of clothing geared toward youth. It consists of blue jeans and all the accessories designed to go with them. There is nothing novel about that. What got my attention, however, was the name of this clothing line. It is called “True Religion.” That caused me to stop and think. Why was that name chosen? Am I missing some deeper significance? What is the connection between a brand of jeans and true religion? What do they mean by it? My musings left me with questions for which I had no answers.

I am thankful that the book of James is clear when describing true religion or true faith: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (1:27). That is refreshing. “True religion”—genuine faith—is an expression of how we relate to our God. One evidence of our new identity in Christ is the way we care for one another—reaching to the most frail and vulnerable among us, to those most in need of help.

True religion is not a garment to be taken on and off. It is a lofty challenge about how we live before a holy God and others.
True religion is to know The love that Christ imparts; True religion is to show His love to burdened hearts. —D. De Haan

You don’t advertise your religion by wearing a label—
you do it by living a life.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Todoay (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org).


Word For Today

YOUR BIBLE-READ IT EVERY DAY (2)27 Apr 2012''Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.' ' Matthew 24:35Let's look again at what some of the most notable leaders in history have had to say about the Bible. Napoleon: 'What happiness the Bible procures for those who believe it! What marvels it bestows upon those who reflect upon it!' Daniel Webster: 'There is no solid basis for civilisation but in the Word of God. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will continue to prosper. I make it a practice to read the Bible through once every year.' William Lyon Phelps (once referred to as the most beloved professor in America-of Yale University): 'I thoroughly believe in a university education for both men and women, but I believe knowledge of the Bible without a college course, is more valuable than a college course without knowledge of the Bible.' Sir William Jones: 'The Bible contains more pure sensibility, more exquisite beauty, more pure morality, more important history, and finer strains of poetry and eloquence than can be collected from all other books in whatever age or language they may be written.' Robert E. Lee: 'The Bible is a book, in comparison with which all other books are of minor importance. In all my perplexities and distress, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.' Jean-Jacques Rousseau: 'The majesty of the Scriptures strikes me with admiration, as the purity of the gospel has its influence on my heart. Peruse the works of other philosophers with all their pomp and diction, how mean, how contemptible are they, compared with the Scriptures.' Your Bible-read it every day.

Our Daily Bread

A Call To Commitment

Many health and fitness centers expect a flood of people to join every January who will come only a few times. They don’t mind if people pay the fee and never return. But fitness trainer Jesse Jones takes the opposite approach. If you sign up and don’t show up, he will terminate your membership. Jones says, “Save your money. Come see me in a few months when you’re serious. My passion is not for another three-month payment . . . we’re making people accountable to reach their goals.”
In Luke 9:57-62, we encounter three people who told Jesus they wanted to follow Him, and all received what seem to be harsh replies from the Lord: “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (v.58). “Let the dead bury their own dead” (v.60). “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (v.62). For each person, Jesus stated the sacrifice and commitment required to become His disciple.

A man I admire as a dedicated and sensitive follower of Christ says that Christians need to be “ready for radical commitment and change.” The Lord calls us not only to leave the status quo, but also to take that calling seriously by following Him.

Lord, I want to be sold out for You. I want to
love You with my whole heart, soul, mind, and
strength. Give me the power to be who You want me
to be, and to walk in Your ways.

Following Jesus demands our all.

 

[following-Him]

The reading for today can be found at http://utmost.org

My Utmost For His Highest


Gracious Uncertainty


Apr 29 2012


. . . it has not yet been revealed what we shall be . . . —1 John 3:2


Our natural inclination is to be so precise—trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next—that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.

Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life—gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God—it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little children . . .” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “. . . believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org).

Word For Today

PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN! (2)30 Apr 2012''...So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks.'' Joshua 10:24Upon entering the Promised Land and encountering five well-entrenched kings, God told Israel, '...Do not be...dismayed...' (v.25 NKJV). The word 'dismayed' implies being 'torn down by fear' and 'falling apart.' Today satan wants to tear you down by robbing you of your peace, your joy and your confidence. He will keep pouring on the pressure in hopes that you will fall apart. That's why God told Joshua to bring each king out of the cave and deal with him decisively by standing on his neck and then hanging him on a tree. Satan works through our five senses but God has given us a sixth sense: faith. The Bible says, 'We walk by faith, not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith says, 'In spite of what I see, in spite of what I hear, in spite of what I feel, in spite of what I taste, in spite of what I smell, I believe everything's going to be all right because God is with me.' Your senses, which are susceptible to all that's going on around you, are faith-killers. And unless you put them under your foot they will steal your dream, your confidence and everything else God has promised you. Emotions are problem-driven, but faith is purpose-driven. If you allow your emotions to rule your life you will be up one minute and down the next. You say, 'But I thought life is supposed to be an up and down experience.' No, God's plan for you is to get down on your knees to pray, then get up in faith and do what He's told you to do.

Our Daily bread

My Way

Think about the worst intellectual matchups possible. For instance, what if we put Albert Einstein in a room with a first-grader to debate the theory of relativity? Or how about George Washington Carver versus a middle-schooler discussing biochemical engineering?


It’s silly to think of putting these pairs together for discussions. One is the ultimate expert; the other would know little if anything about the topic.
Here’s another one: God versus anyone arguing about His plan for mankind. Now we’re talking mismatch! Yet we often hear of people trying to explain away God’s matchless wisdom and how their way is better than His.


I received a letter from a man in prison who said: “I came to the point in my life where I finally accepted the fact that God is real and the Creator of everything. I grew tired of trying to do things my way. When I started humbling myself and accepting God’s Word, I found the answer.”

How ridiculous to reject God’s plan of salvation because we think we know better! Only by placing our trust in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins can we be reconciled to God (John 14:6; Rom 3:23; 6:23). Are you still trying to do things your own way, thinking you know best? (Prov. 16:25). Agree with God and go His way.

There aren’t many ways into heaven;
The Bible says there’s only one:
Confessing Christ Jesus as Savior,
Believing in God’s only Son. —Sper

Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way. —Tozer

 

[following-Him]

My Utmost For His Highest is the reading for today and it can be found here:

http://utmost.org

Vicarious Intercession


May 04 2012


. . having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus . . . —Hebrews 10:19


Beware of thinking that intercession means bringing our own personal sympathies and concerns into the presence of God, and then demanding that He do whatever we ask. Our ability to approach God is due entirely to the vicarious, or substitutionary, identification of our Lord with sin. We have “boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.”

Spiritual stubbornness is the most effective hindrance to intercession, because it is based on a sympathetic “understanding” of things we see in ourselves and others that we think needs no atonement. We have the idea that there are certain good and virtuous things in each of us that do not need to be based on the atonement by the Cross of Christ. Just the sluggishness and lack of interest produced by this kind of thinking makes us unable to intercede. We do not identify ourselves with God’s interests and concerns for others, and we get irritated with Him. Yet we are always ready with our own ideas, and our intercession becomes only the glorification of our own natural sympathies. We have to realize that the identification of Jesus with sin means a radical change of all of our sympathies and interests. Vicarious intercession means that we deliberately substitute God’s interests in others for our natural sympathy with them.

Am I stubborn or substituted? Am I spoiled or complete in my relationship to God? Am I irritable or spiritual? Am I determined to have my own way or determined to be identified with Him?

 

[following-Him]

The devotional reading for today is taken from My Utmost For His Highest, which can be found at http://utmost/org

Judgment and the Love of God


May 05 2012


The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God . . . —1 Peter 4:17


The Christian servant must never forget that salvation is God’s idea, not man’s; therefore, it has an unfathomable depth. Salvation is the great thought of God, not an experience. Experience is simply the door through which salvation comes into the conscious level of our life so that we are aware of what has taken place on a much deeper level. Never preach the experience— preach the great thought of God behind the experience. When we preach, we are not simply proclaiming how people can be saved from hell and be made moral and pure; we are conveying good news about God.

In the teachings of Jesus Christ the element of judgment is always brought out— it is the sign of the love of God. Never sympathize with someone who finds it difficult to get to God; God is not to blame. It is not for us to figure out the reason for the difficulty, but only to present the truth of God so that the Spirit of God will reveal what is wrong. The greatest test of the quality of our preaching is whether or not it brings everyone to judgment. When the truth is preached, the Spirit of God brings each person face to face with God Himself.

If Jesus ever commanded us to do something that He was unable to equip us to accomplish, He would be a liar. And if we make our own inability a stumbling block or an excuse not to be obedient, it means that we are telling God that there is something which He has not yet taken into account. Every element of our own self-reliance must be put to death by the power of God. The moment we recognize our complete weakness and our dependence upon Him will be the very moment that the Spirit of God will exhibit His power.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org).

Word For Today

Discipleship06 May 2012'Whosoever doth not bear his cross...cannot be my disciple.' Luke 14:27Brenda Goodine says, 'My friend decided it was time to talk to her bright four-year-old son, Benji, about receiving Christ. "Benji," she asked quietly, "Would you like to have Jesus in your heart?" Benji rolled his blue eyes and answered seriously, "No. I don't think I want the responsibility.'' Now, you may not like Benji's answer, but you have to admire his honesty. He wasn't just thinking about the rewards of discipleship, he was thinking about the responsibilities it brings. Brother Lawrence, a French monk, put it this way: 'Let us think often, that our only business in this life is to please God.' Imagine asking yourself before each action, word, or attitude, 'Is this pleasing to the Lord?' How different would your life be? How would your decisions impact the people around you? Jesus said, 'Whoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.' Crosses were not made to live on, but to die on. Every morning when you wake up, go into the bathroom, look in the mirror and say, 'Today, you've been called to die to self-indulgence, self-interest, and self-promotion.' Tom Landry, coach of the Dallas Cowboys, once said, 'The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don't want to do, in order to achieve what they've always wanted to be.' And that is the essence of discipleship. Furthermore, Jesus said if you are not willing to do it, you 'cannot' be His disciple.

Our Daily bread

A Father's Invitation

The Old Testament book of Ezekiel tells of God’s judgment on His disobedient people. The Lord called them “a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me” (2:3) and “impudent and stubborn children” (v.4). The graphic descriptions of their sin and the violent images of their coming punishment are appalling. Yet in the darkest moments of God’s lament over His people held captive in Babylon, His love shines through in His call for them to walk again on the path of life.

“ ‘Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God. ‘Therefore turn and live!’ ” (18:31-32).

God does not ask us to feel worse than we already do about our failures or to try harder to keep His commands. Instead, He invites us to receive a fresh source of motivation and strength—“a new heart and a new spirit” from Him (36:26-27).

If you’re feeling that you’ve wandered too far away from God and that He is through with you, it’s time to embrace the truth. Will you accept the Father’s invitation to “turn and live” today?

If you’ve rebelled and turned away
From what you know is true,
Turn back to God—He will forgive;
He waits to pardon you. —Sper

To enjoy the future, accept God’s forgiveness for the past.

 

[following-Him]

The Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) is the first of our devotional readings today, followed by Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For today

The Word for 'Worrywarts'07 May 2012'Martha...you are worried and upset about many things.' Luke 10:41Worry acts like a thief; it robs us of the joy God wants us to experience each day. Basically, all our worries come down to two things: that we won't get what we need, or that we'll lose what we've got. Martha was a 'worrywart,' and it showed up when Jesus came to dinner. She worked hard in the kitchen while her sister Mary sat listening to Jesus. In frustration Martha asked, '...Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?...' (v. 40 NIV). Worry makes us forget who's servant and who's Lord. Notice three things in this story: 1) Martha was busy serving, but she wasn't enjoying it. No doubt she wanted to please Jesus; it's just that she allowed her work for the Lord to become more important to her than her relationship with the Lord. Has that happened to you? 2) Satan didn't take Martha out of the kitchen; he just stole her purpose for being there. Satan doesn't turn you against the church; he just makes you focus on yourself. He doesn't take away your ministry, he just discourages you by saying you're overworked and not appreciated. 3) God values your attitude more than your actions. 'Do everything without complaining...' (Philippians 2:14 NIV). A bad attitude spoils the gift you offer to God. Jesus said, 'Martha...only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen...it...' (Luke 10:42 NIV). What did Mary choose? Sitting at the feet of Jesus. He always prefers the quiet devotion of a sincere heart to the noisy attitude of a complainer. Think about it.

Our Daily bread

God's Timing

Pastor Audley Black’s church near the south coast of Jamaica has been in a building program since at least 2005. That was the first time I visited his church and saw that they were expanding. The last time I was there—in the spring of 2011—some of the walls were up. By that summer, they had started on the roof. When I suggested to Pastor Black that perhaps the church would be done by 2013 when I thought I might return, he said it was a possibility.

There was no hint of disappointment that this project could take 8 years or longer! No, Pastor Black and his people are excited about what God is doing, and they’re patient with His timing.

We are often not that patient. We want our church to grow quickly, our young people to mature right away, and our problems to be fixed today.
Maybe we need to be reminded that some things take time—God’s time. For instance, when the Israelites first left Egypt, God sent them on the long route to the Promised Land (Ex. 13:17-18). During that time He prepared them, taught them, and challenged them.

In our microwave world, we want everything done instantaneously. But sometimes that’s not God’s plan. Let’s seek God’s help and learn to accept His timing.

He does not lead me year by year,
Nor even day by day;
But step by step my path unfolds;
My Lord directs my way. —Ryberg

God’s timetable may move slowly, but it does move surely.

 

[following-Him]

The devotional readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.oc.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Be Nurturing08 May 2012'...Love each other as I have loved you' John 15:12When Jesus said, 'Love each other,' He used the Greek word for 'love,' which means to nurture. Think of a mother and her child: her love is constant and her greatest desire for that child is that they should thrive. You say, 'But isn't that the kind of love people should get somewhere else, like at home?' No, beneath the fa?ade, some of the people in your life desperately need to be nurtured. And they'll be influenced most by those who make them feel best about themselves. One leader writes: 'Many people are very close to my heart because they believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. They listened to me without condemnation and loved me unconditionally, even when I wasn't very lovable. Without them, I wouldn't have possessed the hope I needed to keep pursuing my dream.' Now, you can't be like the little girl who came home from church and announced, 'I want to be like the man who stood up in the pulpit today.' Delighted, her mom said, 'You want to go into the ministry?' 'No,' she replied, 'I want to tell people what to do!' Hello! Some of us want to be authority figures so we can correct people and give them our so-called 'constructive criticism.' Most folks don't need a critic, they need a cheerleader. When you nurture them they will welcome you to speak into their life-and they will listen. Goethe said, 'Correction does much, but encouragement does much more.' So think encouraging words and speak encouraging words. 'Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad' (Proverbs 12:25 NKJV).


Our Daily Bread

Here I Am

In the courtroom while waiting for his case to come before the judge, Gary heard story after sad story of people who were losing their homes. Many went through the procedure as if it were familiar to them. But one woman named Leslie seemed bewildered. Gary sensed that she didn’t know what to do or where to turn.

He tried to silence the quiet voice inside him that was urging him to help, but he couldn’t. He thought of many reasons not to get involved. First, engaging strangers in conversation is not one of his strengths; second, he was afraid of being misunderstood. But he thought that the prompting was from God, and he didn’t want to risk being disobedient.

When Gary saw Leslie leaving the courthouse, he spoke to her. “Ma’am,” he said, “I heard your testimony inside the courtroom, and I believe God wants me to help you.”

At first Leslie was suspicious, but Gary assured her of his sincerity. He made some phone calls and got her connected with people in a local church who provided the help she needed to keep her house.

God has called us to active duty (1 John 3:18). When we sense His prompting to help someone, we should be willing to say, “I believe God wants me to help you.”

God calls into action today
All those who are children of light;
Whatever our hand finds to do,
Let’s do it with all of our might. —Hess

We are at our best when we are serving others.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org)

Spiritual Landmarks09 May 2012'This I call to mind and therefore I have hope.' Lamentations 3:21You need to establish some spiritual landmarks in your life to remind you of the times when God intervened on your behalf. Someone said, 'We're not slow learners, just quick forgetters.' How soon we forget, or claim credit for things we had little to do with. When God parted the Jordan River for His people to cross over, He knew something they didn't-that on the other side they would face some big challenges, including the City of Jericho. That's when they would need 'reminders.' So He told them to collect twelve stones from the Jordan and build a monument, so they and their children would recall His past faithfulness to them. Samuel did the same after Israel defeated the Philistines. He took a stone and named it Ebenezer, meaning, '...Thus far the Lord has helped us' (1Samuel 7:12 NKJV). Before you give in to discouragement, doubt or defeat, stop and recall what God has done for you 'thus far.' Like the day you met Jesus, or the times He guided you, or the doors He opened that you thought were permanently shut, or the scrapes He brought you through. Keep a record of these events and refer to it often. It will help you to remember His goodness when you tend to forget it. It will give you a sense of gratitude for yesterday's blessings, and confidence to face whatever tomorrow brings. 'This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness' (Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV).

Our Daily bread

Building A Life That Matters

My grandkids love to play with Legos. These small colorful building blocks capture their imagination for building forts, planes, houses, or whatever the instructions may call for.

Emptying the contents of the box onto the floor, my grandchildren begin to put the pieces together. But soon they think they don’t need to consult the directions. This eventually leads to a point when they realize that building according to their own instincts has resulted in a bad outcome. So, they break it apart and start over again—but this time they have a keen sense of how important the directions are.

Do you need the pieces of your life broken apart and put back together according to God’s directions? If you have Jesus Christ as your foundation, begin to follow His blueprint for living. Paul wrote, “Let each one take heed how he builds” on the foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-11). What is the blueprint? Value others above yourself by humbly serving them (Phil. 2:3-4), give generously of your resources to those in need (James 2:14-17), respond with love to those who have wronged you (Rom. 12:14-21). These are just a few of the pieces that God wants you to put together to build a life that is worthy of being His temple (1 Cor. 3:16).

Because of the grace and forgiveness that You have
shown me, Lord, I want to live a life that’s worthy of
knowing You. Help me to follow Your plans that
You’ve laid out in the Scriptures. Amen.

The Bible is the Christian’s blueprint for life.

 

[following-Him]

The Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread are the readings for today.

Word For Today

Don't Be a Fool (1)10 May 2012'The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God...'' Psalm 14:1The atheistic fool. It's said, 'An atheist can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman.' Sometimes pride is at the core of atheism. Without God, you become your own god, which means there's no higher power than yourself! But the God of the Bible proves His existence in three ways: 1) Creation. Many people are in prison today who weren't caught at the scene of the crime, and no one actually witnessed the crime. What proved they did it? Fingerprints! DNA! Creation carries God's fingerprints and DNA. 'Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name...' (Isaiah 40:26 NLT). 2) Calvary. In creation you see God's power, at the cross you see His love for you. In creation you see His hand, at the cross you see His heart. 3) Conscience. 'Gentiles...even without having heard it...demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right' (Romans 2:14-15 NLT). Conscience is like having a Bible in your soul; no one was born without one. Voltaire, the French atheist, said, 'It took twelve fishermen to build Christianity. I will show the world how one Frenchman can destroy it.' After Voltaire died, the home in which he had lived became Europe's most famous Bible distribution centre. Bottom line: Voltaire is dead; our God lives! Atheism is the greatest gamble of all. After all, what if there is a God and you stand before Him one day?

Our Daily Bread

Apologies

Mark messed up. He arrived an hour late at a restaurant where he was to meet a friend from church. The friend had already left. Feeling sorry about his mistake, Mark purchased a gift certificate from the restaurant and stopped at a local card shop to search for an apology card. Among hundreds of cards, he was surprised to find only a few “sorry for my actions” cards in an obscure part of the store. He purchased one and gave it to his friend who accepted his apology.

Although apology cards may not be popular, apologies are frequently needed in our relationships. Apologizing is a biblical action. Jesus instructed His followers to make things right with those we’ve offended (Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15-20). And the apostle Paul said, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18). Living at peace may require apologies.

Apologies can be hard to make because it takes a spirit of humility to admit our mistake, which may not come naturally for us. But taking responsibility for how we were wrong in a situation can bring healing and restoration to a relationship.

Have you messed up? Swallow your pride and make the first move—even if you can’t find a card to help you say it.

Whenever you offend a friend,
Apologize and make things right;
For if you will admit your wrong,
You may avoid a needless fight. —Sper

The best way to get the last word is to apologize.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Don't Be a Fool (2)11 May 2012'...Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee...' Luke 12:20The ambitious fool. Jesus told the story of a successful farmer who said, '...I will pull down my barns, and build greater...' (v. 18). Evidently he was a good businessman and planner. But then he said: 'I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee...So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God' (vv. 19-21). This man had a plan for time, but none for eternity. He thought about himself, but not God. He paid attention to his body, but not his soul. It's said that the average body has enough phosphorus to make eight hundred thousand match heads, enough sugar to go into sixty cubes, enough salt to cover twenty spoons, and enough iron to make about ten dollars' worth of nails. The rest is just dust and water. When you pamper, promote and protect the part of you that will only live seventy or eighty years and neglect the part of you that will live on in either heaven or hell, God says you're a fool. This man told himself he had 'many years,' but God said, 'This night thy soul shall be required of thee.' Don't you realise that an accident, a blocked artery, a stray bullet, a plane with engine failure or a drunk driver could take you out in an instant? Wise up! The question is not will you die, but when? And are you ready to stand before God?

Our Daily Bread

A Sense of Concern

Statistics are tricky. While numbers give us information, sometimes they can also desensitize us to the people those numbers represent. This hit me recently as I read a statistic: Every year 15 million people die from hunger. That’s chilling, and for those of us who live in cultures of plenty, it’s hard to fathom. In 2008, nearly 9 million children died before their fifth birthday, with a third of those deaths related to hunger. These are staggering numbers, but they are much more than numbers. They are individuals loved by God.

We can show the Father’s heart of love by responding to people’s physical needs. Solomon wrote, “He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy” (Prov. 14:31). We can show mercy to the needy by volunteering at a soup kitchen, assisting in a job search, financially supporting the drilling of wells in places in need of fresh water, distributing food in poverty-stricken regions, teaching a trade, or providing lunches for school children.

Accepting this responsibility honors the Father and His concern for all. And those who are starving might be better able to hear the message of the cross if their stomachs aren’t growling.

If God ordained to give
One gift for all my days,
I’d want the way He loves
To permeate my ways. —Verway

The more we understand God’s love for us the more love we’ll show to others.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are from Word For Today (www.ucn.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org).

Word ForToday

Don't Be a Fool (3)12 May 2012'...Died Abner as a fool dieth.' 2 Samuel 3:33The absolute fool. Abner slew a man called Asahel, whose brother happened to be Joab, King David's number one general. So Joab was out to take Abner's life. The tragedy of this story is that Abner was within reach of Hebron, one of the six cities of refuge. But instead of running into that city and enjoying its protection, he allowed the enemy to catch him outside the gates and kill him. 'They buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept...and said, 'Died Abner as a fool dieth?' (vv. 32-33). Abner was the absolute fool. Why? Because unlike the atheistic fool who did not believe in God, or the ambitious fool who had no time for God, he knew what to do-but didn't do it. There were no rivers to cross, no mountains to climb, and no price to be paid. The gates of Hebron were open; all he had to do was go in and stay there. Imagine being given a gospel tract with these words on the cover: 'What must I do to be lost?' Then opening it and finding that page is-blank. You don't have to do anything to be lost! But you must do something to be saved: '...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...' (Acts 16:31). When Mary brought the newborn Christ to the temple, an old priest named Simeon held Him in his arms and said: 'Now I'm ready to die, because I have seen the Saviour of the world...' (Luke 2:25-32). In order to die right you must meet Christ, embrace Him, and acknowledge Him as your Lord and Saviour. Why don't you do it today!

Our Daily Bread

Katsushika Hokusai was one of the most prolific and celebrated artists in Japanese history. Between 1826 and 1833, when he was in his mid-60s and early 70s, he created his greatest work—a series of color woodblock prints titled Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji. Among those paintings was his masterpiece: The Great Wave Off Kanagawa. This painting, created during a time of financial and emotional struggles for Hokusai, shows a towering wall of water edged with clawlike foam about to crash down on three slim boats full of rowers.

Psalm 107 also tells a story of people in peril at sea. Afloat on the waves, “they mount up to the heavens, [and] they go down again to the depths.” And as a result, “their soul melts because of trouble” (v.26). Eventually, the sailors send an S.O.S. to God, and He responds by smoothing out the sea and guiding them to their destination (vv.28-30).
When we face desperate circumstances, we tend to look to other people for guidance and comfort. They are in the same boat, however—lost in an ocean of life’s ups and downs. Only God is outside the boat, sovereign, stable, and strong enough to calm the storms (vv.24-25,29). Facing trouble? Call on Him!

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain? —Owens

We worship a God who is greater than our greatest problem.

 

[following-Him]

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.

The readings for today are from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org).

Word For Today

The Law of Consequence

13 May 2012'Do not be deceived...A man reaps what he sows.' Galations 6:7

Your child says, 'I didn't mean to break the window.' You reply, 'But you threw the rock that broke it, right? So you'll pay for repairing it.' And when your child pays, he or she learns a principle that could save them from costlier consequences down the road. God, who is a loving heavenly Father, invented the law of consequence-for our benefit. Consider this: 1) Your decisions determine the kind of harvest you reap. Adam and Eve got to choose whether or not to obey God, but they didn't get to escape the consequences of their choice. 'A man reaps what he sows.' You're not the pawn of a punitive god, malevolent cosmic force, the devil or luck. You have been given the power to choose right or wrong. 2) Your decisions impact others. Hurting them may not have been your intention, but often it's collateral damage you can't avoid. After conquering Jericho, Achan stole some of the spoils, causing Israel's defeat at Ai. Later Joshua challenged him, saying, 'Why have you brought this trouble on us?...' (Joshua 7:25 NIV). Before you act, you need to consider who will get hurt by the fallout from your decision. Will it be your children, spouse, friends, church, etc.? 3) Forgiveness may not cancel the consequences of your decision. God hears your confession, freely forgives you and expunges your record, but the harvest law may still remain in effect. 'David confessed..."I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan replied, "Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you...[but] your child will die"' (2 Samuel 12:13-14 NLT). So if you don't want to reap, don't sow.

Our Daily Bread

A Woman Of Influence

During the early years of the Protestant Reformation in Europe, Katharina Von Bora, a former nun, married Martin Luther (1525). By all accounts, the two had a joyous married life. Luther said, “There is no bond on earth so sweet, nor any separation so bitter, as that which occurs in a good marriage.”

Because Katharina rose at 4 a.m. to care for her responsibilities, Luther referred to her as the “morning star of Wittenberg.” She was industrious in tending the vegetable garden and orchard. Also, she administered the family business and managed the Luthers’ home and property. In time, the couple had six children for whom Katharina felt the home was a school of character development. Her energetic industry and care for the family made her a woman of influence.

Katharina seems to have been a woman like the one described in Proverbs 31. She was indeed a virtuous wife who awoke “while it [was] yet night” and provided “food for her household” (v.15). She also watched “over the ways of her household, and [did] not eat the bread of idleness” (v.27).
From role models like Katharina, we can learn about the love, diligence, and fear of the Lord that’s needed to be a woman of influence.

Lord, thank You for the influence our mothers and wives
have had on us. We too want to touch the lives of
others, to point them to You. We know we need Your
Spirit’s power to do that. Fill us and use us, we pray.

Good mothers not only tell us how to live— they show us.

 

[following-Him]

Today the readings are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org).

Word For Today

Hold Up Your Pastor's Hands14 May 2012'I will give you shepherds according to My heart...' Jeremiah 3:15Here's a sad statistic: Over 50% of those who enter the ministry leave it within ten years because of discouragement. Make sure that doesn't happen to your pastor. Picture this: Joshua's soldiers are down in the valley fighting the Amalekites. Above him on a hilltop sits Moses with his hands raised toward heaven. As long as his arms are raised the battle goes their way. But if you've ever tried to hold your hands up for long, you quickly grow weary and lower them. The moment Moses does that, the battle goes against Israel. So Aaron and Hur hold up his arms and the tide turns in favour of Israel. It wasn't just Joshua's ability to fight, it was Moses' ability to hold up his arms that won the day. Aaron and Hur kept a leader from fainting so an entire nation could be saved. God said, 'I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.' If God has given you a pastor who loves, leads and feeds you, support them. Hold up their hands! In the Old Testament tabernacle the candlesticks had to be kept burning day and night because their light represented God's presence among His people. If a light so much as flickered, designated servants moved in immediately to refuel it and restore it to its original glow. Are you getting the idea? It's your responsibility to make sure the light doesn't flicker in your church or the fire go out in your pulpit. So pray for your pastor every day. And be sure to encourage him every chance you get.

Our Daily bread

A man who grew up on a ranch in West Texas tells about a rickety, old windmill that stood alongside his family’s barn and pumped water to their place. It was the only source of water for miles.

In a strong wind the windmill worked well, but in a light breeze it wouldn’t turn. It required manually turning the vane until the fan faced directly into the wind. Only when properly positioned did the windmill supply water to the ranch.

I think of that story when I meet with pastors from small churches in remote areas. Many feel isolated and unsupported—caregivers for whom no one seems to care. As a consequence, they grow weary and struggle to bring life-giving water to their flock. I like to tell them about the old windmill and our need to daily reposition ourselves—to intentionally turn toward the Lord and His Word and to drink deeply from Him who is the source of living water.

What’s true for pastors is true for all. Service for God flows from within, outward. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). It’s when God speaks to our depths that we are able to touch the lives of others. To refresh others, let’s return to the Source of life regularly.

When our hearts grow weary,
When our spirits dim,
He will go before us,
Leave it all to Him. —Anon.

When you’re weary in life’s struggles, find strength in the Lord.

 

[following-Him]

The Word For Todoay (www.ucb.co.uk) is the first of our devotional readings today followed by Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Draw on His Power Within You15 May 2012'To him who is able to do immeasurably more...' Ephesians 3:20There are words in your Bible which have so much power in them that they're more effective than any therapy. God can illuminate a Scripture that goes back into the past and heals your wounds, gives you direction in the middle of despair, and provides hope for the future. Satan will try to fill your mind with so much junk that you don't have an appetite for God's Word. That's because he knows the Scriptures unmask him, and release the potential lying dormant within you. Before Jeremiah rose to national prominence as a prophet, God told him two things: 1) 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...' (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV). Your parents didn't get the first look at you, God did. Nothing about you surprises Him. In spite of what you've been through, He hasn't changed His mind about who you are or what you're destined to become. 2) 'Before you were born I set you apart...' (v. 5 NIV). You say, 'I've always felt different.' That's because you are. Celebrate it! Stop looking for acceptance where you don't belong. You're on a mission for God; that's why the enemy has tried so hard to take you out. Once you understand that, your struggle will begin to make sense. As you study God's Word you'll begin to experience the mind-renewing, life-changing power He's deposited within you. 'Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.' So start drawing on that power today.

Our Daily Bread

Seeing Near And Far

Having two healthy eyes is not enough to see clearly. I know this from experience. After a series of eye surgeries for a torn retina, both eyes could see well but they refused to cooperate with each other. One eye saw things far away and the other saw things close up. But instead of working together, they fought for supremacy. Until I could get new prescription glasses 3 months later, my eyes remained unfocused.
Something similar happens in our view of God. Some people focus better on God when they see Him as “close up”—when they think of Him as intimately present in their daily life. Other Christians see God more clearly as “far away” or far beyond anything we can imagine, ruling the universe in power and majesty.

While people disagree about which view is best, the Bible works like a prescription lens helping us to see that both are correct. King David presents both views in Psalm 145: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him” (v.18) and “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable” (v.3).

Thankfully, our Father in heaven is near to hear our prayers yet so far above us in power that He can meet every need.

Lord, You’re the high and lofty One,
Yet close enough to hear our voice;
You’re powerful, yet personal;
Your love for us makes us rejoice. —Sper

God is big enough to care for the smallest needs.

 

[following-Him]

The Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) is the first of our readings for today, followed by Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

If You Persist, You Will Prevail16 May 2012'...Don't give up.' Galations 6:9James Watt spent twenty years perfecting the steam engine. William Harvey worked for eight years to demonstrate how blood circulated in the human body, then for another twenty-five years trying to convince the medical establishment. Most of us underestimate the time it takes to achieve anything of lasting value. You've got to be willing to pay your dues. Cutting corners is a sign of impatience and poor self-discipline. The secret of every breakthrough is to follow through. Albert Gray says, 'The common denominator of all success lies in forming the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do.' If you find yourself continually giving in to your moods, you need to change your approach to doing things. To do this, you must set standards for yourself that require accountability. Suffering a consequence for not following through will keep you on track like nothing else. Once your new standards are in place, work according to them, not your moods; that will get you going in the right direction. Self-discipline is a quality that's won only through practice. Successful people have learned to do what doesn't come naturally. They are willing to confront discomfort, distractions and doubt, and act in spite of them. R. H. Macy, founder of Macy's department stores, failed at five different professions-whaler, retailer, gold miner, stockbroker, real estate broker-before he finally succeeded. When asked what sustained him through failure after failure he replied, 'Purpose and persistence.' That's what separates those who achieve from those who merely dream! It's why Paul wrote: 'Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.'

Our Daily Bread

Courageous Conversations

Is it possible that technological advances in communication have left us unable to confront people properly? After all, employers can now send layoff notices via e-mail. And people can criticize others on Facebook and Twitter instead of talking face to face. Perhaps it might be better to put all that aside and emulate how Paul communicated with Peter when they had a disagreement.

Paul had to confront Peter for compromising grace (Gal. 2:11-16). Peter had been fellowshiping with Gentiles, but when the Judaizers arrived (who believed that sinners are saved through Jesus plus keeping the law of Moses), Peter separated himself from the Gentiles. He ostracized them while professing to be one with them. Seeing this hypocrisy, Paul, in love and with passion, confronted Peter face to face for cowering to a legalistic system that was powerless to change lives. He vigorously reminded Peter that grace leads to freedom from sin’s slavery and to obedience to God.

Having courageous conversations with fellow Christians can be difficult, but they will promote purity and unity. We can carry out our responsibility to one another to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15) by walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, give us courage to confront
Believers who have strayed;
And then with gentleness restore
By coming to their aid. —Sper

A well-chosen word can speak volumes.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

A Branch and a Bride18 May 2012'I am the vine; you are the branches...' John 15:5The Bible gives us two interesting pictures of our relationship with Jesus: 1) A branch. 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.' Jesus wants to be as close to you as a branch is to a vine. One is an extension of the other. It's impossible to tell where one starts and the other ends. The branch isn't connected only at the moment of bearing fruit. The gardener doesn't keep branches in a box and then, on the day he wants grapes, glue them to the vine. No, the branch constantly draws nutrition from the vine. Separation means certain death. 2) A bride (2 Corinthians 11:2). Aren't we the bride of Christ? Haven't we made vows to Him, and hasn't He made vows to us? What does our marriage to Christ imply? For one thing, the communication never stops. In a happy home a husband doesn't talk to his wife only when he wants something. He doesn't pop in just when he wants a good meal or a clean shirt or a little romance. Healthy marriages have a sense of 'remaining.' There is tenderness, honesty, ongoing communication. Sometimes we go to God with our joys, sometimes we go with our hurts, but we always go. And the more we go, the more we become like Him. People who live long lives together eventually begin to sound alike, talk alike and even think alike. As we walk with Jesus we take on His thoughts, His principles, His attitudes. Indeed, we take on His heart.

Our Daily Bread

Not What I Planned

This isn’t the way I expected my life to be. I wanted to marry at 19, have a half-dozen children, and settle into life as a wife and mother. But instead I went to work, married in my forties, and never had children. For a number of years I was hopeful that Psalm 37:4 might be for me a God-guaranteed promise: “He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

But God doesn’t always “bring it to pass” (v.5), and unmet desires stir up occasional sadness. Like mine, your life may have turned out differently than you planned. A few thoughts from Psalm 37 may be helpful (even though the psalm is primarily about comparing ourselves to the wicked).
We learn from verse 4 that unfulfilled desires don’t have to take the joy out of life. As we get to know God’s heart, He becomes our joy.

“Commit your way to the Lord” (v.5). The word commit means “to roll.” Bible teacher Herbert Lockyear, Sr., says, “‘Roll thy way upon the Lord,’ as one who lays upon the shoulders of one stronger than himself a burden which he is not able to bear.”

“Trust also in Him” (v.5). When we confidently entrust everything to God, we can “rest in the Lord” (v.7), for He is bringing about His best for our lives.

As I walk along life’s pathway,
Though the way I cannot see,
I shall follow in His footsteps,
For He has a plan for me. —Thiesen

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. —Proverbs 16:9