Streams In The Desert

October 22 - Keeping the faith

2008-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

"Faith is the center of the target for trials." All throughout the Word we learn that our faith is refined in this way. There is a special passage I share with my Pinky buddy in 2 Timothy and it was the subject of today's 2nd paragraph. I found it "GOD" because the last two nights, I have asked my hubby to read me the book of 2 Timothy. Again, as I read today's devotion, that VERY 2nd Timothy song by the Sons of Korah was playing on my iPod (out of a list of about 100 songs). So there you have it, three confirmations on this 2nd Timothy passage, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith." And by that, I do not mean that I have done these things, but that such prayer TO DO these is imperative. That when the time comes, this can be said with confidence, with Paul.

Thank God that Jesus prays for us to keep the faith! I doubt we could otherwise. We are sifted in a sieve as today's verse confirms. A second "God"... yesterday I read p. 172 of Beside Still Waters entitled Sifted in a Sieve. It talked about how this refining produces a brave and hardy race. "Whether rich or poor, we must look on our present condition as a test in which God would make known to us whether we are solidly in Christ and in the work of the Holy Spirit or just superficial professors having a name to live, but who are dead." Ouch. But so important to really count the cost of our temperament...His purpose or our sin? Is His work being accomplished in you?

"Faith must be tried, and seeming desertion is the furnace..."
-Spurgeon

The Psalmist often spoke of God's seeming absence. Desertion. I feel it often. When I sink into the depths of depression, I feel so alone...helpless...and hopeless. Two days ago, I thought, how can I do this godly?! I was exasperated and sick of myself. It is a horrid thing to be sick of the very person that you are. That is when I asked my hubby to read to me 2 Timothy. Paul says that God gives us a sound mind. A sound mind. A sound mind.

It is odd that in my darkest hours, I find it difficult to read two words together, let alone sentences. So I think, I must rely on my spotty memory to fall on His Word...but then my memory fails because I cannot think in such a fog. And so, a few phrases cut the thick darkness, and I cling to them...

...He has not given us a spirit of darkness but a sound mind...
...Where does my help come from, my help comes from the Lord...
...In Him who is my strength...

And, through prayer, and the prayer of those that love me, I fumble through another day...clinging to phrase and faith.

Sept. 10 - Purpose

2008-09-10T05:22:00.000-07:00

"the Lord will fulfill His purpose for me"

I found today's reading in Psalms 138, very encouraging. I admit I have been a worrier as of late. I have worried over any and every detail...and I must say that it is exhausting to do so. I think that I get very frustrated when I don't get my way. How sad that I am still in such a 'toddler' state of mind.

I seem to take on the pain of others and feel devastated. On one hand, I know that it is this deep concern that turns me to the cross in prayer. But it is a fine line to watch; are my eyes turned toward Him or are they turning inward...toward my own strength? It is easy to get caught up into thinking that there is more I can do, or should do. I had a counselor once tell me, "Oh...you 'should' on yourself." Should can be a very dangerous word when used out of God's context. I should pray; I not be discouraged.

...for let the circumstances be what they may, it seeks only for God and His will, and it feels assured that God is making everything in the universe, good or bad, past or present work together for its good.

Oh, the blessedness of being absolutely conquered."

Please join me in praying for my dear, sweet friends as one prepares for a double mastectomy on the 16th (less than a week from now) and the other nears the one year anniversary of her hubby's death in this world and his entrance into the Kingdom of God.

Pray for me to be supportive and submissive to God's will...that I will not fight for control, but acquiesce to His will. Thanks you.

Aug 17 - I believe God

2008-08-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

Today's passage shows a clip of George Mueller's faith. Then we read in Acts 27, a clip of Apostle Paul's faith. What treasures we have in the lives of those that have gone before us in faith.

What I know of George Mueller, to date, comes from a children's picture book. Yet, every time I read it, I get goose bumps and tears in my eyes. "At ninety-two George Muller died while sleeping peacefully. He'd helped ten thousand orphans through his life, which we can see was lived as an example of what each of us can do--If we will put our faith in God and let Him use us too. Whever God may lead us, whether it be near or far, as George discovered, through one girl: be helpful where you are." (George Muller: Faith to Feed Ten Thousand by Renee Taft Meloche)

In Acts 27, we read of Paul as the leader on a ship destined for destruction. He does not out-rank the others on board, in fact, he is a prisoner. But the difference between him and the other passangers (with the exception of Luke who is recording the event) is that Paul has HOPE. And in the absence of assurance, when those on board are desperate, their eyes turn toward the one who has HOPE. What else do they have? Their choice is clear: death or HOPE. [I am reminded of a young athlete who day after day would dispute the gospel with my pastor, who at the time was the young athlete's coach. One day, he ran to my pastor (his coach) and declared that he had proof that there was no God. He explained with excitment his reasoning. The argument he presented paled in comparison to the real issue which was presented by my pastor in this way: "Why are you so excited to prove that you have no hope?"]

Verse 29 says that those on board 'prayed for day to come.' "Some Bible versions use the word wished instead of prayed, but the Greek word that is used always implies prayer (Disciplers Bible Study, 2001)." These men on board were actually praying with Paul, soldiers, crew and prisoners, alike.

Mueller, likewise, found his hope in prayer, and in faith that could move mountains (in this case fog). He tells the captain, "I have known m Lord for 57 years, and there has never been a single day that I have failed to get audience with the King." While we can each and every one of us say the same thing, do we? Do we revel in the fact that we 'get audience' with our Lord every time we seek Him. That He has and will never turn us away. What a cause to rejoice. How many times have you called a friend, a place of business or even a family member, and found that you were unable to 'get audience' that minute, hour, day, week, etc. But with our Lord, we have audience even when we have no clue. God said, "Consider my servant Job" because God Himself 'considered' Job. Likewise, He 'considers' us. We must make time to 'consider' Him in return. It is shameful for me to think of how much time I spend actually 'considering' God. Thankfully, God has blessed me with family members and friends who love to talk about God, who help me to keep God at the forefront of my thoughts. (thank you mom, Edie and Suzie) Nevertheless, I fall short. I know by His word, that I am not alone. We all fall short...and therefore, the CROSS.

Lastly, as I read today's Streams passage and Acts 27, a particular chorus rang out in my ears. It actually, began yesterday and now I realize its signifigance. You see, yesterday was my grandmother's birthday, although she celebrates in heaven now. But, when she was still here, she would break out in hymn every time I saw her...every time. So, in her memory, I leave you with the chorus that has been ringing in my ears since yesterday, and so fittingly claims these passages in Streams and in Scripture.

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, For there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, Not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt nor a fear, Not a sigh nor a tear can abide while we trust and obey. Trust and Obey, for there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love until all on the altar we lay; for the favor He shows and the joy He bestows are for them who will trust and obey. Trust and Obey, For there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet, or we'll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go, Never fear, only Trust and obey. Trust adn obey For there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Wisdom will reign...in me???

2008-05-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

I have, of late, been more acutely aware of how I fall short of the mark (God's mark) in every aspect of my being. It's not a particular sin...it's more an awareness of sinfulness. Spurgeon's commentary on Psalm 51, verse 6, lifted a huge weight from my spirit. David wrote:
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
And Spurgeon writes: Behold. Here is the great matter for consideration. God desires not merely outward virtue, but also inward purity. The penitent's sense of sin is greatly deepened...as he...realizes how far he is from satisfying the divine demand...You desire truth in the inward parts. Reality, sincerity, true holiness, and heart fidelity, these are God's demands. He cares not for the pretense of purity; He looks to the mind, heart, and soul...To God, the inward is as visible as the outward and He rightly judges that the essential character of an action lies in the motive. And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. The penitent feels that God is teaching him truth concerning his [the penitent's] nature...the love of the heart, the mystery of its fall, and the way of its purification, this hidden wisdom we must attain. It is a great blessing to BELIEVE that the Lord will make me to know wisdom. No one can teach our innermost nature except the Lord, and He can instruct us to profit. The Holy Spirit can write the law on our heart, and that is the sum of PRACTICAL wisdom. He can put the fear of the Lord within, and that is the BEGINNING of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). He can reveal Christ in us, and He is ESSENTIAL wisdom. Such poor, foolish, disarranged souls as ours WILL YET BE ORDERED ARIGHT, and TRUTH AND WISDOM WILL REIGN IN US. (ALL CAPS emphasis, mine.)

May 2 - Winds

2008-05-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

"The only safety is, in everything, to love and trust and praise." -Mark Guy Pearse
Thankfully it does not say to be happy. My soul lingers where I do not want to linger. As of late, I have begun to grumble---'I'm tired of feeling like this'--I've been grumpy and discontent. How good it is to be reminded that HE brings every wind and no one else. Better yet, how humbling it is to be reminded that HE sacrificed His life for me to have this wind. Psalm 103 is so beautiful and worthy of repetitive daily...also, it is one of the songs sung by Sons of Korah.

April 13 - Rest

2008-04-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

Some things that stood out to me in Ezekiel 1-3: God tells Ezekiel that He is sending him to a rebellious people; He tells Ezekiel that they will give him "looks" and He tells Ezekiel not to be afraid! If God tells you not to be afraid, you can bet it is going to be scary. So, if God knows they will not hear what Ezekiel will say, then why does He bother sending him at all? 2:5 explains that the purpose is for Israel to know they they have a prophet among them. It's almost like our "due process." He also explains to Ezekiel that Ezekiel himself will be saved by proclaiming the Words of God. It is interesting to think of God calling His 'chosen people' a "rebellious nation." It makes me think of our churches today - there are many that do not proclaim the Word of God. They are rebellious; not wanting to be scorned by a rebellious people, they preach what the people want to hear. They do not want to offend the sinner, lest he not come to church. But at what cost do these churches keep the rebellious sinner in their midst? They threaten the children among them and their very own flock. And, then, sin begets sin. Where does the line get drawn in omission of offense? Jesus offended when He came. He endured scorn for our us, how much more shouldn't we endure scorn and 'looks' for Him? Proclaiming God's word is not negotiable.

God tells Ezekiel that the blood of the rebellious will be on Ezekiel's hands if He does not proclaim the Words of God. He says it twice in 2:18 and 20. In contrast, He says that if Ezekiel does as God instructs/obeys, Ezekiel's soul will be delivered.

Streams uses Ezekiel 3:22 as a springboard for rest in God. Although I do believe that God provides many passages for such admonition, I don't think this is one of them. I don't see Ezekiel getting much rest. I see him being tested in his obedience to God. There in the plains, Ezekiel sees God's glory and falls on his face! Rest? If you consider a quickened heart rate as rest. On the heels of seeing God's glory, he is sent out of the plains, back to his house where he is told that he will be shut in and bound in ropes. It doesn't resonate 'rest' with me...I think God was increasing Ezekiel's faith to prepare him for the hard work ahead of him. I'd love to hear your comments/perspective.

April 8 - Thorns in the Flesh

2008-04-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

“Shew me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain.

:Shew me that my tears have made my rainbow.”

-George Matheson

What is at the end of your rainbow?

A cloud or a pot of gold?

p s a l m 4 6, v v. 4 - 7

2008-04-04T04:08:00.000-07:00

p s a l m 4 6, v v. 4 - 7

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; god shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Selah.

from Spurgeon, Treasury of David:

Divine grace, like a smoothly flowing, fertilizing, full, and never failing river, brings refreshment and comfort to believers. This is the river of the water of life...[i]t assures the citizens of Zion that the Lord will unfailingly supply all their needs. The streams are not transient like Cherith, nor muddy like the Nile, nor furious like Kishon, nor treacherous like Job's deceitful brooks, nor worthless like those of Jericho. They are clear, cool, fresh, abundant, and gladdening...Jerusalem, which represents the church of God, is described as abundantly supplied with water. This means that in seasons of trial, all-sufficient grace will be given to enable us to endure to the end.

from cool dat! (don't expect Spurgeon's elloquence here!)

The parched and wasting circumstances of my trials enable me to appreciate more fully the refreshment taken from God's streams in the desert. Without the trials, in my hurry to get to the places I think I need to be, I might pass by God's quiet streams, leaving them untasted, and become all the poorer for it.

p s a l m 4 6, v v. 1 - 3 ~ s e l a h

2008-04-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

p s a l m 4 6, v v. 1 - 3

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Selah.

[God] is more present than friend or relative can be; yes, more present than even trouble itself. Spurgeon, Treasury of David

S e l a h We can sit and wait while earth dissolves, mountains race, and oceans roar.

S e l a h We can calmly confront the danger, meditate on the terror, dwell on its separate items and united forces.

S e l a h We do not suspend our song in alarm, but we tune our harps with deliberation in the midst of the storm.

Unfortunately, too often we speak in haste, lay our bewildered, trembling hands on the strings, and strike the lyre with a rude crash, marring the melody of our life song. Spurgeon, Treasury of David

April 2 - Keep Looking Up

2008-04-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

A-ha! Here I am, writing on the blog :) I have wanted to write the last few days but, alas, time did not allow.

Today's devotion said a lot about depression, and I am not going to focus on that...it is a topic for another day. Rather, I want to talk about the eyes being kept heavenward!

I just drove back from New Mexico (home away from home) and I have to tell you that your eyes are easily cast to the heavens...in fact, they are drawn there...why? Well, there is little distraction when you look out and see only the fields that stretch out and lead into the plains ... the plains give way to the mountains and their majesty. The song by George Strait played often during our drive through the deserts and we could see God's fingerprints all around us.

I remember China and the city of Guangzhou (Gwon-Joe) where it was buildings all around. I remember coming out of LAX and, to my surprise, the first thing I noticed was the SKY! It was night but it still caught my eye...the openness of El Segundo (!) Of course, in contrast to driving back from New Mexico or toward Arkansas, you gain a new perspective on openness. But, there in lies the truth. It is in our perspective and our disposition toward God that leads our eyes heavenward, is it not?

"...They looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud." In reading chapter 16 of Exodus today, I was struck by certain pronouns. In verse 3 the Israelites complain that "you have brought us out into the wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger" and they are talking to Moses. But Moses did not lead them into the wilderness, God did. Moses points out to them in verse 6 and again in 8 that it is God that their complaints are against.

In verse 3 it says that "the children of Israel said to (Moses and Aaron), 'Oh that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, where we sat by the pots of me and when we ate bread to the full!'..." They acknowledge God's hand in Egypt but not in the desert. Clearly they have no faith or, at best, little faith. But then, in verse 6 it says that Moses and Aaron spoke to "all the children of Israel." This indicates to me that it was not all that approached them in complaint. In verse 20 it says that "some" of the Israelites did not heed Moses instructions regarding taking only enough food for them to eat and not store any for later. That means others did follow instructions. Again in verse 27, "some" of the people went out on the Sabbath to gather food even though they were told it would not be there and had been told to gather twice as much on the day before. Again, this means that there were others obeying instructions...others with greater faith...those that had they eyes on the cloud of God's glory, shall we say, heavenward. Just as there were some among the Israelites (God's chosen people) with little faith or no faith, there are those within the church with little faith or no faith. (In studying the New Testament we learn that the nation of Israel as God's chosen people is a foreshadow of the church.) I say all of this, because we need to pray for each other...the saved and unsaved...the little faith and the great faith. And, we need to pray for ourselves..."(Lord) Increase our faith." Lk 17:5.

In our prayer meetings after the Sabbath sermon, a woman always prays for those in the church that are unsaved. The first time I heard her, it struck me as odd. But each week that she prayed for the unsaved among us in the church especially the children, I became more and more aware of the need for this particular prayer. I then interpreted this need for faith as a need for increased faith among the faithful. Then, I read this,

We need, also, to guard against unbelief as we would against an enemy.
Faith needs to be cultivated. We need to keep on praying. "Lord, increase our
faith." for faith is susceptible of increase. Paul's tribute to the Thessalonians was, that their faith grew exceedingly. Faith is increased by exercise, by being put into use. It is nourished by sore trials.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor
and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Faith grows by reading and meditating upon the Word of God. Most, and best of all, faith thrives in an atmosphere of prayer.

It would be well, if all of us were to stop, and inquire personally of ourselves: "Have I faith in God? Have I real faith--faith which keeps me in perfect peace, about the things of earth and the things of heaven?" (The Necessity of Prayer by E. M. Bounds, p 21)

In conclusion, I read these words yesterday which struck me square between the eyes and I believe they relate very well to our keeping our eyes HEAVENWARD:

I am wired by nature to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to
fit in. I start to love what others love. I start to call earth "home." Before
you know it, I am calling luxuries "needs" and using my money just the way
unbelievers do...I don't think much about people perishing. Missions and
unreached peoples drop out of my mind. I stop dreaming about the triumphs of
grace. I sink into a secular mindset that looks first to what man can do, not
what God can do. It is a terrible sickness. (Don't Waste Your Life by John
Piper, p 112)

FAITH

2008-03-29T14:56:00.001-07:00

God honors FAITH! This 3 little word sentence says lots and is filled with motivation. When it seems that FAITH is hard to come by - this sentence spurs me on. Sometimes, as weak little human sinners, we need some kind of motivator. The really sad thing for me is that FAITH isn't gained once - NO! it is something that you have to continually strive for. Wouldn't it be easy if once you obtained great FAITH it was yours at that same degree forever? Well, for some reason (maybe that God wants us to exercise our spiritual muscles) we get to wake up each day and deem in our hearts that today we are going to TRUST and have FAITH in our God. If we can't seem to do anything else - this should be our daily goal - and sometimes our every breath goal.

I did NOT think I was the endurance athlete in my family - but apparently, we were a little mixed up in our thinking. The triathlete got to be the sprinter in life and the couch potatoe got to be the ultra marathoner of the family. Endurance is gained by mere discipline. Disciplining your spirit is an all out war. Good thing that I have God (the victor) on my side. A big part of that discipline is waking each morning and declaring my TRUST and FAITH for the day. Don't think of it over the long haul - for this is very discouraging to an endurance athlete - a really good friend told my girls not so long ago, "we'll run from this light post to the next and then we will walk from that light post to the next." Taking our lives in this manner greatly reduces the overwhelmingness of life and has a tremendous advantage with our abilities to have FAITH. God is AMAZING in all circumstances - be they heart ripping or joy topping. Trust Him and He will honor you in ways that you can not even fathom. Live your lives for Him and Him alone. The rewards are so beautiful!

(I am also posting this on the streams blog - so that my really dear friend will NOT be mad at me)

Mar 21 - Increasing Faith

2008-03-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

"According to your faith be it unto you" Matthew 9:29

When I give out a copy of Streams in the Desert, I always recommend that the devotion be read followed by reading the Bible chapter that the verse is taken from, in today's case, Matthew chapter 9. Before I get to Matthew 9, let's look at a few of the statements in today's readings:

"Praying through" might be defined as praying one's way into full faith,..." c-bug said once during devotions, "we cannot go around this or under this, we have to go through this." She was referring to the grief and mourning that lay ahead of her and her family.

"...no earthly circumstances can hinder the fulfillment of His Word..." Thank God that our ignorance, mistakes, wants, etc. cannot thwart the fulfillment of His promises.

So, reading today's devotion, I am left looking at the verse "According to your faith be it unto you." I read chapter 9 of Matthew and in this chapter there are several examples of Jesus healing according to the faith of those in need. "When Jesus saw their faith" bringing the lame man to Him, He healed (9:2). To the woman who touched the hem of His garment to be made well, He said, "your faith has made you well"(9:22). He raised the daughter of the ruler from the dead because the ruler believed He could (9:18). Two blind men begged Him for mercy, and He asked, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" and then He told them, "According to your faith let it be to you." Again he heals a mute and demon possessed man because of the faith demonstrated in the act of bringing this man to Jesus (9:32). Again and again, we see in this chapter the deomonstration of faith and the results of the faith.

In Luke 17:5, the disciples cry out to Jesus, "Lord, increase our faith." This is what our prayer needs to be every day. Our faith is not to be left stale or 'as is' but instead, it should be increasing every day. This beggs the question, How?? How do we increase our faith? I have begun reading a book by E. M. Bounds (an author introduced to me in Streams) and I will share with you some of his comments that I highlighted yesterday (while I was getting highlights LOL):

"Faith is increased by exercise, by being put into use. It is nourished by sore trials."
"Faith grows by reading and meditation upon the Word of God. Most, and best of all, faith thrives in an atmosphere of prayer."
"Doubt and fear are the twin foes of faith."

In closing for today, I leave this quote found also in E.M. Bounds book "The Necessity of Prayer."

"Ask of God more faith. Beg of Him morning, and noon and night, while you walk by the way, while you sit in the house, when you lie down and when you rise up; beg of him simply to impress divine things more deeply on your heart, to give you more and more of the substance of things hoped for and of the evidence of things not seen." -anonymous

Hallelujah!

2008-03-09T18:56:00.000-07:00

As I settled in just now and prepared to share my thoughts, I first read the last few entries by M and I realized I had been found out! I pretty much only post on the Lord's Day. Most days, I read the devotion in the book, but don't seem to find time to read the blog or post until Sunday. Thanks for encouraging me, M-- Each week, I really look forward to checking out this blog and hopefully finding something to say.
So, here it goes... God has been driving home the same point to me everywhere I turn. I mentioned it a little last week. I hear it from the people I talk to, it's in the books I read and today it was in two separate devotions. One being Streams and the other being The Christian in Complete Armor. Streams sums it up this way, "The saints' burdens are God given." The saints burdens are God given. The saints burdens are God given!!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah! I have known this since my conversion, but just now am beginning to learn to rejoice in this blessed truth.
From The Christian in Complete Armor... "Know this for certain: If we had not been Satan's prisoner first, we would not fully understand or appreciate our deliverance at last. God permits Satan's temporary reign in order to increase the saint's eternal joy. Does this sound like a paradox? Think about your own life, and you will find that often the occasions for the greatest joy arise from the ashes of suffering. Scripture gives three illustrations of great joy: the joy of a new mother, the joy of a prosperous farmer, and the joy of a successful soldier. The exultation of all three is harvested from hard soil. It costs the travailing woman great pain, the farmer many months of backbreaking labor, and the soldier grave peril, before they come to their reward. But at last they are paid in full. And it is a peculiar attribute of sorrow that its past remembrance so often adds a sweetness to our present joy."
I find myself greiving with people in their pain, but there is a little spot of joy in me, believing that the Lord can use their sorrow to mature them in a way that is otherwise impossible to achieve. I pray that their difficulties will drive them into the hand of God and will not lead them into bitterness. I pray that my difficulties will drive me into the hand of God and will not lead me into bitterness. The world looks different when we believe God's sovereignity. May we all have a godly perspective on sorrows and difficulties through the power of the Holy Spirit. May our "greatest joy arise from the ashes of suffering." Christ suffered enormously more than we ever will. May we rejoice with Christ in his victory over our sins and his care for our sorrows.

J

Mar 8 - Promises

2008-03-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

There is only one Promise Keeper...everyone else is a promise breaker. What great comfort in knowing that He keeps His promises. In fact, where would we be if He did not keep His promises. Recently, my children and I read the story of Noah and there He made a promise to never destroy the world again by flood. I have to wonder at the very fact that He promises us anything to begin with. He certainly doesn't owe us a promise. It is only another indication of His love for us in that while we are sinners, He cares for us.
At the beginning of today's devotion reading. F. B. Meyer says of prayer, 'many times we ask for things which are not absolutely promised.' My children and I pray together every day. I noticed that every day they would each pray and include this phrase somewhere in their prayer, "God, help us to have a good day today." Last week, I said to them that I wanted them to think about what they each meant by that phrase "a good day" and then we would talk about it later that night during devotions.
Each of us prays along those lines...the 'having a good day' prayer...but what does it mean exactly? Are we asking God to give us all that we want that day? Are we being shallow and hoping He'll save the best parking spots for us, etc.? Are we being righteous and hoping we don't sin all day? Are we being servants and wanting to 'do good' all through the day? When we pray for a 'good day' are we praying God's promises? In truth, all of our days are good...each are numbered along with the strands of our hair. Each day from Him is a good day. How we see the day or interpret the day is negotiable, but that they are good is not questionable.
God doesn't change...another promise from God. We change. We are fickel. Our tastebuds change and our taste in clothes change. Our habits change and our hobbies change. Our priorities change. But God never changes.
God is so full of promises...great promises of love toward us...but how can we pray and receive the promises that we don't know about? We must first produce the promise...meaning, "Look, here, God. You say in Your Word that You will never leave me nor forsake me. I claim the fullfillment of that promise right now...in this very moment of discouragement. I call out to anyone who can hear me that my God will not leave me alone here...I cannot see Him but He is here."
Sisters, we are only here for a "moment"...and, truth be told, we are pressed on all sides for a purpose...to be squeezed until all that is left is what is pure ...what is true.
I hope that you are all blessed with a wonderful day of rest tormorrow.
I also hope that Jalamadreamer posts her Sunday tidbit...I do look forward to her Sabbath reflections on Streams.

leaving the stream for the well (just for a moment)

2008-03-08T04:39:00.000-08:00

Taking a risk that no one will stone me for departing from Streams to take a drink from the well that is found in the Psalms, drawn by the pen of C.H. Spureon...

Psalm 41:12a
As for me, You uphold me in my integrity...

Your power enables me to rise above the reach of slander by living in purity and righteousness. Our innocence and consistency are the result of divine upholding. We are like drinking glasses that do not have a base but can only be upright while they are held in the hand. We fall, spill, and spoil all, if left to ourselves. the Lord should be praised when we are preserved from gross sin. When others sin, they show us what we would do but for grace. "He today, and I tomorrow," was the exclamation of a holy man when he saw another falling into sin. Our integrity is comparative as well as dependent; we must therefore be humbled while we are grateful. If we are clear of all alleged faults, we still have enough actual blame to make it shameful to boast (C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David).

I must thank God for His divine upholding! And I must also thank Him for when He allows me to sin even while He is upholding me. "The most wise, righteous, and gracious God does oftentimes leave, for a season, His own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and, to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon Himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends" (Westminster Confession of Faith V.5).

Feb 28 - Praise Continually

2008-02-28T07:49:00.000-08:00

Today's devotion talks about examples of some who go through life encouraging us to be of good cheer. It talks of some who have 'earthly want and suffering and saintly trust and peace." These people are referred to as "human sunflowers"...instantly, I had a vision of sunflowers popping up in my head...those pictured above are a few of my Sunflowers!

Feb 25 - March On

2008-02-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

“I will give you every place where you set you foot, as I promised.” Then He set the boundaries of the Land of Promise – all theirs on one condition: they must march across its length and breadth, measuring it off with their OWN feet. Yet, they never marched across more than a third of it and as a consequence never possessed more than a third of the land.

WOW! I absolutely love the way this has been said. How many times are we satisfied with ONE THIRD – I want to claim the WHOLE of the promise – not just a part of it. One of the things I am learning in my suffering is that there is so much MORE to God. I want more of Him and I don’t want to be satisfied with the one third any longer. I want to walk across the wholeness of the promises of my God. He has so much in store for us – and I want to live IT! I think some people refer to this as living victoriously. Count me in on this one.

The JOY that God has given me when I thought all joy was lost is amazing and is enough for me to know that God wants to show and share so much more with me. And it is enough for me to do whatever is necessary to claim the promises. If He wants me to march across the barren waste land – then so be it – and I will do it in JOY. I love how he puts responsibility back on us. I absolutely love that this is something we get to do WITH God.

Feb 21 - Patience

2008-02-22T06:10:00.000-08:00

Psalm 46:10 says "Be still and know that I am God..."

Phrases that come to mind about patience are 'Never pray for patience,' and 'Lord, give me patience but please hurry.' We joke about how we do not want to wait. We say things like, 'Oh, I could never do that, I don't have the patience.' But, what we are really doing is excusing our sin. Immediate gratification has become an idol unto us. We are greedy for it. It has made it near impossible to just be still...to just be. For instance, we rarely walk and bike, we drive cars in the fast lane and through the fast food drive thru. We are no longer tethered to our wall by our telephones...we now carry them with us wherever we go. We don't miss a call with call waiting. Even those old, stationary, bulky, box shaped computers are portable. We have text messages, instant messages, myspace, blogs, chats and e-mail. We have express check-in and 10 items or less express checkout and let's not forget next day delivery and '30 minutes or it's free.' We aren't ashamed to say, "I don't have the patience for this." We feel entitled to fume when we have to wait in line. We have forgotten that patience IS a fruit of the Spirit...the Spirit that dwells within us.

I am reminded of these song lyrics by Alabama:
I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
Don't know why I have to drive so fast
My car has nothing to prove
It's not new
But it'll do zero to sixty in five point two
I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
Can't be late, I leave in plenty of time
Shakin' hands with the clockI can't stop
I'm on a roll and I'm ready to rock
I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
Oh, I hear a voiceThat says I'm running behind
Better pick up my pace
It's a race and there ain't no room for someone in second place
I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why

The next time you wait in line, I encourage you to look around at the people. Say a prayer for someone you see. Think about the day...where your loved ones are...pray for them. Pray for our country and its direction. Remember that God chooses our leadership...He places men in power and beg Him to have mercy on who that person is. Pray for the men and women fighting for our freedom...as you stand in line waiting for your fluffy coffee drink or more toilet paper, someone is giving their life or limb for your freedom to do so. Pray for the children in your church, pray for the marriages in your church...the sanctity of marriage and family is attacked in our culture and no one is exempt. And as you get caught up in praying, you may just find that someone behind you impatiently will say, 'Excuse me, it's your turn!' ...you'll apologize. Dare to say, 'Sorry, I was praying.'

Feb 20 - Possibilities

2008-02-20T07:10:00.000-08:00

It is importnat to note regarding today's devotion that 1) preceding the
passage in Mt. 17:20 'nothing shall be impossible unto you' are the words 'if
you have faith.' Faith is a requirement for possibilities. It is
also important to note here that 2) Jesus is speaking to his disciples
concerning the use of spiritual gifts (in this case the casting out of a
demon). He is not saying if you name that 'Lexus' as your own and have
faith, you can claim it. The 'name it and claim it' thinking of some
Christians misses this mark. That kind of thinking is being 'of the world'
instead of 'in the world.' When you read the Divine Possibilities as
listed here by H.C.G. Moule, you see that what is in sight far exceeds a 'Lexus'
or any other material gain. It is the treasures of the Spirit that are
possible for us to possess.

My pastor puts it this way,

"Moving a mountain is a hyperbole, and "nothing will be impossible for you" should not be though of as Christians becoming super-heroes or gods themselves. There are damaging effects of those who interpret these
types of sayings in the Bible (John 14:14 "If you ask anything in My name, I
will do it" being another example) as if this means God will respond to our
every whim or every prayer with a glowing affirmative.

All of these promises are in the context of a mission of redemption.
The 'moving of the mountain' and the 'nothing will be impossible' are in the
context of overcoming death and the evil one in the world. The kingdom
of God will prevail and the Christian's labor in the Lord are not in vain (I
Cor 15:58).

The gentle admonition from the lips of Jesus is quickly followed by
words of encouragment regarding the end result of faith which begins as a
flicker and then produces a great refining flame. Mt. 17:21"

That said, I love the Divine Possibilities listed in today's
devotion. My favorite was "It is possible to see the will of God in
everything, and to receive it, not with sighing, but with
singing."

Feb 19 - Being Pruned

2008-02-19T06:54:00.000-08:00

"No branch can bear fruit by itself...neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in (Jesus Christ)." John 15:4

Isn't it true that when trials come, they come in numbers? My E-Bug loses her husband while her dad fights cancer, and now her son has a broken leg. My MIL lost her husband, found out she had cancer and then buried her own mother after she finished her own chemo and radiation. Watching and praying for both of these women, I can attest to this: their faith shone through the sequence of trials and they have encouraged those watching them. Either one would surely confirm that the pruning they have endured (or are enduring) is producing much fruit in their lives even in the midst of the suffering.

John 15:6 says that not remaining in Christ is like being a branch picked up and thrown into a fire to be burned. Branches used for fires are dry as a bone! We never want to be dry and withered branches. We must remain in Christ!

February 9th He Answered Her not a Word

2008-02-10T15:03:00.000-08:00

As I read today's selection, I want to concentrate on the first and last paragraphs, which speak of the Master's silence. We are not to interpret God's seeming silence or distance as a lack of love toward us. It may be just the oppposite. It may be the Lord trusting us or not having to baby us all the time.
The last sentence says, "...praise Him, for every time He withdraws His gifts that you may better know and love the Giver." I think this is so true. There are so many aspects of sanctification that seem to be the opposite of how we typically think things work, but because God is omniscient, He can handle situations quite differently than we would. Praise be to Him for this!

Feb 3 - Immediately

2008-02-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to point out that in Mark 1 -- the word 'immediately' occurs 5 times and 'at once' occurs twice. In reading chapter one...I get the sence of urgency and forward momentum...

I love the phrase in Streams, "Yesterday thou wert soaring far in the firmament, and singing in the radiance of the morn; today they wings are folded and thy song silent." I am often debilitated after great accomplishment. I spend a day or two in bed regenerating after a period of ministry. These quiet days of folded wings are prescious though often there are tears of exasperation. This is when I fall on God's lap and as a child loses restraint, I tell Him how "I can't do anymore." He soothes and comforts and consoles... Then, when I am calmed, He gently pushes me out into the world again, to do more. 'I am not finished with you,' He says. 'You CAN do more.' When I was a little girl, I had a t-shirt that said, 'Be patient with me...God's not finished with me yet.'

January 31 - Quietness

2008-01-31T11:28:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness. My head is spinning. Have you ever started to clean out some small compartment and found hours later that you have completely dissassembled the entire room! Well, I feel like that with today's reading! Here's how it has gone...

I read Streams and I highlighted a few things, one of which was the reference in the poem to Jesus as our "Elder Brother." I really liked that because I always wanted an older brother to look out for me. I have often thought of God as my father, Jesus as a husband, but never Jesus as my Brother. Anyhow, I went on to read Job 34 from which the verse for today's passage was taken: "He giveth queitness." I always like to do this to see the context of the verse and make sure I understand the occassion and the audience. (Too often I have seen verses misused because of man twisting them to mean what he wants to hear, so I find this step of our devotion very important.)

The context of this verse is regarding oppression of wicked men toward the poor. God hears crys of the afflicted and gives quietness. The occassion is Elihu (one of Job's friends) has listened to Job's defense in which he justifies himself rather than God. Elihu's wrath is arroused because of the poor council given by Job's three other friends, their inability to respond to Job's defense (they are 'dumb struck') and Job's self-righteouss claims. The audience is Elihu speaking directly to Job regarding the disciplinary and redemptive role of suffering, and the truth that no one is really innocent therefore God denies no one justice.

That said, in this particular verse, Elihu is repsonding to Job's accusation that the wicked do not see God's judgement. Elihu says that in fact God does hear the cries of the afflicted and gives quietness. I really like what he says in the rest of the verse, "when He hides His face, who then can see Him, whether it is against a nation or a man alone?" Sometimes it may seem as though God's face is hidden and he is not seeing our distress. This is what took me to Matthew 8:21 to follow up on the beginning of Streams where it talked about Jesus calming the storm.

The disciples did infact think that Jesus was "unaware" or that His face was "hidden" from their distress .

I then was prompted to read the sermon notes from my pastor (Pastor Paul Viggiano) on this passage and, although, all of it is edifying, I will put here just a few of the nuggets. You can click HERE if you want to read the sermon notes in full.

"Jesus, true to our experience, gives the appearance of being uninvolved...'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' Have you not been tempted to ask that question during the storms of your life?...(the disciples)failed to realize that Jesus, the man slept, but Jesus, the living God, never slumbers" Psalm 121:1-4 confirms that He does not slumber (love this song by Sons of Korah by the way).

"Let us never mistake God's apparent idleness to be genuine inacitivity on His part. His actions, be they blessings and curses are sure. God is not unaquainted or indifferent to your storm."

My pastor points out that Jesus corrected the disciples before He spoke to the storm...seemingly out of sequence. Wouldn't you rather He calm the storm first and then talk to you about it? But my pastor points out, "we are often most malleable amidst life's tempests." Now, I can certainly vouch for this. When I'm down and out...there is no where else to turn...but to Him.

Next, I love how my pastor asks the question, "(Would God) create a storm merely to instruct?" and then sites the passage Psalm 107:23-32. You have to read it...right now!

Lastly, there is this, my favorite point in the notes,

"What had perhaps escaped their attention--what perhaps escapes the attention of many--is that Jesus is not merely the calmer of storms, He is the raiser of storms.

Popular yet unbiblical is the notion that God is not the ultimate and first cause of our troubles--

even employing Satan for His own desired ends (John 13:27).

All of creation is His classroom and His children are His beloved students.

Hence fear is always mixed with a want of faith."

(I added the bullets just to break out the points being made :)

I could go on and on, especially since the sermon notes go on to talk about whether or not fear is always an act of faithlessness, and my oldest son and I were discussing the sin of fear on the way to school this morning. But I think I have made the point that I am getting at, and that is, when you open your Bible...you never know where it will take you. Don't be afraid to dig deeper and deeper.

January 30 - As The Dew

2008-01-30T09:02:00.000-08:00

It wasn't that long ago that I didn't even open my Bible every day. My spirit was "drooping for lack of dew.' Sometimes, I dare say, it was near shrivelling. But, even in these times, God was still using me. He was still directing my paths. Through the desert, I travelled parched...and that parched spirit magnified and intensified the dew when, at last, I arrived, ready to be tended by Him. Many times of late I have said, "I never want to go back to who I was before October 7th." Why? Because, now I am rich where then I was poor. Now I feel satiated in His Spirit...even in difficult times, I have a peace.

A quick look at the archives will reveal a break in my posting. Where once I was diligent in almost daily posting, there comes a reprieve. For those that know me intimately, it is not hard to guess why. I suffer from depression. And, it is my habit, to retreat into my shell when the clouds close in on me. But this last gloom was different. Though, physically the same, even emotionally the same, my spirit was not tread upon. Instead, I longed for heaven...for completion. Though I did not post, I read my streams every day. I read my Bible. There were times when I did not "hear" anything to help me...but I knew that the action, the commitment to do it anyway, was of utmost important. On January 23rd we read, "Let us not rely on feeling, but on faith..." It was faith to keep reading Streams and the Bible. It was faith to not let go when I didn't "feel" comfort or help.

Prior to October 7th, I would have allowed this slump to take me away from my soon to come"dew." Not having received the "quick fix," I would have put the Bible in a drawer and gone on, headed toward the desert and parching again. But, faith that has been strengthened kept me close. "We can counterpoise and overcome the other law that bears us down... (with) real spiritual energy and fixed purpose and a settled posture and a habit of faith." (Streams January 27th).

"...When the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according the the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men." -Titus 3:4-8

So...even when it doesn't make you "feel" good and even if you don't "feel" like doing it, read, be still and know that He is God...because you have faith, you read. The blessings will follow...because He says so.

Stablish, Strengthen, Settle You

2008-01-27T15:11:00.000-08:00

So, today the devotion talks about a "natural law in sin and sickness" and if we just let go and sink into our circumstances, this law will lead us downward, away from the things of God and into the power of Satan. It also states that there is another law of spiritual life and of physical life in the Lord, which we can seek after... which will overcome the heavy, burdendsome, natural law. It goes on to say that this takes effort and a "habit of faith."

This idea of working in our faith sometimes seems antithetical to grace, but of course, we know it isn't. I believe the author is right in implying that we need to work at our spiritual life. There are all sorts of ways of working at it, even being still before the Lord is a sort of working at it.

We have to show up to meet with Him in His word. We have to talk to Him to get to know Him better. When I first became a Christian, my college youth leader said that when people are asked about their walk with God, some say they are coasting along just fine. He then pointed out that in order to coast, you need to be going down hill, meaning that coasting isn't how we want our spiritual life. I guess we need that uphill struggle to keep us growing in godly ways.

Towards the end of the devotion, the author seems to be saying that God needs us to plug in for Him to work. I believe He will work anyway. He isn't dependent on our actions, however, he blesses us by allowing us to be plugged in. In fact, He is the plugger inner.

May we all seek God in an active way.

Feelings or No Feelings

2008-01-24T08:27:00.000-08:00

"His promise of remembrance is more substantial and dependable than any evidence of our senses." Our senses fail us time and time again - think of that bag game, you know the one where you stick your hand in a brown bag and try to feel and guess what you are feeling. That can be tricky and sometimes we guess wrong - or have you ever taken the pepsi challenge? My taste buds failed me numerous times with that challenge. Better yet, think of matters of the heart - have you ever made a bad decision and then made the comment "but it really felt right at the time"? Our senses WILL fail us BUT God never will. He knows what we need WAY more than we know what we need. He has a perfect plan for us and sometimes that includes witholding something we think we need - like encouragement, a sense of peace, a restored relationship, health or well, you get the picture. Of course, God never witholds these things longer than we NEED. He is so FAITHFUL and worthy of believing no matter the circumstance.

January 21 - The Open Secret

2008-01-21T08:08:00.000-08:00

"Grief has always been the lot of greatness.
It is an open secret."

Yes, tis true. The Bible does tell of the suffering we shall endure and goes a step further telling us how to handle such suffering. And yet, it is like being warned of how your life changes when children arrive...you can be told but not understand until you are in the midst of it. Or, as an 'empty nest' mother said to me yesterday, "I think to myself, no one told me how hard it would be." But, perhaps, we are told but lack understanding. There is no way to prepare yourself for lessons which are only understood through experience. It is as if, sorrow is a hands on course. It is very much an "open secret"...it is known but still vailed.

"With seams of anguish deep in His brow, the "Man of Sorrows" said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation"--but after this sob comes the psalm of promise, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Yes, tis true. We all face tribulations of different sorts. Our sorrows are our own to bear and only His aid (the Word) brings releif.

I wanted to share this beautiful poem I came across which is such comfort to me. It encapsulates the desire of longing to go but willing it stay. I can read it over and over and never tire of its sweet saddness and obedient acquiesence. I hope that it blesses you also.

The Distant Voices
by Anna Shipton

Nearer and nearer day by day the distant voices come;
Soft through the pearly gate they swell, and seem to call me home.
The lamp of life burns faint and low; ay: let it fainter burn;
For who would weep the failing lamp when birds announce the morn?
I saw the faces of my loved gleam through the twilight dim,
And softly on the morning air arose the heaven-born hymn.
With looks of love they gazed on me, as none gaze on me now;
The glory of the Infinite surrounded every brow.
Fair lilies, star-like in the bloom, and waving palms they bore,
And oh, the smiles of peace and joy those heavenly faces wore!
Thou who hast fathomed death's dark tide, save me from death's alarms;
Beneath my trembling soul, oh, stretch Thine everlasting arms!
No second cross, no thorny crown can bruise Thy sacred brow;
Thou who the wine-press trod alone, o'er the dark wave bear me now.
A parting hour, a pang of pain, and then shall pass away
The veil that shrouds Thee where Thou reign'st in everlasting day.
No sin, no sigh, no withering fear, can wring the bosom there;
But basking in Thy smile I shall Thy sinless service share.
How long, O Lord, how long before Thou'lt take me by the hand,
And I, The weakest child, at last among Thy children stand?
Beyond the stars that steadfast shine my spirit pines to soar,
To dwell within my Father's house, and leave that home no more.
O Lord, Thou hast with angel food my fainting spirit fed;
If 'tis Thy will I linger here, bless Thou the path I tread;
And though my soul doth pant to pass within the pearly gate,
Yet teach me for Thy summons, Lord, in patience still to wait.

13 January ~ God Has Chosen Me

2008-01-13T06:46:00.000-08:00

"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" (Isa. 48:10).

The burden of suffering seems a tombstone
hung about our necks,
while in reality
it is only the weight which is necessary
to keep down the diver
while he is hunting for pearls.
~ Richter

While circumstances smile I forget that it is the pearls of God's wisdom and truth that are my treasures. When the tide turns and the waters become murky I seek out the depths of clarity found in God's Word and I discover a richness beyond measure.
The knowledge of His Sovereignty and His Goodness revealed in His Word sustain me when all earthly supports fail.

A blessed Lord's Day to all...rest in Him.

January 9 - Suffering Toward Perfection

2008-01-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

I loved the story of the moth becuase we (humans) are far too shortsighted. We seldom see the big picture. Especially in the culture we live in. Fast food, fast fun, fast communication...there is very little time to pause and look toward the future. My dad used to tell me, "If you want something done, do it yourself." In addition to that he would tell me, "Don't do a "mickey mouse" job." Together it meant, if you want it done, do it and do it right. So, I go through life doing what needs to be done. If there's a job to be done...do it. I can easily see myself looking at the cocoon and saying, "oh, just let ME do it for you." And, then there would be the poor broken moth. Never able to live up to its capacity. Have you ever said, "I wish I could be sick instead of 'so and so' or "I wish it had been 'so and so' who 'such and such' instead of 'so and so'." We are putting our thinking before God's knowledge. It is a sneaky deception creeping into our hearts in which we assume we know who could have benefited more from the situation.

"False Tenderness" was a phrase that struck me between the eyes. Anything with the word "False" attached to it is repelling...false teacher, false prophet, false accusation, etc. It's as if you don't want to have anything to do with it. But, how easily we can be guilty of false tenderness, as described in the previous paragraph. The pretense of being sympathetic and instead blasphemeing God's perfect purpose/plan/glory. I have decided that any words of compassion not drawn from one of God's 66 infallible books of The Bible are 'false tenderness.' For we have nothing to offer from ourselves. It is only God through us that can comfort.

This week, as I have hushed my new nephew's cries on many occasions, I have often thought of C-bug crying on her 10th bday. She cried out for her daddy while her mom and I held her...never once telling her "shhhhhhh." It was hard for me to hold a crying child and not hush the tears. How often our weak minds want to "hush" suffering...cut it short...put an end to it. But it has a purpose. Tears are as important as a smile or hearty laugh. God has called each of us to different circumstances and we each have a different capacity of emotion. It is all a part of His plan to carry out His glory. We must not hush suffering or try to cut the moth out of his cocoon. We must watch and learn...and endure.

Lastly, I have often thought, would Sixbit have wanted it any other way? Were death to knock at the door, would he have wanted his wife or children to have taken his place? NO and YES. He would have not thwarted God's plan...for such was his character. He, like Abraham, would have obediently offered up any of his family members including himself to please His Heavenly Father. Who are we to judge what God should do...who are we to say "it's not fair." Who are we to try and take away the suffering that our sister and her children endure? We must be a source of encouragement for them. Continually praising their reliance on God's strength. Do not cut away at the cocoon, or the means by which they are growing and struggling toward God, instead sing hymns to them, send scripture, read the Bible aloud, hold a hand, hug without hushing...let tears fall, cry together. Praise together...this is how we encourage one another...not by silence, not in quiet places...
Live Out Loud
Love Out Loud
Praise Out Loud
Encourage Out Loud
He is the same, yesterday, today and tomorow
AND HIS MERCIES NEVER END

January 7 - Be Content

2008-01-07T07:20:00.000-08:00

The Heartsease, also known as the Jonny Jump Up...who'duh thunk it!

Do you find yourself reading today's devotion and still struggling? I am an optimist...my glass is half full most always. and this is how I see it...there is always something or someone for which you can give thanks. When discontent creeps in, shine the light of this thankfulness on it. For instance, when sick and feverish, coughing and cold...shine the light "I'm thankful it is me and not _____." When friends have forsaken you or dissapointed you, "I'm thankful Christ never will." When pain and hopelessness threaten your joy, "I'm thankful my loved ones are not terminally ill."
We all have suffering---in different capacities---and every one can shine the light of thanksgiving to chase away the shadows and darkness. Futhermore, He is the Light!

January 2 - UPward NOT Forward

2008-01-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

"Many Saints are content to live like men in coal mines." Typically, I think of contentness as a good and holy attribute. But here the writer is challenging us NOT to be content in our spiritual walk. Spurgeon tells ust to press on toward the goal - just as the apostle Paul said. We need to be content with where God has placed us, our circumstances, but never with our walk to Christ.

Often times, this world can distract us from keeping our focus upward. So much busyness around us, can make our heads drop as we begin to look forward and not upward. It is unavoidalbe and yet resistable.

Continually, at His feet, day by day, we must ask Him to raise our heads and eyes to focus upward. We must weigh every decision in the light of His will. When I wake up in the morning, I am flooded with thoughts of all I have to do...my eyes are forward. But when I take a breath and say, "What will You have me do today, Lord?" He raises my eyes upward. I say, "I will do today what He will have me do." This is freedom from the burden to get it all done. This is how I decide between dishes and storytime. I have come to terms with cleanliness and orderliness. When my children are grown and moved out...my home will be in order. Until then, I will have clean toilets and bed sheets; I will have lots of time to spend with my children, helping them to raise their heads and eyes upward, always upward.

Jan 1 - E.D.'s Challenge

2008-01-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

In case any of our blog readers do not read all of the comments, I wanted to repost the challenge from E.D. for our lives in 2008. This is something small that we can all do and it will greatly enrich our lives.

"I challenge all that read this blog to write out your "hither to" - remember all that God has done for you by writing it in a journal. What a great exercise to see the evidence of God at work mightily in your life! "

It is also very Biblical. On Thanksgiving, my mother in love asked us to read Psalm 136 aloud. Rob read the first half of each verse and everyone said in one voice, the second half of the verse, "For His mercy endures forever." Taking time to right down your 'stones of remembrance' will help you create your own Psalm 136. And perhaps, by Thanksgiving 2008, you will have a version of your own to read aloud.

Last night, during our family devotion, we were told to 'write down some of the great things God has done for you.' I immediately thought of this challenge. But as we went around the room...do you know it was harder than I thought it would be...not for the children...but for Rob and I. So, don't take this challenge lightly. As adults, we are less grateful than children. Our children do not have jobs, money, etc. to fool them into thinking they provide for themselves. As adults, we can easily be fooled into thinking we contribute to our own success...In FACT, it is all from God. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ..."(Eph.1:5a) "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17) We must beware of deception!

Dec 31 - Hitherto

2007-12-31T22:19:00.000-08:00

I was inspired to create some of the imagery in today's devotion. I remembered a photo my brother had taken of fall in his new home, Arkansas...so I snatched it and doodled it, added some clipart...enjoy.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

2007-12-23T14:50:00.000-08:00

The last post mentioned that the passage in Streams wasn't very meaty and I kind of think this one is the same way, but I would like to comment about one thing. There is a line that says, "Let us not confound physical weariness with spiritual weariness." I think we are inclined to do this. Sometimes we feel like God is far away and all we need is a nap! It's more obvious with kids, isn't it? Your sweet child suddenly falls to the ground in heap saying that they hate their life. You know he/she is tired and hasn't eaten well. Your child thinks the world is coming to an end. Rub his/her back and lay down together and soon all is well. I am trying to recognize this in myself, trying to take better care of myself when I am weary. We are weak and we have to work with it, sometimes. First, I want to pray. Then maybe... eat a little protein, read a little Scripture, lie still before the Lord, have a coffee, take a little nap. Guess which one I am going to do now. Here's a hint: night, night.

December 18 - More than conquerors

2007-12-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

I found the passage readings in Streams today to be...less meaty than other days...So, I pulled out a commentary and read about the verse. Here's what it says:

"There are passages of the Bible that are so familiar that we often pass over truths that would be startling if we were coming to them ofr the first time. Romans 8:37 is an example. We have just been reminded in the previous verse, by a quotation from the Old Testament, that the people of God "face death all day long" and are "considered as sheep to be slaughtered" (Ps. 44:22). But now, in verse 37, we are told that nevertheless, we are all "more than conquerors."

Sheep that conquer? We can think of lions that conquer, or wolves or polar bears or wild buffalo. Edgar Allan Poe even spoke of "the conqueroring worm," meaning that at last death comes to all. But sheep? The very idea of sheep as conquerors seems ludicrous.

This is a figurative language, of course. But the image is not meaningless, nor is it as ludicrous as it seems. In contrast tot eh world and its power, Christians are indeed weak and despised. They are as helpless as a flock of sheep. But they are in fact conquerors, because they have been loved by the Lord Jesus Christ and have been made conquerors "through him."

Yet even that is not the most startling thing about this verse, for the victory of Christians is described as being more than an ordinary victory. In the English words "we are more than conquerors."...But how can that be? How can those who are despised and rejected---troubled, persecuted, exposed to famine and nakedness, danger adn sword---how can such people be thought of as overcomers, super-overcomers at that?

It is a question worth pondering--and answering. Let me suggest a few reasons we may think like this.

Against Supernatural Forces - ...we are fighting against an enemy who is more than human...(Eph. 6:12)...The devil is the embodiment of these hostile spiritual forces, adn he is a cunning foe. I have often said that we must not overrate Satan's strength, as if he were the evil equivalent of God. Satan is a creature. Therefore he is not omnipresent, omniscient, or omnipotent. Only God is that. However, Satan is dangerous. And crafty? The devil devises more schemes in a minute than we can conceive in a lifetime, and all of them are directed toward our destruction. How can we stand against such an evil, crafty foe, let alone be a "super conqueror" of him and his forces? It is not in our own strength, of course. It is as the test says: "through him who loved us." Martin Luther stood against these spiritual forces, prevailed over them through Christ, and wrote about it in the hymn we know as "A Mighty Fortress"...None of us could stand against Satan's hostile forces even for a moment, but in Jesus Christ we can stand firm and fight on to victory.

Lifelong Battles - Second, Christians are "more than conquerors" because the warfare we are engaged in requires us to fight lifelong battles. In his excellent study of this verse, Donald Grey Barnhouse sharply contrasts our battles as Christians with the limited battles other soldiers fight: "In earthly battles soldiers are sometimes called upon to fight day and night. But there comes a moment when flesh and blood cannot take more and the struggle comes to an end through the utter exhaustion of the soldier. but in the spiritual warfare there is no armistice, no truce, no interval. The text is in the present tense...in the Greek: 'For thy sake we are being killed all the day long' (rsv). From the moment we are made partakers of the divine nature, we are the targets of the world, the flesh and the devil. There is never a moment's reprieve. It follows, then, that our conquest is more than a conquest, and thus we are more than conquerors."

Eternal Results - The third reason why Christians are more than conquerors is that the spiritual victories achieved by God's people are eternal. This is a very important point and one we need to remind ourselves of constantly. We are creatures of time, and we live in a perishing world. Apart from spiritual battles and spiritual victories, everything we accomplish will pass away, no matter how great an earthly "victory" may seem in the world's eyes or our own. How can it be otherwise when even "heaven and earth will pass away" (Matt. 24:35)? ...I am convinced that this is what our earthly struggles are about and that this how we are to view them...I am convined that in his supreme wisdom God has ordered history in such a way that fore every child of Satan who is suffering, a child of God is suffering in exactly the same circumstances. And for every child of Satan who enjoys the fullness of this world's pleasures, there is a child of God who is denied those pleasures. The unbeliever curses his or her lot if deprived and made to suffer. The believer trusts and praises God and looks to him for ultimate deliverance. Unbelievers boast of their superiority if they are forunate in securing this world's success and treasure. Believers acknowledge God as the source of whatever good fortune they enjoy, and if deprived of these things, as is frequently the case, they say, as Job did, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:21b)....when Christians are persecuted, they count it a privilege, for it shows that they are standing with Jesus, belong to his kingdom...Victories in such sufferings are eternal in the same way that the victory of our Lord upon the cross is eternal. Our sufferings endure for a moment, but they achieve an eternal victory. They point to the truth and grace of God forever. I am convinced that in the farthest reaches of heaven, in what we would call billions of years from now, there will be angels who will look on everyone who has been redeemed by Jesus Christ and thrust into spiritual warfare by him, and they will say, "Look, there is another of God's saints, one who triumphed over evil by the Lord's power!" Reverlation 12:11-12 describes how they will exclaim of our great victories over Satan: "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!" In achieving those eteranl victories, we who love the Lord Jesus Christ will have indeed been more than conquerors.

Eternal Rewards - the fourth reason why we are more than conquerors in the struggles of life is that the rewards of our victory will surpass anyuthing ever attained by earthly conquerors...The world's soldiers have thier rewards, but they are earthly rewards. The people of God look for rewards in heaven....(1 Cor 9:24-25). In this life, like our Master, we may wear nothing but a crown of thorns. But in heaven we will wear crowns that are incorruptible and will possess an inheritance that will never slip away.

No Greater Cause - The final reason why we are more than conquerors is that teh goal of our warfare is the glory of God, and that is an infinitely worthy and utterly superior thing....I wrote of our reward as being imperishable crowns, using the image the Bible itself gives us. With that in mind, I call your attention to a scene in Revelation 4:1-11. The setting is the throne room of heaven, and there, before the throne of Almighty God, are twenty-four elders who represent teh people of God saved from all nations and all ages. They too, are seated on thrones and wear crowns, because the saints reign with Jesus. in the center, immediately surrounding the throne, are four living creatures who cry out day and night, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (v. 8). Whenever the four living creatures worship God with these words, the twenty-four elders rise from their thrones, fall before God, and worship him. Then--and this is the point for which I recall this picture--they lay their crowns before the throne saying, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being" (v. 11). This picture is extremely beautiful, for it shows that the crowns of victory won by God's people are won by God's grace and therefore rightly belong to him. They are our crowns, but they are laid at the Lord's feet to show that they were won for his honor and by his strength. In this, as well as in all the other things I mentioned, we are more than cnoquerors.

But there is one more thing to say: The way to victory is not by "going up" to any self-achieved glory but rather by "stooping down" in suffering.

Remember the picture of Satan given in Isaiah 14? Satan said, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. i will ascend above the tops of the couds; I will make myself like the Most Hight" (vv. 13-14). But God tells Satan, "you [will be] brought down to the grave, to teh depths of the pit" (v.15). Where Satan aimed to sit is in so me measure where the saints of all ages are raised, for the sit on teh "mount of assembly," higher than anything except the throne of God, as we have just seen. But notice how they get there. Not by trying to dislodge the Almighty from his throne. Rather, the are exalted because they have followed in the steps of their Master, who...did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:6-11)

Jesus was a prototype--the true sheep fit only "to be slaughtered." He was "the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world" (Rev. 13:8). But he was also a super-conqueror, and we are more than conquerors through him.

Romans - Volume 2 - An Expositional Commentary by James Montgomery Boice

December 10 - Share Suffering; Share Comfort

2007-12-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

I feel inclinded to post the poems of 12/10 and 12/11 (in next post) because they are so profound and have touched us all so deeply. Let's continue our discussion and application in the comments section of each!

once I heard a song of sweetness,

As it cleft the morning air,

Soudning in its blest completeness,

Like a tender, pleading prayer;

And I sought to find the singer,

Whence the wondrous song was borne;

And i found a bird, sore wounded,

Pinioned by a cruel thorn.

I have seen a soul in sadness,

While its wings with pain were furl'd,

Giving hope, and cheer and gladness

That should bless a weeping world

And I knew that life of sweetness,

Was of pain and sorrow borne,

And a stricken soul was singing,

With its heart against a thorn.

Ye are told of One who loved you,

Of a Saviour crucified,

Ye are told of nails that pinioned,

And a spear that pierced His side;

Ye are told of cruel scouring,

Of a Saviour bearing scorn,

And He died for your salvation,

With His brow against a thorn.

Ye "are not above the Master."

Will you breathe a sweet refrain?

And His grace will be sufficient,

When your heart is pierced with pain.

Will you live to bless His loved ones,

Tho' your life be bruised and torn,

Like the bird that sang so sweetly,

With its heart against a thorn?

--Anonymous

December 9 Joy Sometimes Needs Pain to Give it Birth

2007-12-09T14:51:00.000-08:00

It is a curious thing that we sometimes need pain to give birth to joy. Labor pains bring a child and new joy. Illness brings empathy and new joy. Sin brings humility and new joy. After a storm (especially here in Southern California, where storms are few and far between), everything seems so clear and clean. Likewise, after a storm or a whole winter of storms in our lives, we have a sort of a heightened sense of reality. A greater appreciation of beauty, a greater compassion, a greater desire to come before our Lord. I'm thinking this needing of pain to give birth to joy is another result of the fall. It is the opposite of what I would think and it is definitely the opposite of what I often tell myself. After all, I need fun and money and entertainment to have joy, don't I? I guess these things can bring a certain kind of joy, but the joy of the Lord isn't at all dependent on these kinds of things. The joy of the Lord seems to flourish under difficult circumstances and these other "joys", though not wrong in themselves, can sometimes dull the joy of the Lord.

Near the end of the devotion, it says, "It is comforting to know that sorrow tarries only for the night; it takes its leave in the morning." Sometimes in deep sorrow and dark storms, it seems to me that it isn't going to clear. I'm praying and trying to learn to have a sense of hope in these times, to have a little part of me that knows the morning will come.

I was just thinking of a question, if anyone would care to answer. Throughout my life, I've had a few hard times, but virtually none of them had to do with individual people's sin. What I mean is there has been illness and death and stuff, but I didn't have much experience with people choosing gross sin that affects others (abuse, adultery, lying). In the last few years, I have experienced this other type of trial several times (not with my husband, just to be clear). This type of pain seems so much more overwhelming to me and hard to process in my mind. My question is, have any of you experienced this distinction? Do you have more peace and joy in trials that seem to be the direct hand of God and less peace and joy in trials that people choose to inflict? Just curious.

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

julies5monkeys

December 7 - Nothing Impossible for God

2007-12-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

I am running behind schedule this morning, so I cannot be wordy :) So, I will write down the portion that caused me pause:

"Our unbelief is always wanting some outward sign. The religion of many is laregly sensational, and they are not satisfied of its genuineness without manifestions, etc.; but the greatest triumph of faith is to be still and know that He is God."

To be still --- it always sounds so easy and yet...it is NOT. Especially today, we live in a society of go, go, go. I think back to the first time I went to Hawaii in 1996. It was so laid back...slow. Much easier to be still in a place like Hawaii isn't it? But the true test is to be still in the busy and bustling place. Mind you, I'm not in New York but...it's still not West Fork either .

After reading this devotion by A. B. Simpson, I thought, "Who is this man so often quoted by Mrs. Cowman?" So, I googled him. I only had time to read half but look forward to finishing it later. Perhaps you would also like to read of this man. Click on his picture to go the site I am reading.

I pray that you have a blessed day and take time to be still and know He is God.

December 6 - His Kingdom Comes

2007-12-06T06:54:00.000-08:00

Today, these words reminded me of a poem I read yesterday:
"O you dead churches wake up! O Christ, descend! Scarred temple, take the crown! Bruised hand, take the sceptre! Wounded foot, step the throne! Thiin is the kingdom."
(Rev. DeWitt Talmage)

The poem:
No Scar?

hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as might in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? no scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And pierced ar teh feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has nor wound nor scar?

Amy Carmichael wrote this poem. I love it as much today as I did ten years ago. She is one of my soul's mentors.

We are wounded but we still travail. As the tinman said to scarecorw, "Chin Up."
We must forge on. We can do this...together we can do this. We can and we must encourage each other and lean on the cross of Christ. He has done all the hard work ahead of us. We need only keep believing. As the father said to Jesus, "Lord, I believe, Help my unbelief." I love that he said these two statements back to back. Everything we say should be thus! "Lord, I suffer; Help my suffering" "Lord, I'm frustrated. Help my frustration" "Lord, I have hope; help my doubt"
I carry all of you in my heart today. I'm praying for you! Yes, YOU, E-bug, Mimi, Papa Smurf, Muggin, Moe, 5Monkeys, blue streaked hair, HanksMom, and so many more!!!
SWAK and VH!

December 4 - The Calm

2007-12-04T06:57:00.000-08:00

"The lake must be calm if the heavens are to be reflected on its surface." At the end of the summer, we took a family vacation to Lake Arrowhead and to Arkansas. In both places, we visited lakes and marvelled at the beauty of the scenery reflected in the lake. I watched as a solitaire hawk glided along the tree-line. I thought of his view and the breathtaking sight it must be. We have such views from the 'skylines' of scripture. Do we plunge into the Word with that kind of anticipation? Do we look to see what God has waiting for us in the reflection of His thoughts. And then, do we walk out our front door with that Word hidden in our hearts to reflect that beauty to others?

As a child in Costa Rica, we lived in the capital city of San Jose. It was noise and bustling. But...once a month, we would drive up into the mountains for a church service in Zarcero. These are some of the fondest memories I have. The drive and its beauty. I remember a field that we would pass and it was filled with wild flowers (yellow-my favorite color). I would close my eyes and see myself running through those flowers. I could taste the flowers with my eyes closed. I could feel them brush my face. I could see the insects fluttering off of them as I burrowed through their resting spots. What a vivid imagination a child has.

When did I stop closing my eyes and imagining? Today, as we go into our duties and tasks, may we make time for our spirit to "yearn for the hilltop's air." Dwell in His presence.

(photo of lake in Arkansas; photo of fields in Zarcero)

December 3 - It is well

2007-12-03T18:52:00.000-08:00

Today's devotion lingered. It permeated through my soul. I carried it with me everywhere I went. My soul was leaning today...leaning toward grief. Today is Pop Pop's birthday...or, would be his birthday. He would be 63 today. He would still be very young. I reflected today on how our lives have all changed since he went Home. Nothing is the same. Everything is different.

When reading the poem at the end of the devotion today, I thought of Pop Pop's beautiful rose garden. He cared so much for his garden. He was so diligent and he took such pride in tending to the needs of his plants and flowers. He cared for them with purpose. He knew that he could bring beauty from them.

And, that is how he took care of us. He could see our potential when we couldn't or we doubted. He encouraged us. He made us feel like we were capable of greatness. He made us feel loved and important. He tended to us and cared for us until we produced beautiful fruit. And then, he was the first to praise us. He was always waiting to commend us, to say, "Way to go! I knew you could do it. I believed in you."

So, that said, here is today's poem...and I dedicate it to Pop Pop...

E'en for the dead I will not bind my soul to grief;

Death cannot long divide.

For is it not as though the rose that climbed my garden wall

Has blossomed on the other side?

Death doth hide,

But not divide;

Thou art but on Christ's other side!

Thou art with Christ, and Christ with me;

In Christ united still are we.

December 2 - Perfect Through Sufferings

2007-12-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

This post is from our new contributor: Jalamadreamer. Thanks for joining!!!

The book says that great characters are made by suffering. So many people agonize over the idea of why there is suffering and evil in this world. What if we were to tell them it is to God's glory and one way he manifests this glory is by refining us until we are people with Godly character? I don't think this is the answer we are looking for. But it is true, isn't it? Sadly, for many years of my own life, the deepest part of me felt like this life is a sort of cruel game. On some level, I knew it was to God's glory, but what could that possibly really mean? A few years ago, I realized that I don't see it this way anymore. I can't pinpoint why, but it has something to do with trust. Trusting God at his word. Not having to understand the whys of everything. He has pretty much taken away my desire to know more than He offers for us to know. The peace that has come with this has been most appreciated!

When people ask about my cancer situation this past year and have I figured out how God has used it for good, it is difficult to answer. Not because it hasn't been used for good in many obvious ways, but because it is difficult to put into words what surgery our most blessed Lord is doing deep within our very being. He changes us with a scalpel and it seems He often uses pain to bring healing.

In Spurgeon's devotions, he deals a lot with trials, pain and suffering. As you are reading, he almost makes you feel like you are God's most precious lamb if you are suffering much. He cares for us through our suffering, but I think it might go farther-- He gives us suffering because He cares for us.

For those of you who don't know me, I want to be clear that I don't think we should be the ones to bring on any additional suffering and we can rejoice in the deep breath we can take in times of ease. He gives us these times, also.

Let's pray that our character is built by suffering and that we will never turn to bitterness. Also that we will have compassion on others who are suffering.

2007-11-29T17:29:00.000-08:00

Sunsets remind me of an ending - a grand finale of sorts! God gives us such a sweet glance of Heaven during the last few minutes of the day. It is a time to pause and reflect on GOD's glory and His presence. Each night the sunset is different and never quite looks the same. The desert has extremely colorful sunsets - such color in the sky amongst the barren land. I love the desert sunsets, they are some of the most beautiful sunsets ever! I think that is part of God's design to have a bit of beauty amongst the brownness and deadness of the desert. I also love the tropical sunsets- they are different from the desert. I really like the sun reflecting on the ocean. It gives such a sense of serenity.

I hope you guys don't mind my OFF topic from the Streams book. I just couldn't help myself.

November 28 - Morning/Evening Rejoice

2007-11-28T06:34:00.000-08:00

Here is my Hawaii Sunrise...

EBug...I want to see yours up by the end of the day :)

Now, on to today's devotion...
Sometimes, when I read...I am moved to write down a prayer. This was today's

"God create in me a new heart. How I want to do Your will. How I desire to speak truth. Let me only be Christ-like. Train me up in the way I should go--for I am Your child and I want to grow old and not depart from You. Cradle me in Your loving and safe arms. Soothe my fears with Your promises.

God's will be done--use me
to build up Your kingdom, as a child builds with blocks, trying over and over again; be patient with my failures and sins; forgive me and let me start again."

2007-11-27T11:39:00.000-08:00

Of course, as I read the passage I knew I was going to have to research this special little flower and see what it looks like...it is also called the Alpine Snowbell...you can see why from the photo.

I loved the imagery of today's passage. I love the idea of storing up water within the roots to draw on the nourishment later in drought. That is what we are to do. Those who do it well, year round, find a peace in the midst of toil. A peace that others marvel at and disbelieve. They say, "I could not deal with that kind of trouble" or "I would not be able to handle trials that well." And, they accept that. But why should we stop there? Shouldn't we take the example as a call to change. Should we not change our lives so that we could say, "yes, that is exactly how I would repsond." May we never be content to be less than Christ like. May we always strive to improve our actions, thoughts and words. "Cast away every shadow of hope on the human side as an absolute hindrance to the divine, heap up all the difficulties together recklessly, and pile as many more on as you can find; you cannot get beyond the blessed climax of impossibility. Let faith swing out to Him. He is the God of the impossible."

November 25 - Don't Stop Believing!

2007-11-25T08:32:00.000-08:00

This passage in 2 Kings 13:18-19 is new to me. Here is Elisha on his death bed, ready and willing (through God) to deliver Syria into the kings hands, and the king demonstrates his faith for what it is...small faith. How embarrasing.

How often do I become proud in my faith? I think i am doing well--praying, reading the Bible, serving God, etc. How humbling to think that I am not even accomplishing half of what He could have me do. My faith is limited by my own doubt. I have faith that can move mountains...but I don't even attempt to climb the mountain, much less move it.

God, increase my faith! Use me and sharpen me as a tool wielded by Your hand. Do not let me stand in my way--Get me out of myself to believe and act in the fullness of faith. Use me exceedingly; use me abundantly, use me above all that I would impose as my "so called" ability. You are able to do!

November 23 - Hard Things

2007-11-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

Rock flowers...flowers that grow on rocks where you can see no soil. The Psalmist says that some things are hard...some are confusing/staggering. In these "hard times" do we stand up and shine? I loved the comment Margaret Bottome made saying, "He may have a peculiar tenderness for His 'rock flowers' that He may not have for His lilies and roses."
I also paused to ponder this statement: "The blow at the outward man may be the greatest blessing to the inner man...the real peril, the real trouble, is what we shall lose if we flinch or rebel." -Maltbie D. Babcock
I like the word flinch because we have good intentions to stand up and glorify God in our trials but we flinch in our flesh...we buckle and fail...and try again. We flinch.

Patience

2007-11-24T09:44:00.001-08:00

I read a lot about patience today in my devotion. James 5 says to be patient until the coming of the Lord. He talks about the farmer waiting for the precious fruit to ripen (that is us) and how the fruit needs the early rain and the latter rain. Verse 10 says that the prophets were an example of suffering and patience. This being the last chapter of James, I will move on to reading a book by a prophet so as to learn from the example. I want to hear from YOU, our blog watchers, Which prophet do you recommend and why?

2007-11-20T07:13:00.001-08:00

Seriously? Waiting? Today's passage is about waiting! "I HhhhhhATE waiting!"in the words of Indigo Montoya/Princess Bride. I am always quick to say, "Never pray for patience!" It's a struggle for me. I am a 'man of action.' I like to DO, work, serve...but wait? It is hard for me. Does anyone else struggle with this?

The passage says it is a posture that the Christian soldier learns only from years of teaching. Marching and quick marching are easier for a soldier than standing still. But there are hours of perplexity, when we don't know what part to take and we must wait. Do not vex in despair (yep, I've done that); fly back in cowardice (nod, yes); turn in fear (sometimes); rush forward in presumption (what do you plead? GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY).

So, what do I do? Wait in prayer - plead His promise of aid. Wait in faith - Believe. Wait in quiet patience - without any self will.

Wait, patiently wait,

God never is late;

thy budding plans are in Thy Father's holding,

And only wait His grand divine unfolding.

Then wait, wait

Patiently wait.

Trust, hopefully trust,

That God will adjust

Thy tangled life; and from its dark concealings,

Will bring his will, in all its bright revealings.

Then trust, trust,

Hopefully trust.

Rest, peacefully rest

On they Saviour's breast;

Breathe in His ear thy sacred high ambition,

And He will bring it forth in blest fruition,

Then rest, rest,

Peacefully rest!

November 19 - Your Labor Is Not In Vain

2007-11-19T10:12:00.000-08:00

God's plan is so strategic. I have always marvelled at those who play chess; those who can plan their moves so far in advance. It does not come easy to me. I react spontaneously...not with time and forethought. But GOD has planned out every move here on earth.

When I am downcast God knows exactly when He will bring me up from the depths. God knows and has planned what I am to learn from the dark hour(s). God never leaves my side even though my doubt and introspection (also known as weakness) can cause me forget this. God gently pulls and draws me back to remembering that "my labor is not in vain."

Just as Luther said, "The devil is God's devil," this world is God's world. He will see His will done.

November 17 - Persevereing Prayer

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Prayer - such a powerful and misunderstood tool. I think of times in my life that have been without prayer, times in my life that have had "obligatory" prayers (such as those said before a meal, etc.), and times of fervent prayer. Sometimes prayer is a talk with God...to grow the relationship. Other times, it is a petition (asking for needs pertaining to one's self) and other times an intercession (praying on behalf of others). There are prayers of thanksgiving and praise. There are prayers of repentance and forgivness. With so many different ways to pray...how is it that I spent so little time praying in my lifetime?

But, this is not the case anymore. I have made a committment to pray without ceasing. I choose to live each day in a constant awareness of the needs and blessings around me. Because of this, I appreciated today's devotion regarding the perseverance of prayer. How important it is to continue to work at it. We ask in faith and we keep asking until we are answered. We ask and keep asking irregardless of how long delayed the answer is in coming. We pray with hope. God does not leave prayer unanswered.

The first paragraph says "He will reveal Himself to our seeking hearts, but not just when and where we have settled in our own expectations." This reminded me of an exercise Rob and I did for a homework assignment in a pre-adoption course. We were to wright down our expectations for the adoption, about the child, appearances, behaviors, difficulties, etc. The purpose was to evaluate how we would respond if our expectations were not met. For instance, if I expected a healthy child and was handed a sick, lethargic baby...how would I react. If we were expecting a baby/infant and were assigned a toddler...what then? This exercise was in many ways easier for Rob and I than the others in the class because of our faith and understanding of God's providence.

We must pray with God's expectations in mind and not our own. We must recognize His will and not our own. He must increase, we must decrease.

"Remember the former things of old, for I AM God, and there is no other; I AM God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, "My council shall stand, and I will do my pleasure." --Is. 46:9-10

November 16 - Difficult Paths

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"Are we willing to compete for God's best, with the knowledge that the best things are always achieved by the most difficult paths?" This is a hard question to ask yourself - but I think it will show you right where your heart is spiritually. I know that before tragedy struck me, I wasn't quite so sure that I would be willing to go down that path - however, God doesn't always listen to my groanings. He took me down a path I had never wanted to trod - BUT I know Him more, trust Him more, and seen grace like no other time MORE. I have found Him to be so real on this path. Unfortunately for us - GROWTH doesn't come when things are going just the way we had planned - it comes when the situations are extreme and we don't know where else to turn but to HIM!

I choose God each and every time - no matter what path God chooses to take me down! He is my Comfort, my Grace, my Saviour and my GOD!

November 14 - Leaving Fruit Behind

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It is true that some saints are taken from this world at such a young age and others at ripe ages. What is important to note is the effect that the saint left behind in this world. Sometimes, the impact of a long, aged life is no different than a saint who left this world early on. This is sad. We must always stive to leave our mark each day. Live today as if tomorow is not an option. My grandma had a plaque on her wall when I was a child. It was right above the table where each meal was eaten. I read it at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I would always ponder it and try and make sense of it. It read:

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

It means that we start fresh each day. A new opportunity to glorify Him. I like the thought but I believe it would be more potent if it read:

"LIVE today as if it is the last day of your life."

Click HERE to go to a page about David Brainerd, the missionary to the American Indians mentioned in today's devotion.

Click HERE to go to a page about Henry Martyn.

November 11 - Rain on mown grass

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"O Soul, thou hast been mown!"

I like how Meyer compares our growth to cutting grass. It is a very visual passage and I could really see the picture of what he was talking about. I could almost smell the freshly cut grass...the rawness of it all.

In the poem, the stanza that stood out to me was:

"Who shall hush the weary spirit's chiding?

Who the aching void within shall fill?

Who shall whisper of a peace abiding,

and each surging biillow calmly still?"

I pondered the passage "who sall hush the weary spirit's chiding?" and thought of how easily I give in to ruminating; dwelling; obsessing. When I get weary...I ruminate. But then there is the contrast in the "whisper of a peace." I beleive that peace is often much more attainable than I ever grasp. If only I would listen more closely and hear the whisper more often.

Today, I told my daughter, "When I say, 'It's time to go,' you need to hurry." But why is that!? I wait until I must be hurried. I am training my child to hurry and not listen for the whisper either. If I do not change, she will carry on this bad habit and I will have failed to teach her how to BE STILL and know that HE IS GOD.

p.s. I am current in my reading but I am behind in posting...what's your excuse ? :)

Turns out I can't limit God

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I'm totally with M. There really is nothing too hard for the Lord, including my unbelief. When I had almost decided that He just didn't exist, God held onto me. I was (and still am sometimes) the "double-minded" person that James is so hard on in James 1:5-8. James says I'm supposed to ask God for wisdom "in faith, without any doubting," and that the person who doubts ought not to expect anything from the Lord. This passage pretty much terrified me. But God is generous in my weakness. From my perspective, as a doubter I had no right to expect that God would bless me with wisdom or faith. But it wasn't about what I had a right to expect, it was about the power and love and tenacity of God. My serious leaning toward the idea that God didn't exist at all looked like a huge barrier from my side, but to God it was just a pebble on the sidewalk. He kicked it away. Sometimes I rebuild that unbelief-barrier like an idiot, and He kicks it away again. I believe now that He'll always hold onto me. I've tried, and I can't limit God.

Nov 5 UGH!

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This is the first time in Streams that I have disagreed. So I had to say something...

I hate the word "let" when it comes to God. As if we have such pwer to "let God" ----Good Grief Charlie Brown, we really are 'block heads' if we believe this.

We cannot thwart His plans -- not even with our disbelief; after all, He uses even the acts of EVIL ment to do HIS glory. Think of it...
The most evil act of man is the same as the most Glorious act of GOD.

"Thwart Him" "Let Him" AS IF!

that said the first paragraph I loved. How many desires have we had or do we have that have gone so long unfullfilled that we have looked upon them as lost desires. I think of Lonny, Edie's brother-in-law, and I know that she has so long desired for him to walk again with God, casting away his bitterness. I think of my brother who for so long was the same way, but how now come back again to the Lord. I think of my lost cause of a relationship with my dad. I think of my deepest desire for the pain and suffering of my beloved friend and her children...how i long for it to subside. And to those I ask "Is anything too hard for the Lord?

October 31 The Spirit Helps Our Infirmities

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Perfect Fellowship is such a beautiful concept. To have theheightened awareness that He is with me and He knows my every actionbefore it happens. Can you see the Father watching the moments andknowing that in 5 minutes you are going to break down and sob...andHe is looking forward to wrapping His love around you like a parka;He is going to use both hands to smooth your hair and wipe yourtears; He is waiting patiently to pick you back up and send you backon through your day, encouraged and loved. As you do this, he lovingpicks up the burdens that you left strewn at His feet (like crumpledtissues), and He casts them into outer darkness. Again, He thinksforward and knows our soul and how long it will be before it fills upand tips over, unable to bear more and the scene is repeated. He isour true Soul Mate.This is the true definition of Soul Mate. The Spirit that dwells inour soul and bears all that is there, both the prayers and thepraise; the thankfulness and the want. He presents it to Christ(minus the ignorance) and Christ wraps this package with His blood ofatonement. The package is then laid at the throne of God the Father,who is pleased to do His will. So many still seek a soul mate - Ohthat they would find and know the one and only True Soul Mate.

October 30 Running with Patience

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Impatience is to worry as patience is to peace.Running with patience - it is a new concept to me to be busy withpatience. However, I look at Edie...I see her get out of bed and bebusy with her duites. She is active in her service; she is busythinking of how she can properly care for her children. The "joy ofothers (can) cure a heartache" ...can this be so? Can someone else'sjoy actually cure my heartache? Not just ease but actually CURE?There is a lot to ponder in today's devotion...suffice to say that Edieis a rainbow and has shone bright to many in the past three weeks. Shehas shone so brightly on her children that even they themselves havebecome rainbows in their own ways.