Sharing the Love of God
It is quiet today. A time to pause and reflect on the goodness of God. While so much of the world whirling, take a few quiet moments and say yes to God. Feel His presence, bathe in His love. No need to rush, or seek to do anything, just rest in Him. Let your soul and spirit find expression in His perfect peace.
Have a day of quiet, and discover what fulfillment there is with God.
A Classic Devotional from C.H. Spurgeon
We use lights to make manifest. A Christian [man] should so shine in his life that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. His conversation should be such that all who are about him should clearly perceive whose he is, and whom he serves; and should see the image of Jesus reflected in his daily actions.
Lights are intended for guidance. We are to help those around us who are in the dark. We are to hold forth to them the Word of life. We are to point sinners to the Saviour, and the weary to a divine resting place. Men sometimes read their Bibles, and fail to understand them; we should be ready, like Philip, to instruct the inquirer in the meaning of God’s Word, the way of salvation, and the life of godliness.
Lights are also used for warning. On our rocks and shoals a light-house is sure to be erected. Christian [men] should know that there are many false lights shown everywhere in the world, and therefore the right light is needed. The wreckers of Satan are always abroad, tempting the ungodly to sin under the name of pleasure; they hoist the wrong light, be it ours to put up the true light upon every dangerous rock, to point out every sin, and tell what it leads to, that so we may be clear of the blood of all men, shining as lights in the world.
Lights also have very cheering influence, and so have Christians. A Christian ought to be a comforter, with kind words on his lips, and sympathy in his heart; he should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse happiness around him.
“In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:15
Just a quiet thought to end this day.
“What though His holy footsteps linger no longer here?
Still through His Spirit’s presence Jesus is ever near,
What though your heart be lonely
What though your friends be few,
He will not leave you orphans,
Jesus will come to you.”
Quietly rest in the knowledge that Jesus will never leave or forsake you.
A Classic Devotional from D.L. Moody
“Happiness is caused by things that happen around me, and circumstances will mar it; but joy flows right on through trouble; joy flows on through the dark; joy flows in the night as well as in the day; joy flows all through persecution and opposition. It is an unceasing fountain bubbling up in the hearts; a secret spring the world can’t see and doesn’t know anything about. The Lord gives his people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to him.
Joy is love exalted peace; peace is love in repose; long-suffering is love enduring; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love in school; and temperance is love in training. The world does not understand theology or dogma, but it understands love and sympathy.”
God, thank you for the joy that transcends all situations, problems, conditions. Help me this day Lord to walk more closely with you, and be a Joy foundation filling up all those empty vessels with Your everlasting joy. Amen
There is coming for those who believe a day like no other. It is a day when all; the spirit, soul and flesh will behold the promise – the great light of Christ. (Isaiah 9:1) No matter how dark the circumstances, how bleak the prognosis – the promise will come again.
Christ is our lighthouse; a light wave blazing through the darkness of our souls; a glistening promise of new life. So bright is His light; so pure is His light that it lifts us out of the darkness of our sins. it radiates and cleanses; it restores and heals; it delivers and makes us whole again. God’s Promise of our Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace is not to be taken lightly. It should give us assurance; a blessed assurance that all will be made right today. No matter how deep the pit – the promise can reach you. We can rise up this day with shouts of joy and victory that the Promise has come, and will come again.
James Allen wrote, “if thou wilt be perfect, sell all that thou hast; but at these words the world turns away “sorrowful”, for it is very rich“; rich in money which it cannot keep; rich in fears which it cannot let go; rich in selfish loves to which it greedily clings; rich in grievous partings which it would fain escape; rich in seeking enjoyment; rich in pain and sorrow; rich in strife and suffering; rich in excitement and woe; rich in all thing which are not riches, but poor in riches themselves which are not to be found outside the Kingdom; rich in all things that pertain to darkness and death, but poor in those things which are Light and Life.”
Riches, true riches come when as we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then our perfection, our purpose, our happiness, our heritage, our joy, inspiration, wisdom, compassion become solid gold – the real riches – the only ones we truly need.
In between watching the 2012 Olympics games, I watched an episode of Top Chef-Just Desserts where the chefs were asked to make a “savor” dessert inspired by another country. One chef prepare a dish resembling a Cuban Sandwich. The beautiful plated dessert looked just like a sandwich with chips and potato salad. The “Potato Salad” was actually diced Asian pears sprinkled with vanilla beans to resemble pepper. It was so creative. As the judges bit into the sandwich, the creme topping that looked like mayonnaise oozed out the sides and became very messy. The filling overpowered the other components. The chef put too much in the sandwich. It looked good on the outside, but when the “test” the sandwich did not hold.
Isn’t that just like us? We spend time and energy creating our “exterior self” so it appears like a beautiful plate of good food. But there is a problem. Our execution is faulty. We add too much of this world so when the “test” comes, our beautiful but poorly designed selves starts oozing out. We overdo it; add too much, or add the wrong things trying to look good.
There needs to be the right balance of ingredients so lives not only appear beautiful, but beautifully reflect Him. That right balance is more of Jesus and less of me and you. He is the potter, we are the clay. He knows just what to do, and say. He knows our beginnings, our middle, and our ends. He understand how much we can handle, and prompts us to let Him handle our lives. Jesus said, “Come all of you who are heavy burden, and I will give you rest.” As we make our way through this life, our first order of business is to go to Christ first, and obtain instructions on how to prepare and manage for this life. Christ will provide the right ingredients in the proper proportions, and then show us how to prepare and utilize them. So when our “test” comes, and it will come, we will have just the right stuff in the right proportions for any test.
After my prayer and meditation I began writing in my journal about a family whose father’s health is declining rapidly, and the situation did not appear hopeful. I wrote, “This is a hard time.” Then I was struck almost immediately by the word “hard,” and I thought how often we label something bad, or look at painful images. “It’s a bad day; This is a bad report; I got up on the wrong side of the bed; I’m having a bad hair day.” Or we watch shows like, “Breaking Bad, Desperate Housewives (I know it’s been cancelled), Basketball Wives, Revenge, Scandal, Hell’s kitchen, I Hate My Teenage Daughter”. Our language is sprinkled with words that pull us down, and not lift us up. We say, “This is horrible!!” with exaggerated gestures and raised voices. It is no wonder our attitudes and behaviors reflect the current culture. We are like that double minded man who is unstable in all his ways, because he is being tossed around by everything around him.
I’m not saying we should not define tragedies. I am saying our daily language needs some refinement. Philippians 4:8-9 asks us to meditate on the things which are of good report, and the God of peace will be with you. Peace of mind will evade us, if we constantly bombard our minds and speak language that does not reflect the God of peace.
I challenge you to avoid using those words that do not reflect the God of peace, and only use words that lift up the name and character of our Lord Jesus Christ for one day. Let’s go for “Breaking Good, instead of Breaking Bad.”
John 15:5 states, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
God is not in the business of making those who are strong stronger, rather He takes the weak and makes them strong through His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. And how is this accomplished? How do we become instruments for His plan and purpose in this world? By staying connected to the true vine. No movement, growth, development takes place without staying connected to the power source of the universe-God. We can’t bear fruit [His fruit] without Him. We try, and fail miserably. There is ample proof of that. But when our lives are devoted to Him, when our hearts seek Him, when our eyes are fixed on Him, we become stronger, more creative, more loving, more giving, we become more like our Christ. But we must stay connected to the vine.
One of the ways to stay connected is through prayer. How is your prayer life? John Bunyan wrote, ” Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.” The Holy Scriptures encourages us to pray, and provides many examples of how to pray, and answered prayer. In fact, we are obliged to pray. It is our duty to pray, and it is a blessed privilege to engage in prayer. Think of it, we mere confused, hurting, sinful mortals can speak to God through Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. The Bible tells us God wants to hear from us and speak to us, because of His great love for us. We also discover through prayer there is great power, great wisdom and great love. We learn how to better manage our bodies, minds and spirits by staying connected. All the issues; and “the personal, pertinent, and all-important questions for every soul” brought to Him in prayer are effectively, and efficiently dealt with. Enemies are defeated, grace and favor is applied.
You have an amazing day and life ahead of you. Don’t waste it. Don’t get side-tracked or distracted. Draw closer and stay connected to Christ today, and experience the amazing and miraculous.
Raging fires, power outrages, water and gas shortages, soaring temperatures…people seeking and needing shelter. Much of the country was affected by the damage caused by the recent storm, while some are dealing with aftermath of the Colorado fires. As the impact continues to be felt, organizations and the public are working together to provide much-needed resources. The need is great. And as the power is being restored, those returning to their homes and businesses are accessing the damage and beginning repairs.
As we returned home to clean up and toss out food, I considered our need for God. When the storms of life are raging, the need to seek God should stir up our internal engines to run to Him. When our spiritual tanks get low or run dry, instead of running to the nearest “good time” we should fill up at God’s service station. Our “battery” power is short, and ill-equipped to handle all of life’s challenges. The enemy wants to burn us up, drain us dry, and turn off our lights. We can’t live this life and survive without God.
Become a first responder. Go to the Fountain of Living Water which nourishes, refreshes and powers our mind, body and soul. Plus, it never, ever runs dry. It puts out the raging fires. It fuels our lives, and lights our way. This source-the only true Source provides, protects, and prospers. Our need for Christ and His wonderous, working power is needed daily. He satisfies, and shelters us during life’s storms.
So, no matter what is happening, or what will happen, seek Christ. As the old hymn states,” I need thee, O’ I need thee. Every hour I need thee. Bless me now my Savior. I come to thee”. Go to Christ our Savior. We need Him. Luke 5:31-32
Loving God with Excellence 
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