Brooding over the past

Read: Psalm 139:1-12,23-24

See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. —Psalm 139:24 

In the opening game of the 2001 football season, a mistake by the University of Colorado cost the team a chance to play for the national championship. When coach Gary Barnett was asked about it, he said, “We don’t think about it. I learned a long time ago: Don’t trip on something behind you.” Barnett was busy recruiting new players and preparing for a holiday bowl game and had no time to dwell on the past.

We all need to live in the present. But what about the mistakes we deeply regret? How can we deal with past sins and failures that still weigh us down? Oswald Chambers, speaking of the sadness of what might have been, said: “Never be afraid when God brings back the past. Let memory have its way. It is a minister of God with its rebuke and chastisement and sorrow. God will turn the ‘might have been’ into a wonderful culture [source of nourishment and growth] for the future.”

The psalmist asked God to search his heart and see if there was any wicked way in him, so that he might confess it and be forgiven. Then he added, “Lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

God does not want us to be imprisoned by yesterday, but to be free for today and tomorrow.

Calvary covers it all,

My past with its sin and stain;

My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there,

And Calvary covers it all. —Taylor

Brooding over the past paralyzes the present and bankrupts the future.

 

Verse of the Day

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

God knows us. We can't pretend we are something we are not with him. This should liberate us to a remarkable degree of intimacy, but most of us run from such a close relationship with God. If our desire, however, is to become more like him, the only way to be transformed is by inviting him and looking at our heart, our motivations, and our desires.

MY PRAYER...

O God, I know you are the one who "searches hearts and minds" yet because of the grace you demonstrated in Jesus, I am confident that you love me. My heart is sorry for the sin I have committed, but I am really trying to serve you in honor and purity. Please fill me with your Spirit to enable me to become more like Christ. In the name of your holy Son I pray. Amen.

An Invitation

 
Read: John 6:30-40 
I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger. —John 6:35

When Jesus lived on this earth, He invited people to come to Him, and He still does today (John 6:35). But what do He and His Father in heaven have that we need?

Salvation. Jesus is the only way to have forgiveness of sin and the promise of heaven. “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:15).

Purpose. We are to give all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength to following Jesus. “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34).

Comfort. In trial or sorrow, the “God of all comfort . . . comforts us in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Wisdom. We need wisdom beyond our own for making decisions. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, . . . and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Strength. When we’re weary, “the Lord will give strength to His people” (Psalm 29:11).

Abundant Life. The fullest life is found in a relationship with Jesus. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Jesus said, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). Come!

Jesus is calling to those who are weary,

And He is calling the thirsty ones too;

If for the Bread of Life you now hunger,

Hear His sweet voice saying, "Come." —Hess

Jesus invites us to come to Him for life.

 

Verse of the Day

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

We are comforted to comfort others. God doesn't bless us because we are somehow uniquely better than everyone else, but specifically to equip, empower, and encourage us to comfort others. God has human hands only when I use mine to his glory and for his purposes!

MY PRAYER...

Tender Shepherd, there have been times when I was so broken I could not go on. I know the strength to continue came from your rich grace and mercy. Please use me this week to offer your comfort and love to others so they may feel your warm embrace and come to yearn more for the day we see you face to face in heaven. Through my brother Jesus, I pray. Amen.

The Truth About Truth

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
. . . always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. —2 Timothy 3:7
When Harvard University was founded, its motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae—“Truth for Christ and the Church.” Its crest showed three books, one face down to symbolize the limitation of human knowledge. But in recent decades that book has been turned face up to represent the unlimited capacity of the human mind. And the motto has been changed to Veritas—“Truth.”

The pursuit of knowledge is praiseworthy, yet learning can quickly lead to pride and a refusal to acknowledge any limits on our mental abilities. When that happens, biblical truth is ignored.

What, then, is the truth about truth? A wise king wrote centuries ago, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). We must recognize the relationship between God and truth. Without the help of God’s Spirit and the instruction of God’s Word, man will be ever “learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). When we acknowledge and obey His truth, however, we will be set free from spiritual ignorance and error (John 8:32; 17:17). That’s why we must be diligent in studying the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15). It is the only book that tells us the truth about truth.

Holy Bible, Book divine,

Precious treasure, thou art mine;

Mine to tell me whence I came,

Mine to teach me what I am. —Burton

To know Christ the Living Word, study the written Word.

 

Verse of the Day

God has saved us and called us to a holy life -- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.

2 Timothy 1:9

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

Before the beginning of time! How do you understand when that was? God first thought of us at a time we cannot even begin to understand! His reason for thinking of us was to demonstrate his grace and call others to his side. Jesus has always been God's plan, and we have always been his goal. Let's make sure we respond by living that holy life!

MY PRAYER...

Thank you so much, Father, for knowing me and thinking of my needs, even before there was a world. I dedicate this day to your honor and pledge to live a life that reflects your righteousness and grace. Through Jesus, the one who had no sin, I pray. Amen.

The Transformer

 
Read: 2 Corinthians 3:5-18 
Whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. —Romans 8:29
What is God’s goal for your life? Author Max Lucado summarizes it this way: “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.” This involves change, but we often believe it’s not possible. We say, “I’ve always worried,” or “I’ve always felt angry—I’m just that way.” Yet Paul said in Romans 8:29 that God’s purpose is to make us like Jesus. So what hinders this process?

In his book Just Like Jesus, Lucado tells about a wealthy woman who lived 100 years ago. She was extremely tight with her money, so neighbors were surprised when she had her home wired for electricity. Weeks later, a meter reader noted very little usage, so he asked, “Are you using your power?” “Certainly,” she replied. “Each evening I turn on my lights long enough to light my candles; then I turn them off.”

If we have put our faith in Christ, we too are connected to a power source—the Holy Spirit, who works in us to make us more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). So let’s not settle for “spiritual candlelight” by being comfortable with our old ways. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our lives and make us like Jesus. Are you using your power? 

Father, thank You for Your Spirit,

Fill us with His love and power;

Change us into Christ's own image

Day by day and hour by hour. —Anon.

Only God's power can transform your life.

 

Verse of the Day

In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:15

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

We are to be ready and able to tell folks about the hope that Jesus has brought to our lives! But when we share this hope, two things are important: our credibility -- is Jesus really Lord of our hearts -- and our character -- do we show gentleness and respect in our approach. The goal is not to win arguments, but hearts to the God of character!

MY PRAYER...

Holy and Loving Father, thank you for speaking your grace in Jesus. I'm not sure I would have heard any other message. Give me the conviction I need to share my hope in Jesus, but in a way that reflects your grace. Through my Living Hope I pray. Amen.

The Way to Heaven

Read: Romans 3:21-28
We conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. —Romans 3:28
A poll for U.S. News & World Report asked 1,000 adults their opinion about who would likely make it into heaven. At the top of that list, to no one’s surprise, was a well-known religious figure. Several celebrities were also listed. But it was surprising to me that of the people being surveyed, 87 percent thought they themselves were likely to get into heaven.
I can’t help but wonder what qualifications for admission into heaven they had in mind. People have many erroneous ideas about what God requires.
Is it virtuous character? Giving generous contributions to deserving charities? Following an orthodox creed? Attending church and being involved in religious activities? Commendable as these qualities may be, they miss by an eternity the one thing God requires for entrance into heaven—a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (John 1:12; 1 Timothy 2:5). Although faith in Jesus will no doubt be seen in a person’s actions (James 2:14-20), charitable living or religious activity is not a substitute for trusting in Jesus’ sacrificial death for our sin.
Are you confident that you’re headed for heaven? You can be—but only if you’re trusting in Jesus.
There aren't many ways into heaven;
The Bible says there's only one:
Confessing Christ Jesus as Savior,
Believing in God's only Son. —Sper
 Jesus took our place on the cross to give us a place in heaven.
 



Verse of the Day

The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 7:9

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

God is faithful and his covenant is a covenant of love. He will not forsake us and will treat us better than we deserve just as a loving parent treats a rebellious child better than s/he deserves. But our hearts must be tuned to honor God as God, not as just a good luck charm or a weekly guest into our otherwise busy lives. What we do must be done in awareness that it is done before and for him!

MY PRAYER...

Faithful God, thank you for loving me so sacrificially and steadfastly. Thank you for the way you preserved your promises to the Israelites and brought Jesus just as you promised. I trust your promise to send him back to bring me home to you. Please receive the deeds and words of this day as my thanks to you for your covenant of love with me and those I love. Through Jesus, your gift of love, I pray. Amen.

Generosity

 

After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 1 Timothy 6:7

Their fatigue and discomfort blended with the barren landscape as the group walked through the dirt streets. Trash littered what could hardly be considered front yards. This arid area of Choluteca known as “The New City” exists in denial of its name. Unclothed children, wild dogs, and a few large pigs ran through the streets with little purpose or focus beyond survival. For the mission team members, accustomed to green grass and a ready source of  water, this view of Honduras was a stark reminder of their ultimate purpose to proclaim that Jesus gives new life found in wells that never run dry.

The suffering of others often eludes our glance because we’re caught up in the pace of everyday life. Surrounded by deadlines, family issues, and various trials, we are easily drawn into self-centered living. Our hearts aren’t hard; they’re distracted by the noisy, consuming world in which we live.

Warning against self-absorption, Paul teaches that contentment is not a circumstantial condition. Satisfaction comes only as we position ourselves to be consumed with nothing but God (Matthew 5:6). In reminding us of our temporary stay, Paul writes, “We brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it” (1 Timothy 6:7).

God doesn’t want us to live feeling guilty for the blessings and material things we’ve been given. He does challenge us, however, to live with both His justice and His mercy in view (Micah 6:8). When we “walk humbly with our God” and live toward this end, what we possess becomes a means for the advancement of His kingdom (Matthew 14:15-21).

Whether we sit in need or in abundance, we must regularly assess if our time, money, and energy are being used for what is everlasting or for what will never satisfy (Isaiah 55:1-2).

 

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him”

(2 Corinthians 2:14, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Are you facing challenges or difficulties today? Maybe something has happened that could easily discourage you and cause you to give up on your dreams. I want to remind you today that where you are is not where you are going to stay. God has a good plan in store for your future. When you stay in step with Him, you’ll walk right into victory.

Scripture tells us that God wants to take us from glory to glory, from victory to victory. Even if you are between victories right now, keep your passion. Keep your enthusiasm. Focus on the fact that God has another level for you — another level of glory, another level of increase, another level of His favor.

Today I encourage you, go out with a smile on your face. Give Him your best. When you thank God for what He has done, you are sowing a seed that He will use in your future. Keep praying, keep believing, keep hoping and stand strong because another victory is coming your way!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, right now I choose to focus my mind and heart completely on You. I choose to step out of discouragement, step out of complacency, step out of worry, and step in to Your glory. You alone are worthy, and I thank You for the victory You have in store for my future in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

In Search of a Job

 

It’s likely that several people you know have been laid off this year. Recently I learned that another good friend had lost his job. This would be bad news for anyone, but it was especially brutal for my friend because his wife’s position had been eliminated just a month before!

King David knew what it felt like to lose his position, and it resulted in true grief and sorrow (2 Samuel 15:30)—multiplied by the fact that it was his own son Absalom who had snatched his throne (v.13). We can all identify with David in his feelings of defeat and sadness. The loss of a job produces that kind of unfortunate fruit. The king even wondered if his days of reigning over God’s people was history, as he said, “If [God] is through with me, then let Him do what seems best to Him” (v.26).

David wrote Psalm 3 when he was fleeing from Absalom. If you or someone you know has lost a job, here are three positive things David found through experiencing loss that could be helpful to you as well:

Humility—A job can become a source of our identity and even a source of pride. Loss brings us to a point of humility before God and others. We recognize that it is God alone “who holds my head high” (v.3).

Dependence—Loss drives us to a place of desperation. We truly need God and His provision. We “[cry] out to the Lord” and He answers us (v.4).

Confidence—Not in ourselves, but in God. We learn a deeper level of trust in the One who is “watching over” us (v.5) and gives us “victory” (v.8), both today and forever!

You don’t have to lose everything when your job is lost. Trust in God and His provision for today.

 

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world”

(Isaiah 12:5, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

One time, I read about this medical doctor. He was in his late 80’s, but he still went to the office every day. He loved to operate. His friends and family tried to get him to retire, but he just wouldn’t do it. He had invented a procedure that he had performed over 10,000 times. He was asked in an interview if he ever got tired of doing it, if it ever got old. He said, “No. The reason why is because I act like every operation is my very first one.” He was saying, “I don’t let it become so common that I lose the awe.”

What has God done in your life? What can you be thankful for? Do you have your health? Do you have someone to love? There are miracles all around us. Don’t lose the amazement of what God has done in your own life. Don’t spend life waiting for the next “big” thing. Instead, thank God for the glorious things He’s done in your life. Thank Him for loving You. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for the miracle of life. Thank You for the air that I breathe. Thank You for every promise found in Your Word. You are good, and You have done glorious things! Let everything I do bring glory as a testimony to how great You are in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Gratitude is the Key

 

Haiti is an impoverished nation where 80 percent of its people live in great need. One child in 14  never reaches his or her first birthday; another one in five never lives to the age of 4; and voodoo is practiced across the land. Yet, in the middle of the despair, Haiti is experiencing a revival. Ramshackle churches are being filled as many are receiving Christ and being released from demonic oppression.

On a flight home from Haiti, I flipped through the catalog that I found in the seat pocket in front of me. I had just left a country where people were desperate for food, and now I was viewing pages of useless gadgets for sale: spring-loaded “gravity-defying” shoes, a luxury mattress for my dog, even a full-size 80s-style arcade game for the kids. I winced over the stark contrast. People in the developed world are buying luxury beds for their pooches while Haitian children sleep on cold cement floors, I mused. But even as church membership thins in some nations, more and more Haitian Christians are meeting God in profound ways.

On the eve of entering the Promised Land, Moses warned the Israelites that a land of abundance could be a spiritual snare. He urged them to put God first. Otherwise, as they ate well, built homes, and saw their flocks and riches multiply, they would forget Him (Deuteronomy 8:12-14). Moses’ urgings remain ever relevant to those of us living in countries where personal affluence is high. Riches and pleasures can choke our faith (Luke 8:14). The antidote? Thanking God for every blessing we receive (Deuteronomy 8:10) and developing a heart of generosity for the poor (15:7-11).

Let’s exchange consumerism for compassion—extending God’s grace with grateful hearts to those in need.

 

Verse of the Day

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

Ephesians 1:18

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

Heaven is something we see with our heart. When we are discouraged, doubtful, and depressed, we need to have the eyes of our hearts "enlightened." The dawn needs to rise in our darkness, and then we will see the dawn of hope and the riches of our inheritance. But when things look bad, the only way to remember these things is to sing them, pray them, and read God's promises of them.

MY PRAYER...

O God, you are my Hope. I trust in you and your promises. But I admit that at times, like even right now, I struggle with the confidence that you will act in response to my prayers and do what I've trusted you with my life to do. Please fill me with your Spirit, comfort my doubts, and kindle my passion so that I may serve you with boldness and share your grace with others. Through my Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

Good Investment

 

An Ethiopian farmer hid more than $12,000 in a haystack—which unfortunately was home to some hungry rodents. Just three weeks after he stashed the cash, he discovered that rats had chewed through almost one-third of his savings!

When I read about this farmer’s misfortune, I couldn’t help thinking back to Jesus’ words: “Don’t store up treasures here on earth” (Matthew 6:19). Why not? Because moths (or rats) might nibble them down to nothing. Because our wealth could become burglar bait. Basically, because anything we store up on earth is temporary.

Maybe that’s why we’re supposed to “think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:2). An eternal view helps to keep us from becoming consumed by whatever we can glom onto in this life.

So, how do we keep from letting our bank accounts get the best of us? Jesus urged us to store up treasures in heaven where decay and loss are non-events. But how?

 

We’re supposed to “be rich in good works and generous to those in need . . . . By doing this [we] will be storing up treasure as a good foundation for the future” (1 Timothy 6:18-19). It’s the tangible acts of kindness and love that provide true wealth.

If that’s not enough to satisfy our longing for everlasting affluence, we also need to invest in “a rich relationship with God” (Luke 12:21). The closer our connection with Him, the less we’ll care about the here-today-gone-tomorrow goodies of this world.

Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:21). To keep our hearts in the right place, we’ve got to stockpile treasure in heaven rather than being consumed with whatever we’ve got stored in the haystack!

Verse of the Day

Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

Never alone. What a promise. As Psalm 139 emphasizes later, Joshua hears first hand. God will go with him, and us, through all the seasons of life, through all our ups and downs, through temptations and triumphs, even through death. So we can take courage and feel his strength. We are not alone!

MY PRAYER...

O God who is and was and is to come, thank you for being there and staying there when all others forsake and leave. You are the one constant in my life, which is so full of change. Help me become more steadfast and faithful in my commitments and relationships to honor you and to learn more about you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

Our Best Defense

Read: John 9:13-2
Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see. —John 9:25 

Thrown together as seatmates for an 8-hour train ride, a retired US ambassador and I quickly clashed as he sighed when I pulled out my Bible.

I took the bait. At first, we traded one-liners aimed at goading the other or scoring points. Gradually, though, bits and pieces of our respective life stories started creeping into the discussion. Curiosity got the better of both of us and we found ourselves asking questions instead of feuding. A political science major in college and a political junkie by hobby, I was intrigued with his career, which included two prominent ambassadorships.

Strangely enough, his questions to me were about my faith. How I became “a believer” was what interested him most. The train ride ended amicably, and we even traded business cards. As he left the train, he turned to me and said, “By the way, the best part of your argument isn’t what you think Jesus can do for me. It’s what He’s done for you.”

In John 9, as on that train, God reminds us that the best story is the one we know intimately: Our own encounter with Jesus Christ. Practice telling your story of faith to loved ones and close friends so you’ll be able to tell it clearly to others.

You may be tempted to debate

To change another’s view,

But nothing speaks more powerfully

Than what Christ did in you. —Sper

People know true faith stories when they hear them.

Verse of the Day

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

No matter how we try to perceive God, he is still God and we are not. We must forever remember that the original, and still primary sin was to try to become like God in terms of knowledge and understanding. We are to know God, but we can never fully know about him. We are to take on his character, but we cannot approach his majesty. This is both exciting and frustrating. But the promise remains that one day we will be like him and see him as he is.

MY PRAYER...

Tender Shepherd, thank you for being so patient with me when I cannot fully understand and appreciate your holy and transcendent character. Thank you for sending Jesus so I can know you better and trust you to know me better than I know myself. I look forward to seeing you face to face when Jesus comes to bring me home. Until that day, please know I love you. Through Jesus I offer my thanks and praise. Amen.

Becoming Bilingual

Read: Acts 17:19-31 
In Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, “For we are also His offspring.” —Acts 17:28

Is it possible—in a society that seems increasingly indifferent to the gospel—to communicate the Good News to people who don’t share our faith?

One way to connect with people who are unfamiliar with the things of Christ is to become culturally “bilingual.” We do this by communicating in ways people can easily relate to. Knowing about and discussing music, film, sports, and television, for example, can offer just such an opportunity. If people hear us “speak their language,” without endorsing or condoning the media or events we refer to, it could open the door to sharing the timeless message of Christ.

Paul gave us an example of this in Acts 17. While visiting the Areopagus in Athens, he spoke to a thoroughly secular culture by quoting pagan Greek poets as a point of reference for the spiritual values he sought to communicate. He said, “In Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring’” (Acts 17:28). Just as Paul addressed that culture by knowing what they were reading, we may have greater impact for the gospel by relating it to people in terms they can readily embrace.

Are you trying to reach a neighbor or a co-worker with the gospel? Try becoming bilingual.

To earn your neighbor’s ear

And prove you really care,

Use terms he understands

To show you are aware. —Branon

The content of the Bible must be brought into contact with the world.

Verse of the Day

He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

Job 23:10-11

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

How we long for this to be our true confession. We are not yet gold, but long to be. We are not yet fully following his steps, but are trying. We have tried not to turn aside, but we sometimes falter. Thank God for his grace until our intentions and desires are fulfilled!

MY PRAYER...

Magnificent Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, I confess my sin and my inablitiy to follow your paths. Forgive me. I commit my life to serve you in holiness and joy. Thank you for your grace, which covers my sin, and perfect in me the character of Jesus. Through him I pray. Amen.

Finding Hope

Read: Psalm 42:1-11 
Why are you cast down, O my soul? . . . Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him. —Psalm 42:5 

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that almost 15 percent of American teenagers felt it was “highly likely” that they would die before their 35th birthday. Those with this pessimistic outlook were more likely to engage in reckless behavior. Dr. Iris Borowsky, author of the study published inPediatrics magazine, said: “These youth may take risks because they feel hopeless and figure that not much is at stake.”

No one is immune to feelings of despair. The Psalms express repeated pleas for help when life seems dark. “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (Ps. 42:5 NASB). In a defiant step of faith, the psalmist tells himself not to forget about God, who will never forsake him.

Curtis Almquist has written: “Hope is fueled by the presence of God. . . . [It] is also fueled by the future of God in our lives.” We can say with the psalmist, “I shall yet praise Him” (v.5).

No follower of Christ should feel reluctant to seek counsel for depression. Nor should we feel that faith and prayer are too simplistic to help. There is always hope in God!

My sheep I know, they are My own,

I leave them not in trials alone;

I will be with them to the end,

Their Hope, their Joy, their dearest Friend. —Anon.

Hope for the Christian is a certainty— because its basis is Christ.

Verse of the Day

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:25-26

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

What can truly fulfill and sustain us? Maybe the best way to answer that question is by asking another: What can we keep when our bodies are placed silently in their graves at death? Only our relationship with God and his people last beyond the grave. If he is what lasts, then how can we displace him for anything that doesn't?

MY PRAYER...

Mighty Yahweh, Strength of Israel, Keeper of the Covenant and Fulfillment Maker of every prophecy--you are my hope, my strength, and my future. I live this day in wide-open amazement that the Keeper of the Universe knows my name, hears my voice, and cares for me. Thank you for being my past, my present, and my future, the Great I Am. Through my Savior, I pray. Amen.

Magic Eye

Read: Hebrews 11:1-10 
[God] is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. —Hebrews 11:6 
One of my nephews brought a book of Magic Eye images to a family gathering. Magic Eye images look like ordinary two-dimensional patterns, but when viewed in a certain way, the flat surface appears three-dimensional.

We took turns trying to train our eyes to make the three-dimensional image pop out. One family member had trouble seeing the extra dimension. Several times I noticed he had the book open, looking at it from all different distances and directions. But even though he couldn’t see the hidden image, he believed it was there because others had seen it.

His persistence made me think about the importance of having the same tenacity in matters of faith. The danger for those who doubt is that they stop looking for God because they believe He can’t be found. Moses warned the Israelites that future generations would wander from God. He promised, however, that those who seek God with all their heart and soul will find Him (Deut. 4:29). The book of Hebrews confirms that God rewards those who diligently seek Him (11:6).

If you struggle to believe, remember: Just because you don’t see God doesn’t mean He doesn’t exist. He promises to be found by those who seek Him.

I searched with all my heart to know

If God was really there;

He graciously revealed Himself,

His mercy, love, and care. —Cetas

Because God is great, He will be sought; because God is good, He will be found.

Verse of the Day

God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

New International Version

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...

Power! We like that concept. When it is godly power, might does make right, because godly power is accompanied by love and self-discipline. These three together make a person's life effective. Live life to its fullest: not as a closet Christian, afraid of standing true and firm, but one who lives by God's power, shares God's love, and displays God's virtues.

MY PRAYER...

Holy God, you are without comparison in your majesty and might. I have no right to come into your presence, and yet you have invited me here by your love and your grace. You are my Rock, my Fortress, and my Strength. I depend upon your guidance and your mercy to sustain me through my storms and to reclaim me from my stumbles. Holy God, you are without comparison and I worship you. In Jesus name. Amen. 

SOUL FOOD: How To Get A New Heart

SOUL FOOD: How To Get A New Heart: Read:  Ezekiel 36:26-31   I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. — Ezekiel 36:26   A friend who is a heart transpla...

How To Get A New Heart

Read: Ezekiel 36:26-31 
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. —Ezekiel 36:26 
A friend who is a heart transplant cardiologist has an appreciation of Ezekiel 36:26 that not many of us can understand. Mike manages the pre-operation and post-operation care for heart-transplant patients. He’s often in the operating room as surgeons remove diseased, discolored hearts and replace them with vibrant, pink “new” donor hearts.

Mike explains that the process for selecting who gets a “new” physical heart is similar to who can get a “new heart” from God (Ezek. 36:26). In both cases, need alone is the criterion.

Ezekiel’s mention of the people of Israel someday getting a “new heart” is a foreshadowing of the change that takes place at salvation. Ephesians 4:24 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 refer to it as “new man” and “new creation.” For the Israelites of Ezekiel’s day and for those of us living today, only one criterion must be met for us to acquire a “transplant.” We must need it. It matters not whether we’re rich or poor, respected or scorned. Citizenship, social status, and ethnicity are inconsequential. If we need a new heart from God, we can have one through faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

What indicates that need? As sinners, all of us need a new heart. Have you had a spiritual heart transplant?

Christ asks you for nothing

Come just as you are;

Come sinful, come guilty,

Come give Him your heart. —Anon.

We need more than a new start— we need a new heart!

Verse of the Day

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18
New International Version 
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE..."Talk is cheap!" "You can tell me with your words, but I'll show it with my life." "Put your life where your mouth is." We know the slogans, now let's live love in truth. In a world where barter has replaced sacrificial and steadfast love, let's go against the grain and do the truth! 
MY PRAYER...Sacrificial Father, I confess to you that at times I am selfish. Other times my intentions are good, but my follow- through and faithfulness are lacking. Use your Spirit to empower and enable me to be what I hope to become, to your glory. May your love be seen in my actions of genuine concern today. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. 

Out Of Proportion

Read: Psalm 111

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. —Psalm 111:10

I’ll never forget the time I had my picture taken with Shaquille O’Neal, one of the giants of professional basketball. I never thought of myself as short until I stood next to his 7’1″ frame. With my head tucked under his arm, I suddenly realized that I wasn’t as tall as I thought I was, at least not when standing next to the Shaq!

The psalmist wrote, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (111:10). Fearing God requires that we get things in the proper proportion, like the fact that He is so much greater in every way than we are. “The works of the Lord are great” (v.2). They are the outworking of His love, strength, wisdom, foresight, will, and faithfulness. Fearing God means coming to grips with this truth.

But it’s easy to miss the point when we don’t stay close to God. The closer we get to Him, the more we realize how much we are lacking, and how desperately we need His far greater wisdom to direct our lives. Left to our little selves, we get everything out of sync. If we’re honest, we have to admit that our limited perspective is often wrong and sometimes can be destructive.

Wise people realize how little they know and how much they need the great wisdom of God.

Great works, Jehovah, You have wrought,Exceeding deep Your every thought;A foolish man knows not their worth,Nor he whose mind is of the earth.  —Psalter

The wise will recognize their limitations and God’s unlimited power.

by Joe Stowell

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth”

(Psalm 105:5, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Anything can become routine if we let it. Anything can feel mundane after a while.

Not long ago, I was talking to a professional baseball player. He has been in the big leagues about fifteen years. His life seems so exciting, far from routine, far from ordinary. He said, “No, Joel, it’s not what you think. We travel all the time. We’re always on the road, in hotels, eating out and away from our family.”

The truth is that I’m sure he was excited about it all when he first started. There are probably things in your life that you were once excited about. When God opened the door and gave you that new job, that promotion, you were so excited. You called your friends. You knew it was God’s favor. Well, don’t let the passion wear off just because you’ve had it five years! When you met that person and fell in love you were on cloud nine. You knew it was God’s goodness. Don’t take it for granted. Remember what God has done! Stir up the joy in your heart. Stir up praise. Thank Him for His faithfulness and let your attitude of gratitude pave the way to live the life of blessing He has for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, right now I take time to remember and acknowledge Your goodness in my life. I praise You because You are good. Thank You for loving me, thank You for setting me free. Thank You for pouring out Your blessings on me and leading me into everlasting life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Anti-Aging Power

Read: Isaiah 40:25–41:1

Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. —Isaiah 40:31

Americans spend more than $20 billion annually on various anti-aging products that claim to cure baldness, remove wrinkles, build muscle, and renew the powers of youth. Can those products deliver what they promise? Dr. Thomas Perls of Boston University School of Medicine says there is “absolutely no scientific proof that any commercially available product will stop or reverse aging.”

But there is a promise of spiritual vitality that defies the ravages of time. “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:30-31).

Isaiah used the eagle as a symbol of freedom and endurance, held aloft by a source of power outside itself. As we put our hope and trust in the Lord, we are carried along by His strength and not our own. The psalmist said it is the Lord who nourishes us so that our “youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps. 103:5).

Are we taking advantage of God’s anti-aging power? It’s promised to all who put their trust in Him for strength of heart, vigor of spirit, and energy of soul.

The ravages of time cannot be stopped; Yes, outwardly we perish every day; But inner strength of heart can be renewed By trusting in the Lord to light our way. —Sper

Growing old is a blessing when you’re growing closer to God.

by David C. McCasland

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The thief comes only to steal and Kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”

(John 10:10, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

A couple of years ago, I was watching the news when Captain Sullenberger successfully landed a jet airplane in the Hudson River. All 155 passengers survived. It’s known as “The Miracle on the Hudson.” A reporter asked one passenger what he thought about it all. He was soaking wet, freezing cold, a little bit frazzled, but he had this incredible glow about him, an excitement in his voice. I’ll never forget what he told the reporter, “I was alive before, but now I’m really alive.”

My question today is, “Are you really alive?” Are you passionate about the life God has given you? Do you get up every morning with enthusiasm, pursuing your dreams? God doesn’t want you to just “be alive” or just exist or endure. He wants you to be really alive! You have seeds of greatness on the inside. There is something more for you to accomplish. Get excited about what God is doing! Lift up your eyes of faith to Him. Keep hoping, keep believing, keep trusting and keep living because God has a wonderful plan in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for making me alive in Christ! I declare that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and because He died for me, I can live the abundant life here on earth. Help me stay focused on You this day and live with the enthusiasm that comes from knowing You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen
source:
http://beauty-healthcare.blogspot.com/2012/01/anti-aging-skin-treatment-anti-aging.html
http://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/Index.aspx
http://odb.org/

The Power In Meekness

Read: Exodus 2:11-15; 3:7-12

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength. —Isaiah 30:15

Niagara Falls is one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen. The roar of 6 million cubic feet of water each minute makes it the most powerful waterfall in North America. Few people, however, know that more than 50 percent of the river’s water is diverted before it reaches those falls via four huge tunnels. This water passes through hydroelectric turbines that supply power to nearby areas in the US and Canada before returning to the river well past the Falls.

Some would love to have others think of their lives like Niagara Falls— wild, spectacular, and loud. But power without control dissipates into useless energy. Moses thought he could use his royal power to bring about deliverance for God’s people from slavery. He misused his power by killing an Egyptian, which only dissipated his power because he lost the respect of his own people (Ex. 2:11-15). God had to teach him meekness (Num. 12:3).

The meek prosper because they are the ones who have power under control. Our Lord said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). You may be trying to live in this world by your own power. Let God teach you meekness so that you can live in, and depend on, His strength.

We strive to do the will of GodAnd struggle to succeed;But we may fail to recognizeGod’s strength is what we need. —D. De Haan

Nothing is stronger than strength under God’s control.

by C. P. Hia

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace...”

(Isaiah 55:12, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek word “entheos.” “Theos” is God. When you’re enthusiastic, it simply means you are full of God. When you get up in the morning excited about your future, recognizing that day is a gift and go out with a spring in your step, pursuing your goals and passionate about life, then God will breathe in your direction. Studies even tell us that people who are enthusiastic get better breaks. They’re promoted more often. That’s not a coincidence. When you’re full of passion, you have the favor of God.

Remember, God didn’t breathe His life into us to drag through the day. He didn’t create us in His image, crown us with His favor, and equip us with His power to just go through the motions of life. You may have had some setbacks, the wind may have been taken out of your sail, but this is a new day! God wants to breathe new life back into you. If you’ll get your fire back, get your passion back, the wind will start blowing once again. When you’re in agreement with God, He can cause the winds of favor to shift in your direction!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for another sunrise, another day, another opportunity to praise You and pursue the dreams You’ve given me. Help me to stay filled with Your joy which is strength so I can serve You with my whole heart in everything that I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Perspective

Read: Isaiah 40:12-13,25-31

He . . . sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. —Isaiah 40:22

Question: When is a bird bigger than a mountain? Answer: When the bird is closer than the mountain.

In reality, the bird is not bigger than the mountain, but it sure looks that way when the feathery fellow is perched on my window ledge and the mountain is far away in the distance.

Sometimes we perceive God this way in relationship to our problems. The troubles facing us seem huge because they are so close—like a big black bird with beady eyes and a sharp beak waiting for a smaller animal’s weariness to turn into helplessness so it can devour it. At such times, God seems as far away as a distant mountain, and we perceive Him as being small and unreachable.

The prophet Isaiah changes our perspective by asking these rhetorical questions: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” (40:12). The Lord “gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength” (v.29).

Just as a bird is never bigger than a mountain, no problem is ever bigger than God. It’s all a matter of changing our perspective.

The problems that we face each dayCan seem too much to bearUntil we turn our eyes to ChristAnd trust His tender care. —Sper

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

 by Julie Ackerman Link

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up”

(Galatians 6:9, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

I read that back in the 1800’s some explorers were going across a huge desert and didn’t bring enough water. They started digging at different spots underneath the surface about a foot or two trying to find water. They ended up losing their lives in the desert because of a lack of water. Many years later, it was discovered that there was water right there where they had lost their lives about three feet underground. If they would have just dug down a little bit further, they would have found the water and saved their lives.

The same principle is true when you’re in a dry season and not getting any good breaks, business is slow, or you’re struggling in a relationship. It’s easy to think, “This is never going to change. I’m never going to see my dreams come to pass.” No, just like those early explorers, water is there. Provision is there. You just have to dig down a little bit deeper. If you will shake off the self-pity, shake off what didn’t work out, shake off the complacency and turn up your praise, you’ll soon tap in to the blessing and provision He has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for Your provision and blessing in my life. I know that You are making a way even when I don’t see a way. Help me to stand strong in You so that I may see the harvest of blessing You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen