Our Book of Life

“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:6 (NIV)

I am a people watcher! Wherever traveling to Mexico, British Columbia, New York City, or within my own little town, I am intrigued by the people around me.

Each human life has a story whose pages I may never read. I see an elderly man walking down the street gripping his walker, a young mom at the park with a quiver full of children, the tattooed orange-haired teen at the street corner, and the executive driving his fancy car. Many times I find myself asking God to take care of them.

What’s important and reassuring is that God knows exactly their book of life. He has placed all of us on earth for a reason and a purpose. Whether climbing the corporate ladder, raising a family, struggling in a marriage, or lonely and looking for love, God is reaching out to help. It was projected that in July 2015 there would be an estimated 7.325 billion people inhabiting earth.

Sometimes it might seem like God isn’t interested in us. Not so! God knows the hairs on our head (Luke 12:7), and knows the issues we face each day (Psalm 139:2). He designed our unique personalities, and sees our dreams and goals.

As you sit reading these words, know that God is waiting to help write your story…and what a story that will be!

God in Heaven, thank You that You love to help us write our story.  In Your world of over 7 billion people, thank You that You know the number of hairs on our head, and are waiting to help us write our story. We are asking for Your help and Your wisdom as we put one foot in front of the other.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let God take your life and make something beautiful. What specific issues can you ask God to help you with this week? Write a prayer list and goals asking God to help you write your story.

By Linda McCutcheon

Power Over Nations

“To everyone who overcomes – who to the very end keeps on doing things that please Me – I will give power over the nations. You will rule them with a rod of iron just as My Father gave Me the authority to rule them; they will be shattered like a pot of clay that is broken into tiny pieces. And I will give you the Morning Star!” (Revelation 2:26-28).

I marvel at the numerous promises made to the overcomer, the one “who to the very end keeps on doing things that please Me.” Now we are even promised power over the nations, as we rule and reign with our heavenly Father in that coming day.

As I ponder this verse, I see in a very few words the key to the entire Christian life – the one thing alone that will keep us victorious today, tomorrow, and throughout our lives. Again, it is that significant clause: “who to the very end keeps on doing things that please Me.”

Lest you think that is an over simplification of the victorious Christian life, can you think of anything else God requires of us? And He even provides His Holy Spirit as an indwelling reminder of the daily victory He makes possible. This is the supernatural life. Earlier, we are told of a conquering Christ who will rule the nations of the earth with a rod of iron. This promise tells us that Christ will turn this power over to the conqueror – the overcomer – and his victorious companions in death.

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Bible Reading: Psalm 2:1-12

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TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will trust the Lord to make being an overcomer a reality for me as a way of life – by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Rich in Poverty, Strong in Weakness

Isaiah 51:5

In seasons of severe trial the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust, and so he is compelled to cast himself on God alone. When his vessel is capsizing, and no human deliverance is at hand, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God. Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone! Sometimes the multitude of our friends keeps us from God; but when a man is so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he runs into his Father’s arms, and is blessed to be there! When he is burdened with troubles so pressing and so specific that he cannot tell them to anyone but God, he may be thankful for them; for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time.

Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives you to your Father! Now that you have only God to trust, make sure that you put your complete confidence in Him. Do not dishonor your Lord and Master by unworthy doubts and fears; but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that your God is worth ten thousand worlds to you. Show rich men how rich you are in your poverty when the Lord God is your helper. Show the strong man how strong you are in your weakness when underneath you are the everlasting arms. Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord your God will certainly, as surely as He built the heavens and the earth, glorify Himself in your weakness and magnify His might in the face of your distress. The grandeur of heaven’s arches would be spoiled if the sky were supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible by the physical eye. May the Holy Spirit enable you to rest in Jesus on this closing day of the month.

Family Bible reading plan

• 1 Samuel 24
• 1 Corinthians 5

Words of Hope

“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (NIV)

Encourage those who are struggling. Don’t know what to say?
Then open your Bible.

To the grief stricken: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Hebrew 13:5 (NIV).

To the guilt ridden:  “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Romans 8:1(NIV).

To the jobless: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.”
Romans 8:28 (NIV).

To those who feel beyond God’s grace: “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16 (NIV).

Your Bible is a basket of blessings. Won’t you share one?

By Max Lucado

 

Protection From Accidents

“The good man does not escape all troubles – he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one. God even protects him from accidents” (Psalm 34:19,20).

Jerry was a new Christian and for the first time was hearing about the importance of the Spirit-filled life. His was a logical question, put to me following one of my lectures on a large university campus.

“Does the Spirit-filled Christian have problems, testings, temptations like the non-believer and the disobedient Christian?” he asked.

“No,” I replied, “the Spirit-filled Christian does not have the same kind of problems that the non-believer and the carnal Christian have, because most of the problems we experience in life are self-imposed. The Spirit-filled person is one who seeks to do the will of God and lives by faith drawing upon the supernatural resources of God the Holy Spirit for every attitude, motive and desire of his life.”

There may be many problems, such as loss of loved ones, financial reverses, illness and disappointments. The Spirit- filled Christian does not escape all troubles. But the Lord is always there with him, undergirding, helping, inspiring, motivating, encouraging, imparting to him wisdom – physical, mental and spiritual resources. Even when tragedy, heartache, sorrow and disappointment come, the Spirit-filled person knows that God is still in control.

Therefore, by faith and obedience to the command of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, he can say, “In all things I give thanks.”

We can know that God helps us in each and every trouble and that He even protects us from accidents.

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Bible Reading: Psalm 35:1-9

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TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Today I will look for opportunities to remind myself and my friends that our loving God and Father is working in and through every problem we face each day, so that we might mature and become more like our Lord Jesus Christ.

Patience in Affliction

Psalms 27:14

It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures that a Christian soldier cannot learn without years of teaching. Marching and quick-marching are much easier for God’s warriors than standing still. There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desiring to serve the Lord, does not know what role to play. Then what shall it do? Vex itself by despair? Retreat back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption? No, simply wait. Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God, and spread the matter before Him; tell Him your difficulty, and plead His promise of help.

In dilemmas between one duty and another, it is best to be humble as a child and wait with simplicity of soul upon the Lord. It is sure to be well with us when we feel and know our own folly and are genuinely willing to be guided by the will of God. But wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in Him; for unfaithful, untrusting waiting is just an insult to the Lord. Believe that if He keeps you waiting even until midnight, He will still come at the right time; the vision will come and not delay. Wait in quiet patience, not rebelling because things are difficult, but blessing your God for the privilege of affliction.

Never grumble against the second cause, as the children of Israel did against Moses; never wish you could go back to the world again, but accept the circumstance as it is, and put it as it stands, simply and with your whole heart, without any selfish agenda, into the hand of your covenant God, saying, “Now, Lord, not my will, but Yours be done. I do not know what to do. I am at an end of myself, but I will wait until You part the floods or drive back my enemies. I will wait, even if You test me for a while, for my heart is fixed upon You alone, O God, and my spirit waits for You in the deep conviction that You will still be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower.”

 

Family Bible reading plan

• 1 Samuel 23
• 1 Corinthians 4

The Power of Encouragement

“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.”  Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)

We live in a world that has become filled with mayhem.  Every side we turn there is a school shooting, a kidnapping, a family on the brink of falling apart or even a suicide as we have witnessed recently.

In the midst of all these challenges we have a tendency to become so consumed with our own lives and fail to see those crying out for help right around us.  That is why it is essential for us, as the children of God to hear the voice of our Father.

Every day we should position ourselves to hear what He desires to share with those around us. I love this scripture found in Isaiah 50:4; it reads, “The Almighty Lord will teach me what to say, so I will know how to encourage weary people. Morning after morning he will wake me   to listen like a student.” (GW)  We must become sensitive to His Holy Spirit.

Too many people are walking around not knowing what to do or where to turn and we hold the answers within us.  No, our lives may not be perfect, but we do serve a perfect God. He knows the plans and the purposes He has set for us. Along the course of our journey we should be willing to make ourselves available when He needs to interrupt our plans.  The challenge we are in right now, may hold the key to someone’s victory. That is, if we would take the time to stop murmuring and complaining and learn the lessons.

The Lord would often send others to help encourage and strengthen our hearts in hopes that we would begin to do the same for those that cross our path. Take the time today and pay close attention to that still small voice within.  Begin to share a smile, a hug, or just a few kind words with a stranger or a friend and watch their life blossom. You never know whose live you may be saving. That is the power of encouragement.

Nothing in our lives is wasted. Everything that we have encountered has purpose.  It helps to remember that we were not created to serve ourselves but to serve those around us. You are the answer to someone else’s dilemma.You are their miracle.

By Mary Pinckney

 

No Abuse Tolerated

“So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19, KJV).

A prominent secular columnist and a businessman were united in their efforts to destroy a well-known godly Christian leader. It seemed that they would stoop to whatever mischief was necessary to accomplish their goal: Discredit this man of God.

One day they were warned of the danger of attacking God’s anointed. They were shown that they were not simply attacking an individual, but they were actually tempting God, because this man was His servant and it was God’s responsibility to take care of him. The warning was given in these words, “If I were you, I’d be petrified with fear because you are not attacking a man, but a servant of God. I’d be afraid of what God would do to me to punish me if I were guilty of doing what you are doing.”

They laughed at such a warning, but only a few hours later one of them was killed in a tragic accident. The other was very sobered by this dramatic demonstration of how God protects His own.

I agree with the man who gave the warning. In fact, I would hate to be a critic or an enemy, not just of a godly Christian leader, but of any child of God who seeks to live a holy life because that individual can be assured that God will fight for Him. Whenever a person who desires to please the Lord with all of his attitudes and actions and desires and motives is attacked, the Spirit of the Lord will raise up a standard against the adversary.

If you are a man or woman of God, I would be scared to death to criticize you, or to find fault with you, or to attack you in any way. All who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ have been purchased with His own precious blood, and he will not tolerate the abuse of His blood-purchased followers.

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Bible Reading: Isaiah 59:16-21

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TODAY’S ACTION POINT: With God’s help, I will guard my tongue, my attitudes and actions concerning other believers, following the admonition, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). I will seek to love all men as an expression of the supernatural life-style.

Mercy for the Believer

Psalms 51:1

When one of God’s choice servants, William Carey, was suffering from a dangerous illness, the inquiry was made, “If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you select as the text for your funeral sermon?” He replied, “Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said about him; but if a funeral sermon must be preached, let it be from the words, ‘Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.'” In the same spirit of humility he directed in his will that the following inscription and nothing more should be cut on his gravestone:

WILLIAM CAREY, BORN AUGUST 17th, 1761:
DIED-
“A wretched, poor, and helpless worm
On Your kind arms I fall.”

Only on the footing of free grace can the most experienced and most honored of the saints approach their God. The best of men are conscious above all others that they are men at best. Empty boats float high, but heavily laden vessels are low in the water; mere professors can boast, but true children of God cry for mercy upon their unprofitableness. We need the Lord to have mercy upon our good works, our prayers, our preaching, our offerings, and our living sacrifices. The blood was not only sprinkled on the doorposts of Israel’s houses, but upon the sanctuary, the mercy-seat, and the altar, because as sin intrudes upon our holiest things, the blood of Jesus is needed to purify them from defilement. If mercy is needed to be exercised toward our duties, what will be said of our sins? How sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be gracious to us, restore our backslidings, and make our broken bones rejoice!

 

Family Bible reading plan

• 1 Samuel 21 , 22
• 1 Corinthians 3

Three Things Fear Does to Relationships

“For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (TLB)

If you want to connect with someone, you’ve got to be willing to take the first step. This often takes courage. Why? Because it’s fear that disconnects human beings. When we’re full of fear and anxiety, we don’t get close to each other. In fact, we back off. We’re afraid of being rejected, manipulated, vulnerable, hurt, used. All of these fears cause us to be disconnected in life.

This fear is as old as mankind. When Adam and Eve sinned and God came looking for Adam, Adam said, “I was afraid, and I hid.” People have been doing that ever since. We’re afraid, so we hide. We hide our true selves. We don’t let people know what we’re really like, because if we do and they don’t like us, we face rejection. And so we pretend.

Fear does three terrible things to relationships:

1.    Fear makes us defensive. When people point out weaknesses, we retaliate and defend ourselves.

2.    Fear keeps us distant. We don’t let people get close to us. We withdraw. We hide our emotions.

3.    Fear makes us demanding. The more insecure we are, the more we try to control things. We try to have the last word in a relationship. We try to dominate.

So where do you get the courage to take the first step to connect with someone and go into a deeper level of intimacy?

You get it from God’s Spirit in your life. The Bible says, “For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them” (2 Timothy 1:7 TLB).

How do you know when you’re filled with God’s Spirit? You’re more courageous in your relationships. You love people. You enjoy being with them. You’re not afraid of them, because God’s Spirit is in your life. The Bible says “God is love” and “Love casts out all fear.” The more of God you have in your life, the less fear you’re going to have in your life.

By Rick Warren