Empowered by Love

Pressures from work can weigh on your soul in the middle of the night like a wet blanket. Has your work become dreary? Is it taking you twice as long to do things than it used to? Has the striving to get somewhere become too much?

One dark, stormy night, the twelve apostles were together in the same boat. There they were, out on the sea of Galilee trying to get to Capernaum, but Jesus was not with them. They were left to struggle with the storms of nature on their own, and quite frankly, they were not getting very far.

Suddenly an amazing thing happened: "...they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they willingly received Him into the boat... and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going" (John 6:19-21, NKJV).

Step Into the Light

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)

As long as you live by the Word of God, you never have to be in the dark again. You never have to remain in confusion about which path to take. You never have to grope blindly along, struggling to find your own way.

Isn't that great? Isn't it exciting to know that the Word of God will give you all the light you need every day of your life if you'll allow it to?

Build your faith in that Word and renew your commitment to it as you make this confession today:

"Father, in the Name of Jesus, I commit myself to walk in Your Word. I recognize that Your Word is integrity itself-- steadfast, sure, eternal--and I trust my life to its provisions.

Recognizing The Voice of God

Written by Guy Saffold

When the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives He speaks to us. But does that mean that every thought that runs through our heads is from God? Sometimes God asks us to do some pretty unusual things and we are to obey, but other times we may be hearing the voice of God’s enemy who wants to lead us away from God’s path. How do you know when a prompting is from God and when it’s Satan whispering lies?

It is very important to recognize that Satan does come whispering. We all have an inner world and Scripture makes it clear that Satan has at least some capacity to influence our inner conversation. Matt 4:1-10, Acts 5:3, 1Thess 2:18 all point to this. We also know from Matt 16:23 that Satan can tempt us to act on his behalf. These “whispers” of the enemy can be very subtle in the way they come to us. He can even present himself as a godly presence disguising his lies as the voice of truth.

Jesus Loves Losers...And You!

• Dr. Julie Barrier
  

Dejected, defeated, despised. At one time in your life, you may have felt this way. Perhaps you struck out on the baseball field. Skinny blondes called you fatty. No matter how hard you studied, you just couldn’t pass algebra.

Jesus never saw anyone as a lost cause. Jesus loved losers. The rag-tag riff-raff trailing behind Jesus would not appear on anyone’s “Who’s Who” list. Peter never ran a Fortune 500 company. He was a bumbling, strong-willed, blue-collar fisherman. But Jesus saw greatness in Peter. In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gave simple Peter the most important job in the world. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Wow. Heady stuff. A key was a badge of authority. Peter gave the keys Christ gave him to open the door to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), to the Samaritans after the preaching of Philip (Acts 8:14-17) and to the Gentiles after the Lord had sent him a vision and an appeal from Cornelius (Acts 10). Two of Peter’s New Testament letters still guide the Christian Church today. The Gospel of Mark was probably a compilation of Peter’s sermons about Christ. What a legacy from a “loser!”

My Own Experience With the Point of No Return

by Rick Renner

Editor’s Note: The following article is an excerpt from Rick Renner’s newly reedited book The Point of No Return, which will be available in May. For a limited time, you can preorder this beautiful hardback edition at the discounted price of $15.00 (normally $25.00). 

Many years ago when Denise and I were newly married, we were pastoring a very small church in Arkansas when God spoke to me and said that it was time for us to move into the next phase of His plan for our lives. I remember how I felt when I told Denise that we were resigning from our church, without any knowledge of where we were supposed to go or what we were supposed to do. Some of our family members ― and, at times, even Denise and I ― thought we had lost our minds for undertaking such a huge leap of faith.

Our church was small, and our income was very low. Nevertheless, we did have a house (albeit a very old one) and friends who lived around us. Stepping out in faith to resign from that church was a monumental undertaking for us, but we knew God was changing the course of our lives to move us forward in His perfect plan.

As I stood in front of our little congregation and told them we were resigning, my stomach churned. I realized that once our announcement was made, there was no turning back. This was the point of no return in our lives.

Jesus... But Not As We've Known Him

by Lynette Woods



"Since you don't know who I am, you don't know who My Father is. If you knew Me, you would also know My Father." (John 8:19)

One of the first things we learn as we begin to know Christ is that we have to unlearn many things. This includes things we have believed about who Jesus is.

In 2003 I wrote the article "Building... But Not As We've Known It" where I looked into the common belief that Jesus was a carpenter and discovered that instead He was a builder who worked with stone. A book I read recently, "The Jesus Discovery" by Dr Adam Bradford, affirmed this and reveals even more misconceptions that can result from our Western mindsets.

The author says that the accounts of Jesus' life (by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) were proving to the people of the day that Jesus was truly the Son of God - they already knew who Jesus was as a man. We, on the other hand, are in the opposite position: we know Jesus as the Son of God, but have largely lost sight of Jesus as the Son of Man....

A Time to Throw Away

Written by John Grant

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12: 1-4

While looking for something I had carefully put away so that it wouldn’t get lost, I realized that I forgot where I had put it. As I went through drawers and closets, unopened in no telling how long, I was amazed at what I found, most of it filled with the unwanted and unneeded, some of it even unopened, I came to the conclusion that we were just “over stuffed” with needless stuff everywhere.

Be Separate

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." (2 Corinthians 6:17)
We're surrounded by a world which is ruled for the most part by Satan. How can we avoid getting caught up in it? How can we stand apart?

You'll find the answer in John 17:17. There Jesus was speaking to the Father about all those who would believe on Him. "Sanctify them through thy truth," He said. "Thy word is truth." Sanctify means "to separate unto." So Jesus was saying, "Separate them by the Word." The Word separates!

Hear Him!

by Lynette Woods

Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation. For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything kept secret except in order that it may be made known. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 4:22,23.

One thing about us humans which is very "natural" and yet of very real concern is our propensity to give our attention and our time to humans instead of, or as a substitute for, Jesus Christ Himself. This is an age-old temptation for us. We just naturally prefer to listen to and worship someone we can see here and now rather than "hearing" and "seeing" the Unseen Invisible One for ourselves.

A Breathing Lesson

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But despite Jesus' instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. — Luke 5:15-16

Our society wants us to spend every waking second of our lives doing something. As a result, the pace of life can become quite daunting. There are clients to meet, deadlines to make, calls to return. We run at 10,000 RPM for the entire day, then make our way home and have to deal with cooking dinner, washing laundry, and getting the kids to bed.

We must learn to slow down in life. Racecars cannot be repaired while on the track, so why do we think we can "be still, and know" God (Psa. 46:10) when we cannot find the time to take a lunch break?

But there is a way to slow down when we're running full throttle all day and night. It's called margin. Put another way, it could be considered a reserve or simply breathing room. Jesus thought it was important enough that he made it a routine part of his life on earth--he recognized his earthly limits and took time to get recharged.

Served by God

For the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. —Mark 10:45

Jesus came not to be served but to serve. Like the father waiting for his prodigal son to come home, the Father waited for an eternity for us to come home, back into His arms. After waiting and waiting, God could wait no more. Love seeks out that which is loved. Before we could ever turn back toward home, He came to us through His Son, Jesus. He gave us everything we asked for and more. Before we asked, He died for us, offering us His eternal gift of love—everlasting life. He wants us to live forever so that He can love us forever! Like the prodigal son, we may run to the Father, fall at His feet, and beg to serve Him. He always refuses. Instead, He picks us up, bathes us with His tears, clothes us with a white robe of righteousness washed in the blood of Jesus, puts the ring of power and authority on our finger, and ushers us into a feast fit for the King.

The End of the Lord

by Mac Hammond 

The book of Job is the most concentrated example of suffering we have in the entire Bible, yet to the frustration of many theologians, the “whys” of his suffering are never really answered.

Perhaps it is because God wants us to learn from something else. James 5:11 says:

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. (KJV)

God uses the story of Job to tell us that it doesn’t matter what you’re going through or the nature of the challenges you are facing; the principles are the same for all adversity. What matters is that you understand how to be patient like Job—you could also say his endurance—and something called the “end of the Lord.”

Faith Comes to the Rescue

PEGGY HAWKINS

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The last few weeks at my house have been a challenge. My youngest daughter ended up in the hospital, for what we thought would be a day or two—but it turned into five days and surgery. While she was in the hospital her little guy got the flu and ran an almost constant temperature for two days. The doctor had said he would be pretty sick for a couple of days, but then he would get better. He didn’t. 

We took him back to the doctor (mommy was still in the hospital) and he had a terrible ear infection and had to start antibiotics. Mommy got out of the hospital and the air conditioning decided it didn’t want to cool the house.

The dog ran away—pushing through the electric fence—and got picked up by the county. We had to bail him out of doggie jail, and then the animal control police showed up to give him a ticket for being “unrestrained.”

Are You Drifting or in a Storm?

 Sharon

(Beginning August 1, the content of my blog will be completely different from the Girlfriends in God devotions. So if you are not signed up for my blog at www.sharonjaynes.com, please do it today…and invite all your friends. We’re going to have more give-a-ways, more personal interaction, and more inspiration than ever before! Now, on to today’s story!) 

“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it,” (Hebrews 2:1 NASB).

It was supposed to be a sailing adventure for Pastor Loran and his youth group at Central Church. His friend procured three sailing vessels that resembled the Nina, Piñta, and the Santa Maria. I’m not sure how much they looked like the ships that came across the Atlantic with the Columbus, but they seemed just about as old.

When they left the dock, the sky was blue, the wind was brisk, and the teenagers were ready to forge the sea. However, by nightfall, a threatening gale blew in and the rolling waves grew to fifteen foot walls of water, tossing the tiny boats like toys in a toddlers tub.

“Loran,” the captain said, “This storm could mean big trouble for us. You’re going to have to stay up all night and hold the wheel steady to keep the boat on course.”

So all-night, Loran fought the storm. He kept alert. He prayed to the One who calms the seas and kept his eyes on the sailboats in front of him – one of which held two of his most prized possessions, his daughters. Hundreds of times, the boat shot straight into the air and then dashed into the inky water. But Loran held fast. It was a battle he was determined to win.

In the wee hours of the morning, the wind and rains came to a halt. The storm had passed and once again the boats cut a smooth path across the glassy sea. Everyone was exhausted from the rollicking of the night before, so the team decided to look for a lagoon to drop anchor and rest. One was found, and the three sailing vessels stopped for a few hours of rest and relaxation in the safety of the cove.

Loran jumped in the cool crystal blue water and suddenly realized how tired he was from the struggle of the night before. He turned over on his back, closed his burning eyes, and began to float. Slowly the knots in his neck and back began to unwind and tension escaped from his aching muscles. The noises of the teens playing in the water were soon muffled and the only sound he heard was water splashing against his skin and the occasional call of a sea gull. He was so relaxed he almost drifted off to sleep as his body drifted out to sea.

After some time, Loran looked up and noticed that he had drifted a great distance away from the rest of his party. They were playing happily in the water and had no idea Loran was gone.

“OK, Lord. Help me get back,” he prayed.

Loran swam and swam, fighting the water with all his might, but the receding tide was stronger that he was. After what seemed like a lifetime, Loran was still a mile or so from his friends and family.

“Help!” he cried. But no one heard his distant cry.

“Oh God! Don’t let me die now.”

Somehow, Loran finally made it back to the boat alive. As he lay panting on the deck, he realized a great truth.

Over the past twenty-four hours, he had been in great danger two times – once battling the storm and the other drifting out to sea. But of the two, he was in more danger when he was carelessly drifting along than he was when he was alert and standing fast.

Paul tells us in Hebrews 2:1 “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

Carelessly drifting can be a dangerous business, but storms keep us alert and ready at the helm. We need to stay alert to the enemy’s tactics in the storm-times and the calm-times, and be careful not to drift along a current that takes us away from the course of life God has planned. So join me in paying attention today!

Let’s Pray

Dear Father, help me to always be alert. I know that the devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for those who are aimlessly drifting through life. He sneaks in when we least expect it. Help me never to get too comfortable with my life that I drift aimless along, but rather keep me alert to the changing winds and tides – holding fast to You in the storms of life and in the calm seasons as well. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What Do You Think?

Can you think of a time when you were caught off guard by a temptation or by the devil?

What do you think could have made the difference in your ability to see the temptation coming?

How would you describe your spiritual life at the time…alert and on course or drifting?

If this post encouraged you to pay attention during both the calm and chaos, click over to my blog and say, “I’m on guard!”

Want More?

Spiritual Warfare is very real. If you would like to learn more about how to take every thought captive and recognize the enemy before he strikes, check out my book, I’m Not Good Enough…and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves. In it you’ll learn how to recognize Satan’s lies, reject the lies, and replace the lies with truth.

http://sharonjaynes.com/are-you-drifting-or-in-a-storm/?utm_source=Sharon+Jaynes+-+Blog+Posts&utm_campaign=ba0b87e4f0-

God, Where Are You?

“In all their distress he too was distressed,” (Isaiah 63:9 NIV).

When bad things happen we may never understand the why. God tells us, ‘’For 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).

Dr. James Dobson said: “Trying to analyze His [God’s] omnipotence is like an amoeba attempting to comprehend the behavior of man.”  It’s simply not possible. But there is one thing we can be sure of. “All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful,” (Psalm 25:10) whether we understand them or not.

When we encounter difficulties, it is easy to jump to conclusions. We may think God is mad at us or He is punishing us. We wonder if God is not blessing us because we’ve disappointed Him in some way.

But all through the Bible we see that some of God’s closest friends experienced the darkest nights.

Hearing God in Daily Life

"And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'... "
(Isaiah 30:21 AMP)

A few month's ago, we talked about whether or not we can really know God's will for our lives. Well, I want to share a special testimony with you today about just that. 

Now, I sometimes hesitate to share personal testimonies because some people mistake them them for boasting.  But, if we never hear testimonies of real life Christians living for God in the 21st century, how will we learn practical ways to live out God's Word in our own lives? 

Is God Still Talking?

Dr. Charles Stanley

How can we hear God’s voice speaking into our lives? Take our online lesson to learn about listening to God

“Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me! “Let there be no strange god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. “I, the LORD, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. “But My people did not listen to My voice, And Israel did not obey Me. “So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in their own devices. “Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! “I would quickly subdue their enemies And turn My hand against their adversaries. “Those who hate the LORD would pretend obedience to Him, And their time of punishment would be forever. “But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” (Psalm 81:8-16)

Children have selective hearing, the ability to tune out an adult’s voice whenever they want. Either they are absorbed in their own activities and do not want to be disturbed, or they do not like what they are hearing so they ignore the voice. The adult is speaking, but you would never know it by the child’s response. At times we behave the same way toward our heavenly Father, don’t we?

God Will Take Care of Us

by Sheila Walsh

Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." -Matthew 4:10

When Satan tempted Jesus to jump off the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem to prove that Jesus was the Son of God, Satan played on the human fear of feeling insignificant.

Do you ever feel like a nobody? Do you wonder if anyone sees all that you do or if anyone cares? Do you ever fear your voice will simply never be heard? Our culture and, at times, our churches seem more impressed with charisma than character. We make heroes out of very flawed people and then wonder why they come crashing to the ground.

God is Faithful

Helen Grace Lescheid

Take today’s next step: Feeling harried? Take a deep breath and read.

“Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22 – 23)

King David, who frequently found himself in deep trouble, wrote about God’s faithfulness often–sometimes from a cave. He fled to the wilderness trying to escape the jealous fury of King Saul. I can see him at the end of another harried day, sitting by a dying campfire writing on a tablet. His ragamuffin group of men had found a place to lie down and sleep. But David couldn’t sleep. With his reputation ruined and his life in danger, David poured out his heart to God in another psalm. Often he would conclude his writing with a joyful declaration of God’s faithfulness.

Don't Miss Out On God's Best

Memory Verse of the Day 
"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) 

It is no secret nowadays that times are tough and between work and family responsibilities, it can be very difficult to live a satisfying and fulfilling life. 

The popular method these days is to enter survival mode, to spend each day of your life trying to survive and get by instead of enjoying the time on Earth given to you by God. 

But that is no way to live a life. Take my word for it when I say that you are missing out on God's best! 

From Anger to Grace

Darren Hewer

You can connect with an online mentor to discuss spiritual issues and deepen your relationship with God anytime …just contact us.

Please open your Bible and read Mark 3:1-6.

Ever been cut off in traffic? Had someone cut in front of you in line? Gotten a bad haircut? If so, you may have felt angry.

Jesus got angry too, but He only got angry about important stuff. His anger was righteous anger and directed against those whose minds were so jaded and hearts so hard that they would rather follow their own laws and let a man suffer than see him healed!

Our own anger usually isn’t so honorable. We often get angry about frivolous things while not getting angry about stuff that really matters. However, Jesus’ response to the Pharisees gives us a helpful principle that we can apply in our own lives to respond better any time we’re angry: Turn anger into grace.

Surrender To God, Experience His Power

Have you ever noticed how "SELF" focused the society we were born into is ? We live in a world of: Self-fulfillment , Self-reliance, Self-help and Self-Control.

We're taught, "If it's to be, it's up to me!" But there is a Truth that the enemy doesn't want you to know: 

The only way you will ever feel safe is not when you finally have control, but the day that you totally surrender it.

True freedom is only found in total surrender.

But in our culture we shutter at words like surrender and submit. Why? Because we have an inherent fear of not being in control of our own lives.

Ask God

Suzanne Benner

Take today’s next step: Pray God’s promises.

“Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.” (Psalm 119:12)

Reading Psalm 119 made me stop and consider the things I ask of God. I request safety for my children, success for my plans, health for my friends. These are not bad things, but the psalmists asks for very different things: he set his heart on knowing God through His word.

Over the last month, I made it a daily practice to ask God for the same things as the author of Psalm 119. Because these requests come straight from God’s word, I know I am praying according to God’s will.

Please join me in praying to the Lord in agreement with Psalm 119:

Remember Who You're Asking

Pastor Colin Smith

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Paul moves from teaching to praying. Since all this is true of you-God loves you, chose you, saved you, sanctified you, called you through the gospel, brought you to faith, and destined you to share in Christ's glory-come before him with confidence and receive what you need from him! Pray in the light of the truth, so that you may experience its power.  

Notice the direct, personal involvement of Christ: "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself... comfort your hearts..." (2:17). So, when you pray for comfort and strength, remember who you are asking. This Lord Jesus is the one who gives us "eternal comfort and good hope" (2:16). How did he do that? On the cross and through his resurrection.

Just Dance Like David Did!

Wow! This morning there is a real presence of sheer JOY that engulfed my spirit as I worshipped the Lord!

Do you know that when you spend time with God in Praise and Worship you are actually Praising with all of Heaven? YES! You are! How exciting! What a blessing!Do you know that when you spend time with God in Praise and Worship you are actually Praising with all of Heaven? YES! You are! How exciting! What a blessing!

There is such a freedom to just let go and allow your spirit to soar just like David did and Dance!

Sometimes during the onslaught of the enemy it’s easy to become overwhelmed with circumstances.

Let me share with all of you a little of what our Ministry and home have been through.

Since January, there has been a series of attacks from every direction and the enemy has certainly tried to knock us out, but every time God intervened and turned everything the devil meant for destruction to good!

Gift of Counsel

I remembered one of my children coming home from school one day, very upset, complaining about a particular teacher. "What does he know, anyway?" was their initial reaction.

Over the years, I have often thought about that question when I'm in some disagreement with the various people God has placed in my life for my own personal counsel and guidance. "What do they know anyway?" I am tempted to think.

Perhaps you have thought this way about a boss, or your spouse, or perhaps even your pastor? In those particular moments, the Holy Spirit has taught me to prayerfully meditate on the counsel of others, instead of immediately rejecting it. Proverbs 19:20, NKJV tells us to "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days."

Let God Be True

"For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written. That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." (Romans 3:3-4)

Many Christians are so intimidated by the arrogant unbelief of the supposed intellectuals of the world that they either reject or compromise or ignore the difficult teachings of Scripture. This is a grievous mistake, for all of God's "sayings" are "justified" and He will surely "overcome" all those who presume to "judge" Him and His Word.

The only reason to believe in evolution, for example, is the fact that most such intellectuals believe it. There is no real evidence, either in the Bible or in science, for evolution or any other form of unbelief, yet many professed believers in Christ seem to have "loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:43). Therefore they assume that God does not really mean what He says in His Word, thereby making faith in His Word "without effect."

REVELATION KNOWLEDGE

John 6:45, "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."

JOHN 6:40-45

The Old Testament prophets prophesied of a new covenant where we would all be taught of God. This is speaking of revelation knowledge that comes from within, through our spirit. Under the Old Covenant, God dealt with the Jews through the outer man. He did this because an Old Covenant man (who was not born again) could not perceive the spiritual truths revealed in the New Covenant by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:14). This difference between the old and new covenants is the reason why there had to be two covenants.