MudFlaps

Lori Beth · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 5:30 am Post subject: "Our Daily Bread"

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Our Daily Bread by Les Lamborn

A Life Of Honor

In 2010, my brothers and I celebrated our dad’s 90th birthday. We hosted an open house with great food and fellowship. In the living room, family and friends took up banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, upright bass, and Irish drum to play and sing all afternoon. A big cake was prepared with this written on it in frosting: “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord—Psalm 112:1. Happy 90th birthday, Hal.”

When I later examined Psalm 112, I was impressed with how it seemed to describe my dad—who had walked with God for more than 50 years and is now at home with Him. Dad had his own share of heartaches and faults, but his steadfast faith resulted in much blessing. This psalm tells us that blessings will fall on the man who has a reverential fear of God and who delights in His commands. In response to this growing integrity and faith, God will extend blessing not only to the believer but also to his children (v.2).

This psalm challenges us to reflect an inner reverence for God and to make continual decisions to delight in following His commands. If we do that, then as we look back on our years—no matter how many or how few—we will know that God has helped us live a life of honor.

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,What a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will, He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey. —Sammis

If you honor God in your heart, He will be honored by your life.
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:25 pm Post subject:

Do We Matter To God?

When I consider Your heavens,” wrote the psalmist, “what is man that You are mindful of him?” (Ps. 8:3-4). The Old Testament circles around this question. Toiling in Egypt, the Hebrew slaves could hardly believe Moses’ assurances that God would concern Himself with them. The writer of Ecclesiastes phrased the question more cynically: Does anything matter?

I was entertaining that same doubt myself when I received an invitation to address a conference on the theme: “I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands” (Isa. 49:16).

God made this stirring declaration to people suffering through a low point in their history as Isaiah prophesies that they would be taken away captive to Babylon. Hearing this, the people lamented, “The Lord has forsaken me, and . . . forgotten me” (Isa. 49:14). To this lamentation God gave a series of promises—the Servant Songs (Isa. 42–53)—in which He sets the stage of hope for deliverance from hostile enemies. He foretells of the incarnation and sacrificial death of the Servant.

Do we matter to God? Christmas memorializes God’s answer: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (7:14).

Love brought Him down from the glory,Love made Him come from the sky;Love in His heart for the sinnerLed Him to suffer and die. —Anon.

The fact of Jesus’ coming is the final and unanswerable proof that God cares. —Barclay

* Read: Isaiah 49:8-18
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:55 am Post subject:

We Need Hope

Adam and Eve didn’t need hope because they didn’t lack anything they needed. And they had every reason to think that life would go on as pleasantly as it started—with every good thing that God had given them to enjoy. But they put it all at risk for the one thing the serpent said that God had withheld: the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:17; 3:5). So when the serpent came with his offer, Eve was quick to indulge, and Adam quick to follow (3:6). They got what they wanted: knowledge. But they lost what they had: innocence. With the loss of innocence came the need for hope—hope that their guilt and shame could be removed and goodness restored.

Families hope that everyone can make it home from the war-zone. But the hope that Christ gives is bigger than our desires. Jesus, the “Desire of All Nations” (Hag. 2:7) He has “delivered us from the power of darkness,” bought our redemption, and forgiven our sins (Col. 1:13-14). He even made it possible for us to be wise about what is good and innocent about evil (Rom. 16:19). Christ in us gives us the hope of glory.

Praise God for the hope of all humanity!
What are the prospects for this earth? What hope is there for man? A world restored through Jesus Christ -- In whom we see God’s plan. —D. DeHaan

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

* Read: Colossians 1:3-14
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:39 pm Post subject:

Open-Handed Help

A homeless man spends time in our local library. One afternoon, while I was writing there, I took a lunch break. After I finished the first half of a turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich, an image of the man’s face came to mind. A few minutes later, I offered him the untouched part of my lunch. He accepted.

This brief encounter made me realize that with all that God has given me, I needed to do more to help those who are less fortunate. Later, as I thought about this, I read Moses’ instructions on providing for the poor. He told the Israelites: Do not “shut your hand from your poor brother, but . . . open your hand wide to him” (Deut. 15:7-8 ). An open hand symbolizes the way God wanted His nation to provide for impoverished people—willingly and freely. No excuses, no holding back (v.9). God had given to them, and He wanted them to give generously enough to supply whatever was “sufficient” for the need (v.8 ).

When we offer open-handed help to the poor, God blesses us for our kindness (Ps. 41:1-3; Prov. 19:17). With His leading, consider how you might “extend your soul to the hungry” (Isa. 58:10) and freely give to help others in Jesus’ name.

Grant us, then, the grace for giving, With a spirit large and free, That our life and all our living, We may consecrate to Thee. —Murray

You may give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.

* Read: Deuteronomy 15:7-11
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:25 am Post subject:

The Spirit Of The Age

Every age has its own thoughts, ideas, and values that influence the culture, the “spirit of the age.” It is the kind of growing consensus that morally lulls us to sleep, gradually causing us to accept society’s latest values.

The apostle Paul called this corrupting atmosphere the “course of this world.” Describing the lives of the believers at Ephesus before they encountered Christ, he said that they were “dead in trespasses and sins” and “walked according to the course of this world” (Eph. 2:1-2). This is the world’s peer pressure—a satanically inspired system of values and ideas that cultivates a lifestyle that is independent of God.

Jesus intends for us to live in the world (John 17:15), so worldly influence is nearly impossible to escape. But He’s given us His Word to so permeate our thinking that we don’t have to become conformed to the world’s values (Rom. 12:1-2). Instead, God helps us walk in His light (Eph. 5:8 ), in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25), in love (Eph. 5:2), in truth (3 John 4), and in Christ (Col. 2:6).

As we walk in God’s power and spend time in His Word, He gives us the strength to live according to kingdom values and not the spirit of the age.

~ Father, You have made us alive in Christ and now we have a new kind of thinking that differs from the world. Teach us Your kingdom’s values that we might learn to walk in love. Amen.

Although Christians live in this world, their allegiance is to heaven.

* Read: Ephesians 2:1-10
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:35 pm Post subject:

Barriers And Blessings

What did Jesus see when He looked at the woman at the well in John 4? He saw someone who wanted acceptance and desperately needed to know she was loved. Most of all, He saw someone who needed what only He could give—a new heart.

It was no accident that the disciples had all gone to town to buy food. Surely, they would have tried to warn Jesus not to talk to this person—a woman, a Samaritan, and someone with a bad reputation.

Not being one to follow protocol, however, Jesus used this encounter to bless her with the truth of “living water” (John 4:10). In just one conversation, He broke down barriers of old hostilities, of gender bias, of ethnic and racial divides. And this woman became the first of many Samaritans to confess that Jesus was the Messiah (vv.39-42).

When she told others of her encounter with a Man who knew “all that I ever did,” she was already practicing the principle of “sowing and reaping” that Jesus was teaching His followers (John 4:35-38 ). Many believed that day, and later Philip, Peter, John, and others would preach in Samaria and lead many more to Christ (Acts 8:5-14; 15:3).

When we tell others of our own “encounter” with Jesus, we bless them with living water.

From sinking sand He lifted me, With tender hand He lifted me; From shades of night to plains of light, O praise His name, He lifted me! —Gabriel

A faith worth having is a faith worth sharing.

* Read: John 4:27-39
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 5:24 am Post subject:

Unlikely Encouragement — by Dave Branon

Are you looking for encouragement? Do you need a little boost today amid all the bad news coming your way? The psalmist David can lift your spirit in an unexpected way through some words we often think of as negative.

When we read Psalm 19, we discover a short listing of ways that the Lord’s clearly defined “law,” or standards for living, can bring positive results. This is unlikely encouragement, for some see God’s standards as restrictive and as robbing us of happiness.

Here are some words the psalmist used for God’s standards: “law of the Lord” (v.7), “testimony” (v.7), “statutes” (v.8 ), “commandments” (v.8 ), “fear of the Lord” (v.9), and “judgments” (v.9). These words have an ominous sound that causes many people to want to avoid or reject them.

But notice what these things bring to the believing, obedient heart: conversion of the soul, wisdom, rejoicing of the heart, purity of life, enlightenment of the eyes, endurance, truth, and righteousness (vv.7-9). That’s great encouragement! No wonder David said about God’s law that He’s given to us, “More to be desired are they than gold . . . sweeter also than honey” (v.10).

Lord, we love You and Your Word. We delight inreading it, learning about You, and following what You teach us. Thank You for all the blessings that come from our relationship with You. Amen.

Obedience to God’s Word is the Christian’s greatest freedom.

* Read: Psalm 19:7-11
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:29 am Post subject:

Just Children — by David C. McCasland

After high school, Darrell Blizzard left the orphanage where he grew up to join the US Army Air Corps. World War II was in full swing, and soon he faced responsibilities usually given to older and more experienced men. He told a reporter years later that a four-mule plow team was the biggest thing he’d driven before he became the pilot of a four-engine B-17. Now in his late eighties, he said, “We were all just children flying those things.”

In the Bible, we find accounts of many people who followed God courageously when they were young. In a situation of corrupt spiritual leadership, “Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child” (1 Sam. 2:18 ). David faced the giant Goliath in spite of being told, “You are not able to go against this Philistine . . . for you are a youth” (17:33). Mary, the mother of Jesus, was most likely very young when she was told she would bear the Son of God. She responded to the angel’s announcement by saying, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38 ). Paul told the young pastor Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers” (1 Tim. 4:12).

God values each one in His family. In His strength, the young can be bold in their faith, while those who are older can encourage those who are “just children.”

O Lord of all the upward road, Keep strong our youth, we pray; May age and youth together seek To follow in Thy way. —Niedermeyer

Encouraging the young should never become old.

* Read: 1 Timothy 4:9-16
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 6:04 am Post subject:

Go! Go! — by Bill Crowder

From across the intersection, I watched as a car hesitated when the traffic light turned green. Then, out of nowhere, a voice began screaming, “Go! Go! Come on, go!” The driver appeared frightened by the angry cries, and he was a bit confused as to where the voice was coming from. Then I saw it—the car behind him was equipped with a loudspeaker that enabled him to yell at other drivers! Eventually, the hesitant driver collected himself and moved along. I was struck by the rudeness and impatience of the angry driver.

Sometimes people think God is like that—irritated, impatient, and ready to shout at them through some divine megaphone. They fear that He is looking over their shoulder, ready to punish every wrong move.

In reality, God’s actions toward His children, even though we falter on our way through life, are born out of His patient love. The apostle Paul wanted the Thessalonians to understand this and prayed: “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ” (2 Thess. 3:5).

God is at work in our lives, and He will accomplish His purposes. There may be times when God lovingly prods and disciplines His children, but He won’t be impatiently yelling at us.

Thank You, Father, for Your careful work in my heart. Move me as needed, pointing me with Your loving patience to be more like You. In Christ’s name, amen.

God’s grace is infinite love expressing itself through infinite goodness.

* Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:18 am Post subject:

Because Of Love — by Anne Cetas

I received some nice gifts last year—ski pants, a bracelet, and a Kindle reader. But what I enjoyed the most were the gifts of time with people: playing with nine grandnephews and grandnieces from out of state; having a niece and her husband and their 18-month-old daughter attend church service with us; visiting with a retired co-worker and his wife who are suffering with some health issues; reading the Bible with loved ones and long time friends. These were all special memories because of the love we share.

God the Father, because of love, sent a gift to this world 2,000 years ago. Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger (Luke 2:7). The shepherds knew He was an amazing gift because an angel announced His birth to them in the middle of the night while they were in their fields (vv.8-14). They rushed to see Him and then couldn’t help but share the news of this Gift with others (vv.16-17). Yet many later rejected Him, and He was crucified for our sins and buried. But He rose from the tomb and now offers salvation to all who receive Him.

Thank You, God, for the Gift You gave—because of love.

Because of love God sent His Son From heaven’s throne to earth To rescue us from sin and death—A Gift of priceless worth! —Sper

God’s gift to the world is the life-giving Savior.

* Read: Luke 2:1-7
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:04 am Post subject:

Which Way? - by Joe Stowell

Asking directions is not my favorite thing to do. I always feel that if I stay at it long enough I’ll eventually find my way. My wife, Martie, on the other hand, is always quick to ask directions and incredulous about my unwillingness to admit that I don’t have a clue about where I’m going. In the end, she is the wiser one. She gets to her destination quickly and without angst while I end up getting lost.

Thinking that we are smart enough to navigate life on our own goes contrary to the warning of Scripture that tells us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 16:25). When we are at a fork in the road, we need to stop and consult the ways of the Lord, “for the ways of the Lord are right” (Hos. 14:9).

Life is a directional enterprise. It’s vitally important to know how to successfully direct our lives toward blessed and peaceful relationships, meaningful acts of love and service, a fulfilling experience with God, and a host of other vitally important destinations.

Asking God for directions isn’t just a good idea—it’s critical. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . . and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).

Lord, I surrender my stubborn tendency to do life on my own terms. Teach me that my “want to’s” lead to dead-end streets and that Your wisdom will keep me on the road to all that is good and fruitful. Amen.

Ask God for directions because He knows the way.

* Read: Hosea 14
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 11:40 am Post subject:

Our Prayer; God’s Will - by Dave Branon

The handwritten prayer request was heartbreaking in its seeming impossibility: “Please pray—I have multiple sclerosis, weak muscles, trouble swallowing, increased pain, diminishing sight.” The woman’s body was breaking down, and I could sense despair in her plea for intercession.

But then came the hope—the strength that trumps the physical damage and degradation: “I know our blessed Savior is in full control. His will is of utmost importance to me.”

This person may have needed my prayers, but I needed something she had: unabated confidence in God. She seemed to present a perfect portrait of the truth God taught Paul when he asked for relief from his difficulty—what he called his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). His quest for relief turned out to be not just a seeming impossibility; his request was turned down flat by his heavenly Father. Paul’s continual struggle, which was clearly God’s will, was a valuable lesson: Through his weakness, God’s grace could be displayed and God’s strength was “made perfect” (v.9).

As we pour out our hearts to God, let’s be even more concerned with seeking His will than we are with receiving the answer we want. That’s where the grace and the strength come from.

Dear heavenly Father, I bring to You my petitions, but I give to You my heart. While I plead for You to answer my prayers, I also submit to Your will so that my heart may be strengthened and Your work be done.

We pray not to obtain our will in heaven, but to effect God’s will on earth.

* Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 5:38 am Post subject:

The Trail Of Tears - by Bill Crowder

A very severe and tragic event in US history was the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans in the early 19th century. Native American tribes, who had struck treaties with and fought alongside the burgeoning white population, were driven out of their ancestral lands. In the winter of 1838, thousands of Cherokee were forced to embark on a brutal 1,000-mile march westward known as The Trail of Tears. This injustice resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, many of whom had little or no clothing, shoes, or supplies for such a journey.

The world continues to be filled with injustice, pain, and heartache. And many today may feel as if they are leaving a trail of tears—tears that go unnoticed and grief that is not comforted. But our Lord sees our tears and comforts our weary hearts (2 Cor. 1:3-5). He also declares the hope of a future time not marked by the stains of sin or injustice. In that day and in that place, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

The God who offers freedom from tears in the future is the only One who can fully comfort our tears now.

Loving Father, thank You that our hurts and pains matter to You. Thank You for the promise of an eternity without tears and a life forever with You. Amen.

When God permits trials, He also provides comfort.

* Read: Revelation 21:1-7
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:50 am Post subject:

Emotional Betrayals - by Randy Kilgore

Some years back, another man and I were reading together Matthew 26 about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. “I know this much,” he told me as we read along, “if I’d been with Jesus in Gethsemane, I’d have had His back. No way would I have fallen asleep!” Indignant, he continued, “How could anyone fall asleep after hearing Jesus tell them how troubled He was? He was practically begging!” (v.38 ).

Knowing that our families struggled with our long work hours, I wondered out loud to my friend: “How many times have our children looked for us in the crowd at their school activities, hoping to see us? Do our kids face troubles alone because we are away or busy? Our families and friends have an intense need for personal attention from us. Even Jesus asked His disciples to watch and pray with Him” (see vv.40-45).

It is not a simple thing to balance life’s demands against the needs of those we love and serve, but failing to do so is emotional betrayal. As we think about the disciples disappointing Jesus in the Garden, we might want to consider the ways we can today show our care for our loved ones and their interests. Help us, Lord, to love others well.

Open my eyes, Lord, to people around me, Help me to see them as You do above; Give me the wisdom and strength to take action, So others may see the depth of Your love. —K. DeHaan

One measure of our love for Christ is our sensitivity to the needs of others.

* Read: Matthew 26:36-46
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 4:00 am Post subject:

I Invented It - by Marvin Williams

Willard S. Boyle, Nobel Prize winner in physics, was the co-inventor of the “electronic eye” behind the digital camera and the Hubble telescope. He was in the market for a new digital camera and visited a store in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The salesman tried to explain the complexity of the camera to Boyle, but stopped because he felt it was too complicated for him to understand. Boyle then bluntly said to the salesman: “No need to explain. I invented it.”

After God allowed Satan to test Job by taking away his family, his health, and his possessions (Job 1–2), Job lamented the day of his birth (ch. 3). In the following chapters, Job questioned why God would allow him to endure so much suffering. Then with divine bluntness, God reminded Job that He “invented” life and created the world (chs. 38–41). God invited him to rethink what he had said. In drawing attention to His sovereign power and the depth of His wisdom displayed everywhere on earth (38:4-41), God exposed the immensity of Job’s ignorance.

If we’re tempted to tell God how life should work, let’s remember He invented it! May He help us to humbly acknowledge our ignorance and to rely on Him—the Creator of the universe.

Lord, You are so awesome and great. But sometimes in ignorance and arrogance I attempt to take Your place. I humbly submit my life to You anew and acknowledge that all glory and praise belongs to You. Amen.

To understand God is impossible, but to worship Him is imperative.

* Read: Job 38:4-18
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 2:36 pm Post subject:

Twenty-Seven Percent - by Dennis Fisher

People’s attitudes toward Bible prophecy vary widely. Some believers are so preoccupied with it that they are constantly talking about the latest world events, thinking they are biblical signs that Christ could return at any moment. Others are so casual in their view of prophecy that it seems as if they don’t believe it’s relevant to the Christian life at all.

So is prophecy important? Here are some facts to help put things in perspective. There are 31,124 verses in the Bible. Of these verses, 8,352 have prophetic content of some kind. That’s 27 percent of Scripture!

Because prophecy occupies more than a quarter of Scripture, the believer should deeply value its role in God’s revelation. But in doing so, we should remember why God put it there. After describing how the world will end, Peter concludes, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” (2 Peter 3:11 ). In other words, we should make choices daily for godly living that conform to our future dwelling place.

God has given us information about the future to glorify Himself, to assure us of His sovereign control of history, and to challenge us to godly living.

He is coming! I shall know Him, Jesus! My beloved Lord! Changed forever to His likeness; Oh! what joy this will afford. —Dimmock

Look for Christ’s return and you’ll live for Christ’s glory.

* Read: 2 Peter 3:1-13
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:51 am Post subject:

Worth The Risk - by Albert Lee

What would one give in exchange for a new iPad? One 17-year-old boy gave a kidney! Apparently, he couldn’t afford an iPad and wanted one so badly that he was willing to risk surgery.

Stephen, in Acts 7, took a serious risk, but it was for proclaiming the good news about Jesus. While performing miracles, he was seized, falsely accused of blasphemy against God and the Mosaic law, and brought before the high priest (6:8-14). In response to a question from the high priest (7:1), Stephen took a risk and preached a sermon he knew his hearers would not like. He said that throughout Israel’s history, the nation had repeatedly rejected God’s messengers. And now, they had rejected the Messiah.

Stephen’s sermon provoked a strong reaction. “They cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him” (vv.57-58 ). Why would Stephen risk his life to preach about Jesus? He desperately wanted his hearers to know that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, they no longer needed to live under the law but could live under grace and forgiveness (6:13-15; Eph. 2:8-9). Jesus died so that we may have eternal life.

Lord, You have done so much for us. You give us our very breath and blessing upon blessing. We give ourselves back to You to use to spread the glorious gospel of Christ. Amen.

A Christian’s life is a window through which others can see Jesus.

* Read: Acts 7:51–8:2
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2012 9:18 am Post subject:

Opened Ears - by Bill Crowder

Recently I was having trouble with my ears and decided to try a somewhat controversial treatment. It was supposed to melt the wax in my ears and clear out any impediments that might get in the way of the ability to hear. I have to admit that it sounded like a strange experience. But I was desperate to be able to hear clearly, so I was willing to give it a try.

As important as good hearing is in life, it is even more important in our walk with God. In Psalm 40:6, David declared, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.” The word opened in this verse can be translated “cleared out,” and it speaks of what God desires for us. He wants our ears to be open and ready to hear Him as He speaks to us through His Word. Sometimes, however, our spiritual ears may be blocked by the background noise of the surrounding culture or the siren songs of temptation and sin.

May we instead turn our hearts to the Lord in full devotion, keeping our ears open to Him so that we will be sensitive to His voice. As He speaks, He will put His Word in our hearts, and we will learn from Him to delight in His will (v.8 ).

Open my ears, that I may hear Voices of truth Thou sendest clear; And while the wave-notes fall on my ear, Everything false will disappear. —Scott

God speaks through His Word to those who listen with their heart.

* Read: Psalm 40:1-10
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:30 am Post subject:

Be Specific - by Cindy Hess Kasper

On the day before a major surgery, I shared with my friend that I was really scared about the procedure. “What part scares you?” she inquired. “I’m just so afraid that I won’t wake up from the anesthesia,” I replied. Immediately, Anne prayed: “Father, you know all about Cindy’s fear. Please calm her heart and fill her with Your peace. And, Lord, please wake her up after surgery.”

I think God likes that kind of specificity when we talk to Him. When Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, called out to Jesus for help, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight!” Jesus said, “Go your way; your faith has made you well” (Mark 10:51-52).

We don’t need to beat around the bush with God. While there may be a time to pray poetically as David did, there are also times to say bluntly, “God, I’m so sorry for what I just said,” or to say simply, “Jesus, I love You because . . . .” Being specific with God can even be a sign of faith because we are acknowledging that we know we’re not talking to a far-off Being but to a real Person who loves us intimately.

God is not impressed by a flurry of fanciful words. He is listening for what our heart is saying.

Poetic prose in prayer to God Is not what He requires; Instead, specific heartfelt pleas Are what the Lord desires. —Sper

The heart of prayer is prayer from the heart.

* Read: Mark 10:46-52
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.

Lori Beth · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:44 am Post subject:

The Gift - by Julie Ackerman Link

We refer to December as the season of giving. Most of us try hard to find gifts that friends and family will like, but not all gifts are equal. Some gifts come with a subtle hint, like an exercise machine or a book about weight loss. Other gifts are those that the giver really wants for himself. But the best gifts are those that come from someone who loves us and knows what we want.

Last year, my pastor, Jim Samra, challenged us to think about Christ’s coming in another way. We know that Jesus was God’s perfect gift to us (Rom. 6:23), but Pastor Jim added another thought. He said that His coming to earth could also be looked at as a gift that Jesus gave to His Father. Jesus loved His Father and knew that what He wanted more than anything else was for us, His creation, to be reconciled to Him. Through His incarnation, Jesus made it possible for us to be a holy and blameless present to God (Col. 1:22).

Thinking of ourselves as a gift to God makes us want to be a present worth the cost, “fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (v.10).

Dear Lord, from whom all blessings flow, Most precious gifts dost Thou bestow; So truly faithful may I be As Thou art gracious unto me. —Roworth

God’s highest Gift should awaken our deepest gratitude.

* Read: Colossians 1:19-27
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We don't have much, what we have, we share.