In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues. Psalm 31:20
The person of faith does not escape from reality but into reality. As we run from "human plots" and into the "shelter of your presence", it is as if we were running from a cave full of snarling beasts into a wide, lush pasture where the open air and the wide horizons bring the exclamation, "O how abundant is your goodness!"
Prayer: "Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand--the shadow of a mighty Rock within a weary land; a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day" (Elizabeth C. Clephane, "Beneath the Cross of Jesus"). Amen
************************************************************ Credibility 1 Peter 2:11-21
The recent global financial crisis caused people to pay closer attention to their credit report. When credit was easy to get, some people became careless about how they used it. They didn't bother to save for what they wanted; they just borrowed. Being in debt was no big deal. But in a crisis, that is no longer the case. Having good credit is suddenly very important.
After an advertisement for a credit repair service, a local newscaster said, "Credit repair isn't something you can buy; it's something you have to work for. " We may be able to "borrow" credibility for a while by associating ourselves with credible people, but sooner or later we will need our own.
Credibility has to do with the ability to elicit belief. The reason it's essential for Christians is that our lives affect Christ's reputation (1 Peter 2:12). When we call oourselves by Christ's name, His reputation is tied to ours. If people have reason not to belive us, they may not belive God.
The way to earn credibility is to live honorably. Then others will belive and glorify God. ---Julie Ackerman Link
If we take care of our character, our reputation will take care of itself.
************************************************************* God Knows the Answers
If any of you needs wisdom,you should ask God for it. James 1:5 Thomas came with doubts. Did Christ turn him away? Moses had his reservations. Did God tell him to go home? Job had his struggles. Did God avoid him? Paul had his hard times. Did God abandon him?
No. God never turns away the sincere heart. Tough questions don't stump God. He invites our probing.
Mark it down. God never turns away the honest seeker. Go to God with your questions. You may not find all the answers, but in finding God, you know the One who does. -----Max Lucado
************************************************************* Prayer is much more than just asking for things-- It's the peace and contentment that quietness brings. So thank You again for Your mercy and love And for making me heir to Your kingdom above.
Several days after a devastating earthquake in the San Franciso area, a young boy was seen rocking and swaying on the school playground. His principal asked him if he was okay, and the boy nodded yes and said, "I am moving like the earth, so if there's another earthquake I won't feel it." He wanted to prepare himself for another shaking of the ground.
Sometimes after a trauma, we brace ourselves for what might be coming next. If we've had a phone call that brought bad news, every time the phone rings we feel panicky and wonder, What has happened now?
The "ground was shaking" for the psalmist David after King Saul tried to kill him (1 Sam. 19:10). He ran and hid. He thought death was next and told his friend Jonathan, "There is but a step between me and death" (20:3). He wrote, "The pangs of death surrounded me, and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid" (Ps 18:4).
David cried to the Lord in his distress (v.6) and found that He was a stabilizer, One he could trust would always be with him. He said, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer: my God, my strength, in whom I will trust:... my ground shakes under us. ---Anne Cetas
************************************************************* Life is Good read: Romans 8:31-39
While shopping in a nearby tourist town, I wandered into a small store stuffed with clothing and other items marked with the slogan "Life is good." Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that simple truth.
When the work of earning a living, raising a family, maintaining health and fitness, and managing relationships starts to overwhelm us, it's good to think about how small our part in the universe really is. While we obsess over our work, God quietly does his. He keeps the earth rotating, the planets revolving, and the seasons changing. Without any help from us, He makes the sun rise every morning and set every evening. Every night He changes the pattern of night lights in the sky. He turns out the light so we can sleep, and turns it on again so we can see to work and play. Without lifting a finger, we get to enjoy sunrises and sunsets. Every year the seasons change on schedule. We don't need to pray about it or tell God that it's time to send spring. All that He does reminds us He is good (Acts 14:17).
Life will at times be difficult, often painful, and for now it's imperfect. But still it is good, for in all these things nothing can separate us from God's lavish expressions of love (Rom. 8:39). Julie Ackerman Link
Thank you, loving father, for the good gift of life. Forgive me for making it complicated for myself and others. I thank you and praise you for all you do so that I can enjoy so much. Amen.
God's grace is immeasureable; His mercy inexhaustible; His peace inexpressible. *************************************************************
Behind the Building read: 1 Peter 4:8-11
Where we were working was hot, dirty, and it smelled bad. We had traveled thousands of miles to do some work projects, and on this day we were painting the back of a classroom building at a school for the deaf. The only people who would ever see this part of the building would be the guy who cut the grass and any unfortunate person who would have to work on the septic pit.
Yet, as the young adults diligently painted away, one of the girls, Melissa, put it in perpective by saying, "Nobody will ever come back here to see this, but God will see it. So let's make it look nice." And so we did.
Sometimes we sit at our desk and think no one sees our work. Or we stand at a line assembling item after endless item. Perhaps we take care of crying babies in the church nursery. Or we live the best Christian life we can--without anyone noticing.
Often our work is "behind the building." But if that is what God has called us to do, we need to work with all our heart. As part of our calling to love others deeply (1 Peter 4:8), offer hospitality (v.9), and use our gifts to serve others (v.10), our task is to work with God's strength to bring praise and glory to God, not ourselves. The important thing is that God likes what He sees. -- Dave Branon
Though others may not observe us And see how we serve God today, Our job as servants of Jesus Is to please Him in every way. ---Branon
Many of us struggle with them--postponement problems. A professor at the Universary of Calgary in Alberta studied the problem of procrastination for 5 years and reported that 95 percent of us put off doing one thing or another. One estimate showed that Americans lose approximately $400 million a year by putting off filing taxes! Because of fear of failure or other insecurities, we wait and wait before starting a project or making a decision.
Procrastination is a problem in the church too. Many of us postpone serving God. We know we should reach out to others, but we feel insecure or worried about what to do. Because we're unsure of our gifts or interests, we put off involvement in the church. We worry, What if I do a poor job? What if I find out I can't even do it?
Romans 12 gives us some encouragement. Serving starts with presenting ourselves to God as "a living sacrifice" (v.1). Pray and give yourself anew to the Lord and His work. Then look around at what others are doing in your church and ask if you can join in Start small if you need to, and try a number of things.
Your church needs you. Ask God to help you overcome your postponement problems -- Anne Cetas
Don't put off for tomorrow What you can do today; Postponement may bring sorrow, Prompt action is the way. --Hess
For a healthier church, exercise your spiritual gifts.
Whether or not God exists is an important question. But knowing this God is even more important. "What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we have in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? To know God. What in man gives God most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself."
But who can provide the introduction? Look at what Jesus said to his disciples:
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." Thomas said to Him, " Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, " I am they way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also" ( John 14:1-7).
We invite you to acknowledge your sin and need of a Savior. Realize that Christ died for you. And believe John when he wrote: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name " (John 1:12)
