Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

And the rest, some on boards, some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land (Acts 27:44).

The marvelous story of Paul's voyage to Rome, with its trials and triumphs, is a fine pattern of the lights and shades of the way of faith all through the story of human life. The remarkable feature of it is the hard and narrow places which we find intermingled with God's most extraordinary interpositions and providences.

It is the common idea that the pathway of faith is strewn with flowers, and that when God interposes in the life of His people, He does it on a scale so grand that He lifts us quite out of the plane of difficulties. The actual fact, however, is that the real experience is quite contrary. The story of the Bible is one of alternate trial and triumph in the case of everyone of the cloud of witnesses from Abel down to the latest martyr.

Paul, more than anyone else, was an example of how much a child of God can suffer without being crushed or broken in spirit. On account of his testifying in Damascus, he was hunted down by persecutors and obliged to fly for his life. but we behold no heavenly chariot transporting the holy apostle amid thunderbolts of flame from the reach of his foes, but "through a window in a basket," was he let down over the walls of Damascus and so escaped their hands. In an old clothes basket, like a bundle of laundry, or groceries, the servant of Jesus Christ was dropped from the window and ignominiously fled from the hate of his foes.

Again we find him left for months in the lonely dungeons; we find him telling of his watchings, his fastings, and his desertion by friends, of his brutal and shameful beatings, and here even after God has promised to deliver him, we see him for days left to toss upon a stormy sea, obliged to stand guard over the treacherous seaman, and at last when the deliverance comes, there is no heavenly galley sailing from the skies to take off the noble prisoner; there is no angel form walking along the waters and stilling the raging breakers; there is no supernatural sign of the transcendent miracle that is being wrought; but one is compelled to seize a spar, another a floating plank, another to climb on a fragment of the wreck, another to strike out and swim for his life.

Here is God's pattern for our own lives. Here is a Gospel of help for people that have to live in this every day world with real and ordinary surroundings, and a thousand practical conditions which have to be met in a thoroughly practical way.

God's promises and God's providences do not lift us out of the plane of common sense and commonplace trial, but it is through these very things that faith is perfected, and that God loves to interweave the golden threads of His love along the warp and woof of our every day experience.
--Hard Places in the Way of Faith

Conquering Fear ..... Dr. Charles Stanley

Conquering Fear

Dr. Charles Stanley

Psalms 63

Every one of us will experience moments of apprehension, and denial or trying to hide from it will do no good. When fear arises, ask yourself the following questions: Where does it come from? (You know it isn't from God.) Has God ever failed me in the past? Does He promise to meet all of my needs? Does He keep His promises?

If we read the Bible, we'll find countless stories of God's faithfulness. For example, Paul lived through hardship, persecution, pain, and all kinds of terrible circumstances. The apostle wrote these well-known words: "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). This testifies to the fact that for those who trust in Him, God turns every difficulty, loss, and separation into something good.

From Abraham to Isaiah to David to Job to Jonah to Paul to John, we see God's constant love and care for His people. His Word is a lamp that will give us clear guidance when circumstances are bleak. It offers the best direction we will ever find. When we meditate upon it, pray over it, grapple with it, and incorporate it into our lives, His light chases away the darkness. The psalms, in particular, are helpful in dealing with fear.

God, the sovereign ruler of this universe, is in control of your life. Don't make the mistake of thinking He isn't, simply because He does not operate according to your will and schedule. If you read your Bible and meditate on it, you will find genuine strength in His promises.

Remember Your Baptism..... by Liz Kanoy

Remember Your Baptism
by Liz Kanoy

"And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.'" - Acts 2:38-39

Three years ago on Pentecost, I attended my godson’s baptism. The pastor encouraged parents and godparents to remind their children and godchildren of their baptisms often. He also encouraged all believers to continually remember their own baptism and to remember what baptism means for those in the body of Christ.

When I was baptized at 23, the pastor prefaced my baptism by saying “there is nothing magical about this water,” and he was right. There is no magic in the water and the water itself will not change you, but there is extraordinary power and hope in the One who makes baptism possible - the One who baptizes in the Spirit and transforms the heart.

Whether you lean toward infant baptism or a believer’s baptism theologically, Christians can all agree that baptism is a symbol of eternal hope in Christ. For Christian parents, their baby’s baptism is a symbol of their promise to raise the child to know and love God. For believers, baptism is a symbol of the lasting hope they possess and a reminder of the promise that has been fulfilled.

Remember your baptism, but don’t just remember the day or the act - remember the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives purpose to all baptisms. Remember that the Lord called you to Himself, and He chose you by name - not by any merit of your own but by His free gift of grace.

Throughout the Bible, we can see that God chose people whom we might consider not so deserving - polytheists, murderers, adulterers, harlots, liars, and all other sorts of sinners and sins combined. His point in showing us the flaws of the people He chose is to remind us that no one is deserving. He can give mercy to anyone He chooses because all have fallen short of His glory, and no one can be justified and sanctified apart from Jesus.

When you remember your baptism, remember that you were nothing and God made you new. You were without hope, but He called you His own. He has adopted you as His child and heir. Remember the sin that caused the world to fall, understand the consequence of sin for every human being, and realize your continual need for the perfect Savior who lived and died and rose for all who would believe.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Thank your Savior Jesus Christ for your baptism today, thank Him for the baptism of all those in the body of Christ and those in the covenant family, and pray for the baptism of many more--for no one is without need of grace and no one is beyond God’s reach.

God’s Guidance Is Sure..... By Lydia Brownback

God’s Guidance Is Sure
By Lydia Brownback

Psalms 120–134 are called Songs of Ascent, which means they were likely sung as God’s people went up to Jerusalem to participate in sacred festivals and special times of worship. Psalm 121 was composed to encourage trust in the Lord.

The journey to Jerusalem could be long and frequently dangerous, and the psalmist, pondering the path ahead, recognizes his need for divine aid. Perhaps the hills he sees in the distance were those marking his destination, Jerusalem; or they might have been the hills on which people worshiped idols. In either case, he knows he cannot get where he is going under his own strength. The God who created the path must guard his people as they travel on it (vv. 1–2).

They are set on reaching the place of God’s special presence, and the psalmist is confident that they will get there because of God’s watchful care. The travelers need sleep, but God does not, and he will protect them during the dark nights (vv. 3–4). The heat of the desert day won’t harm them either, because God provides every necessity for completing the journey (vv. 5–6). God’s provision isn’t merely physical; he also guards them from every evil snare that could derail their course (v. 7). God is with them not only as they journey but also when they get there. His care is constant (v. 8).

Determined commitment propels our path, but reaching the destination is possible only because God gets us there. Left to ourselves, we would wander off course or be taken away. Determination simply isn’t enough; Christ is our surety, and in him we are secure till the end.

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24–25).

Application:

Consider how Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14–21 enables you to apply Psalm 121 to your own life.

A Prayer for Humility and Thankfulness..... By Jack Graham

A Prayer for Humility and Thankfulness
By Jack Graham

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Heavenly Father, it is easy to sing your praises when life is well, but how quickly we forget when the road turns hard. Help us to give thanks in all circumstances.

Perhaps you’ve heard the story about Alexander the Great when he confronted a thief in the ranks of his army. The man was brought before the great conqueror to be punished, and Alexander stood to his feet and asked, “What is your name, soldier?”

“My name,” the young soldier quivered, “is A-A-Alexander.” Furious, Alexander the Great got right in that young man’s face and said. “I could have you killed for your crimes, but I’m not. So either change your name or change your ways!”

As believers, we bear the name of Jesus Christ each and every day of our lives. Yet, so many easy-believing, churchgoing, cultural Christians love to claim Jesus on Sunday, but show no thankfulness during the week for the name they bear. They’ll say, “Oh yes, I’m a Christian,” only when it’s convenient.

But the Bible is clear in passages like today’s that we’ll know real believers by their fruits. I’m not talking about someone with a squeaky-clean sin record, but people whose passion for the Lord is evident in their everyday lives. Live each day for His glory, thanking God and remembering you bear the name of the King who bought you with His life.

Dear Lord, may we never be ashamed to praise your name. It is easy to rejoice when life is going well, but we quickly turn away and grumble when challenges arise. Help us to give thanks in all circumstances. Help us live humble, grateful lives. Today, Lord, help us remember your goodness toward us. In your name we pray, Amen.