Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep (Ps. 107:23-24).

He is but an apprentice and no master in the art, who has not learned that every wind that blows is fair for Heaven. The only thing that helps nobody, is a dead calm. North or south, cast or west, it matters not, every wind may help towards that blessed port. Seek one thing only: keep well out to sea, and then have no fear of stormy winds. Let our prayer be that of an old Cornishman: "O Lord, send us out to sea--out in the deep water. Here we are so close to the rocks that the first bit of breeze with the devil, we are all knocked to pieces. Lord, send us out to sea--out in the deep water, where we shall have room enough to get a glorious victory."
--Mark Guy Pearse

Remember that we have no more faith at any time than we have in the hour of trial. All that will not bear to be tested is mere carnal confidence. Fair-weather faith is no faith.
--C. H. Spurgeon

The Hardest Prayer You Can Pray..... by Liz Kanoy

The Hardest Prayer You Can Pray
by Liz Kanoy

“Jesus said, ’Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing’” ( Luke 23:34).

The context of this verse occurs when Jesus is being crucified. Though He was innocent, He carried His cross alongside two criminals to the place where they would be crucified, called The Skull (Golgotha). On the cross, the Son of God—situated between two sinners deserving of death—spoke to His Father and said, ’Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing’” ( Luke 23:34). This was and is the worst crime in the history of the world; the only innocent Man to live on this earth, the only Man undeserving of death and punishment was put to death in the most humiliating and unfair way … and He said what?

This prayer was directed toward the taunting crowd, religious leaders happily observing His death, apathetic Roman soldiers placing bets for His clothing, and the criminals on either side of Him. Could you forgive someone for a terrible crime simply because they do not know God? This is the hardest prayer anyone can pray. To forgive someone undeserving of forgiveness; to forgive someone who does not even recognize their need for forgiveness.

Could you pray this prayer for terrorists, for killers, for gunmen, for bullies, for family members who hurt you deeply, for friends who stab you in the back, for co-workers who use you, for any number of circumstances that cause you or someone you love pain.

On my own, I know I cannot pray this prayer—for I am far too angered by injustice, by acts of evil, by selfish deceit. But with the Holy Spirit as my Helper and my Advocate, I can seek to grow in this prayer. To see people as not just wrong or evil but incredibly lost … and to pray most of all for God to make Himself known to them, for He is the One whom all wrongs are ultimately committed against.

Jesus forgave those who murdered Him not only on the cross but also in their hearts. He saw their state of lostness and just as He had compassion on the crowds who surrounded him during his ministry he had compassion on His persecutors.

Intersecting Faith and Life: If Jesus is our utmost example for Holy living according to God’s will, then we can follow His example even in this—the offering of forgiveness to those who persecute us. Let us pray for our persecutors and our enemies that they might know the love of God and the freedom of forgiveness and grace.

Further Reading:
Acts 3:17
Acts 13:27
Acts 14:16
Acts 17:30
Acts 26:9

How to Recognize a Rebellious Heart (Isaiah 14:13)..... By Lynette Kittle

How to Recognize a Rebellious Heart (Isaiah 14:13)By Lynette Kittle

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.” – Isaiah 14:12-15

My family was surprised with my results from the online quiz we took just for fun, designed to see which of a favorite classic TV show’s character we’re most like.

Yet when my answer identified me with the rebellious one, I wasn’t shocked. “You’re not rebellious at all,” they said, dismissing the outcome, trying to comfort me and make me feel better.

While I know the silly quiz was a marketing tool designed to engage online readers’ participation, it still seemed as if God was gently speaking to me. Inside, I know the truth. And God knows the truth, too. Sometimes my heart has been rebellious.

So what is rebellion, where does it come from, and do I need to be concerned?

Although worldly culture celebrates rebellion and loves the heart of a rebel, like the 1955 classic film Rebel Without a Cause, rebellion is nothing to celebrate. There is arrogance behind it. It is all about rejecting and challenging God’s authority, setting ourselves above Him.

Isaiah 14:13-14 describes the scene where Satan rebelled against God. “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Satan’s rebellion was the height of arrogance, rejection and challenge.

Unlike the world’s opinion, God sees rebellion as a serious issue. In response to Satan’s rebellious uprising, Isaiah 14:12 reports the results. “How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You’ve been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!”

Luke 10:18, further describes the scene. “He (Jesus) replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’”

Revelation 12:9 gives us another angle on the story. “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”

Why does this all matter? Finding where rebellion originated and the consequences of it helps to lessen its day-to-day appeal. Still, simply identifying the origin of our rebellion doesn’t mean we are aware of the ways it might express itself in our lives. Here are just a few ways rebellion shows up:

• Refusing to listen to God’s instructions for life (Isaiah 30:9)
• Being disloyal to God in our thoughts and actions (Psalm 78:8)
• Carrying out our own plans rather than God’s will for our lives (Isaiah 30:1)

• Forming alliances with ungodly businesses, entertainment, and personalities (Isaiah 30:1)
• Turning away from God and going our own way (Jeremiah 5:23)
• Selling out to the world by following their counsel rather than God’s Word (Isaiah 1:23)

The next time we’re tempted to be rebellious, instead of turning away from God, let’s choose to turn toward Him. Joel 2:13, urges us to return to God, who is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.

A Prayer for Walking in the Unknown..... By: Chelsey DeMatteis­

A Prayer for Walking in the UnknownBy: Chelsey DeMatteis­

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

The unknown isn’t a season any of us enjoy. It causes us to look deep inside ourselves and examine our faith. We wrestle with questions that look a lot like these; Do I really trust what God is doing? Do I really trust that He knows how to handle this?

I believe these are natural things to ask when we’re suddenly in the fire. Here, we suddenly see we have little to no control over what’s ahead of us. If you’re like me, you’ve asked these questions - not because you doubt who God is, but because your heart is so heavy from what’s taking place.

The question I typically ask is, “Do I really trust what God is doing?” I know God is good, but I know God’s version of good and my version of good can look drastically different. Which will I turn toward? God’s goodness or mine?

As my husband and I have been journeying through an issue with his eye health, I’ve had to continue refocusing on Jesus. I have to remember that God is good and I can trust what He’s doing while we’re in the limbo of things being completely fine or something serious.

Your season of unknown may not be a medical diagnosis, but I’m certain whatever it is, it’s been one that has left you questioning God. I’m sure you’ve also had to refocus your heart and mind on the truth that God is good.

One of my friends shared Isaiah 41:10 with me while we’ve been in this season of the unknown. She prompted me to place my husband's name in place of “your” in this scripture. This was powerful. It was in this conversation that I was reminded why we must pray God’s Word back to Him. While there isn’t much clarity in the season of the unknown, I believe when we begin to cry out to God through His Word, we begin to get heavenly clarity in our hearts. That clarity results in His peace.

Peace and unknowns don’t seem like they should go together, but what if these two things are exactly what God uses so we can sense His presence in a supernatural way. Only He can turn unknowns into holy ground, and I’ve watched Him turn this season into holy ground for us. It’s caused me to pray aloud over my husband more than ever before, we’ve reached out for prayer to our whole church community in a way we’ve not done before, we’ve called friends to pray in very specific ways, and we’ve seen God move in detailed ways. Ways that without this circumstance we’d never see or experience.

God desires this same thing for you. He wants to take the unknowns in your life and turn them to holy ground. He wants to turn them into seasons where you learn more about Him and His deep love for you.

Pray with me:

Lord, today as we walk through the seasons of the unknown help us to see you. God, encourage my heart with the truth of your word - you are with me, I am yours, you will strengthen me, you will help me, and you will hold me. Jesus, as I look at my circumstances help me to be overcome with your peace. Blanket my family in your protection and please give us discernment as we journey this out with you leading the way. In Jesus’s name, Amen.