Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29).

How strong is the snare of the things that are seen, and how necessary for God to keep us in the things that are unseen! If Peter is to walk on the water he must walk; if he is going to swim, he must swim, but he cannot do both. If the bird is going to fly it must keep away from fences and the trees, and trust to its buoyant wings. But if it tries to keep within easy reach of the ground, it will make poor work of flying.

God had to bring Abraham to the end of his own strength, and to let him see that in his own body he could do nothing. He had to consider his own body as good as dead, and then take God for the whole work; and when he looked away from himself, and trusted God alone, then he became fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able to perform.

That is what God is teaching us, and He has to keep away encouraging results until we learn to trust without them, and then He loves to make His Word real in fact as well as faith.
--A. B. Simpson

I do not ask that He must prove
His Word is true to me,
And that before I can believe
He first must let me see.
It is enough for me to know
'Tis true because He says 'tis so;
On His unchanging Word I'll stand
And trust till I can understand.
--E. M. Winter 

Reasons to Surrender ..... Dr. Charles Stanley

Reasons to Surrender

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

As we learned yesterday, God tells us to surrender our lives to Him. This is no small task. All our plans, every desire we feel, each entitlement that once seemed our right—everything is put aside in order to make way for our King’s will. But perhaps you have wondered why God can ask this of us.

The Lord has every right to demand that we give Him our all. First, Scripture teaches us that He is sovereign—the King and Ruler over the entire universe. As a result, we are under His authority, whether we choose to submit or not. Next, through His death and resurrection, Jesus saved us from our sin and its consequences. Therefore, we are indebted to Him more than we could ever repay. And finally, He sustains us; we should consider each breath and heartbeat a gift from Him.

Undoubtedly, God is entitled to ask that we yield our life to Him. At the same time, surrender is in our best interest. The Father promises that following Him leads to hope and an established future. Psalm 31:19 states, “How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You . . .” So, while He is the Almighty One with all authority to demand our life, He promises to care for us and to do what will benefit us most.

Are you willing to put yourself aside in order to follow Jesus? His way is best, and it offers hope, joy, and peace. We will not always like everything He chooses at the moment, but He promises to work all things for good. Will you trust God enough to hand the reins over to Him?

Watching the Horizon for Your Prodigal .....SARAH GERINGER

Watching the Horizon for Your Prodigal
SARAH GERINGER

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20b (NIV)

The last time I had seen my prodigal family member was in silhouette in late afternoon.

From my car, I happened to spot them walking into the mall, holding hands — a rare good day. My heart broke for the thousandth time as I left the scene, wondering if the situation would ever change.

My prodigal had refused to break up with the person who was causing tremendous pain, and as I watched the downward spiral, I’d cried out to God in confusion. Why isn’t my loved one changing for the good? Are my constant prayers making a difference? Should I just give up hoping for a turnaround? My heart trembled with fear as I desperately searched for signs of my loved one’s return.

Jesus knew many of us would be in a similar situation when He told the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. In it, Jesus focuses on three people. First is the prodigal son who ran away. I’m pretty sure every sinner can relate to that one!

Then there was the father who selflessly sacrificed for this son and scanned the horizon for his return.

And last but not least, we see the older brother who was loyal to his father, yet simmering with anger.

I believe Jesus had several purposes for telling this story. One was to encourage those who love a prodigal. The Holy Spirit moved Luke to record this story to remind us we’re not alone. If you’ve ever loved a prodigal, God sees your soul-crushing heartache.

Maybe you’re the one looking for a return, except you’re the mother, sister, daughter, niece, cousin, friend or teacher in Jesus’ story. Longing to see your loved one return to their roots of faith.

Part of what helped me work through that difficult season was worship music. Every morning, I listened to four of my favorite songs in a particular order.

The first song reminded me I just need Jesus on my darkest days. The next prodded me to choose joy. The third song invited me to worship the One who died for me on a hill He created. Finally, another favorite song rallied me to remember how God takes all that’s wrong and makes it right.

This playlist became a musical life raft as my heart nearly drowned in despair, bringing much-needed comfort to my soul. Though I was close to hopelessness, those songs tethered me to God’s truth.

During that difficult time, God’s Word also kept me grounded. I reread the prodigal son story, and the Holy Spirit used this verse to keep me focused on the horizon:

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20b).

The father in this story is our Father God. He watches the horizon every single day for our prodigals. He never stops hoping for them to return. Our loving, compassionate Father longs to welcome your prodigal back home.

It takes courage to watch the horizon and stay focused on your prodigal’s return, courage to keep hoping and praying, despite knowing they’re still a long way off. It takes courage only God can provide to overcome the rage, despair, dread and injustice you feel. Yet, isn’t that what faith truly means? Believing in a future we can’t yet see?

Our Father God is standing on the horizon, holding out His hand. He’s inviting you and me to watch the rising sun with Him, where His mercies are new every morning. On the worst of days, He alone holds us up as helplessness looms large. He’s right there by our side, urging us to keep watching the horizon with hope.

Today, I’m thanking God because my prodigal eventually returned home. I know this isn’t everyone’s story, so I’m praying for those who are still waiting.

Never give up hope. God is standing beside you.

Heavenly Father, I praise You for watching the horizon for my prodigal, even when I lose hope. Remind me I can find strength and courage to keep watching with You by my side. Help me trust You more in this difficult journey each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (NIV)

Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (NIV)

The Forgotten Vital Organ..... by Katherine Britton

The Forgotten Vital Organ
by Katherine Britton

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. - Proverbs 18:21

I have decided that many, many medical textbooks are wrong. Each and every one of them has actually left out a vital organ. Yes, they've remembered the heart and the brain and even that strange thing called a pancreas (I know it's important, I just forget why sometimes). But look through the books all you want, and you'll find not one mention of the most obvious vital organ of all: the tongue.

Then again, I myself often choose to ignore the importance of the tongue. I'd rather not believe it has "the power of life and death." I'd like to pretend my tongue is more like an appendix or a gall bladder - easy to forget about because it's not that important - but that's just not the case. Snapping at my family when I'm tired, nagging, and complaining all release a poison from my tongue that works its way through my whole being (James 3:6). Not only that, I infect others with my attitudes and motivations. I begin to spread a disease.

Contrast that with the "words of the wise," as Proverbs says many times. Their words heal and strengthen as they spread encouragement, wisdom, peace, and the Gospel message. Oh, and - get this - the wise actually use their tongues less than other people. The more powerful the tongue, the less it needs to be used. It's like the heart of a well-trained athlete - when someone is really in shape, the beats per minute actually decrease as the heart becomes more and more efficient. In the same way, why don't I condition my tongue to speak fewer words with more meaning?

In Genesis 1, God spoke into the darkness, and there was light. Those "mere words" created something from nothing, showing the power of speaking out. My pastor in college told us that this verse had meaning for us, too, since we are created in God's image. We are meant to speak out and bring light from the darkness as He did. That's the power of the tongue in a crazy world. The question is whether we choose to speak light or just add to the darkness.

That little muscle called the tongue holds the power of life and death. That's no small matter. So let's be careful how we exercise it.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Grab a concordance and look up the words "mouth" and "tongue." The reference lists are extensive. It gets even bigger if you include the words "speak" and words." Then, take a seven day challenge to "tame the tongue" in just one way. Perhaps try encouraging instead of complaining. Even taming just that one area is like trying to control a wildfire (James 3:5). Don't get discouraged, but take each opportunity to thank God for the "new song" that He has given you to sing (Psalm 40:3).

He Will Quiet You with His Love..... By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

He Will Quiet You with His Love
By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. - Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

A month after my husband of nine years left me, I went on a women’s retreat to Colorado, led by Staci Eldredge with Ransomed Heart Ministries. The first few days, I was numb—numb to the March snow piled around me, numb to the new reality of single motherhood waiting for me back home, and numb to the boiling storm inside my heart begging for release. But the Lord didn’t let me stay numb long. After days of fellowship, comfort food, corporate worship, intense workshops, and a ton of quiet time alone with the Lord and my raging thoughts, He broke through.

My husband didn’t love me anymore, but my Bridegroom did.

Once I was home and the power of those emotions faded, a dear friend mailed me a card that I still have to this day in my dresser, some seven years later. It simply contained the verse from Zephaniah 3:17, reminding me of God’s love. He wouldn’t let me forget. He still loved me.

After that, encouragement piled in from all sides. Text messages, gift cards, surprises in the mail, offers to help mow my yard or prepare my house to sell. Eventually, these efforts faded as time went by—understandably so.

But you know what never stopped? The hearts.

I began to see hearts everywhere. In the rocks under my feet, in the celery in my soup, in the crack in the table, in the crumb from my bread, in the dirt on the carpet from my shoe…literally anywhere and everywhere. And they usually came during a rough time—days when I felt the most lonely or unwanted or unlovable.

At first, I thought it was just me seeing something out of nothing. Why would God intentionally send me hearts? There was no Scriptural evidence that He would do that. Then I started realizing that if I believed in God’s sovereignty, then He was absolutely in control of whether or not that heart appeared in that cloud or rock or in that bowl of soup. And He was absolutely in control of whether or not I saw it.

One day I was pumping gas, and my tears were about to spill over. It’d been a hard day. I had a bad case of the “it’s not fair”s and was feeling completely incapable and unforgotten. I glanced down and there it was—a giant heart in the oil stain on the pavement. I started giggling-crying. I was seen. I was loved.

God loves you, too. And He’s not limited to predictive or expected measures of demonstrating that love. We know that ultimately, God demonstrated His love for us through His Son, Jesus, on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, we know God’s love.

1 John 4:9-10 (ESV) In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 5:8 (ESV) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

You might not see hearts, but maybe you see something else. Maybe you sense or remember God’s presence the most when you feel the wind on your face. Or when you sink into a hot bath. Or when you see a butterfly or a particular flower in an open field.

His options for expressing love are limitless. Why not ask Him to open your eyes to the love around you? Pour into His Word. Bask in His presence through prayer and worship. And find Him in the unexpected.

A Prayer to Thank God for His Sovereign Control..... By Meg Bucher

A Prayer to Thank God for His Sovereign Control
By Meg Bucher

He set the earth on its foundations,
   never to be moved.
You covered it with the deep like a garment;
  the waters stood above the mountains.
At Your rebuke the waters fled;
  at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away—
the mountains rose and the valleys sank
  to the place You appointed for them—
You set a boundary they cannot cross;
  they will never again cover the earth. - Psalm 104:5-9

When my kids were still little, I longed for a magical solution to cure all aches and boo-boos. The constant clamoring for Band-Aids, boo-boo bunnies, and mommy hugs was everyday life for a long time. Long after the initial hurt had passed, that little Band-Aid on their finger or on their knee would remind them the rest of the day why they needed me, if only just to whine about what happened or add pity to the pain.

One day, I decided to use the clear, thick baby ointment that cures everything… maybe this would be the magical, cure-all solution? Clearing up a diaper rash is no joke, so I figured a paper cut should be a cakewalk for that stuff. I figured right, and they bought it. Problem solved …for a while.

In the search to heal what ails us, there are plenty of worldly solutions claiming to right wrongs and undo hurts. But, today’s verse reminds us of God’s sovereign healing. He secures the world. God set the borders of the ocean and perimeters of the sky, the depths of the ocean and heights of mountainous ranges. The sun rises and the sun sets, day after day, dependably.

Max Lucado wrote this about God’s power and control: “What controls you doesn’t control Him. What troubles you doesn’t trouble Him. What fatigues you doesn’t fatigue Him. Is an eagle disturbed by traffic? No, he rises above it. Is the whale perturbed by a hurricane? Of course not, he plunges beneath it. Is the lion flustered by the mouse standing directly in his way? No, he steps over it. How much more is God able to soar above, plunge beneath, and step over the troubles of the earth! As Matthew 19:26 tells us, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'”

We need each other for comfort, and we benefit from the medicine the earth provides, but neither is as powerful as His sovereign hand of love. It is a love Jesus died for on the cross so that we may come to Him and be healed …over and over again. When solutions seem senseless, look to Him.

Father, we praise You for the delicate way You powerfully align our lives to Your creation. Thank You for the waters and mountains that remind us of You. Forgive us for overlooking Your presence in every aspect of our lives, and bless us to notice and give glory to You, for You are our healer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.