Shallow 

Streams in the Desert

"Not much earth" (Matt. 13:5).

Shallow! It would seem from the teaching of this parable that we have something to do with the soil. The fruitful seed fell into "good and honest hearts." I suppose the shallow people are the soil without much earth--those who have no real purpose, are moved by a tender appeal, a good sermon, a pathetic melody, and at first it looks as if they would amount to something; but not much earth--no depth, no deep, honest purpose, no earnest desire to know duty in order to do it. Let us look after the soil of our hearts.

When a Roman soldier was told by his guide that if he insisted on taking a certain journey it would probably be fatal, he answered, "It is necessary for me to go; it is not necessary for me to live."

This was depth. When we are convicted something like that we shall come to something. The shallow nature lives in its impulses, its impressions, its intuitions, its instincts, and very largely its surroundings. The profound character looks beyond all these, and moves steadily on, sailing past all storms and clouds into the clear sunshine which is always on the other side, and waiting for the afterwards which always brings the reversion of sorrow, seeming defeat and failure.

When God has deepened us, then He can give us His deeper truths, His profoundest secrets, and His mightier trusts. Lord, lead me into the depths of Thy life and save me from a shallow experience!

On to broader fields of holy vision;
On to loftier heights of faith and love;
Onward, upward, apprehending wholly,
All for which He calls thee from above.
--A. B. Simpson 

God Honors Our Commitment to Him..... Dr. Charles Stanley

God Honors Our Commitment to Him

Dr. Charles Stanley

Daniel 1

Daniel and his friends faced the same dilemma we do--how to live a holy life in a godless culture. At one time, our society readily accepted Christian values and standards, but that era is quickly passing. Our challenge today is to live under God's authority while remaining in submission to the law of the land. At times we are forced to choose between the two, but if we'll seek the Lord's guidance before marching defiantly forward, He may open an alternative approach for us.

Had Daniel bluntly declared, "I won't eat this food!" he wouldn't have lasted long, and we wouldn't have the book of Daniel in the Bible. But the Lord gave him the wisdom to humbly seek permission from the person who was in a position of authority over him. God honored his commitment and provided a way for him to live righteously in a pagan world.

We tend to hold up Daniel and his three friends as extraordinary people who lived amazing lives. But have you ever wondered what the Lord could do in the life of an ordinary person like you? The determining factor is not the greatness of the individual but, rather, his commitment to a God who can do remarkable things in a life fully devoted to Him. That's the kind of people our Lord is looking for.

Although we don't know all that God could do in our lives if we'd radically commit ourselves to Him, the thought of missing out on His plans should be enough to motivate us to obey. You don't want to arrive in heaven and discover you forfeited blessings because you weren't fully devoted to Him.

My Prayer Life: From Stale to Inspired..... AMBER BOLTON

My Prayer Life: From Stale to Inspired
AMBER BOLTON of the Inspire Bible Tour

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2 (NLT) 

There I was, sitting across from Him at the local coffee shop. The conversation had gone stale, or maybe I had just stopped listening. I don’t know when I started doubting His responses or why I looked away when He tried to share grace and kindness.

There were a million other places I wanted to be instead of sitting here across from Him. I’d rather be with friends talking about how great He is, or at work sharing about the gifts He lavished on me. I’d rather be designing a great “look” on our shared Instagram page than actually trying to make the curated picture become reality.

That “Him” was God.

The conversation was prayer. The gifts He lavished were grace, forgiveness and freedom.

But my conversations with God had grown stale and tired. I felt like we had grown apart. He never moved. He was always steady. Always looking me in the eye. It was I who wandered, I who made it appear my faith was okay on the outside while doubting His truth on the inside.

When you have been having the same conversations over and over, things can start to get stale. That was my prayer life. Nearly three decades ago, God and I began to talk across the metaphorical table. But something changed.

That something was me.

Perhaps this is you, too. Do you find your prayer life growing stale sometimes? Do you forget what you’ve prayed about in the past? Does prayer feel like a daily task to mark off your list? Is it filled with anticipation, worship and awe or obligation and indifference?

This was me. Wondering all of these questions, I knew I needed a change of heart. I needed a fresh perspective on prayer to get back to the purpose of meeting with God.

When I started Bible journaling, I found that change of heart. Not only did it revive my prayer life, but it helped me find the devotion, alertness and thankfulness Colossians 4:2 speaks about: “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”

I have been reading the Bible all my life, but this visual way to worship in the margin helped me write the living and active Word of God on my heart. It felt natural to write out my prayers using color and creativity in the margins of my Bible. God was giving me a fresh perspective through colored pencils and stickers — and my creative heart came alive.

God and I began to have conversations again. Not over coffee, but in paint strokes, patterned tape and other expressions of my faith, prayers and gratitude.

Prayer is our breath, our words, our actions, our listening ear. It’s also the stroke of a pen and the vibrant colors we use to describe and worship God. What a joy to be in awe of God in the midst of creativity.

Prayer is all about connection with God. It’s engaging with the Creator of the Universe, and sometimes it’s done with artful expression. My stale prayer life radically changed as I used creativity to express and capture my moments with God.

Prayer is no longer silence over espresso; it’s alive and active through art in the margin of my Bible. Maybe like me, you need to try something new and different to bring freshness back into your prayers. Whether that’s Bible journaling or something else that God shows you, don’t be afraid to explore ways to make your walk with God even more beautiful. After all, He’s a God of doing new things.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for drawing us near and speaking to us through Your life-giving Word and through prayer as we “sit across the table from You.” May our prayers be alert and thankful as we express our devotion to You. We are undeserving of Your lavish and enduring love. Brush off the cobwebs of our prayers and rejuvenate us through Your Word today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (NLT)

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (NLT)

I Want Answers Now!..... by Laura MacCorkle

I Want Answers Now!
by Laura MacCorkle

In his heart, a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9, NIV

Living in the Information Age, we’re so used to getting what we want as soon as we want it.

We’re becoming more and more accustomed to not having to wait for anything, as instant gratification is the norm in many areas of our lives.

• A gourmet, meat-and-three meal ready in less than three minutes from the microwave. Check.
• Instant text messages sent directly to our handheld communication devices. Check.
• Mobile phone reception and extensive coverage wherever we may travel. Check.
• Wireless Internet access so we can log on whenever and wherever we want. Check.
• A new group of “friends” in an online social network who we don’t have to spend face-time with in order to call friends. Check.

Can you relate? God forbid that we should ever have to wait on something, because that’s when the real whining and the complaining kick in. I should know.

I’ve been struggling with an ongoing life situation that has got me journaling and praying and reading and discussing up a storm. I don’t understand what God is doing, and I want answers and a flowchart of how this will all be worked out. Right now.

I want to plan my course and make something happen—move the situation along, if I can, and get the results that I think should be had and on my time schedule.

Not long after I have a mental outburst such as this, I am immediately convicted. And I know that this is not the right way to respond. How must God interpret this type of thinking? Does he lovingly shake his head and murmur, “Oh, sweet child. Someday she’ll learn.” Or perhaps I disappoint him because I cannot trust in him without struggling with my desire to first know all the steps he’s planning for me to get from Point A to Point Z.

While flipping through my Bible this week, I found that the words of Psalm 145:3-7 have helped me to see this struggle in a different light:

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
His greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another;
They will tell of your mighty acts.
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

After reading this passage, I was reminded that it doesn’t matter that I understand what is going on in the world. It doesn’t matter that I can’t control what is or isn’t happening. What matters is that I know and profess that God is great, and that he is good. Period.

Why even struggle with trying to understand the ways of a sovereign God? He alone is worthy of our praise and adoration. Why not just immediately respond with celebration for who he is? Why not just surrender and rest in him? For his answers for our lives are never late and always arrive at just the right time.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you wrestling with God, as Jacob did at Peniel (Gen. 32)? It is God—not you—who holds your destiny in his hands. Ask him to help you take one day at a time as you trust in him and his plan and timetable for your life.

Further Reading:
Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV
Romans 8:28, NIV

Finding Peace in the Midst of Pain..... By John D. Barry

Finding Peace in the Midst of Pain
By John D. Barry

There are moments in life that seem to lack all peace. Instead, they are only full of pain. How can we find peace in times such as these? Paul the apostle, who was deeply familiar with pain, had some thoughts on that.

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18. Reflect on  2 Thessalonians 3:16.

The church at Thessalonica had endured incredible pain, as had Paul. From those who didn’t believe in Jesus, they had experienced persecution (2 Thessalonians 1:4; 3:1–2). Thus, Paul does not tritely offer these words about peace.

For Paul, peace was a real and enduring reality in his life, despite the pain. If only such was the case for all of us.Paul achieved this sense of peace from a deep understanding that Jesus would work through all things—no matter how dire they seemed (compare Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:28). Paul believed in a resurrected Lord who could bring resurrected life to even the most painful moments of death and despair.

I remember an intense moment of despair in my life, when I felt like I could no longer see the beauty of the moon or the stars. When I looked up and out, I felt nothing but pain. I questioned everything and was left paralyzed by indecision—despairing. I found my way out by praying through my pain. And when I couldn’t find words to pray, I prayed through the Psalms and the Book of Common Prayer.

And this was Paul’s solution. He went to prayer:

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 NRSV).

“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18 NRSV).

It wasn’t that Paul didn’t feel pain or experience movements of anxiety or despair. It’s what Paul did with those moments. He prayed. He prayed. He prayed.

What is God asking you to bring to him in prayer today? How can peace in Jesus be your answer to even the most painful of moments?

A Prayer for God to Direct Our Next Steps..... By Tiffany Thibault

A Prayer for God to Direct Our Next Steps
By Tiffany Thibault

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. - Proverbs 16:9

Making big decisions is really hard. Making decisions that require our time, our finances and our energy can make us feel absolutely overwhelmed. As the internal and external pressures build, we can begin to feel desperate. Unfortunately, that is when we either tend to make poor decisions, or don’t make any plans in fear of making the wrong choice.

When Christians are struggling to make decisions, they might ask themselves, “What does God want me to do?” Or, “Should I do this activity or should I spend my time doing that one?”

As Christians, we can have peace in making plans for our today and our tomorrows, knowing that if it doesn’t go against the truth and principles found in God’s Word, then we can move forward! So go ahead, make those plans and dream about your amazing ideas. God has given you such a unique and creative mind to allow you to do the things he has gifted you to do.

As you determine what those plans are and as you keep your heart and mind open to the Lord, you can move forward in confidence, knowing that He will determine your steps. He has given you a mind to choose between right and wrong. He has given you a heart to know what is good. He has given you a soul to crave fellowship with Him. He loves you too much to want you to travel too far from Him. This is why God will determine your steps.

He will bring people and circumstances your way that may cause you to slow down, to reevaluate your path. He does this because He is good. He wants only the very best for you. If your plan gets muddled or destroyed, thank Him. He is protecting you because He cherishes you. He has something even more amazing that you can ever imagine in your future plans!

Today, let’s pray for the plans you are making, for God to direct your steps into his good and perfect will.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for each new day that you have given us. Thank you for creating our minds to dream. You designed each of us with a need to create, to develop, to dream of new possibilities. Thank you for giving us the freedom to make our own plans.

There are times Lord, when I don’t know which decision to make. Your Word says that You determine my steps. Thank you for the freedom that brings to my mind and heart. You are a good God, and you desire good things for me!

As I make my plans for today and tomorrow, and as I step forward in faith, guide my steps Lord where you want me to go. Turn me away from the direction of anything that I make plans for that will take my eyes off of you. In Jesus' name, Amen.