Listening Hard for God ..... Streams in the Desert

Listening Hard for God 

Streams in the Desert

"Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov. 29 :18).

Waiting upon God is necessary in order to see Him, to have a vision of Him. The time element in vision is essential. Our hearts are like a sensitive photographer's plate; and in order to have God revealed there, we must sit at His feet a long time. The troubled surface of a lake will not reflect an object.

Our lives must be quiet and restful if we would see God. There is power in the sight of some things to affect one's life. A quiet sunset will bring peace to a troubled heart. Thus the vision of God always transforms human life.

Jacob saw God at Jabbok's ford, and became Israel. The vision of God transformed Gideon from a coward into a valiant soldier. The vision of Christ changed Thomas from a doubting follower into a loyal, devout disciple.

But men have had visions of God since Bible times. William Carey saw God, and left his shoemaker's bench and went to India. David Livingstone saw God, and left all to follow Him through the jungles of dark Africa. Scores and hundreds have had visions of God, and are today in the uttermost parts of the earth working for the speedy evangelization of the heathen.
--Dr. Pardington

There is hardly ever a complete silence in the soul. God is whispering to us well-nigh incessantly. Whenever the sounds of the world die out in the soul, or sink low, then we hear the whisperings of God. He is always whispering to us, only we do not hear, because of the noise, hurry, and distraction which life causes as it rushes on.
--F. W. Faber

"Speak, Lord, in the stillness,
While I wait on Thee;
Hushed my heart to listen
In expectancy.

"Speak, O blessed Master,
In this quiet hour;
Let me see Thy face, Lord,
Feel Thy touch of power.

"For the words Thou speakest,
'They are life,' indeed;
Living bread from Heaven,
Now my spirit feed!

"Speak, Thy servant heareth!
Be not silent, Lord;
Waits my soul upon Thee
For the quickening word!"

Advantages of Accountability ..... Dr. Charles Stanley

Advantages of Accountability

Dr. Charles Stanley

Hebrews 10:24

Far too often, people turn a good situation into slavery by ignoring wise boundaries of personal freedom. A godly accountability partner can help you enjoy privilege without abusing it. The benefits are plentiful:

Clearer direction. Honesty about faults and failures will open you to receive right counsel and encouragement. This process will increase your potential to do and become all that God has in mind for you.

Increased integrity. If you have to give an account to somebody, you'll be honest and transparent. Even when the truth hurts, the result is heightened integrity.

Better stewardship. Accounting for the way you use money, time, or talent makes you careful not to waste those resources.

Protection against excess. As children of God, we are free in Christ, but an accountability partner keeps us balanced and guards us from taking liberties.

Healthy self-examination. Another person can often point out what we cannot see in ourselves. When we allow someone  to be an accurate mirror of our faults, we're in a better position to make improvements.

Safeguard against unwise relationships. If you have to give an account of where you go and which people you spend time with, you'll be more likely to avoid problematic places and relationships.

Unbridled freedom may seem like a great blessing, but it can be a recipe for disaster. Do you give account to anybody for the way you handle money, time, and relationships? If not, consider inviting a trustworthy Christian to fill that role. Taking this step reveals a heart that longs to please God.

The Long Prayer of Motherhood..... BRENDA BRADFORD OTTINGER

The Long Prayer of Motherhood
BRENDA BRADFORD OTTINGER

Lee en español

“Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly, for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?” 2 Chronicles 1:10 (NLT)

Raise your hand if you thought for sure 2020 would look normal again by now.

Me too.

In this season of sheltering-in-place, yesterday looks like today looks like tomorrow, yet nothing looks like normal. While this wayward year remains seated in the principal’s office of life, it can feel challenging to lead our families into a fresh semester of uncertainty.

Perhaps you’re concerned for safety as school began amid the social distance of pandemic. Or you’re wondering how to manage a makeshift kitchen-table-classroom while working an essential job.

Maybe your college student struggles with a new normal, longing for what would have been. Or, like many of us, you’re heartsick over racial and civic tensions, craving unity and equality for the youth of your life, your community, your world.

I sense a collective refrain of prayer among mothers as we bend God’s ear, seeking favor and protection over the young and vulnerable around us.

And I’ve come to realize that motherhood is one long prayer of crying out to God for help to meet all they need with all we lack.

Nodding in solidarity, I read King Solomon’s humble prayer, “Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly, for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:10). After succeeding his father David as king of Israel, Solomon knew he needed wisdom beyond human supply to lead God’s people well.

How comforting to know that the same God who graced Solomon with wisdom to lead is still on His throne, granting wisdom to us as well.

Time and again, the Lord reminds me that the door through which wisdom is accessed is hinged with faith. Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “… we live by faith, not by sight” (NIV). Oh, for perfectly posed snapshots of tomorrow so we might parent without pressure — but faith isn’t a supplement for sight; it’s a substitute.

By faith we lean into the whispers of the One whose view is eternal. And friend, when you struggle to make sense of those whispers, and you wonder if you’ve heard God correctly, be encouraged that our human perspective is naturally limited. We can’t see the layers of detail God is crafting in our children’s lives. So let us take comfort in Solomon’s instruction: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5, NIV).

Whatever your worries, dear mama, there’s hope. We aren’t left to wander in the nearsightedness of human understanding. James 1:5a tells us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (NLT).

Not a single moment of this ill-behaved year has taken God by surprise. Even 2020 kneels before a faithful God who beholds the view beyond the valley.

This school year may look different than expected, but God’s faithfulness has yet to wrinkle with time. We can trust His eternal compass to guide us as we shepherd those within our care.

Whether you’re leading students, employees, ministries or others, when you rely on the counsel of God’s wisdom, you magnify the power of His purpose in the lives of your people.

Dear Lord, thank You for being the Leader of leaders. Please keep my ears tuned to Your wisdom and my heart at peace with Your plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Proverbs 2:6, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (NIV)

Proverbs 22:6, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (NLT)

Gospel Value..... by Liz Kanoy

Gospel Value
by Liz Kanoy

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."  - Matthew 13:44-46

What did Jesus mean when He said the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field that when found should be re-hidden and then bought? Here’s what He did not mean. Jesus did not mean that the gospel should be hidden and not shared, and He did not mean that the gospel could be bought.

The parable was meant to show the value of the gospel that it is in fact the most valuable thing you could ever possess. That if you found it, you would sell everything you owned so you could have it.

However, the gospel is so valuable that it can never be bought. You could never have enough fine things to sell or offer that would equal the value. But that’s the beauty of the gospel! It is the most valuable thing in existence…but it’s also free!

This means that God knowing your inferiority, your inability to come close to His standards, came down to earth as a humble baby, lived a perfect life on earth despite temptation, and died a sacrificial and substitutionary death even though He was innocent, just so you could receive the gift He offers.

What is the value of the gospel? It is like a field with the finest buried treasure; you’d be willing to sell everything you had – not just yard sale type things, but everything even the things you need to sustain your life – just so you could look upon it. The good news is that you don’t have to, and even if you wanted to you couldn’t.

The good news is that Jesus died and rose again, so that you could have the most valuable thing in the world for free. The gospel had a high price, one that you and I could never pay. There was only ever One who could pay it, and He finished that payment once and for all on the cross. He did this so that those He calls can accept His grace and become His children and heirs forever.

As believers, do we really treat the gospel like it’s the most valuable thing we have? Do we speak of it to others like it’s the most valuable thing they can have? And do our lives reflect that the grace of Jesus Christ is free, or do our actions show others that we are still trying to earn something?

Intersecting Faith and Life: Reflect on the joy of the gospel today and every day…the joy that it is given freely and can never be taken from you, and share this joy with everyone you know and meet.

Further Reading
Matthew 13

More Than a Good Name: Leaving a Legacy that Lasts..... By: Jennifer Waddle

More Than a Good Name: Leaving a Legacy that Lasts
By: Jennifer Waddle

Leaving a legacy involves far more than handing down a monetary inheritance or passing on a good family name. For those things will surely pass away and forever be forgotten.

A lasting legacy, one that continues for eternity, is set in stone. Written on our hearts, and the hearts of our loved ones, belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God and Savior of the world is the legacy that lasts.

As our children grow up, they may not see faith as something precious and invaluable. Especially if they have been raised in the church and surrounded by Christianity their whole lives, the value of a godly heritage may not be immediately apparent to them. However, as they grow up, the hope is that they will remember the “stones” of faith we have gathered for them, taught them, and lived as examples for them.

I think we can all ask ourselves the questions, “What are the foundations of my legacy? Are they superficial things of earth or everlasting things of heaven?”

Just as the Israelites were instructed to carry stones from the middle of the Jordan, and set them up as a memorial of God’s faithfulness, we too can gather “stones” that represent our legacy. Here are a few ideas:

• Write a family mission statement together. Ask questions like, “What do we want to be known for? How can we live our lives as a testimony of God’s faithfulness? What are the most important things to us? Frame your statement and hang it in your home. Also, make copies for each of your children to take with them as they grow up.
• Speak often about how God has worked in your own life. Consider having your personal testimony recorded for future generations.
• Keep a family Bible in your living room and encourage every family member to underline passages and write notes in the margins. Discuss often, how God is speaking to each of you through His Word.

One day, when your grandchildren or great-grandchildren come to you and ask, “What does faith mean to you?” Then, you can answer, without hesitation, and tell them about all the beautiful and miraculous things God has done, is doing, and will do.

A Prayer for Peace in a Relationship..... By: Kristine Brown

A Prayer for Peace in a Relationship
By: Kristine Brown

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.” - Psalm 139:23-24

Tensions in our home escalated. A plumbing leak caused major problems, resulting in several weeks of workers in and out of the house. Combine that with our current shaky circumstances, and our frazzled nerves were ready to crack.

My husband and I tried everything to maintain calm in the middle of the chaos, but one thing after another disrupted our peaceful day-to-day life. My patience wore thin. I developed a critical attitude. I didn’t realize I was letting our circumstances chip away at my peace. Until one day, it all became too much. A wall of stress and frustration formed between us. But what could we do? How could we regain that peace-filled marriage we longed for?

When tension builds between two people who love each other, it’s easy to get caught up in the blame game. Our minds focus on what the other person did wrong, and we wrestle with how they can’t see their wrongdoing. But when we turn our thoughts inward instead, God can begin the restoration process in our relationship.

Whether it’s marriage, family, or friendships, the enemy is the thief of peace in our relationships. Thankfully, God’s Word gives us the first step to take in restoring that peace that we know is possible through Jesus.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

From the inspiration in this verse, we discover a valuable truth for us and those we love. The way of everlasting is also the path to peace in our relationships.

We can’t change other people, but we can begin with ourselves. When we ask God to search our hearts and thoughts, he is faithful to reveal areas in our own lives that need work. He will also turn our focus back toward Him and His eternal goodness. As we begin by humbling ourselves before Him and seeking His heart above all else, He will help us see those daily annoyances for what they are and put us on the path back to peace. Let’s pray for God’s help bringing peace to our relationships today.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for leading me on the path to everlasting love, peace, and joy. Sometimes I let my circumstances steal my peace, which affects my marriage and other relationships in my life. When that happens, I pray you will search my heart and begin to renew me from the inside out.

I fix my eyes on you once again, Lord, as I take steps toward the peace I know is possible.

I will not allow life’s daily frustrations to cause division in my relationships. Even in the most uncertain times, I can hold fast to your promises for my life and my loved ones. Remind me to keep you at the center of my heart and home at all times, so my relationships will honor you.

When I feel like I’ve been wronged in a relationship, help me discover ways to work on my own thoughts and attitude. Develop me into a better person through Your precious Holy Spirit. Guide me in the truth of Your ways and keep me on the path toward peace.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.