Together in Heavenly Places..... Streams in the Desert

 

Together in Heavenly Places 

Streams in the Desert

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ... and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-6).

This is our rightful place, to be "seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," and to "sit still" there. But how few there are who make it their actual experience! How few, indeed think even that it is possible for them to "sit still" in these "heavenly places" in the everyday life of a world so full of turmoil as this.

We may believe perhaps that to pay a little visit to these heavenly places on Sundays, or now and then in times of spiritual exaltation, may be within the range of possibility; but to be actually "seated" there every day and all day long is altogether another matter; and yet it is very plain that it is for Sundays and week-days as well.

A quiet spirit is of inestimable value in carrying on outward activities; and nothing so hinders the working of the hidden spiritual forces, upon which, after all, our success in everything really depends, as a spirit of unrest and anxiety.

There is immense power in stillness. A great saint once said, "All things come to him who knows how to trust and be silent." The words are pregnant with meaning. A knowledge of this fact would immensely change our ways of working. Instead of restless struggles, we would "sit down" inwardly before the Lord, and would let the Divine forces of His Spirit work out in silence the ends to which we aspire.

You may not see or feel the operations of this silent force, but be assured it is always working mightily, and will work for you, if you only get your spirit still enough to be carried along by the currents of its power.
--Hannah Whitall Smith

There is a point of rest
At the great center of the cyclone's force,
A silence at its secret source;
A little child might slumber undisturbed,
Without the ruffle of one fair curl,
 In that strange, central calm, amid the mighty whirl.

It is your business to learn to be peaceful and safe in God in every situation.

How to Foster True Friendships..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 How to Foster True Friendships

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Samuel 18:1-3

 

All people long to be in genuine relationships. God created us with this need, as we were not meant to live in isolation.

 

Our world is so driven by technology that many people today try to ease their loneliness through computer relationships. However, this can never satisfy or compare to the human fellowship that the Creator designed. But healthy friendships don't just happen. They require intentional effort.

 

Yesterday, in looking to Jonathan and David for a biblical model of godly companions, we saw how mutual respect is vital in a healthy friendship. Now, let's look at two more aspects of their relationship. These two men had an emotional love for one another; their hearts were knit together (1 Sam. 18:1). When one man experienced joy or sadness, the other man felt it too.

 

They also had genuine devotion to each other, which is a type of commitment that involves giving: to show loyalty, Jonathan gave his friend material items--his robe and weapon. But these two men also selflessly offered more: Jonathan even risked his life and future kingship in order to save David from execution. Notice, too, that Jonathan was often the initiator, and the one who gave more. He was a prince, whereas David was a lowly shepherd. Social status shouldn't interfere with cultivating a true friendship.

 

We were designed for true companionship based on mutual respect, genuine love, and commitment. This requires not only time and selfless devotion but also transparency--which means being real, even about our faults. Taking such a risk requires trust. Such relationships are well worth the effort.

The Problem With More..... MARY MARANTZ

 The Problem With More

MARY MARANTZ

“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)

I often find myself praying two prayers, run-on sentence style, unironically and in the same breath.

God, I have too much. 

God, when are You going to give me more?

On the one hand, I find myself suffocating, sputtering and gasping, unable to breathe with everything weighing on my lungs. It’s like a 2-ton to-do list sits down on my chest and refuses to move until I give it treats of endless checkmarks and infinite highlight reels.

Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning, breathless at the busyness of an over-scheduled, over-crowded, over-managed life of my own making. It’s all too much. But it’s all too little. And that’s exactly when I ask for more.

God, when are You going to give me what they have? When will my life look just like theirs?

I present my blueprints to God, these carefully drawn constructions of a life I have planned. I layer on second and third floors to a ground level that is already shaky. I ignore a foundation that is beginning to crumble under the weight of trying to become something I was never designed to be. I stare at my plans and wish for someone else’s, something grander, more ornate.

Please give me less, God. 

But please, oh please, God, when will You give me more? 

The Bible tells us we were never meant to live this way: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV).

It’s so beautiful that Jesus would use the imagery of a yoke. A yoke was typically used to subject oxen to the bondage of constantly plowing forward, driven ever onward by the heavy weight they carried on their shoulders — sound familiar? In Matthew 11, Jesus uses it to represent the true freedom only found in coming to Him for rest. He’s saying you can lay down the weight of the hustle, this constant spinning and striving, trying to work your way into worth.

Instead, the rest He offers us is more like a tree planted by the water, as Jeremiah 17:8 says: “They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

It gives more oxygen than it takes. It provides shade and shelter to those who want to come and sit by it for a while. It is a welcome place of belonging. A much-needed respite for the weary. A place to come and rest our tired souls.

Heavenly Father, I waste so much time trying to earn my worth in a world that values this fleeting currency of “more.” I’ll admit, I sometimes try to take the plans out of Your hands, believing I somehow know better. Thank You, Jesus, that You see worth in me outside of any of my works. That You offer me rest. That You love me, regardless of what I achieve or get done today. Help me to live like Your love is unfailing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (NIV)

Trust His Heart..... By Meghan Kleppinger

 Trust His Heart

By Meghan Kleppinger

"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.'" Psalms 31:14

Whether it be financial, relational, spiritual, or physical troubles (and don't they all seem to come at the same time?), it's easy to find ourselves questioning God and His plan for our lives.

Christian singer Babbie Mason's song, Trust His Heart, addresses these times of hardship. I heard this song for the first time when I was a preteen, and its moving lyrics continue to encourage me now in my adult years. I sing the chorus whenever I'm going through one of life's rough patches.

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
 Trust His heart

These aren't just lyrics of a song, they're descriptions of God's character and reminders of His promises as told through scripture.

1. God is too wise to be mistaken
"To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his." (Job 12:13) (NIV)

"But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jeremiah 10:12) (NIV)

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" (Romans 11:33) (NIV)

2. God is too good to be unkind
"O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (Psalms 34:8) (NAS)

"Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me." (Psalm 69:16) (NIV)

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." (1 Peter 2, 3) (NAS)

3. So when you don't understand, When you don't see His plan, When you can't trace His hand, Trust His heart

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6) (NAS)

"For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) (NAS)

Isn't good to know that we when we are afraid or in the middle of circumstance we don't understand, that we can trust the ways of our wise and wonderful God!

Intersecting Faith & Life: Commit scriptures to memory that remind you of God's character and share the confidence you have in Him.

How God Displays His Power in Our Weakness..... By Kia Stephens

 How God Displays His Power in Our Weakness

By Kia Stephens

Throughout the Bible, God displays His power among weakness. One of the accounts occurs when Jesus healed the blind man in John chapter 9. As Jesus and his disciples went along they saw a man who had been blind since birth. Here in this passage, Jesus used one of the most unconventional healing methods known to medicine. John 9:6 (NIV) says, “After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.” The blind man and the disciples alike had a weak understanding. They had no idea what Christ was doing in this moment.

This is the case for many of us. When it comes to life's idiosyncrasies, we are weak in our understanding of how things are going to work out for our good. A financial crisis, a terminal illness, a job loss, and a broken relationship are all opportunities for God’s power to be displayed.

This is why Scripture reminds us that God’s ways are not like our ways in Isaiah 55:8. He is able to use people, circumstances, and difficulties in ways we cannot even fathom. When we are weak in our understanding we can trust in God who understands and controls all things. He can use the circumstances we do not understand to display His power.

A Prayer to Be Known as a Jesus Follower..... By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

 A Prayer to Be Known as a Jesus Follower

By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

Lately, my heart has been hurting for so many people. The state of our country is overwhelming. It leaves many of us wondering what to say, what to do, and how to be helpers. The specifics of those things, I can’t answer. But I do know one thing.

In Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested for healing a crippled man and then preaching about Jesus. But when they were brought before the council, they never backed down. They stood strong for Jesus and here's what happened:

"The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus." - Acts.4:13 (italics mine)

I'm as ordinary as they come. I have no special training in the Word, just a longing to share the Lord with others. But it's hard. It doesn't come naturally. I care what people think, too much sometimes. I don't want to be the weird one. There are times I push through and put it out there. But, there are more times I know exactly what I should say and back down because of fear.

My prayer is that even when I fail at being bold. Even when I don't share like I should. That those around me can still tell that I have been with Jesus.

For any of you who struggle with voicing your beliefs and sharing the Word out loud, like I do at times, you may wonder, well how will they know I've been with Jesus if I don't say it?

Many times believers don’t share the gospel in words. They share it with bold actions that resonate louder than many words ever could.

Here are a few areas to focus on:

1. The way you love people. 

Not just the ones who you're supposed to love. Not just the ones who love you. I'm talking about the ones who you don't know. The ones who look different than you. The ones who might be stinky or awkward or might make you uncomfortable. Love 'em. Show it with a smile or a hand squeeze or a hug or food or service. Stand up for those who need you. Do something sacrificial, no matter how small, to give someone hope that they are worthy of love.

Love people well. And pray they see Jesus instead of you.

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:16

2. Show grace (giving someone what they don’t deserve) and mercy (not giving someone what they do deserve).

People make mistakes every day. They mess up your order in the drive-thru line. They snap at you for no reason. They forget to turn their blinkers on when they are turning. It would be easy to call the manager and let them have it, post nasty things on social media to let everyone know how horrible they are, or honk your horn repeatedly in these situations. But let me encourage you not to.

I was at a fast food drive-thru not too long ago and as the young girl handed me the bag of food, she let go before I quite had it. The bag fell on the ground and fries went everywhere. Bless her heart, she looked terrified. I quickly smiled at her, told her it was my fault, and that I should have had a better hold on it, and it was fine. She looked shocked at my response. I grabbed the bag and what was left inside and told her thank you and to have a great day. Relief flooded her face, and it blessed my heart.

That was Jesus. I wanted my fries... and so did my whining kids. But in that moment, grace was needed. And He helped me give it.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

3. Forgive, forgive, forgive.

Many times you are not in the wrong. Forgive anyway. Many times, the other party doesn't deserve it. Forgive anyway. Many times, you will not get a kind response in return. Forgive anyway. And feel a peace in your soul that is free of the burden of grudges and a huge list of wrongs that will weigh your mind, body, and spirit down. Do it because Jesus would, and  He will help you.

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you,not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!" Matthew 18:22

Let’s Pray –

Dear Jesus,

I may not have the perfect words. I may not know exactly what to do to help. But in all situations, help me to love people well, give grace and mercy abundantly, and forgive without reservation. Use my life to help plant seeds that You can use for Your glory. Let me be known as a Jesus follower.

In everything I do, help me remember Whose I am and Who I represent. More than anything, I want to be known as someone who has been with You.

In Your Mighty Name,

Amen.