Streams in the Desert.....

Streams in the Desert

Be still, and know that I am God (Ps. 46:10).

Is there any note of music in all the chorus as mighty as the emphatic pause? Is there any word in all the Psalter more eloquent than that one word, Selah (Pause)? Is there anything more thrilling and awful than the hush that comes before the bursting of the tempest and the strange quiet that seems to fall upon all nature before some preternatural phenomenon or convulsion? Is there anything that can touch our hearts as the power of stillness?

There is for the heart that will cease from itself, "the peace of God that passeth all understanding," a "quietness and confidence" which is the source of all strength, a sweet peace "which nothing can offend," a deep rest which the world can neither give nor take away. There is in the deepest center of the soul a chamber of peace where God dwells, and where, if we will only enter in and hush every other sound, we can hear His still, small voice.

There is in the swiftest wheel that revolves upon its axis a place in the very center, where there is no movement at all; and so in the busiest life there may be a place where we dwell alone with God, in eternal stillness.

There is only one way to know God. "Be still, and know." "God is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."
--Selected

"All-loving Father, sometimes we have walked under starless skies that dripped darkness like drenching rain. We despaired of starshine or moonlight or sunrise. The sullen blackness gloomed above us as if it would last forever. And out of the dark there spoke no soothing voice to mend our broken hearts. We would gladly have welcomed some wild thunder peal to break the torturing stillness of that over-brooding night.

"But Thy winsome whisper of eternal love spoke more sweetly to our bruised and bleeding souls than any winds that breathe across Aeolian harps. It was Thy 'still small voice' that spoke to us. We were listening and we heard. We looked and saw Thy face radiant with the light of love. And when we heard Thy voice and saw Thy face, new life came back to us as life comes back to withered blooms that drink the summer rain."

Peace with God..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Peace with God

Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 5:1-2

One day I posed a question to the waitress at my table: “If you could ask God for anything, what would your request be?” Her answer was immediate. “I want to feel at peace.” She tearfully explained that her grandmother had died and emotional turmoil resulted.

Many in our world are like this young woman, in that they desire inner calmness but have no relationship with the Lord. People often seek contentment by trying to improve their appearance, physical fitness, financial situation, or social status—or by abusing substances. But such things can’t bring tranquility of heart or mind. Only a relationship with Jesus leads to true peace.

Prior to salvation, we were slaves to sin and living in opposition to God (Col. 1:21). Our transgressions had formed a barrier of hostility between Him and us, which we were helpless to cross on our own. Without God’s intervention, we could not have found the way of peace. But our heavenly Father provided the perfect solution to our sin problem. He sent His Son to pay for our iniquities and remove the separation that existed between us and Him.

When we trusted Jesus as our Savior, we were reconciled to the Lord (Rom. 5:10) and no longer at odds with Him. In Christ, we have peace with the Father.

Our triune God has provided everything we need for inner tranquility. The Father opened the way for us to be in His family. Jesus continually offers His peace so we can experience serenity of mind and heart (John 14:27). And the Holy Spirit cultivates the fruit of peace in our lives (Gal. 5:22).

Just a Little Sin..... LYSA TERKEURST

 Just a Little Sin

LYSA TERKEURST

“So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.” Genesis 37:17c-18 (NIV) 

Today, there will be a moment. No one will snap a picture of it. It probably won't make it into the journals of those who journal. Or linger in the thoughts we carry with us to sleep tonight.

It will come.

It will go.

It will slip by seemingly unnoticed. But its effects won’t slip. They’ll stay. And if fostered, grow to epic proportions.

This moment where something creeps into our heart and pulls our focus from right to wrong. It will be just a hint of distortion. The smallest amount. But a slight and seemingly insignificant amount of skewed thought will take root.

And grow.

Beyond what we can even imagine.

What is this distortion? The thought that “this” bitterness is okay … justifiable … no big deal.

Which brings us to one of my favorite stories in the Bible. The one where Moses goes to Pharaoh and sings that song, “Oh, Pharaoh, Pharaoh, whoa, whoa, gotta let my people go.”

Totally a loose translation, but if you’ve ever attended vacation Bible school as a child, you probably know what I’m talking about.

There’s an astounding chain of events that led up to God having to deliver His people from Pharaoh’s fierce grip that I want us to trace and consider. It starts with this question: Why was the entire nation of Israelites — all of God's people — all 12 tribes — enslaved in Egypt?

As I trace this story backward, I find it’s because of one seemingly insignificant moment.

The course of history was changed because a few family members got angry and jealous of their brother Joseph. Bitterness slipped in. And that bitterness eventually grew into hatred.

Hurt that sits unattended to in the human heart over time can so easily turn to hate.

Our key verse reveals the moment the seed of bitterness and anger magnified into a full-blown murderous plot: “So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him” (Genesis 37:17c-18).

While they didn’t wind up killing Joseph, they did sell their brother and regarded him as dead.

Years went by.

Years of heartbreak and confusion passed.

Eventually, Joseph landed in a position of great power in Egypt and had authority to provide food for his family. So, all 11 of his brothers and their families moved to Egypt. Joseph and his 11 brothers make up what became the 12 tribes of Israel. As these tribes multiplied, they became the nation of Israel.

What the brothers meant for evil, God used for good. He saved the Israelites from the famine. But there were still lasting effects of the brothers’ choices that came out years later.

After Joseph died, “Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. ‘Look,’ he said to his people, ‘the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.’ So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh” (Exodus 1:8-11, NIV).

So, the entire nation of Israel suffered oppression and slavery for centuries. Why?

Because a few brothers on an ordinary day got a little jealous … and allowed bitterness and anger to slip in.

And the moment these emotions slipped in, the course of history changed.

In a moment.

May we never assume our moments don't matter. The decisions we make every second of every day matter.

There are no little moments or little sins.

There’s a domino effect to it all, and it reaches far beyond what we can even know.

Please understand, no part of this is meant to heap more hurt on you or condemn you in any way. But awareness and conviction are good.

Moments matter. And future generations will be impacted by our choices today.

Let’s watch for any moment today where we have the choice to let anger, envy or something else negative slip in. And when one shows up, let’s recognize it. Refute it. And replace it with God’s spirit of love.

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me there’s never just a little bit of bitterness. There’s never just a little bit of unforgiveness. There’s never just a little bit of anger. Help me to choose wisely today when it comes to my thoughts, words and actions. I know my choices will have a multiplied impact that extends further than I know. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
James 3:16, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (NIV)

The Kingdom of God ..... By: Amanda Idleman

 The Kingdom of God (Luke 17:21)

By: Amanda Idleman

Today’s Bible Verse: “Nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” - Luke 17:21

Often, we feel like finding God, seeing Him at work, and experiencing His presence takes hard work. Many believers spend our time searching for the next book, service, story, or special prayer that will bring us closer to Him. It can be a frustrating, frantic, and draining quest for that special something that lets us know we are not alone and that we are truly a part of something greater than ourselves.

There is no need for complicated routines or special spiritual qualifications. When we accept Jesus, we become a part of his kingdom or, even more sweetly put, we are part of his family. His presence, power, and peace live inside of us! What a gift God gives us when he sends his son to usher onto the earth God’s kingdom.

The “Kingdom of God” is referenced all throughout Scripture. Luke 17:21 tells us the kingdom is in our midst, Matthew 3:2 tells us the kingdom of heaven is near, Matthew 13:41 tell of a “weeding out” of those who cannot enter the kingdom, and Mark 1:14-15 encourages us to repent as God’s kingdom is near. These are just a few of the many verses that point to God’s kingdom.

The Kingdom of God can be described as God’s reign and his rule over all things. God is in charge of our universe; he is on his throne and governing all things. God’s purpose for our world is that we would be a part of his kingdom. Thankfully, God sent Jesus to establish his saving rule here on Earth. Jesus died in order to triumph over our sin, death, and Satan. When we are in relationship with him, he reigns in our hearts. God also calls us to gather together as people who are citizens of God’s kingdom. Finally, Christ promises to come a second time to complete his reign by creating a new heaven and new earth.

The great mystery about the Kingdom of God is that it is both talked about as something we should anticipate and also something that we have current access to in the here and now. For example, Matthew 6:10 invites us to pray that “God’s Kingdom come and His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” This text reminds us that things are not the way they ought to be here on Earth. Yet, in Luke 17:21 tells us that God’s Kingdom is here in our midst!

How can we both anticipate God’s Kingdom coming but also know that the Kingdom is in our midst? This is possible because God’s Kingdom is God’s reign. He is sovereign and at work in our world to redeem humanity and also at a future time his work will be finished with Christ’s return and subsequent renewal of all creation.

In Luke 17 Jesus was approached by the Pharisees who asked when the kingdom of God would come here on earth. These words were meant to provoke Jesus, prompting him to either prove that he was the Messiah by producing God’s kingdom and if not, then they wanted him to stop claiming that He was the Messiah.

Jews that witnessed this conversation would have been familiar with the kingdom of God. They were knowledgeable about the many prophecies that told of the glory of their coming Savior. They were hungry to see God’s kingdom on earth now! This would have been a conversation that would provoke a reaction from bystanders. They yearned for a Messiah to establish rule on earth.

Jesus said this to the Pharisees: “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you."

This statement was Jesus pointing the Pharisees to his divine identity. Jesus was making clear that his presence was what was bringing his kingdom to humanity. They were unable to recognize God’s sent Messiah, who was right in front of their faces.

Even though these Pharisees said they desired the Kingdom of God, they were not able to accept the King. They had other preconceived notions about what God’s Kingdom would and should look like. Their unwillingness to rethink what they thought God should or would do to save his people blinded them from being able to recognize Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus says to them I am right here in front of you but you still can’t see me, making the point that God’s Kingdom is received by those with open hearts.

Are we missing the Kingdom of God at our work because maybe God moving looks different than what we want? Are our hearts open to accept Jesus as ruler over our lives? How can we be part of God’s Kingdom at work on the earth? These are questions that should push us to dig deeper and seek God’s Kingdom a little bit more, every day.

Fools for Christ..... By Ryan Duncan

 Fools for Christ

By Ryan Duncan

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. – 1 Corinthians 1:27

I was leaving the grocery store and had just started my car, when I was approached by a man pushing a stroller. I assumed he was going to ask for directions, but it turned out that couldn't have been further from the truth.

"Hey man, I really need some help. My daughter and I just got evicted from our apartment." He proceeded to rattle off his story as I listened uncomfortably. He had contacted Social Services but they wouldn’t be able to help him until tomorrow. His wife had left when things got tough. He was afraid of losing his daughter. He'd found a cheap motel to stay in, but he still needed seventeen dollars to pay for the room.

Now, several things began to buzz through my head as he talked. The first was how I didn't trust a thing he was saying. In Asia, I'd seen female beggars use their children to garner sympathy from passing strangers. In South America, older men would hold Bibles or crosses, not because they were Christians but because it encouraged people to give more generously. Everything about his story felt rehearsed, staged, right down to the toddler in his stroller.

The second thing was that the man had said he needed $17, which was the exact amount I had in my wallet. I had been hoping to use that money to grab a lunch out or maybe see a movie, but could I really justify being so selfish if this guy really needed it? I considered giving him a few bucks just to make him go away, but withholding the rest didn't seem any better than giving him nothing. It felt like I was trapped between two choices, would I be stupid or heartless? Eventually, I considered what Christ would have me do, and handed over the money along with my best wishes.

I don't know what became of that man. Maybe he was telling the truth, maybe he was lying, and to be honest, I don’t really care. God has called us to love, and you cannot love others if you are afraid of looking foolish. Remember what the Bible says in the book of Matthew:

"'You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.’” – Matthew 5:38-42

Intersecting Faith and Life: Consider this: Love is like dancing, you'll never do it well if you're afraid of how you look.

Further Reading
1 Corinthians 4

A Prayer for Discernment By Keneesha Saunders-Liddie

 A Prayer for Discernment

By Keneesha Saunders-Liddie

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever, they sound like the truth. - Ephesians 4:14

When you are diagnosed with a serious condition by a doctor, you seek a second opinion. It is very rare for someone diagnosed with cancer or any other disease to roll over and begin chemotherapy or other intensive treatments without having tests taken and confirmed. You may also speak to family and friends about the situation before deciding what course of action to take.

Just as we are cautious when we are diagnosed with malignant diseases, we should also be cautious when we listen to pastors and preachers ministering the Word of God. Every believer should be growing in faith and maturity by learning more about the God whom we love and serve through his written Word. However, there will be times that something is said in your pastor’s sermon, a blog post, a bible study or book that sounds familiar and similar to the truth, but it is not.

Prayer is a vital part of learning to discern right from wrong while listening to the Word of God. The preacher can interpret a scripture or phrase incorrectly, and that is understandable, but when people willfully try to trick us with lies so that we can be deceived, that is wrong.

When lies become truth in the life of the believer, we are exactly the way Paul described in our key verse. We will be tossed and easily fooled by every new belief and doctrine that comes our way. When the old passed away and we were made new in Christ; the process is still happening. God is still working on us, so, let’s use the Bible to back up everything we hear. Follow along in scripture and pray for the Holy Spirits help. Today, let us pray for discernment so that our hearts will be open to truth and reject the lies.

Close your eyes in reverence and approach God’s throne with me through Jesus.

Almighty Father,

I am so grateful for your amazing Word. I have the very words that you left for me to get to know you better! God, I come before you today to ask you to open my eyes so that I can behold wondrous things out of your word. I no longer want to live on baby food; I desire to know your Word more and more.

I ask that you help me to keep learning more about you from the ones whom you have called to minister. Father, you know there are many sheep in wolves clothing, there are many who have such a smooth handle on words that it can be difficult to decipher the truth from a lie. But I’m not worried, Lord. I know that you are able to lead me to the correct teaching.

Give me wisdom as I study your Word so that I can discern exactly what you have written for me to understand.

I also bring before you all pastors and ministers who are using your Word to deceive your sheep and not to shepherd. Be merciful to them, Lord, convict their hearts and give them fresh anointing to lead your people correctly.

In a time when the Word is twisted and Truth is muddled, I pray you grow this generation of believers into a people who have discernment. Thank you that when we ask for more of your wisdom, you always give it to us.

In Jesus’s name,

Amen.