According to What They Can Endure ..... Streams in the Desert

 

According to What They Can Endure 

Streams in the Desert

I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure (Genesis 33:14).

What a beautiful picture of Jacob's thoughtfulness for the cattle and the children! He would not allow them to be overdriven even for one day. He would not lead on according to what a strong man like Esau could do and expected them to do, but only according to what they were able to endure. He knew exactly how far they could go in a day; and he made that his only consideration in arranging the marches. He had gone the same wilderness journey years before, and knew all about its roughness and heat and length, by personal experience. And so he said, "I will lead on softly." "For ye have not passed this way heretofore" (Josh.3:4.).

We have not passed this way heretofore, but the Lord Jesus has. It is all untrodden and unknown ground to us, but He knows it all by personal experience. The steep bits that take away our breath, the stony bits that make our feet ache so, the hot shadeless stretches that make us feel so exhausted, the rushing rivers that we have to pass through -- Jesus has gone through it all before us. "He was wearied with his journey." Not some, but all the many waters went over Him, and yet did not quench His love. He was made a perfect Leader by the things which He suffered. "He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." Think of that when you are tempted to question the gentleness of His leading. He is remembering all the time; and not one step will He make you take beyond what your foot is able to endure. Never mind if you think it will not be able for the step that seems to come next; either He will so strengthen it that it shall be able, or He will call a sudden halt, and you shall not have to take it at all.
--Frances Ridley Havergal

In "pastures green"? Not always; sometimes He
Who knowest best, in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be.
So, whether on the hill-tops high and fair
I dwell, or in the sunless valleys, where
The shadows lie, what matter? He is there.
--Barry

Start with Your Plank (Matthew 7:3-5)..... By: Amanda Idleman

  Start with Your Plank (Matthew 7:3-5)

By: Amanda Idleman

Today’s Bible Verse: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” - Matthew 7:3-5

Our home got a little crazier this year when we welcomed home a 3-month-old foster baby while already raising our three young kids. As a result, my husband and I have been sleep deprived and just a wee bit more grouchy than normal. Babies require around the clock care that our bodies aren’t accustomed to having to give anymore.

My response to this heightened stress level was to start sketching out in my mind all the ways I was going to preach my husband into having a better attitude. I spent one whole morning spelling out all the reasons why he needed to be cheerful at 3 a.m. when one of us has to get up and give this new baby a bottle. I was just so sure that he needed to let all the new stress, demands, and emotions just roll off his back without expressing frustration.

This was my great plan until that still small voice whispered three little words, “What about you?” Once I took a moment and started reflecting on my own actions and attitude, I realized maybe I wasn’t doing as well as I thought.

My self-righteous internal monologue had conveniently overlooked how I had recently delivered short and grumpy answers to my husband's questions. There also was a 5 a.m. fight I instigated over whose turn it was to get a bottle. Clearly, I have a lot to work on before I start correcting my spouse's attitude.

Those simple words- what about you- came straight from the Holy Spirit! They stopped me right in my tracks! By God’s grace, I realized for the first time in a long time what a hypocrite I was being. I needed to show grace and work on my own attitude first; before I started accusing my husband of failing in the midst of this time of transition.

How many times do we badger others over the things we think they are doing wrong, all the while, overlooking our own failures? Proverbs 21:2 tells us that all our ways seem right to us! It is so easy to start believing we have it all figured out and consequently only focus on the ways others need to correct their lives.

We miss our own planks while pointing out the dust someone else is dealing with. Next time you are ready to deliver a come-to-Jesus speech to a loved one; take a moment to first answer that simple question: What about me? See if it gives you pause or at least offers a widened perspective for the situation that includes the ways you may also need to grow.

Letter from Dad..... by Shawn McEvoy

 Letter from Dad 

by Shawn McEvoy

Abba! Father! All things are possible for you. - Mark 14:36

My son was having a problem at school. Not with his schoolwork, or even socially. It was a personal problem, and it was minor, but it was of some concern to his mother and me. And if he didn't solve it soon, it would become of greater concern to him as well.

We tried all sorts of encouragement (even forms of discouragement). We did everything we could within the bounds of letting him feel secure, making sure we knew he was excelling at the important first-grader-type stuff, making sure he didn't develop a complex. Still, nothing was working. Basically, he'd get so involved and engrossed in whatever he was doing that day or at that hour that he just couldn't remember to take care of other important items. A multi-tasker he is not yet. Nor must he be. Laser-like focus and concentration is a trait I know many parents wish their children displayed.

Anyway, as with many things, the solution came from him. One morning as we were praying and encouraging him about the issue before school, he suggested a note. He said it might really help him if I wrote him a note - a special, secret note in a code just for us - that he could keep in his chair-pocket at school, one he could take out every day and read and think of me and remember what he was supposed to do.

Immediately I got out some paper, wrote out a message of love and encouragement that also contained a hidden meaning for Jordan, and sent him on his way, not knowing what to expect.

More than three weeks later, he'd not had an instance of the problem. He credits the letter from dad, says he takes it out before every class. It makes him smile, it makes him feel loved, it reminds him who he is and what he needs to do.

We all have one of those, you know. A letter from Dad. Something to read at the start of every day that tells us we're loved, encourages us, challenges us, reminds us who we are and what we need to do. A note that has surprising power to heal our woes and solve our problems.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Have you read yours today?

Further Reading:

Proverbs 3:3
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

A Prayer for Our Children..... By: Emily Rose Massey

A Prayer for Our Children
By: Emily Rose Massey

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” - Isaiah 26:3, NKJV

Many of us had big goals and big aspirations for last year, but, just a few months into the year, chaos and panic seemed to overwhelm our social media newsfeeds. And, if we are being honest with ourselves, perhaps the panic overwhelmed even our hearts at times. Each day still seems to bring about more bad news than good news, and we have had to learn how to live life differently than we have ever had to live before. It can be difficult right now to escape the noise and find clarity.

Life as we know it has changed for many people. Adults are used to being faced with stressful situations like this, but one question that rings louder in my ears is, how are all of these changes impacting our children’s lives? Especially when it comes to their mental health and peace of mind.

We should make sure we are asking the Lord to help our children fix their minds on Him, first and foremost. Change can often be overwhelming and scary, especially for children, and there are so many studies done on the negative effects that chronic stress can have on the overall health of a child. Our children need God’s peace now more than ever.

Isaiah 26:3 tell us that peace comes when one fixes their mind upon the Lord:

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (NKJV).

God promises to give peace when we leave worry behind us and learn to trust that He is in control. This must be a reality in our own lives, so that our children can model that kind of dependence upon the Lord. Most importantly, we must teach our children about the faithfulness of God and His blessed sovereignty in the midst of uncertainty. We may live in the world, but we are not of it. We do not need to be tossed to and fro along with the chaos in the world.

Let us pray our children would learn to trust the Lord above all, even in the midst of such uncertain and difficult days.

Father,

We lift our precious children up to You today. We ask that You would help us make the right decisions about their lives, as we seek Your wisdom and cast fear aside. We trust that You are in control and that you will protect our family in these confusing and often concerning days we are living in. Most importantly, we pray that our children would learn how to lean upon You when they are worried or afraid of the changes that seem to be happening so quickly. 

We thank You for Your perfect peace that comes when we fix our minds upon You and trust You completely. May we be an example to our children and lead them in all Your ways so that they can walk in Your peace and not be afraid of what may be ahead for them this year.

You are faithful to protect us and provide for all our needs and we thank You for being a good Father to us.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Weekly Overview:..... Unknown

 Weekly Overview:

Unknown

As a year comes to a close, it’s vital that we take time to both reflect on what God has done and allow him to prepare us for what’s to come. A new year marks a fresh opportunity to center our lives around the goodness of God. I pray that as you begin looking toward what is to come you will make space to gain God’s perspective, ground your hopes and pursuits on his grace, and celebrate all that God has done and is doing. May your time with God this week be filled with the loving presence of your heavenly Father.

Scripture:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” Lamentations 3:22-24

Devotional:

A new year marks a new beginning: a time for the children of God to reground themselves in the love of the Father. God loves to use new seasons to remind us of his desire to continually make us new. From winter to spring we see that which appeared dead burst forth into beautiful arrays of God’s glorious work. And God longs for the same fresh start in our lives as he does for his creation. He longs to make things new as the new year begins.

Lamentations 3:22-24 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’” We have hope in the steadfast love of God. His powerful love can make new all that needs restoration. God’s heart is to free you from that which weighs you down and robs you of the abundant life Jesus came to bring you.

With this year coming to a close and a new year fast approaching, it’s time for us to gain perspective on that which needs rebirth. Whatever sin that entangled you last year does not have to gain victory over you in the next. Whatever lie you’ve believed that’s wrecked your emotions, thoughts, and actions does not have to win the battle over your mind this year. Whatever wound or disappointment that has hurt you can be healed and reborn to empower you for that which is to come.

God’s heart is to meet you where you are today. He longs to meet you at your greatest point of weakness and pain and wrap you up in his love. He longs for you to know he is with you, for you, and will walk with you into newness of life. “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). God has limitless, powerful grace for you today. Run to him with your sin. Run to him with your failures and struggles. Run to him with the pain of others’ words that he might speak his healing truth over you.

Your heavenly Father loves you and is for you. He has new beginnings in store for you. But just as a tree needs fresh sunlight, warmth, and rain to bear fruit again, you need the refreshing rain of God’s grace and the warmth of his steadfast love to be made new. You can’t do it on your own. You weren't made to do it on your own. All you need for a new beginning is wholly available in the arms of your loving Father. Open up your heart to him today and receive the newness of life he paid the highest price to give.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s desire and ability to lead you to a new beginning. Reflect on his power over sin, his heart to comfort, and his ability to shepherd.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17

2. Where do you need a new beginning? What sin do you need freedom from? What wound do you need healed? Where do you need new life?

3. Run to God with your sin, pain, failures, and frustrations and open your heart to receive his powerful presence. Ask him to show you the path to victory over sin. Ask him to reveal his plan for healing your wounds. Rest in his loving arms today and allow his presence to be enough.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Oftentimes the road to a new beginning is wrought with a host of mistakes and defeats. But know that to continue on the path side by side with the Holy Spirit is a victory in itself. Don’t give up on new life. Seek the fullness of God’s goodness with all your might. Allow him to help you, forgive you, and strengthen you along the way. He will be faithful to shepherd you into all his wonderful plans. All you have to do is follow his leadership and enjoy his nearness. May you find comfort and hope in the powerful presence of your loving Father today.

Extended Reading: Psalm 23