Streams in the Desert.....

 Streams in the Desert

I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing (Ezekiel 34:26).

What is your season today? Are you experiencing a season of drought? If so then it is the season for showers. Are you going through a season of great heaviness with dark clouds? Then that too is the season for showers. "Your strength will equal your days" (Deut. 33:25). "I will send... showers of blessing." Notice that the word 'showers' is plural.

God will send all kinds of blessings. And all His blessings go together like links in a golden chain. If He gives you saving grace, He will also give you comforting grace. God will send "showers of blessings." Look up today, you who are dried and withered plants. Open your leaves and flowers and receive God's heavenly watering.
--Charles H. Spurgeon

Let but your heart become a valley low,
And God will rain on it till it will overflow.

You, O Lord, can transform my thorn into a flower. And I do want my thorn transformed into a flower. Job received sunshine after the rain, but was the rain all wasted? Job wants to know, and I want to know, if the rain is related to the sunshine. Only You can tell me - Your cross can tell me. You have crowned Your sorrow. Let this be my crown, O Lord. I will only triumph in You once I have learned the radiance of the rain.
--George Matheson

The fruitful life seeks rain as well as sunshine.

The landscape, brown and dry beneath the sun,
Needs but the cloud to life it into life;
The dews may dampen the tree and flower,
But it requires the cloud-distilled shower
To bring rich greenness to the lifeless life.
Ah, how like this, the landscape of a life:
Dews of trial fall like incense, rich and sweet;
But meaning little in the crystal tray --
Like moths of night, dews lift at break of day
And fleeting impressions leave, like lips that meet.
But clouds of trials, bearing burdens rare,
Leave in the soul, a moisture settled deep:
Life stirs by the powerful law of God;
And where before the thirsty camel trod,
There richest beauties to life's landscape leap.
Then read you in each cloud that comes to you
The words of Paul, in letters large and clear:
So will those clouds your soul with blessing feed,
And with a constant trust as you do read,
All things together work for good. Fret not, nor fear!

Jesus Our Intimate Friend..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Jesus Our Intimate Friend

Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 26:47-50

I’ve counseled plenty of folks who argue that they are not worthy of God’s love. Of all the passages I could point to that describe the Lord’s devotion, today’s is the one I think best showcases the unqualified friendship He offers His followers.

As Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion, Judas Iscariot approached him with a band of men. The betrayer stepped forward and kissed the Lord’s cheek. And what was Jesus’ response? According to another disciple, Matthew, He called the man “Friend” (Matt. 26:50).

Judas expected Jesus to establish His kingdom on earth and drive the Romans out of Israel—anyone who could calm a storm at sea could easily remove an oppressive government! But Judas’s interest in Jesus was more personal and political than spiritual. In fact, John reported that his fellow disciple stole from the money box (12:6). Today the man’s name is synonymous with those who betray others for personal gain.

In spite of Judas’ greed, blind ambition, and betrayal, Jesus never stopped loving him; He still used the word “friend” to address the one-time disciple. The Lord does not place conditions on His love or reject people who fail to meet certain standards. He simply cares for us as we are.

People cannot earn Jesus Christ’s love and friendship. He takes the initiative, reaches out, and draws into fellowship those who are willing. We are not worthy, but we are privileged to live in His love anyway. In the Lord, we find a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24).

The Hunt for Lost Things (Luke 15:8-10)..... By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

 The Hunt for Lost Things (Luke 15:8-10)

By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

Today’s Bible Verse: “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” - Luke 15:8-10 (ESV)

Several years ago, I went on my daily lunch break walk at a local park. It was a gorgeous autumn day. That particular afternoon I once again came across a woman I’d seen several times before, combing the ground with a metal detector. Intrigued, I decided to go speak to her and see what she hunted for so passionately.

“What’s your story?” I asked.

Her response? “I’m addicted to lost things.”

That resonated with me so deeply. Conviction was instant. What would change if I—if we—were addicted to helping the lost find Jesus?

Ouch.

On that deserted playground, with the clouds piling in and the rain beginning to sprinkle on my rapidly-frizzing hair, I stood and slurped a diet lemonade while this dedicated woman searched and periodically dug in the sandy ground. All the while, we talked about treasure and ownership and lost things.

“I’m always looking down when I’m out,” she confessed. And I couldn’t help but recognize that while she looks down expecting gifts, so many of us—including myself—are more prone to look down out of fear. She expects treasure, we expect rejection. She can’t make eye contact because she’s searching to find the lost.

We can’t because we’re afraid of being found.

I went to the park to get some fresh air, but I came away with a fresh perspective and a reminder of how Jesus passionately and diligently seeks the lost. He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. Not only that, He invites us into the process by speaking the Gospel to those around us. It doesn’t require a metal detector to discover lost, hurting people everywhere we go. They’re right there—but often require getting our hands a little dirty to reach them. It often means putting aside our desires and our insecurities and our fears so that we see them.

There are days my friend in the park only finds discarded hairbands, trash, and soda can lids, and those days feel like a wasted trip. In the same way, our witnessing and ministry efforts often feel unrewarded. Like digging in deep sand searching for a particular grain—futile. Yet, there are the days where my park buddy discovers bigger treasures awaiting her discovery. Coins. Money. Jewelry. The payoff makes it worth it. Patience, diligence, and continued striving toward the end goal make it worth it.

And when we roll up sleeves and get busy seeking the lost, those days we see someone come to Christ will be far more rewarding and much more valuable than any gold locket or silver dollar.

God Knows Our Way and His Plans Are Good..... by Debbie McDaniel

 God Knows Our Way and His Plans Are Good

by Debbie McDaniel

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Sometimes, we may not believe this is true. Troubles swirl around us, pressures feel too great, life seems hard. We might even feel like God has forgotten us and left us facing the struggles all alone.

Yet in the background of this great verse, we're reminded that God spoke these words to His people, not when times were easy, but when times were very hard. They would endure 70 years of captivity, they would experience great suffering. And it's right there, in the midst of all that, we can see the hope of God shine through.

He didn't leave his people in the tough trials. He won't leave us there either. He walks us through, reminding us that His plans are for good, for a future, for a hope. He is right with us, and breathes confidence and peace, that we will press through the struggle, and come out to the other side, stronger, faith-filled. He assures us that He will never waste the pain of what we experience in this life, but will bring greater good and blessing because of it.

If you find yourself facing hard times today, or maybe you’ve just walked through a difficult year, this verse is your reminder – there’s hope ahead. Be confident of this, God’s not finished yet. You're still here, you're gaining strength and perseverance through the trials. He has good in store, great purpose in all that we walk through, no matter how hard it may be.

He sees the big picture of our lives, and He's aware of every little detail too. He knows what He's doing, even when we can't see it all yet. He often works behind the scenes that unfold our every day, in the places where we may not always understand His plans. Even through all our seasons of waiting.

So we can trust...that He has our best in mind. He's got our back. He's with us right now. And He's secured our future too.

Resting in that truth today. There's peace in knowing we don't have to try hard to control it all. We can let go of the need to try to figure it all out, or the striving of trying to make things happen.

God knows, He understands, we’re never alone.

Keep pressing through.

He loves you.

He cares.

He is with you.

Peace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Have the trials you’ve been walking through or the problems you’ve faced caused you to lose some hope? Bring it all before God today. Let go of the need to have it all make sense right now. Look to Him. Ask for His fresh filling and renewal. Be reminded of His truth, that He will use it all for good somehow, and has a great future and hope for you still in store.

Further Reading:

James 1:2-4

Philippians 3:13-14

Romans 12:12

Romans 8:28

A Prayer for When the Rogue Waves of Life Hit By: Meg Bucher

 A Prayer for When the Rogue Waves of Life Hit

By: Meg Bucher

“His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” - Luke 1:50 NIV

After a beautiful day out on the water, we headed to the island for dinner. On the way, our Great Lake threw us a surprise, as it has been known to do. Though the water was flat and calm, my daughters, niece, and I were suddenly staring straight at a big wave! The set of three rogue waves caught all of us off guard, and the water spilled over the bow and down through the rest of the boat.

Soaked, shocked, and a little scared, three young faces looked at me to gauge my reaction.

In situations like that, we don’t always have time to compose ourselves. The natural state of our soul bleeds right out of our facial expressions. However, God granted me supernatural calm, enough to allow me to comfort my youngest daughter’s fears, and return her to her seat in the front of the boat.

“His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him.” Luke 1:50 MSG

Rogue waves can change our life in an instant, no matter how prepared we think we are to face the day ahead of us. We can know the weather report, see out on the horizon, and feel the wind, but it won’t stop every rogue wave from splashing into our lives. No matter how much we would like to think we are in control, God is the only one whose hand is on all. The only thing we can do is seek His perspective each day through His living Word. When we do that, he prepares our souls for what we cannot see coming our way.

Let’s pray today for God’s perspective for when the rogue waves of life hit:

Father,

Help us to stay grounded in the truth of Your Word, and Your Word, alone. Let us not look to news reports and weather forecasts and the final word, but always leave room for You to move in our lives. We pray to see life from Your perspective.

Just like waves often come in sets of three, Your grace falls on us, wave after wave. When we are shocked by what the day has given us, help us to embrace the grace Jesus died to grant us. No matter what we encounter, He is with us. Nothing can snatch us from His hand.

Some days, we are left drenched and stunned, but there is always an abundance of grace by which our Savior embraces us. Each time, we get back up by His strength. Not just to get by another day, but to live it to the full. Father, thank You for protecting us, saving us, and defending us. In ways we will never know or realize, You go before us to prepare the way.

Thank you for the way you faithfully care for us, encouraging us in times of trial and calming our very souls in a way we could not. Today, we re-submit the state of our souls to You. In any way in which we have attempted to take control of different areas of our lives, forgive us. May our lives bring honor and glory to your name, even when our lives are soaked and pummeled from rogue waves. Bless and protect us, Father, from what only You can see coming this day… and every day.

In Jesus Name, 

Amen.