Streams in the Desert.....

 Streams in the Desert

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God (Isaiah 40:1).

Store up comfort. This was the prophet's mission. The world is full of comfortless hearts, and ere thou art sufficient for this lofty ministry, thou must be trained. And thy training is costly in the extreme; for, to render it perfect, thou too must pass through the same afflictions as are wringing countless hearts of tears and blood. Thus thy own life becomes the hospital ward where thou art taught the Divine art of comfort. Thou art wounded, that in the binding up of thy wounds by the Great Physician, thou mayest learn how to render first aid to the wounded everywhere. Dost thou wonder why thou art passing through some special sorrow? Wait till ten years are passed, and thou wilt find many others afflicted as thou art. Thou wilt tell them how thou hast suffered and hast been comforted; then as the tale is unfolded, and the anodynes applied which once thy God wrapped around thee, in the eager look and the gleam of hope that shall chase the shadow of despair across the soul, thou shalt know why thou wast afflicted, and bless God for the discipline that stored thy life with such a fund of experience and helpfulness.
--Selected

God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.
--Dr. Jowett

They tell me I must bruise
The rose's leaf,
Ere I can keep and use
Its fragrance brief.
"They tell me I must break
The skylark's heart,
Ere her cage song will make
The silence start.
They tell me love must bleed,
And friendship weep,
Ere in my deepest need
I touch that deep.
Must it be always so
With precious things?
Must they be bruised and go
With beaten wings?
Ah, yes! by crushing days,
By caging nights, by scar
Of thorn and stony ways,
These blessings are!

Godly Living in an Ungodly Age..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Godly Living in an Ungodly Age

Dr. Charles Stanley

Titus 1

Our Founding Fathers created a governing framework based upon biblical principles. Slowly, we have changed from “one nation under God” to a group of people who no longer want Him to be involved.

Tragically, we’ve become, in numerous ways, an ungodly nation: many are driven by materialism and power; immorality and rebellion are prevalent; empty philosophy and false doctrine are widely acceptable. Underlying it all is a vocal decision to take God out of the nation’s “official business.”

Yet even in an unbelieving society, people can, as individuals, follow Jesus. But the world will continually disseminate faulty teachings, so believers must be discerning. Otherwise, erroneous messages can lead Christians to compromise their convictions. Then affections and priorities may change. Don’t let the world’s clamor make the Spirit’s voice less audible. Without His guidance, our minds become vulnerable to lies.

The Word of God is a compass that keeps us headed in the right direction—even in the midst of confusing messages all around. We need to be consistently filled with truth by reading, believing, meditating upon, and applying Scripture. God also tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). If our minds are focused upon Him, unholy beliefs will not be able to take root.

The Word is our guidebook. We will still face difficulty as we live in this imperfect world—it is a confusing, dark place that entices us but never fulfills our true longings. Yet God’s truth will bring confidence and boldness, and His Spirit will direct and strengthen, enabling us to live victoriously.

Help Her Be Brave..... AMY FORD

 Help Her Be Brave

AMY FORD

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (ESV)

One day, as I was sitting across the table from a pastor, I couldn’t hold back my happy tears. He had been sharing about his daughter, Abby, having an unplanned pregnancy and the effect it had not only on his family but also on the church he pastored.

The father of the baby was in and out of jail and not a part of Abby’s life, and she had asked for forgiveness for the pain she had caused. She wanted to come back home and she did. Eventually, Abby gave birth to a sweet baby girl. Everyone in the family was happy about this new addition, even though the timing wasn’t what they had hoped.

During the pregnancy, the pastor had shared the news with his congregation, and it was received with grace. Members of the church had purchased gifts for the baby, dropping them on their doorstep. They would encourage Abby and thank her for choosing life. Then what he said next touched me deeply.

He told me Abby asked him if it would be okay to dedicate her baby, his grandchild, at his church. He agreed, and they arranged for the baby dedication at their next scheduled ceremonies.

At their baby dedication ceremony, when each family walks to the altar, the pastor will ask, “Would the family members who represent this child please stand?” Then the pastor leads a prayer of dedication for that specific family.

On the night of Abby’s baby’s dedication, family after family took their turns at the altar, until finally, it was her turn.

The pastor asked the same question he had asked with each of the other families: “Would the family members who represent this woman and her child please stand?”

What happened next is the perfect picture of God’s dream for the world: The whole church stood up.

Leading a national ministry that launches church support groups for women with unexpected pregnancies, I have seen firsthand the power the church has in helping save lives because of kindness and love. The church can be a spiritual family to a single mother for not only the pregnancy, but for her whole life. The church can be an army of love warriors to help her see past the unplanned circumstance that might be consuming her every waking moment and, instead, help her be brave.

God has put certain strengths, gifts and passions within you so that you can use them to change the world. There is something unique inside of you that equips you to help someone be courageous. Together, we can make choosing life the only possible option.

God commands us to use those gifts and passions, and He tells us how: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). When we use our gifts to “do justice,” “love kindness,” and “walk humbly with [our] God,” we become the hands and feet of Christ.

Here are a few questions to ask as you pray about how you can specifically help in your community and sphere of influence:

1. What are you passionate about? What is your favorite hobby? Could it be used in the pro-life movement, or for another cause? For example, if you love numbers, teach a single mom how to budget. If you love career coaching, help a struggling father create his resume and find a job. If you love children, offer to babysit. If you have a knack for fixing cars, you could help repair a teen mom’s car.
2. What makes you pound your fist on the table and say, “Someone needs to do something about this!” That someone might be you. There’s a reason why you get fired up about a certain injustice or cause — maybe God has designed you to do something about it.
3. What is your story? Oftentimes, our purpose is tied to our story. Have you experienced an abortion and want to help others experience God’s healing the way you have? Did an unplanned pregnancy or single motherhood leave you feeling completely alone? Perhaps you can be the person you wish had been there for you. God often uses our deepest pain as the launching pad for our greatest calling.

Look out into the world and see what breaks your heart. Then, run toward your heartbreak, not away from it. Dig in and ask God if your heart is broken because His is too. When your heartbreak becomes a map to find a place to serve, it will set your soul on fire.

If all of us work together, we will make choosing life the only option and empower women to be brave. Let’s work together to do justice and love kindness and walk humbly with our God!

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me a passion to be a changemaker. Forgive me for not fully using the gifts You have given me to serve others. Help me find a way to help her be brave. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Proverbs 3:27, “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person.” (MSG)

God’s Word Is Never Wasted (Isaiah 55:10-11)..... By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

 God’s Word Is Never Wasted (Isaiah 55:10-11)

By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

Today’s Bible Verse: “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” - Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV)

In a culture overloaded and overstimulated with so many forms of entertainment, it can be hard to turn off the noise and open our Bible. Sometimes, I’ll think I’ll just check social media “real quick” but before I know it, I’ve wasted twenty minutes. Then I’ll read my Bible for five minutes and call it a day because now I’m running late. Does anyone relate? ::raises hand::

I’ve since tried to make an effort to open my Bible app first thing in the morning on my phone and read the daily Scripture before I do anything else—even checking the weather—to train my heart in this priority. To make, and keep, the first thing first.

But, we usually have those priorities backward, and I think it’s because we’re not consciously, consistently aware of the power that is the Word of God. If we truly believed God’s Word moved mountains, cast out demons, satisfied our hunger like bread, and was the power of God unto salvation—really believed it—we would surely never read, do, or watch anything else.

But we doubt. We get distracted by the cares of the world, the lust of our eyes and flesh, our own pride and desires and goals. We get caught up in the comparison game and keeping up with the Joneses on Instagram and making sure we’re in the running for Best Yard Award in the HOA.

And then the Word of God seems dim and distant and like an unobtainable bar to live up to, so we avoid it. Even as believers, we have those seasons in life where we focus too hard on the Proverbs 31 woman or on Paul’s courage and tenacity, and think, that’ll never be me… so we read the back of the cereal box instead.

But the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4) It has the power to renew our minds, strengthen our hearts, and equip us for battle in our day. If we never read it, we’re unrenewed, weak, and ill-equipped.

Not to mention, we’re then useless for witnessing and growing the kingdom. The book of Romans reminds us of the tangible importance of preaching the Gospel.

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:15-17 (ESV)

The Word of God is the power unto salvation. How can we tell someone about Christ if we haven’t read the Bible to know Him ourselves? How can we use the scriptures to lead someone to the Lord if we aren’t familiar with them?

If you’re avoiding the Word today out of shame or a sense of failure, take a deep breath. Remember there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) Shove aside that legalistic guilty trip and ask the Holy Spirit to breathe a fresh desire in you for His Word. Ask Him to inspire in you a deep love for the Bible. Ask Him to show Himself to you through His Word.

When we over-indulge in the endless scrolling of filtered photos and faux happiness, we’re emptied in the worst possible way. Those actions always return void and leave us wanting. But when we feast on the Word of God, we’re satisfied. His Word never returns void—it fills us to the brim in all the ways we long for.

Challenge yourself today to spend more time in the Word than you do on social media. Trade the snack bar for the gourmet feast… and be made whole.

Missing the Forest for the Trees..... By Debbie Holloway

 Missing the Forest for the Trees

By Debbie Holloway

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied:”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36).

I just read an article about how being technically "overweight" might not actually, in and of itself, carry a higher mortality risk. It discussed how previously established governmental standards of healthy, "normal" weight might have sprung more from our society's visual obsession with thinness, than with any inherent physical dangers of weighing more than your neighbor.

As mind-blowing as this conclusion may seem, perhaps the real problem isn't a number on a scale. Perhaps it's when too much extra weight for a person’s body brings on unnatural fatigue, immobility, illness, or discomfort. Perhaps the problem is eating too much, or too poorly, for our bodies to function correctly.

Perhaps we're missing the big picture of health and wellness and zooming in too close on the raw numbers of weight.

I would venture to say that we do that in our spiritual lives as well. Perhaps you’ve diagnosed a fellow believer as having a spiritual "illness" – let's say they don't attend church on Sunday morning. Knowing only this raw data can lead to a judgmental shake of the head, with a sigh of "Hebrews 10:25!"

But, if you were to ask this person about their health and habits, perhaps you might be surprised. But I do meet together with other believers regularly, they may say, citing a weeknight Bible study or regularly occurring night of intentional fellowship. I travel weekends for my job, so traditional church is pretty impossible, they might say. There are many things they might say, many things that might remind us that a single suspicious tree might not be representative of the forest of someone’s life.

Jesus said that everything we learned from the Law and from the Prophets could be summed up like this:

Love God.
Love other people.

This is the Forest. Everything else is merely a Tree within it.

If there is something in your life causing the Forest to suffer, only then can a problem be properly diagnosed (and, rest assured, if we ignore things like fellowship, worship or prayer for long enough those things will suffer). However, sometimes we get a little too focused on smaller things and forget about the bigger picture. We forget about the Forest, so preoccupied have we been on individual Trees.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Perhaps your individual Trees line up. But how is your Forest looking these days? A little too much like a Christmas tree farm? Rather than focusing on the good-Christian-checklist of your day, ask a trusted friend or mentor whether your life truly could be described as loving God and loving people unselfishly.

Further Reading:
Luke 11:37

A Prayer for Bigger Worldview..... By Kristen Welch

 A Prayer for Bigger Worldview

By Kristen Welch

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27)

Nothing shakes your world like returning from a third world country that is riddled with disease and poverty. Nothing makes you question yourself, your motives, and your own sanity more than trying to blend your old worldview with your new. Nothing makes you want to raise compassionate children like meeting people the world has forgotten.

I have amazing kids. They are sweet and well-behaved (most days), but they are typical American children. They have too much. They want things instantly and easily. They think about themselves first.

They look a lot like their parents.

After returning from my heartbreaking and hopeful trip to Africa, I knew I had to change the way we lived. I wasn’t motivated by guilt; I was moved by compassion. My kids love to play follow the leader. They follow their parents. We’ve just been showing them the American view: bigger houses, nicer cars, more toys, and fitting God into all that stuff.

On a Saturday, I explained to my kids that we would be giving up the occasional house cleaner who made our life easier. I taught them to clean toilets. “Why are we doing this again?” my daughter asked. I pointed to the faces of the four children we were sponsoring through Compassion International, smiling down from their pictures on our refrigerator.

She wiped a strand of hair from her eyes, nodded, and went back to scrubbing. She stopped and said thoughtfully, “Mom, I’d like to fill the front of our refrigerator with pictures of children from all over the world.”

It turns out my children were just waiting for their leaders to show them the world. They love praying for a new country at dinner every night. They can’t wait to write to the kids we sponsor. They understand the choice to buy secondhand clothes and less stuff so that we can make our money matter more.

I thought the changes we made in our home would be hard for my kids. I thought there might be resistance. But they love the view and the pictures on our refrigerator.

Prayer

Lord, I love you. I want to be like you. I want my children to love others. I want them to be compassionate people. I know that we are saved by grace through faith and not by our works, but I pray that my works are evidence to the world of what you are doing in me. My children are following me; please help me lead them to you. Amen.

Spiritual Growth for the New Year..... by Skip Heitzig

 Spiritual Growth for the New Year

by Skip Heitzig

Christmas is over and the new year is here, and if you're like a lot of people, you might be thinking of resolutions. But let me suggest that you start with your spiritual growth before turning to diets and exercise plans.

Growth—including spiritual growth—is a normal part of healthy living. In these final days of the year, I encourage you to meditate on John 15 as we look at three things that demonstrate your growth—or lack thereof—in the Christian life.

The first demonstration of this growth is being fruitful in life. Reading through John 15, you'll notice the word fruit comes up over and over again. That's because Jesus used the analogy of fruit growing on a vine to describe Christian growth: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (v. 5).

There are a few obvious characteristics of fruit—namely, it's natural, noticeable, and nourishing. You don't have to have an advanced degree in botany to tell that a vine is growing grapes—and the vine doesn't have to sit there straining hard to produce the grapes. It's a natural unfolding of life that brings nourishment to others. And so it is spiritually.

Though each believer's output of fruit will vary, at some point the fruit will show, whether it's the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23), people you win to Christ, living a holy lifestyle, your giving, or your praise. All of these things visibly demonstrate that growth is happening in and through you as you abide in Christ and seek Him.

The second demonstration of growth is being powerful in prayer. As John 15:7 says, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." With a promise like that, it's a wonder more Christians don't pray! Could it be because we just haven't seen results?

I believe there's a reason for that: there are conditions to this promise. First, you must abide in Christ; second, He must abide in you; and third, His words—Scripture—must also abide in you. It's then that your desires will become His desires, and then "you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."

Here's the third demonstration of spiritual growth: being joyful in spirit. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (vv. 9-11)—turned up to the max, cranked up to ten. True, lasting, authentic joy is one of the things this world craves the most—and it's the very thing Jesus promises you. The question is, are you willing to go God's way to get it, growing and abiding in Him?

In closing, here's the thing about spiritual growth I want you to understand: you can grow as much as you want to. All the resources you need have already been given to you, and you can either employ them or let them lie dormant. As 2 Peter 1:3 says, God's "divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us."

I pray that the truths of John 15 would soak into your heart and flow through your life today, and that in this new year, you would be as verdant as the man described in Psalm 1—"planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper" (v. 3).