Streams in the Desert.....

 Streams in the Desert

He putteth forth his own sheep (John 10:4).

Oh, this is bitter work for Him and us -- bitter for us to go, but equally bitter for Him to cause us pain; yet it must be done. It would not be conducive to our true welfare to stay always in one happy and comfortable lot. He therefore puts us forth. The fold is deserted, that the sheep may wander over the bracing mountain slope. The laborers must be thrust out into the harvest, else the golden grain would spoil.

Take heart! it could not be better to stay when He determines otherwise; and if the loving hand of our Lord puts us forth, it must be well. On, in His name, to green pastures and still waters and mountain heights! He goeth before thee. Whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him. Faith's eye can always discern His majestic presence in front; and when that cannot be seen, it is dangerous to move forward. Bind this comfort to your heart, that the Savior has tried for Himself all the experiences through which He asks you to pass; and He would not ask you to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for your feet, or too trying for your strength.

This is the Blessed Life -- not anxious to see far in front, nor careful about the next step, not eager to choose the path, nor weighted with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time.

Dark is the sky! and veiled the unknown morrow
Dark is life's way, for night is not yet o'er;
The longed-for glimpse I may not meanwhile borrow;
But, this I know, HE GOETH ON BEFORE.
Dangers are nigh! and fears my mind are shaking;
Heart seems to dread what life may hold in store;
But I am His--He knows the way I'm taking,
More blessed still--HE GOETH ON BEFORE.
Doubts cast their weird, unwelcome shadows o'er me,
Doubts that life's best--life's choicest things are o'er;
What but His Word can strengthen, can restore me,
And this blest fact; that still HE GOES BEFORE.
HE GOES BEFORE! Be this my consolation!
He goes before! On this my heart would dwell!
He goes before! This guarantees salvation!
HE GOES BEFORE! And therefore all is well. 
--J. D. Smith

The Oriental shepherd was always ahead of his sheep. He was down in front. Any attack upon them had to take him into account. Now God is down in front. He is in the tomorrows. It is tomorrow that fills men with dread. God is there already. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass Him before they can get to us.
--F. B. M.

God is in every tomorrow,
Therefore I live for today,
Certain of finding at sunrise,
Guidance and strength for the way;
Power for each moment of weakness,
Hope for each moment of pain,
Comfort for every sorrow,
Sunshine and joy after rain.

Developing a Vibrant Faith..... Dr. Charles Stanley

 Developing a Vibrant Faith

Dr. Charles Stanley

Acts 9:1-16

The apostle Paul had a strong commitment to know and serve Jesus Christ. His passion and love for the Lord was obvious—Jesus was always central in his thinking, whether he was working as a tent maker, preaching to the crowd, or even sitting in chains at prison. What fueled his love for the Lord?

Paul's conversion experience on the Damascus Road was a motivating force in his life. Grateful for the gift of grace he had received at salvation, the apostle told many people about his encounter with the resurrected Christ and its impact on him. We, too, have a story to tell of God's mercy in saving us and of the new life we have in Him.

Paul's zeal also came from his firm conviction that the gospel message was true and available to everyone (John 3:16). On the cross, Jesus took all our sins—past, present, and future—upon Himself (1 Pet. 2:24). He suffered our punishment so that we might receive forgiveness and be brought into a right relationship with God. Through faith in Christ, we've been born again, and the indwelling Holy Spirit helps us every day (John 14:26). The more we understand what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf, the greater will be our passion to share the gospel.

Developing a vibrant faith requires time and energy plus a commitment to obey God. Regularly studying the Bible will strengthen your beliefs and give you courage to speak. Caring about the spiritual welfare of others will move you into action. Do you have a passion to serve Jesus wherever He leads?

Softening the Hard Places in My Heart..... LYSA TERKEURST

 Softening the Hard Places in My Heart

LYSA TERKEURST

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 (ESV)

When loss happens, bitterness wants to move in.

Especially when your personal feelings of loss or emptiness come because of another person’s selfishness or irresponsibility, causing something in your life to never be the same. Now, sorrow has invited a bitterness you didn’t even know you were capable of. I can write about this because I deeply understand this.

But God has been helping me see that sitting in fresh grief can be a good cure for bitterness.

This is exactly what happened during a funeral I recently attended. She was young and passed away very unexpectedly.

And this loss … it opened up a tender place in me I had shut down. And softened those hard places. Conviction about ways my heart had gone a little off-kilter didn’t jackhammer its way through me. It didn’t have to. I just opened myself to grief. I let the weight of loss revisit me. I came out from hiding behind the unfairness of my own situation and felt my hardness be watered by the raw tears of fresh loss. This softening was good for me. Hardened hearts have such a propensity to get shattered. Soft hearts don’t as easily break.

The further we get from the original source of our grief, the more solidified our hardness becomes. Undealt-with hurt and pain hardens like parched soil. And the only way to soften it afresh is for the tears to fall soft and wet and free-flowing once again.

I learned recently about what to do if you have hardened soil that’s difficult to till and you want to prep it so it can grow beautiful plants.

First, you start with a little water … about a half-inch. You don’t drown it. You let the ground take in the water slowly. Then you let it sit for a couple of days, so the water has time to sink below the surface. After that, you can dig down about 8 inches to overturn the ground below, exposing it to the surface. You then spray the overturned soil with a fine stream of water to soften the surface before raking it and adding compost — organic material once alive, now decomposed. What could have been waste becomes fertilizer.

I am not a gardener of the earth. But all of this seems to be so applicable to my desire to tend to the hard places of my heart.

In a spiritual sense, this resonates with how to turn hard bitterness into fertile soil.

You don’t beat bitterness out of someone.

You don’t point at and poke it out, or plead with it or provoke it out of someone.

You soften the hardness out. And as the softening breaks up the hard ground, you then mix in perspective. Perspective is the best fertilizer there is. What we’ve gone through is not a waste when it fertilizes the softened ground of our hearts, increasing the chances for new life to thrive.

A good farmer knows this isn’t just a one-time event for hardened ground. Each new season, the hardness of the ground needs to be worked on by softening and tilling it again.

The same is true for our hearts. Left unattended, our hearts constantly get walked on and walked over, pounding us into potentially hardened places all over again. So we need to be aware of this to make softening and tilling a regular part of our life. And one of the ways we can do this is found in Romans 12:15, where God reminds us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” It’s easy to assume grieving with others is simply our gift of love and compassion to them. But God can also use those tears to do a good work in us.

I’m not saying we suddenly become inappropriately invasive stalkers at funerals. Not at all. But we can stay open enough to be aware of others’ grief. We don’t have to have a casket at the front of the church to have a funeral. Marked moments of grief happen all around us every day.

I don’t know where your own losses have caused bitterness to move into your heart, sweet friend. And if no one else in this world has been kind enough to say this, I will. I’m so, so sorry for all that’s happened to you.

But your heart is much too beautiful of a place for bitterness, resentment or unhealed pain. And today’s a good day for us all to remember that sitting with someone else in their grief may be exactly what we need to help us process our own.

Father God, You know how much my heart wants to avoid grief. Help me remember You can use it to soften and till me. Just like a farmer knows what is good for the ground, You know what is good for the human heart. Let this softening in me lead to new life, new fruit and new, beautiful beginnings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Hebrews 12:15, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” (NIV)

Our Strong Foundation in a Shaky World..... By Lynette Kittle

 Our Strong Foundation in a Shaky World

By Lynette Kittle

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever - Hebrews 13:8

In a world where places and opportunities we believed would always be around, like jobs, stores, restaurants, and businesses, have closed down, many people are becoming fearful of what tomorrow will bring.

Thriving cities and communities where residents once felt safe have been shaken by ongoing unrest and upheaval.

Churches we believed would always have open doors have been shut.

Consequently, the disruptive chaos and uncertainty to everyday life has been shaking the core of people’s confidence in what the world has to offer them. Many are feeling hopeless amidst the mayhem.

Yet Jesus remains the same. He hasn’t and isn’t changing. Not ever.

While the upheaval around the world is causing troubled hearts to be driven by fear, Jesus assures us in John 14:1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me.”

Even in the most turbulent of times, we can live in peace knowing Jesus remains our cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20), and our strong foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). We don’t have to fear whether or not we can rely on Him the next day, month, or years to come.

Because we can count on Him, Proverbs 3:25 urges us to, “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked."

God has given us His Word that Jesus will be the same today, just like He was yesterday, and just like He will be tomorrow and forever. Unlike the crumbling foundations of the world, nothing can crack or destroy our Cornerstone.

And unlike those who don’t know Christ as their Savior, we can rest in Him. Like Proverbs 3:24 assures us, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

Even when the world seems like it is falling apart, we have the assurance and steadfast knowledge of knowing Jesus is with us. As Joshua 1:9 reassures, God will be with us wherever we go, so we don’t have to be afraid or discouraged. All the trouble in the world isn’t powerful enough to keep Him away from us.

Like our parents and grandparents would grab our hand as children to keep us close and safe while walking across the street or venturing into crowded areas, in tumultuous times we can rely on God to do the same. He truly is wherever we go and when He sees we are about to walk through unstable areas, He will be there for us, too.

As Isaiah 41:10 assures, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Because perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), we don’t have to live in fear of what tomorrow might bring. We can rest in confidence, knowing as Hebrews 13:5 reassures, Jesus will never leave us or forsake us.

For Such a Time as This ..... By Debbie McDaniel

 For Such a Time as This

By Debbie McDaniel

“And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" - Esther 4:14

God is the only One, who has the power to turn trials into blessings. Don’t ever doubt that He is Able. Nothing is impossible with Him.

He’s always at work even when we can’t see the whole story, even when things look uncertain.

And that sets the stage for great things to happen, “…for such a time as this.” - Esther 4:14

Queen Esther had a choice. When Mordecai sent word to her about the great danger their people were facing, she could have simply tried to save herself. She could have kept quiet. Just hoped for the best, or turned the other way. But she and Mordecai both knew that God had given her great purpose in her position. She was wise, she made a plan, she didn’t stay stuck in fear or worry, she prayed and fasted, and asked for their people to do the same. She was willing to act, to follow God’s lead, to save the lives of her people, even if it meant she might lose hers. (Read the whole story in the book of Esther)

May God help us to follow His lead, believing that His timing is perfect, remembering that He’s always faithful.

If you find yourself facing times of trouble or testing right now, be assured that God is at work in your situation. He’s working within you, and on your behalf in all the events that surround you, no matter how difficult. In whatever we face, God is still on the throne. He is powerful, nothing is too difficult for Him.

Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord, He will not fail you, or leave you to struggle through on your own. Not ever.

And He is faithful to turn our pain into greater purpose, in our own lives, and for those around us.

Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re facing uncertainty over the future, or have a big problem that’s troubling you today, give it to God. Again. Be willing to pray, fast, wait for His direction, then act on the wisdom He provides. Know that He is for you, and will never fail. Believe that He is at work, and setting the stage for great things to happen.

Further Reading:
Ephesians 3:20-21
Romans 8:28
Luke 1:37

Though our current situations may look different than what Esther faced, we might still be struggling with great fear or uncertainty. The future may look dark. A hard diagnosis or recent loss may have sent us spiraling. Yet often God places us in positions of influence, or in strategic locations, with great purpose in mind. Many times, the places where we find ourselves is not really “all about us.” It’s about Him. It’s about His bigger plan.

A Prayer for When God Closes a Door..... By Betsy de Cruz

 A Prayer for When God Closes a Door

By Betsy de Cruz

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” - Psalm 37:23-24, NASB

“If God didn’t shut any doors, how would we know which ones to go through?” My friend challenged me with this question during a hard season, when our family was processing disappointment. My high school senior received a rejection letter from his dream university; months of hard work, extra tests, essays, and an interview all went down the drain, together with his hopes.

We usually think of God guiding our path by opening doors for us, but in reality, He also shuts them. When we don’t get the job, our child doesn’t make the team, or the deal on the new house falls through, our disappointment can leave us feeling discouraged.

Today’s verse reminds us that in Christ, we can trust God to order and establish our steps. However, sometimes He also allows roadblocks on our path. In the margin of his Bible, next to Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord,” 19th-century evangelist George Mueller made this note: “And the stops also” (Streams in the Desert, August 16).

If you’re going through a season of obstacles, setbacks, and closed doors, remember that both your steps and your stops are ordered by God. Whether He opens or closes doors, God delights in leading you down the path He has marked out for you.

When God closes a door, you can trust He does it out of love. He has a better plan than you can imagine. You can also be sure God will open another door for you before long, and He is preparing you for whatever lies ahead. While you wait on Him to act, remember His faithfulness.

Take heart and remember God delights in your way.  Even when obstacles cause you to stumble, He will hold your hand and steady your heart.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, 

Even when I don’t understand what you are doing in my life, I praise you for your faithfulness and power. When I feel disappointed, I will remember your steadfast love. Help me to trust that you are ordering my steps according to your perfect plan for my life.

You are my Faithful Shepherd; give me the grace I need to trust your leading. Thank you for the doors you open and for the doors you close.

Comfort and strengthen my heart today. When discouragement and doubt come, help me believe you have good plans to bring blessing into my life. Enable me to take courage as I wait on you to act in response to my prayers.

Lord, take me by the hand and lead me down the path that you have chosen for me. Show me when it is time to wait and when I need to move ahead. Thank you for your faithful and steadfast love. I will rest in it today.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other. — ..... Pete Briscoe

 A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other. — 

Pete Briscoe

Researchers have determined that advertisers bombard us with approximately 2,000,000,007 messages a day telling us to buy, buy, buy. Then, there’s the news channels telling us to worry, worry, worry. And there’s all the other things we hear from teachers, bosses, spouses, kids… Wow! No wonder we have a hard time with New Year’s resolutions. We have so many people telling us what to do, we barely have time to think for ourselves… let alone think about what God thinks.

So if there is one resolution that I might offer as a valid one for someone who is in Christ, it would be this:

This year, just listen up. 

Ask Christ to create a quiet spot in your soul where just the two of you can meet, and talk, and rest as you go about your days. Sure, reach for the stars and plan for the future if you wish, but ask Him to make His presence a deeper reality as you go about life. 

You can claim the same promise that the prophet Isaiah gave Israel during some very difficult and noisy days of their own:

Your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!” (Isaiah 30:20-22, ESV)

Where might this lead? I have no idea. But God does. If you are aware of who He is in you, and if you reflect on the truth of His Word and listen to the Spirit, all the details will work themselves out step-by-step.

Lord Jesus, I thank You that You are with me, that You are in me. Resolutions might come in one year and go out the other. Open my ears this year, so that I can hear You and enjoy You at every junction, when You tell me to turn right or left. Amen.