"Be still and know that I am God." Isaiah 46:10
"We have all heard the saying, Sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses. " But how often do we really do this? Are we just too busy being busy? Too busy even for God?
Be honest, I can't read your mind: how often do you sit down and just listen to God? Ask Him what His will is for you this day? Or just "commune" with Him.
Isaiah also says, "In quietness and in confidence will be your strength."
This "quiet time" with God is where all our spiritual strength and fortitude comes from, yet we neglect it regularly.
I love this:
I'd dare to make mistakes next time, I'd relax, I would limber up. Would be sillier than I have been on this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers, I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would have more actual problems, but fewer imaginary ones. You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, and day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I'd travel lighter than I have. If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances, I would ride merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies. I had my life to live over, I would laugh more, love more and tell them. What would you do?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Here is a great devotional from John MacArthur (see his website www.gty.org for great audio and written sermons, awesome devotionals like this, and a plethora of tools for Bible study....
Living a Joyous Life
"The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart." (Ps. 19:8).
"The joy of the Lord is my strength." (Nehemiah 9:10)
What brings you joy? Your answer will reveal much about your priorities and the direction your life is heading spiritually.
The psalmist wrote, "How blessed [happy] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers" (Ps. 1:1-3).
That psalmist knew that true joy and happiness come from knowing God and abiding in His Word. That was David's confidence when he wrote, "The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart" (Ps. 19:8).
"Precepts" in that verse speaks of divine principles and guidelines for character and conduct. God created you and knows how you must live to give glory to Him. And He revealed in His Word every precept you must know to do so.
Every divine precept is "right." It shows you the path that is right and true. What a wonderful confidence that is! While many around you may be discouraged or despondent because of their lack of direction and purpose, God's Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Ps. 119:105). It guides you through the difficult mazes of life and gives your life eternal significance. Don't live simply for your own pleasures. Your life has a high and holy purpose, and each day can be filled with joy as you see that purpose unfold.
Living a Joyous Life
"The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart." (Ps. 19:8).
"The joy of the Lord is my strength." (Nehemiah 9:10)
What brings you joy? Your answer will reveal much about your priorities and the direction your life is heading spiritually.
The psalmist wrote, "How blessed [happy] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers" (Ps. 1:1-3).
That psalmist knew that true joy and happiness come from knowing God and abiding in His Word. That was David's confidence when he wrote, "The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart" (Ps. 19:8).
"Precepts" in that verse speaks of divine principles and guidelines for character and conduct. God created you and knows how you must live to give glory to Him. And He revealed in His Word every precept you must know to do so.
Every divine precept is "right." It shows you the path that is right and true. What a wonderful confidence that is! While many around you may be discouraged or despondent because of their lack of direction and purpose, God's Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Ps. 119:105). It guides you through the difficult mazes of life and gives your life eternal significance. Don't live simply for your own pleasures. Your life has a high and holy purpose, and each day can be filled with joy as you see that purpose unfold.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Humility
Have been thinking about the lack of true and deep humility in my own life and so I went and listened to a John MacArthur sermon on the beatitude in Matthew: Blessed are the poor in spirit....
The classic Psalm on repentance and a humble spirit is found in Psalm 51, written by David after his tragic sin with Bathsheba. (It would do your spirit good to read this once a week in your devotions).
Particularly Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
Look up "broken" and "contrite" in a dictionary and think about it for a while. Does this describe you and your attitude to God and others? I had to answer, "sometimes."
For further understanding see Isaiah 66:2 and Psalm 34;18.
MacArthur listed 7 test questions to tell you if you are humble. Here they are:
1. Are you weaned from obsession with your self--self love?
2. Are you lost in the wonders and beauty of Christ?
3. Do you never complain about your situation?
4. Do you see only the excellencies in others and weaknesses in yourself?
5. Do you spend much time in prayer?
6. Do you take Christ on His terms and not yours?
7. Are you constantly overwhelmed with gratitude to God?
This is not an exhaustive list, but it is certainly an informative one for your devotional time and time of self examination. Hope you will give it some time in prayer and quiet. "Be still and know that I am God."
The classic Psalm on repentance and a humble spirit is found in Psalm 51, written by David after his tragic sin with Bathsheba. (It would do your spirit good to read this once a week in your devotions).
Particularly Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
Look up "broken" and "contrite" in a dictionary and think about it for a while. Does this describe you and your attitude to God and others? I had to answer, "sometimes."
For further understanding see Isaiah 66:2 and Psalm 34;18.
MacArthur listed 7 test questions to tell you if you are humble. Here they are:
1. Are you weaned from obsession with your self--self love?
2. Are you lost in the wonders and beauty of Christ?
3. Do you never complain about your situation?
4. Do you see only the excellencies in others and weaknesses in yourself?
5. Do you spend much time in prayer?
6. Do you take Christ on His terms and not yours?
7. Are you constantly overwhelmed with gratitude to God?
This is not an exhaustive list, but it is certainly an informative one for your devotional time and time of self examination. Hope you will give it some time in prayer and quiet. "Be still and know that I am God."
Saturday, January 31, 2009
You Must Love Him Very Much
I love stories. Jesus used them in a masterful way through parables to teach eternal truths. What follows is a true story that encourages my faith and makes me realize that "our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases." Psalm 115:3
Just about 250 years ago a painter named Stenburg, who was well known at the time but has now been mostly forgotten, was painting a young Gypsy girl. As the gypsy girl posed for the painting, her eyes wandered throughout the studio and noticed a painting made for Father Hugo of the Church of St. Jerome-- a representation of the thorn-crowned face of Jesus.
When the young girl stepped down from the platform, she asked the artist to explain the meaning of the picture. The artist, not a believer, struggled to explain who Christ was and what He had done. He did the best he could and was shocked when the gypsy remarked simply: "Oh, sir, you must love Him very much since He has done all that for you!"
The sincere statement pierced the artist's soul, for in fact he did not love Christ at all.
Ironically, he soon did. And when he came to love the Savior, he painted another picture, a painting of the Savior he had come to love, His head encircled by the thorns that had become His earthly crown. Under the completed painting Stenburg inscribed the words:
All this I did for thee;What hast thou done for Me?
He then donated it to the Dusseldorf museum.
One day a rich and careless young nobleman who spent his idle days with wine and careless pursuits happened to notice the painting and its inscription. It made a profound impression on him. The painting powerfully appealed to his emotions and the inscription below struck him to the core of his soul.
He later accepted the challenge of the painting and embraced the thorn-crowned Christ as his Savior. He stated: "I have one passion--it is He, and He alone."
That nobleman was Count Zinzendorf, the founder of the Moravian Brethren. Within a few years they began to send missionaries all over the globe. It was Moravians who led John Wesley to convert to Christ, and Wesley began a movement that changed the world. But it all started with a gypsy girl's innocent question. And so we know that .... "God causes all things to work together for good..."
Just about 250 years ago a painter named Stenburg, who was well known at the time but has now been mostly forgotten, was painting a young Gypsy girl. As the gypsy girl posed for the painting, her eyes wandered throughout the studio and noticed a painting made for Father Hugo of the Church of St. Jerome-- a representation of the thorn-crowned face of Jesus.
When the young girl stepped down from the platform, she asked the artist to explain the meaning of the picture. The artist, not a believer, struggled to explain who Christ was and what He had done. He did the best he could and was shocked when the gypsy remarked simply: "Oh, sir, you must love Him very much since He has done all that for you!"
The sincere statement pierced the artist's soul, for in fact he did not love Christ at all.
Ironically, he soon did. And when he came to love the Savior, he painted another picture, a painting of the Savior he had come to love, His head encircled by the thorns that had become His earthly crown. Under the completed painting Stenburg inscribed the words:
All this I did for thee;What hast thou done for Me?
He then donated it to the Dusseldorf museum.
One day a rich and careless young nobleman who spent his idle days with wine and careless pursuits happened to notice the painting and its inscription. It made a profound impression on him. The painting powerfully appealed to his emotions and the inscription below struck him to the core of his soul.
He later accepted the challenge of the painting and embraced the thorn-crowned Christ as his Savior. He stated: "I have one passion--it is He, and He alone."
That nobleman was Count Zinzendorf, the founder of the Moravian Brethren. Within a few years they began to send missionaries all over the globe. It was Moravians who led John Wesley to convert to Christ, and Wesley began a movement that changed the world. But it all started with a gypsy girl's innocent question. And so we know that .... "God causes all things to work together for good..."
The Penguin Story
I have started collecting Penguins of all kinds (so when you really feel the urge to purchase a gift for me.....). I have a ceramic flying penguin, a bubble package with penguins decorating it, a penguin that winds up and flips over, a finger puppet penguin, a package of penguin gummy bears, and a large and a small stuffed penguin. Today I will be purchasing The Penguins on DVD.
Why did I start this collection?A story I heard a Christian psychiatrist tell once stuck with me. He was going to be a new father and all his friends were telling him how difficult parenting would be. Well, he had a beautiful little girl, and she was a dream child. Never a peep. Not a problem. So he began to feel pretty good about his talents as a parent.
And then he had a son.A son with ADD. A son who didn't listen. Would not obey. Seemed to do the opposite of everything he was asked.
So in an effort to spend more time with his young son and be a better father, he took him to Sea World and spent the day with him. While at the Penguin Exhibit, he noticed the penguins on clue did everything the trainer asked, and did it immediately.
The psychiatrist (his name is Daniel) thought to himself: "My son has to be at least as smart as a penguin. What am I doing wrong?"
After the show he went up to the trainer and said, "My son doesn't listen. He disobeys everything I ask of him. Why do your penguins listen to you--what am I doing wrong?
"The trainer answered, "I do two things you don't do. One, I notice everything they do. And two, I reward them with a fish if they get even close to doing what I ask. You, on the other hand, only notice your son when he does something wrong. Since he wants to be noticed, you are training him to act up and disobey."
Daniel reports that (aside from the fish reward) he started duplicating this: he began to pay attention and notice his son more. And any time the son came close to obedience, he would reward him. Hugs, praise, thank you, small gifts, etc.
Why do I take the time to write out this story? Why do I now collect penguins (and geese, but that's a story for another time)? To remind me to notice others and encourage (see Hebrews 10:24, Ephesians 4:32) and compliment them. Not a bad idea for us all. So can I send you a penguin to start your collection?
Why did I start this collection?A story I heard a Christian psychiatrist tell once stuck with me. He was going to be a new father and all his friends were telling him how difficult parenting would be. Well, he had a beautiful little girl, and she was a dream child. Never a peep. Not a problem. So he began to feel pretty good about his talents as a parent.
And then he had a son.A son with ADD. A son who didn't listen. Would not obey. Seemed to do the opposite of everything he was asked.
So in an effort to spend more time with his young son and be a better father, he took him to Sea World and spent the day with him. While at the Penguin Exhibit, he noticed the penguins on clue did everything the trainer asked, and did it immediately.
The psychiatrist (his name is Daniel) thought to himself: "My son has to be at least as smart as a penguin. What am I doing wrong?"
After the show he went up to the trainer and said, "My son doesn't listen. He disobeys everything I ask of him. Why do your penguins listen to you--what am I doing wrong?
"The trainer answered, "I do two things you don't do. One, I notice everything they do. And two, I reward them with a fish if they get even close to doing what I ask. You, on the other hand, only notice your son when he does something wrong. Since he wants to be noticed, you are training him to act up and disobey."
Daniel reports that (aside from the fish reward) he started duplicating this: he began to pay attention and notice his son more. And any time the son came close to obedience, he would reward him. Hugs, praise, thank you, small gifts, etc.
Why do I take the time to write out this story? Why do I now collect penguins (and geese, but that's a story for another time)? To remind me to notice others and encourage (see Hebrews 10:24, Ephesians 4:32) and compliment them. Not a bad idea for us all. So can I send you a penguin to start your collection?
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