Passion Week - Wednesday Reflection: Betrayed One

John 13:21-32

21After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."

22His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."

25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"

26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
31When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32If God is glorified in him,[a] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.


Isaiah 50:4-9

4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.

6 I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.

7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.

8 He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!

9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me.
Who is he that will condemn me?

Psalm 70

1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
2 May those who seek my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
turn back because of their shame.

4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"Let God be exalted!"

5 Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay.

Passion Week - Tuesday Reflection: Chosen One

John 12:20-36
Jesus Predicts His Death
20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name!"

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

34The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ[a] will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"

35Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them



Isaiah 49
The Servant of the LORD
1 Listen to me, you islands;
hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the LORD called me;
from my birth he has made mention of my name.
2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
and concealed me in his quiver.

3 He said to me, "You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will display my splendor."

4 But I said, "I have labored to no purpose;
I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.
Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand,
and my reward is with my God."

5 And now the LORD says—
he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
and gather Israel to himself,
for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD
and my God has been my strength-

6 he says:
"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."

7 This is what the LORD says—
the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—
to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,
to the servant of rulers:
"Kings will see you and rise up,
princes will see and bow down,
because of the LORD, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."


Psalm 71
1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.

2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.

3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.

6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.

7 I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.

9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.

11 They say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him."

12 Be not far from me, O God;
come quickly, O my God, to help me.

13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

Passion Week - Monday Reflection: Anointed One

John 12
Jesus Anointed at Bethany

1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.[b]" 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

Isaiah 42

1 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.

3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;

4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope."

5 This is what God the LORD says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:

6 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,

7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

8 "I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another
or my praise to idols.

9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you."

Psalm 36:5-11

5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.

6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find [a] refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.

9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

10 Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.

11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

...thank you, Lord, for what you've done, what you're doing, and what you're going to do...

Prepare the Way...

Isaiah 40:3-5

A voice of one calling:
"In the wilderness prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

...listen to Sunday's message HERE.

Flashback....

Remember this??? I just did...

“but he (Jesus) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Corinthians 12:9-10)

read HERE for more...

Like a Child...

This video truly speaks for itself on so many levels. Listen to the prayers of these children - may this be the cry of our hearts...

Matthew 18:1-4

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Taking a Stand...

The other night, during my "20-minute tease" at Barnes & Noble, I picked up the first book that caught my eye - 'Jesus Freaks II Revolutionaries' by DC Talk. The first line I read was this...

"Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, but He also came to afflict the comfortable."

I immediately thought of Pastor Terry's message on Sunday, 'Styrofoam Watchmen'. (If you missed it, you can listen to it HERE.) I continued to read...

"Throughout history, true followers of Christ, have been revolutionaries. As the trends of society have been dictated by the herd mentality, these men and women of God have stood up and said, "Hey, wait a minute. That's not right!" They reached our their hands to people the rest of the world walked by without a glance, they spoke out when shutting up would have saved their lives, they distributed bibles when others were passing out ammunition, they took God places other people called "God-forsaken," they picked up their crosses and followed Christ when others cried, "Lord, Lord," but did nothing. And for this they were called "Freaks."

...

"those who know the truth can't help but stand up for Him and tell others about Him"

Proverbs 1:32

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,and the complacency of fools will destroy them

O.N.E.

John 17:11
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.

John 17:20-23
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

unity is the word...

God has been speaking this to the body for some time now and it is extrememly exciting to see His word coming to pass. It extends far beyond New Life Church...God is uniting believers across the board...ONE body. From TheCall to OnePrayer to theRevolution, the common goal is the same - to unite as ONE - praying for and reaching out to a lost and dying world.

Ephesians 4:1-6
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:29-32
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Day 21: Here We Are, Send Us!

Please read Isaiah 6:1-8

These meditations have been arranged to reflect the work God accomplished in the life of the Prophet Isaiah, with the expectancy that God would work in our lives, both individually and corporately, in the same manner.
We have sought to enable you to understand and taste of four particular aspects of the prophet’s experience, believing that there would be parallel results.
First, the prophet was brought face to face with his Creator and Savior, where he gazed upon the beauty of His holiness. Secondly, as the prophet was revived by his fresh view of the Lord, he was cut to the heart by his own unworthiness, which was remedied only as he confessed his weakness and the Lord cleansed him from his iniquity. As a result, his heart was transformed into a dwelling place of the Almighty. Finally, in response to all that the Lord had revealed to him, Isaiah declared, “Here I am, send me”, when the Lord made His needs known to him.

Lord, we pray that we may all grasp your beauty and that we might be moved to acknowledge your holiness. We confess that we are unworthy and unfit apart from you. But we give you thanks that you are merciful and gracious to us, that you prepare us to collaborate with you in your great endeavors. Lord, we give ourselves to you to serve in any manner you see fit as you enable us through your abundant grace.

Day 20: Enabled to Serve

“The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29)



What God has given He doesn’t take back. He does, however, expect faithfulness from those in whom He invests. We are responsible to Him for what we do with His endowments. The Parable of the Talents, where the wealthy investor entrusts his servant with his goods and rewards them accordingly, is evidence enough.
Unfortunately, we often allow our gifts to fall into a state of disrepair; they become inactive and inefficient. We quench the Spirit. But, we must understand that these gifts, big or small (in our own eyes) are of significance to body life. If you feel that your gifts and contributions are unnecessary or unappreciated, you need to consider Paul’s exhortation in I Corinthians 12 where he demonstrates the absolute need of each member of the body, and how they add to the overall well-being of the church.
God expects us to fight through fear and discouragement, and keep the glow of our gifts burning brightly. The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to not shift his gifts into neutral, but to stir them up constantly for the good of the Body of Christ (I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6).
We serve the Church through the endowments of grace that God deposits in each of our hearts. The Apostle Paul recognized that everything that he accomplished was due to that amazing grace. He testified, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (I Corinthians 15:10). We must, for God’s honor and the good of others, keep our gifts in active service.

Thank God for the gifts He has given to each member of the Body of Christ and for your gifts in particular. Ask Him to forgive you, if you have allowed your gifts to sit idly even as people are in need. Seek Him to help you restore your gifts to vigor. Pray that, if He counts you faithful, to increase your gifting for the benefit of others and His glory.

Consider: Matthew 25:13-30

Day 19: Spirit Filled Service

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20)




Before Jesus sent His disciples out to conquer the world, He instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, which was and is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told the disciples that this filling would be necessary for them to fulfill their mission. Through the Spirit, they received power to be faithful witnesses to His resurrection as seen in Acts chapter two.
It was so important to be constantly full of the Spirit that they experienced regular fillings from the presence of the Lord. In Acts 4:31, the word says, “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” Note that they spoke the word with boldness, when they were full of the Spirit.
Should our experience differ from theirs? If we are called to fulfill the same mission Jesus gave the first disciples, and we are, shouldn’t we legitimately expect the same power from on high to come to our aid? Not only should we expect it, we should seek to be filled as they did and as the Apostle Paul instructed us in our Bible text above.

As you wait upon God, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Tell Him that you are available, but that you need His presence to make a difference in the world through your service. Wait for a fresh anointing.

Consider: Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 16:25; Romans 12:11

Day 18: Transforming Power

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15).

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)




Paul knew what Timothy needed, if he was going to be effective in the service to which the Lord had called him. The word, ministered through the Spirit, is God agent of change in the lives of all His children who desire to serve in His kingdom. God’s word reveals who God is and what He desires for each of us. It is the standard to which we constantly aspire.
What do we have to give others, if we don’t have His word? Jesus taught His disciples that we are to labor, not for the food that perishes, but for that food which endures to everlasting life (John 6:26-27). He challenged them to partake of His flesh and blood, which repulsed many who followed Him. But He was speaking metaphorically of His word. Later, He plainly told them, “My words are spirit and they are life.”
We must have the word in abundance in our lives to affect the transformation God is looking for in us, but that same spiritual food is medium by which we bless those whom we serve.
We may never preach from a pulpit in a church, but we are all called to manifest God's word to a dying world. St. Francis of Assisi was quoted as saying, “preach the word always, and use words when necessary.” Our example and testimony are the most powerful manifestations of the word of God that the world will ever know.

Thank the Lord for the transforming power of His word in your life as it renews your mind and enlightens you like sun breaking at dawn. Ask Him to make you strong in the word and bold to live it and give it freely to others.

Consider: John 1:1, 14; Acts 18:24; Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:16; II Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 4:12; I John 2:14

Day 17: Weakness Breeds Strength?

“but he (Jesus) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Corinthians 12:9-10)

Who doesn’t feel weak for the task? We do everything we can to hide, disguise, and make excuses for our weaknesses. Pride gets in our way of God’s intent. When we come to those valleys we can’t or won’t cross, He wants us to look to Him who opened the Red Sea. Maybe our problem isn’t Red Sea sized, but it is, none the less, more than we can handle.
It’s here that so many of us turn back. I thought God wanted me to do this, but there’s just no way it’s going to work! Really? Maybe God brought you out to the borders of impossibility to show you His power and glory. Maybe He wants to demonstrate how His grace can turn your weakness to power.
The Apostle Paul, in our scripture verses today, was desperate to be delivered from the powers that were arrayed against him. He prayed three times. The Lord’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you...” Paul, instead of being puffed up, humbled himself and embraced his weaknesses knowing that the Lord was about to do something beyond his own ability.
When you think you can’t, think again. Rejoice in your weakness and take a step of faith to serve others in the power of God’s grace.

In humility, ask God to cloth you with His strength by giving you a generous portion of His grace. Tell Him that you won’t turn back from the call, when things get too tough. Thank Him than He knows what you need and that He will supply it in good measure.

Consider: I Corinthians 1:25-29; Hebrews 4:14-16; Ephesians 3:14-21; Colossians 1:29

Day 16: I'm Ready to Go!

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)




At the right time, after the prophet’s iniquity was erased and his guilty conscience relieved, God offered him a stake in His business. We jump too early. The work is barely begun and we think we’re ready, but the transformation and preparation of the heart of a man or woman of God is a meticulous work, which only the One who searches the hearts to their core can understand and accomplish. He won’t send us out to the wolves unprepared. David killed a lion and a bear before he “did in” the giant.
God works on His own time table and He doesn’t always let us know what it is. He, and only He, knows when the work is complete in us for the task at hand. “If the vision tarries”, God told the Prophet Habakkuk, “wait for it; it will surely come”.
Isaiah was willing to wait, but when the time came, he was in perfect step with God. He didn’t even know what God wanted him to do; it didn’t matter. Because he had seen the God he served, he was willing to go without knowing. A heart so yielded may be what God is working in you. It’s a precious and costly thing.

Tell the Lord, in prayer, that you are ready to go now or wait a bit more. Assure Him that you are His and He can do with you as He pleases when He pleases. Thank Him that He is working in the secret places and preparing room for you to give and serve generously.

Consider: Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 1:6; 2:13; Hebrews 13:20-21

Day 15: Confession to Cleansing

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:8-9)




A worldly man gives no consideration to the condition of his heart before he embarks on a new enterprise, but God begins at the heart. Those whom He calls to serve Him and consequently men, are first brought face to face with their own unworthiness and inability to serve acceptably.
When the Lord gave Isaiah the vision of Himself, Isaiah fully grasped his own condition and he recoiled at himself and the people he would serve. But God did not leave him in his desperation; He immediately sent His angelic messenger to the aid of His prophet-the man He would send to do His bidding.
He spoke a word of comfort to him of sorts. He sent the angel with a lively coal from off the altar and touched the prophet’s lips, and declared that all of his iniquity was taken away. The prophet had seen the darkness inside himself, but God didn’t leave him with the vision burning in his heart and no way to fulfill it
What darkness hinders you from being acceptable to the Lord for His good service? Confess it now and God will remove the barrier. He will make you a vessel of honor, fit for His own use.

Ask God in prayer to show you what you can’t see yourself. Pray that He reveal the secret things that might hinder your service at this time. Ask God to bring His correction with abundant mercy. If He shows you anything over the next few days, humble yourself and confess.

Consider: Psalm 139:23-24; Hebrews 12:1-14

Week Three: Grace for Service

Introduction

Can we do anything on our own? At first glance we may be inclined to think that we can. But standing in the face of our affirmation are the words of Jesus; “... apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5a). His words strike deeply into our heart as He brands all of our efforts, apart from Him, as useless. However, when we finally recover from the blow, we can clearly see how true His analysis is.
The good news is that we are not without Him. He has poured out His grace upon us, by which He enables us to accomplish all of the tasks, big and shall, He calls us to fulfill. We can engage in the work fully knowing He is before and behind us to assure our progress and success.
We depend on Him as He depended upon His Father for the fulfillment of His will. Jesus found strength through the Spirit to serve God and man by laying down His life and we can too.

Day 14 : Unshakeable Faith

“...but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” (Daniel 11:32b RSV)


Faith in the Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient One can and must move us to take action concerning those enterprizes He calls us to involve ourselves in. Faith, James teaches us, without works is dead (James 2:20, 26). God Himself, as we contemplate Him in His fullness, gives us all of the confidence we will ever need to be embrace His will wholeheartedly.
Hebrews chapter 11 is known as the “Hall of Fame of Faith”. The writer compiled a testimony for us of men and women who, knowing the power and character of their limitless God, laid it all down to follow Him and accomplish His will. He captivated their hearts as they considered His promises and faithfulness, and they bore witness to the God of the impossible through their unshakeable faith. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, by His own declaration. He is not at all diminished. Can God, in His power and character, convince us to trust Him in the same way? He must. And, we must.

Call out to the God of the impossible. Ask Him to intervene in the situations that are most pressing in your life now. Set your faith in Him and speak to your mountain-Jesus said it would be removed, if you believe. Wait upon Him with praise and thanksgiving until the work is fully accomplished.

Consider: Romans 4:16-22; Hebrews 11; James: 1:1-7

Day 13: God's Limitless Power

It would be really scary in anyone else’s hands-unchallengeable power. Who else but the Almighty could handle it? The closest thing we know on earth to His infinite power is nuclear arms, and just think of how many problems they have caused us.
Satan understood all too well the effects power could exercise over a human being; he put Jesus to the test on this very point. Worship me, He tempted the Lord, and I’ll give you all these kingdoms. Throw yourself down; God will save you. Turn these stones to bread.
Jesus clearly demonstrated to us, through these temptations, why we can trust Him with unbridled power. He refused to abuse His power even when He was personally pressed beyond limit. He stood fast forty days and forty nights. His perfect character prevailed over lust for power.
Governments oppress their citizens. Teachers and employers manipulate their students and employees. Parents, as unthinkable as it is, abuse their own children. But Jesus wouldn’t abuse His power to claim what was rightly His or even to save His own life. What’s best is that He will use His power in our behalf to fulfill His will for our lives.

Because He can and will make it happen, roll your cares over on Him. As you contemplate His creation, thank Him that He has made all things good and beautiful. Praise Him for His salvation and that He holds you, your family, and our church in His hand.

Consider: Psalm 115:3; Matthew 19:26; Revelation 19:6

Day 12 : He Knows Us So Well

“For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” (I John 3:20)


What a know it all! Not a flattering statement by any stretch of the imagination. Why does increased knowledge corrupt us so easily (even knowledge of God)? Satan tempted Eve with the knowledge of good and evil, which would make her like God and she succumbed. What is it about knowledge that, as the Apostle Paul recognized (I Cor. 8:1), “puffs” us up? Is pride inherent in knowledge or does it originate in our own hearts? Unfortunately, the latter seems to be the most likely candidate. People seem to seek knowledge too often, not for knowledge itself or the benefit it can produce, but to feed their own ego. Like Eve, they seem to think they will become like God.
God, the All Knowing One, doesn’t have our problem. He isn’t snared by its lure. Knowledge, complete and infinite knowledge, does not corrupt Him. He uses His knowledge only for good, our good.
Because we don’t feel like we can trust people with intimate information about ourselves, we often hide things from them. We feel uncomfortable or vulnerable, when somebody “has something on us”. Maybe, we just feel ashamed. How does it feel knowing that God knows it all? He even knows what you don’t know about yourself! In anyone else’s hands that kind of knowledge would leave us uneasy, but in His hands it breeds comfort. We trust He will use it well.
Jesus knew the Samaritan women in John 4 had had, although she tried to hide it, five husbands, yet He didn’t condemn her or expose her to ridicule. He set her free and invited her to worship. He invites us too!

In prayer, tell God that you trust Him with your most intimate secrets, that you are comfortable that He knows you inside and out. Because He knows you so well and knows His plans for your life, ask Him to lead you in all your affairs. Thank Him that He confronts you when He detects evil and rewards you when He is pleased with you.

Consider: Psalm 147:5; John 16:30; 21:17; Acts 1:24; Hebrews 4:13

Day 11: I Will be There for You

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)

We want to be there for them-the ones we love. We want to see them through their highs and lows, their joys and sorrows, and their victories and struggles. But, we’re limited by space and time. We only have so much energy in a twenty four hour day. We can only be in one place at a time. We feel our confinement more in our day of easy travel and expanding opportunities that uproot people and transplant them, literally, around the globe. We just can’t be where “they” are all the time.
God, on the other hand, knows no barriers. His schedule is never overloaded and we’re never beyond His reach. He’s closer than a phone call away. When we need Him, He makes His presence felt right where we are. As the psalmist put it; “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
In fact, we sometimes think He’s a bit too close. God can be a bit intrusive, like guests who don’t know they’ve overstayed their visit. We feel like we’re being crowded; we want to hide a while, but there is no escaping the Eternal. The same psalmist, who was overjoyed at God’s presence when he was in trouble, seems to have tired of God when He searched him to the depths of his heart. “You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me....Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence” (Psm. 139:5, 7)?
We have to learn to live with and appreciate God at all times, because His presence is always appropriate, even when it’s uncomfortable. Let God be God. Has He come close to comfort and encourage you or to examine and correct you? Whatever His purpose at this moment, yield. What would life be like without God’s presence?

Give God thanks for those times you benefited from His presence, and ask forgiveness for those moments when you tried to hide. Give yourself to His abiding presence in prayer and rejoice in His continual care for you.

Consider: Psalm 32:1-7; 139:1-24