“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you will know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 1:2–4

My husband quotes these verses a lot. I used to feel uncomfortable when he did because I knew I did not “count it joy” when I had difficulties. I often thought of trials as a nuisance. But God has been teaching me, and finally it has become clear to me why I need to count it all joy.

Recently, I read Majestic is Your Name. This book contains a collection of writings by Teresa of Avila, who lived during the fifteenth century. She wrote,

“Be happy when you are blamed and accused wrongly, for then you have the chance to see all the bitter, hostile, or self-pitying responses that your sinful soul wants to spew out— as if these puny things could in any way defend you! Watch and see if any of these poisons come out of you when your spirit is pricked by an accusation. Only then can you see yourself as you are, and confess thy sin that is within you, and forsake yourself again into the Lord’s care.”

You see, when we run into difficulties or accusations, we can choose to respond in joy, or we can react negatively. Our response is the barometer as to how we are doing spiritually.

I encourage you to choose to respond with joy to every difficulty or nuisance that comes your way today. It is an act of affirming that God is the blessed controller of all things.

Lord Jesus, I do thank You for the trials that come into my life. Whenever my soul is pricked by a sarcastic remark, or I am misunderstood or slighted by someone, my reaction to this lets me realize again that I am a sinner, desperately in need of Your strength to respond in love and kindness and patience. Thank You for continually pointing out my need of total reliance on You. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

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“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”  I Timothy 4:8

A recent article in the Washington Post caught my eye. It was entitled: Exercise Could Slow Aging.  It was an interesting read. It seems that active people have cells that look younger on a molecular level than those of couch potatoes. The bottom line was that there is strong evidence to show that exercise may stave off aging. People who exercise regularly look and feel younger and actually live longer.

Paul spoke of physical training in his first letter to Timothy and noted that while physical training has some value, godliness is of even greater value. He was talking about the exercise of being close to God through prayer and the study of the Word.

Pastors talk about church growth, and usually are referring to numerical growth, getting more members for the church. But, I believe that when the Bible talks about ‘church growth’ it refers to ‘spiritual growth’. We are directed to grow in our knowledge and faith. The task of adding more believers to the church belongs to God. Our church growth task is to grow in our relationship with Jesus.

Our individual task of growth with Jesus comes through the daily discipline of quiet time, Bible reading and study and concentrated prayer. It is a program of spiritual exercise. I once heard of a book entitled Working Out with the Word of God.  We all need a daily workout with God.

In today’s world, there is so much emphasis on being physically fit. Perhaps many of you have been influenced by the drive to “get into shape.” The benefits of entering into a physical fitness program are many. You will have a healthier body and probably live longer. You will have more stamina. You will look better, feel better about yourself, and be able to relate to others with more confidence.

While it is good to be concerned with physical training, it is even better to be concerned with spiritual training. We are not only “physical” beings, but we also have a spiritual dimension to our lives.

Yes, with good physical fitness, we will live longer and ultimately die with a healthier body, but spiritual fitness goes beyond the grave. Are you committed to the daily discipline of getting and being spiritually fit?

by John Grant
used by permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney.

RELATED READING

• Bible Study on the book of Colossians
• Bible Study on the Book of James
• Where to Start Reading the Bible

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“Be Still and Know That I Am God.” Psalm 46:10

Hastily, I finished my last appointment on Capitol Hill and made a mad dash for Union Station and not a minute too early, as I arrived one minute before the Acila Express left for New York. I presented my ticket and walked at a fast pace down to Track 15, where I jumped aboard the first Business Class car available. After stowing my luggage I settled in my seat just as the train slowly pulled out of the station. My cell phone rang and just as soon as I began the conversation a lady a couple of rows forward turned to me with her finger to her lips and pointing to the sign overhead which read “Quiet Car.”

The sign explained the rules of the Quiet Car: no talking, no cell phones, no standing in the aisles. In other words, that translates to be quiet and be still, so reluctantly, I did. Where I would normally pull out my lap top, do mail and make phone calls, now about all I could do was sit, read, watch and listen, and I did a little of each.

First, I took out my Encounter devotional and my Bible and proceeded to pour through the scriptures. I just sat back and listened. Listened to God and listened to my inner self. I spent a lot of time looking out the window. A record snowfall had turned the countryside in to a winter wonderland. What a sight as the train picked up speed and we traversed the countryside of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I saw God’s majestic hand in the beautiful ice formations and in the drifts of snow. It was as if I could see God himself. It was an awesome quiet time and when the train pulled into Penn Station, I got off a rejuvenated man, all because I had jumped on the Quiet Car.

The experience on the train last week has given me a lot to think about, He is asking: “How are you with your quiet time?” I was again reminded of the need for a quiet time just yesterday as I checked into a hotel. When I got off the elevator, a large sign greeted me informing that I had entered a “Quiet Zone“, where no children, leisure groups or circus animals will be assigned. It further instructed that in this area there would be no loud TV, no slamming of doors and no loud singing in the shower.

God’s quiet time formula is much like His stewardship formula: “The more you give, the more you receive.” I have found that when I do carve out a time for God, preferably at the beginning of the day, though at first my schedule says I don’t have time, I have to respond and make time. And. When I do, somehow God always stretches my schedule and I am more productive than ever.

This is my busiest season of the year and so easy to shut God out of the schedule, but all the more reason for the Master to gently remind me, whether through a sign on a train or in a hotel, every day we need to be reminded to spend time with Him and then pull apart before you fall apart. I highly recommend a ride on the Quiet Car, actually or symbolically every day in every life.

by John Grant
used by permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney. He is an active writer and frequent speaker. He can be reached by e-mail at [John.Grant@johngrant.net]

RELATED READING

• How to Have a ‘Quiet Time’ with God
• Quiet Time with God by Max Lucado
• Reading the Bible – Where to Start?

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“I pray for you constantly, asking God …. to give you spiritual wisdom … I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power.” Ephesians 1:16-17, 19

This is one of the great texts that will make our faith strong and bold.  Paul was writing to believers who had been sealed with the Holy Spirit.  Yet he felt the need to pray for them for the enlightening of the Holy Spirit.  They needed to know that it was the mighty power of God that was working in them.  It was the very same power by which God raised Christ from the dead.

When Christ died on the cross, He died under the weight of the sin of the world and its curse.  When He descended into the grave, it was under the weight of all that sin that He was buried.  The power of death had apparently conquered Him.  But the mighty power of God raised Christ from the dead to a place of honor at God’s right hand.

It is that very same power that is working in us every day of our lives.  The God Who said to Abraham, “Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14),  pledges to work His power in us, too, if we will learn to trust Him.

Pray in faith to God and trust His Holy Spirit to enable us to claim nothing less that the exceeding greatness of this Resurrection power working in us.

By Andrew Murray
used be permission

From: ‘Teach Me to Pray‘,
published by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

FURTHER READING

• To Whom Will You Compare God?   by Darren Hewer

• We Have Seen His Glory: Adore Him  by Roy Lessin

• How Does God do It?  by Katherine Kehler

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“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:14-15

Recently my wife and I bumped into a friend and his son whom we had not seen for a year. In that time, the teenager had grown from boy to young man, from thin and wiry to broad-shouldered and tall — and his voice was lower, too.

In addition to growing up physically, the young man was ever more like his dad — upbeat and positive, brimming with good. The boy seemed a “chip off the old block.”

And he’s adopted.

If you were to see father and son side-by-side, you would probably know it; the boy’s dark hair and eyes stand out in contrast to his dad’s Scandinavian complexion. But they are family.

The Apostle Paul says that when we are led by the Spirit of God, we become His children, His offspring through adoption. We may be in body and He may be in Spirit, but at the core, we are family. We have been freed from spiritual slavery and fear. Within the body of Christ we differ in race and nation, but deep down we’re family, born of God. We call Him “Daddy” (the affectionate meaning of “Abba”).

As a child adopted by God, I need to ask myself if people can tell I’m carrying the family name, if I’m living by the Spirit. John reminds us of the telling sign: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” John 13:35.

Can others tell that we belong to God’s family? Do they see us bearing His complexion?

God, thank You for adopting me into Your family. May my life honor Your reputation as a loving and caring Father. Amen.

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by Permission


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Take control of your life today!

Refuse to allow bad decisions to dictate your actions any longer. Every day you are awarded new mercies, new opportunities, and a clean slate. Go ahead, pick yourself up and keep moving forward.

No more living by feelings and emotions, they are not reliable. Live by what you know is true, the Word of God. His promises are real. Make an exchange with God and be empowered through your union with Him. If you don’t know Him as Lord and Savior, today is a great day to begin. https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

Father, as we come to you today to lay down the baggage of fear, doubt, insecurity, shame, etc. we make an exchange with you for the oil of gladness, confidence, boldness, and peace. We thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die on the cross that we may walk in freedom. Today, we say no to every attempt to sway us from your best for our lives. We say no to fear and anxiety playing on our emotions. Today, we choose to walk in stability and forgiveness.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

•  Stepping Into a Personal Revival
•  We Plan – God Directs

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Dwell deep. I heard the Lord say. Just as the rains coming down soak deep into the ground, they are yet feeding the soil that brings new life. Therefore, when the rains of life come, dwell deep. New life will come.

And the rains come “on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45b NKJV)
Life’s events and heartaches and trials and disappointments and griefs and sorrows and…and all the other stuff happens to every one of us. All that junk-du-jour piles up around and within us, and, unfortunately, we end up pulling a veil of camouflage over the Lord.

He’s hidden. Covered over with dishes, diapers, duties, distractions, dates, dues, debts, discouragements, disillusionments, distresses, and all the other D words you can think of.
We wonder, Where is God? And Jesus whispers to us, Abide in Me. But we dash in and dash out of His precious presence. Not giving Him time to soothe our soul with His words of comfort.

The Lord says to us…
Do not rush into My presence looking at your watch. The busyness of life derails your attention. Let down the wings of your disquieted and busy spirit. Prepare by being still. I will be found in quietness and stillness.

“If My people would take time to be with Me, they would hear those soothing words of comfort and guidance for which they so desperately yearn. Therefore, be still and know.”
But we’re in a hurry and we don’t sit still. So, again we wonder, “Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night?” (Job 35:10 NKJV)

When sleepless nights compel you to toss about and tears dampen your pillow, He draws near and giveth those songs of hope in the night. David sang, “Deep calls unto deep…The Lord will command His loving kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me.” (Psalm 42:7-8 NKJV)

To hear those songs, to find that peace, comfort, and joy, dig beneath all the muck. Dig down through it all and dwell deep in your soul. The Lord is there.

Dwell deep under those layers of discouragement, grief, failure, disappointment, hurt, or heartache. Dwell there, and “Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence.”
(Ecclesiastes 8:3 NKJV) No fitful visit, but a real dwelling, a real abiding.

Abide in Me, He whispers. Do you hear Him?

Dwell deep, my precious friend. Oh, dwell deep. The enemy sends his emissaries to harass you, to toss flaming arrows of heartache at you, to steal all that you hold dear. “The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.” (John 10:10a TLB)

Just as God told the tribe of Dedan to physically flee their enemy, He tells us spiritually, “Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths.” (Jeremiah 49:8a NKJV) Dwell deep and hide from the enemy.

The Lord is there…dwell deep. Deep down where sweet, intimate fellowship abides, where comfort flows like warm oil of the Spirit.

Dwell deep to gaze upon Him, upon the scarred wounds of His passion, where the reality of the cross pierces the unbelieving heart, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20:27 NLT)

Dwell deep to gaze upon His holiness, where the glory-rays of His abundant life spill over into your soul, where He makes the exchange: your fear for His courage, your defeat for His victory, your darkness for His light, your heartbreak for His heart-rest, your storms for His calm, your discouragement for His hope, your helplessness for His rescue, your doubt for His faith, your suffering for His restoration, your loss for His gain, your brokenness for His wholeness.

To dwell deep is to find the Lord and be changed into His likeness. He says, “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10b TLB)

“Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets.” Luke 5:4a TLB

By Lynn Mosher
Used by Permission

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