PDA

View Full Version : Daily Spiritual Meditations - 10/8


admin
10-07-2008, 08:54 PM
God Carried You

"Do not be terrified; the Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you. In the desert you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries His son; He went ahead of you on your journey to show you the way you should go." Deut. 1:29-32



We are not the first children that God has led through the wilderness. Long ago, God led the children of Israel through the desert. He was a pillar of fire by night and a cloud of smoke by day. When He moved, His children knew to follow. Moses summed up their 40 years in a word picture we should never forget, "The Lord your God carried you, as a father carries His son." God will never leave us in the unknown. He will be right there to carry us through. What a promise that is! Our Father is committed to seeing us through. He will encourage us when we are discouraged. He will carry us when we are too weary to go on. He will cover us with his protection and keep us from harm when we are in danger. He will provide for us and give us everything we need. The Israelites were afraid of the unknown. They didn't realize that God had carried them. Their lack of understanding and trust cost them. Instead of gaining entry into the promised land, many of them died in the wilderness and those that did enter had to wander another 40 years. Our Father keeps His promises. Do we believe Him? 1 Thessalonians 5:24 tells us that "The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." Our Father has called us to this road and He will lead us to the end of it. It's a promise and there is no compromise. If He has said it, He will do it. No matter how dark the road, no matter how terrified we are of our surroundings, no matter what lies in our path, we need never fear for our Father is with us. He will take our hand and lead us through the darkness, through the desert of despair and past all the danger to the Promised Land. If He needs to carry us, He will. There is nothing that will keep us out of the Promised Land if we put our trust in Him and our hand in His.

Father, thank you for this word picture given by Moses. Help me to remember that you will carry me through the wilderness before me, just as you have in the past. Help me to lean on you. I cannot do it in my own strength or I will fail. Keep me close to you; hold my hand all the way and bring me to the land of promise. In Jesus' name, Amen. Quiet Waters

-----

Nothing in all Creation
"NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD!"
ROMANS 8:39 NIV

Have you ever stopped to think about the size of God? We hear scientists discuss 'infinite space' and sports commentators talk about an athlete's boundless energy or we say things like, 'that person has unlimited wealth', but neither of these statements are, in fact, true. Why? Because all those things are created and anything that is created can be measured; weight, distance, length or depth! Author AW Tozer said, 'Measurement is a way that created things have for accounting for themselves.' God is the only one who is without limits. You can't measure His vastness and you can't contain Him in anyway. God wasn't created. He is the 'Ancient of Days' and He has set certain laws in place. The law of 'Gravity', the law of 'Motion' but the most exciting thing He has done is this, Listen: 'For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!' Awesome!! Nothing measured or created can have power over your position in Christ! There's no boundary He can't cross to get to you and no end to His unfailing love for you. Isn't it awesome to belong to Him? Word4U2Day

-----

All things are possible

All things are possible.

The dead shall rise from their graves.

This mortal shall put on immortality.

This corrupted shall put on incorruption.

This dishonored shall be raised in glory.

The sick shall be healed.

The deaf shall hear.

The blind shall see.

The deserts shall bloom.

Peace shall come and wars will be no more.

Light shall overcome darkness.

Truth shall prevail over ignorance.

Love shall defeat hate.

Joy shall remove all sadness.

The earth shall become a paradise free from all pollution and suffering.

All things are possible for our God in whom we can believe and trust. Amen.
©10/08/2001 Jim Welch

-----

Devotional For Dieters 10/8

October 8

James 3:4
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

David Gregory spoke to groups all over the country. He believed that faith could help people achieve all their goals. He spoke to grossly overweight people, and it had been his faith that had brought him through. Often, people would skeptically confront him as to how he really lost all his weight. His answer never varied. When asked, he would produce a tiny pewter cross from his pocket. All his success, all his power, all his wealth were nothing, compared to the strength of that small symbol. The power of the cross of Christ is unequalled.

Today's thought: With each little loss of weight, I make a greater gain!

-----

SENSITIVE



“We alcoholics are sensitive people. It takes some of us a long time to outgrow that serious handicap.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 125



“Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you!” 2 Corinthians 7:11



For what it's worth: My mother told me I wore my heart on my shirt sleeve. I was easily hurt because I was extremely sensitive, and my drinking feasted on that personality trait for years. Much later in life, after I had been sober for years in recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous, and with additional professional help, I learned how insecure I actually was and how that contributed to how readily I was “injured” when criticized or in any way told something about myself that I already secretly believed to be true. Even when it was not negative but I interpreted it as disapproval, the “His Majesty, The Baby” in me could throw a devil of a fit, sometimes outwardly, often inwardly, not seen by others, but felt deeply by me. It has taken many sober years to improve in this area, and it will take many more. It helps when I focus on how God turns my weakness into strength, helping me be more empathetic to others and more willing to reach out.



God bless you!



Joe W.

admin
10-08-2008, 03:28 PM
Today I will...forgive others just as I have been forgiven through Jesus.

-----

John 14
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions;[a] if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

-----

A Bible Devotion

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

God's Word Will Make You Free

JOHN 8:31-32 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Many people are afraid that God's Word will put them in bondage -- because of the rules they think they will have to follow. But Jesus said God's Word would make you free.

Abide means to live, to continue, or to spend time somewhere.

If you continue to spend time in Jesus' Word -- you will know the truth.

When you know the truth, you will act on that knowledge -- and acting on the truth will make you free!

The Bible, especially the message of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, will set you free if you continue in it.

We are not guaranteed instant results, although sometimes they do happen. Freedom is certain, however, if you stick with God's Word. Jesus gave His guarantee!

If you are not enjoying freedom in any area of your life -- you have not continued in God's Word enough in that area. Feed it in: speak it, sing it, read it, write it, think it, dream it!

SAY THIS: God's Word will make me free. Thank You, Lord!

-----

Accept God's Invitation
October 8

I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
—Psalm 32:8

The devil wants to keep us believers subject to legalism. If he can’t condemn us for what we do, he will try to torment us for what we don’t do. He wants us to feel guilty when we don’t read the Word and pray, suggesting that God isn’t pleased with us, or that He is even mad at us for what we haven’t done.

God never condemns us for not being disciplined, but He lovingly invites us to spend time with Him. Heaven is available to us through simple trust in Jesus, but the good life is enjoyed when we act the way Jesus acts. We should want to read the Word because it holds the keys to knowing God intimately and enjoying Him fully.


From the book Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year by Joyce Meyer.

-----

Daily Thoughts

A Time to Think Intense love does not measure, it just gives.–Mother Teresa
To Act Respect, and nurture those around you.
To Pray Lord, may I always remember the importance of a healed heart.

-----

I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11
Your present situation may not be to your liking. Perhaps you are dissatisfied and discouraged. Put the matter in God's hands. If He wants you elsewhere, He will lead you there, providing you are amenable to His will. But perhaps He wants you where you are. In that case, He will help you to adjust to the situation. He will make you content, even grateful for present opportunities. Learn the great art of doing the best you can, with what you have, where you are. When you do this, you learn how to reach the better condition, or how to make your present situation a better one.
Courtesy of PealeCenterforPositiveThinking.com

-----

NACR Daily Meditation

Wednesday 8th of October 2008

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory
of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and
animals and reptiles.
Romans 1:23

We do not take wood or stones and make idols. We do not pray to statues
or prepare food for idols to eat.

It is not with our hands but with our imaginations that we carve out little
gods to worship. Just like those who carve out idols with their hands, we
make little gods out of our fear and ignorance. Our fundamental problem
is that we imagine a God that comes out of our human experience. We imagine
God to be like the people we have known in our lives. If we have been raised
with impossible expectations, we may find ourselves worshipping the god-of-impossible-expectations.
If we have been neglected, we may find ourselves in the service of the god-who-does-not-care.
Since these gods do not respond to us when we call, we work harder and harder
to please them. We try to be good. We try to be religious. But, we can never
do enough. In this way we trade the ‘glory of the immortal God’ for the
very dysfunctional images which arise from our experiences with ‘mortal
men’.

The good news is that God is not the way we expect. The one true
God, the immortal God, is a glorious God. God is a compassionate God, slow
to anger, abounding in love and mercy.

Lord, you can see how I cling to my little gods.
I have tried so hard to please them.
But, they are harsh and abusive.
I cannot please them.
But I can’t seem to get rid of them either.
They are awful little gods, but they are all I know.
I have grown accustomed to them.
I have adapted my expectations to match their smallness.

I am weary to death of the gods who come from shame, Lord.
I long to worship you, God of Grace.
I long to worship You.
You are the God of Glory.
Give me eyes to see you more clearly today.
Give me a heart that hopes in you.
Amen.

-----

Loosen up and Enjoy

1 Timothy 6:17: “…put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

Some of us are so intense and serious about doing and making everything “right”, that we fail to enjoy life. We think it is unproductive to have fun — not as important as working, serving, or ministering. Yet, playing and enjoying is a worthwhile part of life.

“There was in Jesus a wonderful playfulness and encouragement to enjoy God’s creation. He ate, drank, and joined celebrations…” writes author Gerald G. May, M.D., in his book, Addiction and Grace. God gave us the capacity to have fun. When we refuse to cultivate this area of our personalities we become one-sided.

Perhaps you need to be encouraged to develop the playful side of life. Sometimes I do. Here are several suggestions: The next time you mark your calendar with an meeting date, schedule in a fun activity, too. In the upcoming month, learn how to play a new game. Share the experience with someone you love. Read a joke book. Laugh aloud. Try to remember what you had fun doing 15 years ago. Do it again this

Lord, help me to become more balanced.
Teach me to loosen up and enjoy my God-given life.

2008 Joan C. Webb

-----

Answers for Each Day - Oct. 8, 2008

Gaining the Victory

We live in a society of addictions, of bondage to so many things. Maybe you are in bondage to cigarettes, or alcohol, or pornography, or anger, or any number of other things.

Whatever the condition that has you in bondage today, God’s hand and God’s arm can lift you up and untangle you and set you free. In Psalm 98:1 we are told,

His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.

We find repeatedly throughout the Old Testament how, through God’s mighty hand and His outstretched arm, He redeemed His people out of slavery and out of bondage.

Now here is the question. Does it just sort of randomly happen? Do we have to wait and see if we are one of the lucky ones God will choose to extend His mighty arm to help? Or, is there anything that we can do to cooperate with God to see His arm extended in our behalf?

The answer is yes, we can, and we must cooperate with God.

In Isaiah 51:5 God tells us,

“My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, and My arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands will wait upon Me, and on My arm they will trust.”

The way we cooperate with God is to trust in His arm; not in our own arm, but in His. If you want to see God’s mighty arm move on your behalf, then trust Him alone! Do not trust your intelligence, your ingenuity, your education, your status in life, your wealth, or any other thing.

Trust in God alone. And you will have the victory.

-----

Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture
"And 'don’t sin by letting anger control you.' Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:26 NLT

Thoughts for Today
Yesterday we looked at the importance of being slow to anger—to listen well and not react impulsively. But the Bible also tells us to deal with the anger appropriately. We shouldn't wait for days, weeks, months or even years to pass before we talk with someone we may have hurt or reacted to in anger. Delay could cause greater pain for everyone concerned. In fact, God's Word instructs us to deal with anger the same day it occurs. "Do not let the sun go down …"

Deal with your anger while there is opportunity to do so. Don't let it stockpile in a slush fund of repressed and denied angry feelings—feelings that may surface at unexpected times, causing you to hurt someone you care about. Lingering anger can develop into bitterness and resentment, leading to emotional, spiritual and even physical problems.

Consider this…
When you are angry at someone, think about why you are angry. Ask God to help you understand your feelings and to express them appropriately. And then tell the other person(s) involved how you feel. If you have hurt them or treated them unfairly, ask for their forgiveness. And always be quick to forgive them.

Is there someone you should talk to today?

Prayer
Lord, help me understand my feelings and learn to express them appropriately. Help me not to take offense easily, but when I am angry, help me to settle things quickly… and in love. Help me not to let the sun go down on my anger. In Jesus' name …

These thoughts were drawn from…
Anger: Our Master or Our Servant—Creative Use of a Powerful Emotion by Larry Heath.

-----

GOD'S TODAY

Don't let yourself be torn
between yesterday
and tomorrow.
Live always and only
God's today.
Accept surprises
that upset your plans,
shatter your dreams,
give a completely
different turn
to your day
and - who knows?
to your life.
It is not chance,
Leave the Father free
Himself to weave
The pattern of your days.
- Dam Helder Camara, A Thousand Reasons fOr Living, DLT, London, 1984

-----

-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / WHAT JESUS DID! -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------




Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Beauty in the Broken Things


Jesus was in Bethany. He was eating in the house of Simon the
leper. While Jesus was there a woman came to him. The woman
had an alabaster jar filled with very expensive perfume. This
perfume was made of pure nard. The woman opened the jar and
poured the perfume on Jesus' head.

-- Mark 14:3 (ERV)


KEY THOUGHT:
Mark moves us from a scene of some of the worst of human motivations
against Jesus (verses 1-2) to this scene -- one of the most precious
stories of love and appreciation for Jesus we find in the Gospels. This
woman's expensive sacrifice prepares both Jesus and us for his
sacrifice which lies ahead.


TODAY'S PRAYER:
O Father, may my life be a fragrant sacrifice of praise to you. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen.