Daily Spiritual Meditations - 10/14

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My Eyes Have Seen You

“My ears had heard you, but now my eyes have seen you.”
Job 42:5



Job knew about God. He had been raised on the traditions of his fathers and he believed in God. He

worshiped God and offered sacrifices to him faithfully. He served God as none other in his day.

Even God described him to the devil as righteous, "Have you considered my servant Job,” he said to

him. Though Job knew God and served Him, he had not experienced God until he was called to

suffer for Him. This is true for all of God’s children. There is a special sweetness that comes from

learning through pain and loss. There is a special closeness that is gained when we throw ourselves

into the arms of our Father when we feel lost and alone. There is nothing quite like feeling God’s

presence with you when all hope is gone. It is then that we can say with Job, “Our ears had heard

you, but now we have seen you with our very own eyes.” When we submit to God like Job, when we

come to the end of ourselves and see that it is not really about us at all, then we will see our Father.

Life is all about God and how we can bring Him glory. When we come to that understanding, we will

see God working in our lives. We will see Him bringing joy from the pain. We will see God’s

promises come true. We will see our Father. The reality is that He was always there, reaching out to

us, but our focus was on us, not Him. We missed His presence because we were so busy looking

at our wounds, our pain. Job learned through his pain that ultimately we are called to bring God glory

through all of life’s experiences, whether good or bad, and when he came to that realization, he saw

God. May we learn this lesson quickly that we might live in God’s presence forever.

Father, thank you for the suffering you place in our lives. Thank you for drawing us to you through

the pain. Help us to feel your presence with us in all of life's experiences. Help us to not only hear

your voice, but to see you working in our lives. Father, how often we think about life as being all about

us, but it is not. Help us to see that all of life’s experiences, whether good or bad, have one purpose

and that is to bring you glory and honor. Oh, that we would learn that lesson quickly! Thank you for

always being there, waiting for us to see you. You are a patient father, and for that we are eternally

grateful. Amen Quiet Waters

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If Only They Knew

Matthew 23:37
Pastor Carl H Stevens

Picture Jesus Christ the Nazarene as He comes upon the mountain of Jerusalem. "And when as He approached He saw the city, He wept (audibly) over it" (Luke 19:41). He said, "Oh, if Jerusalem only knew the peace that belonged to her".

Luke 19:42 says, "Exclaiming, Would that you had known personally, even at least in this your day, the things that make for peace (for freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin and upon which your peace, that is, your security, safety, prosperity and happiness depends)! But now they are hidden from your eyes" (Amplified). What would it be like to hear Jesus Christ, who was God in human form, audibly weep? John 11:35 says, "Jesus wept." The Greek word here is dakruo. His physical body shook because He wept so deeply. Matthew 23:37 says, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killeth the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"

Imagine somebody wanting to love you , forgive any wrong you have done and then give you a gift of eternal life. The only condition placed on you is to receive the gift, but you refuse. When you multiply that with the millions of people who were created by God, but who reject Him, it is no wonder that Jesus wept audibly over Jerusalem and was so overwhelmingly burdened for the lost.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Matthew 23:37

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Holy, Holy, Holy is God Almighty

Holy, Holy, Holy is God Almighty.

Great and Mighty is He and the Light of His Countenance does fill Heaven with His Glory.

Who is like unto You, Oh God, for there is none other and you alone are God.

Faithful and True You are and in Thee, I can safely trust, because Your Word is unshakable and unmovable.

Your decrees are forever and Your Words will never pass away, but remain true for all eternity.

All things in Heaven and the earth were by Your Word and nothing can exist without it.

Oh God, You are the Cause of all things, the Source of all things, and by Him all things exist.

Holy, Holy, Holy is God Almighty!

Amen! Amen! Amen!
©10/14/2001 Jim Welch

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Devotional For Dieters
October 14

1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Peter dressed for the dinner. His friends tried to tell him he shouldn't go, but he ignored them. He'd been doing great on his diet. He was in total control. He knew there would be wonderful and exotic food where he was going, but he could handle it. Too bad he forgot that when he got there. The temptation was too great for him. Before he realized what was happening, he was stuffed. In one day, he blew a couple of weeks of hard work. We can't afford to get cocky when we diet. Each day is a new struggle all its own. Ask God for daily help. Avoid situations where temptation prevails. The Lord will be sure to help you, whenever you let Him.

Today's thought: I will steer clear of calorie traps!

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AN EASIER, SOFTER WAY OF LIFE

“Abandon yourself to God as you understand God.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 164

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” Mark 12:30

For what it's worth: Alcohol was only one of the quick fixes I used to solve long standing problems. It is the one that progressively dominated and drove me to hell on earth. But I also wasted my early life trying to heal myself with relationships, successes, and the possession of all manner of human pleasures and desires, resulting in all manner of complications and troubles, which, of course, fueled my drinking habit. Looking back through sober insight, I see that God used the agony of my alcoholism to guide me to Alcoholics Anonymous. There, ever so slowly, He instilled a little wisdom in this insane, intoxicated mind of mine, teaching me the enduring spiritual solution to my long standing problems: a conscious contact with Him. When my focus is on my relationship with my Heavenly Father, my daily life is simple and peaceful – an easier, softer way of life than the pursuit or control of human relationships and satisfactions.

God bless you!

Joe W.

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Today I will...ask God to give me a thankful spirit as I see his blessings in my life.

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30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude. Psalm 109:30

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Your Every Hair Is Numbered

Luke 12:7 ICB
7 Yes, God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. Don't be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows.

Jesus gave us some insight on how much God is interested in us as humans. God provides for sparrows, and you are MUCH more valuable to God than any sparrow. Valuable enough to monitor every detail about you -- even your current hair-count.

However God obtains your current hair-count -- He does know it. "Why would God waste His time with such useless information?" you may wonder. The point, which so many miss, is simply that God is interested in every detail of your life. Everything.

Nothing concerning you is too big or too small to bother God. You are the "apple of His eye" just as any young child is the delight of a good parent.

So don't try to hide from God. Don't shut Him out of your life. Involve Him in every detail of your day. Talk things over with Him. Ask His advice. Tell Him what you think, and ask for His opinion.

And do not fear. The God Who loves you enough to monitor your current hair count will never forsake you or fail you. When you are face-to-face with Him you will see that fully and clearly. So walk in faith today. Trust God. He loves you.

Also, be thankful for whatever hair you do or do not have! God made you unique. If He wanted you different -- He would have made you different!

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for loving me and being concerned with every detail of my life. Because You love me, I will trust you and look to You for help in both the small and the large questions of life.

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Learn To Pray
October 14

Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man; so will I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].
—Psalm 119:133-134

You may pray fifteen minutes every morning, and know you are touching heaven because things happen as a result of your prayers. But if you have a friend who prays for four hours every day, you may feel that you should pray more too.

Trust God to lead you individually in how long to pray and what to pray about. Spending an extra three hours and forty-five minutes can become a work of the flesh, if you do it just to be like your friend.You can wind up miserable and unproductive if you follow what someone else is doing, instead of simply saying, “Lord, teach me to pray.”


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

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Daily Thoughts

A Time to Think A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.—Maya Angelou
To Act Don't underestimate your power to change yourself.
To Pray Help me Lord to be a faithful steward of all the life that surrounds me.

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Show Others You Care.

Never miss an opportunity to say a word of congratulations upon anyone's achievement, or express sympathy in sorrow or disappointment.

No. 88 in a series of 100 Power Thoughts from The Power of Positive Thinking, the All-Time inspirational Best-Selling Book by Norman Vincent Peale.

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Bad News/Good News

Romans 1:15-17: “…this Good News about Christ is God’s powerful method of bringing all who believe it to heaven” (v.16 TLB).

“Girl missing, Feared Abducted” “Riots in the Streets of Los Angeles” “Hundreds die in explosion.” The daily newspapers as well as prime time television broadcasts include reports on war, famine, floods, kidnappings, abuse, murders and rapes. We listen and we inevitably ache inside. When all this bad news merges with our personal disappointment, we may become overwhelmed — and do almost anything to medicate the pain. We work more, do more, exercise more, eat more, or drink more. Yet, underneath the obsessive behavior we long for relief, for someone to understand and meet our

God is that someone. He cares that we are surrounded by bad news. To show us he is on our side, God paid an extravagant price — his Son. By choosing to accept Gods’ costly gift, we discover future hope and a healthy way to cope now. While waiting for the fulfillment of our hope, God grants us peace and comfort in our daily struggles and powerful support as we serve our fellow man.

Lord, thanks for going to such great lengths
to show you care.
I care, too.
Please help me to manifest your love
in the midst of the bad news.

2008 Joan C. Webb

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Love Worth Finding - Oct. 14, 2008

October 14

"Praise the Lord!"

“Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.” Revelation 7:12

I heard about a man who got a little excited in a church and kept shouting, “Praise the Lord!” One day, some of the brethren called on him while he was plowing his fields.

When they were finished talking, he hung his head and said, “I know it’s the truth. I have disturbed the services, but you know I sit there and think what the Lord has done for me, how He died in agony and blood for me upon the cross, how He’s forgiven all of my sins, how He’s filled me with the Spirit, and – here, hold this mule while I shout!”

If being a Christian and going to heaven doesn’t excite you, then you have calluses on your soul. It’s exciting to know the Lord Jesus Christ!

When was the last time you raised your hands and shouted “Praise the Lord!”? Maybe right now is a good time!

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You Can’t Take It With You
Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth
Luke 12:15 “Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Friend to Friend
Greed and stress go hand-in-hand. If we want to eliminate stress, we must choose to put "things" in their proper place, refusing to attach importance to them. In Luke 12:15, Jesus issues a warning, "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns" (ICB). I believe that attaching importance to "things" is sin and will always lead to more sin. The monster of greed is fed by fear. We are afraid to give it all to God. We are afraid of not having enough. We are afraid to sacrifice and not having enough resources for the future. How important are your possessions? How do you view the things you possess?

The story is told of the world’s stingiest man who went shopping for a friend’s gift. Everything was too expensive, except for a $50.00 vase that was on sale for $2.00 because the handle had been broken off. The stingy man bought it and had the salesman ship it so that his friend would think that he had paid the full price of $50.00 for the vase and that it had been broken in shipment. A week later, the penny-pinching man received a thank you note from his friend. “Thank you for the lovely vase,” the note read. “It was so nice of you to wrap each piece separately.”

One way we can guard against greed and control our wants is to view our possessions as resources loaned to us by God for us to disperse instead of treating them as earned rewards or deserved pleasures. "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others." (I Peter 4:10 NIV) Every spiritual gift, every financial resource and possession has been given to us by God as a way to serve others. Greed steps in the minute we begin to view those gifts and resources as our own while clutching them tightly in our hands and in our hearts. Fear then leads us to worry about losing what is not really ours to begin with and left unchecked, greed can lead to dishonesty. Greed and exaggerated wants can control our lives to the point that we are consumed by a fear that naturally leads to dishonesty and lies.

The reality is that who we are should never be measured in terms of what we have or do not have. Instead, our lives are measured by who and what we are. The lure of material wealth is undeniably stronger than the human will or self-control and always positions itself between us and God. The result will always be stress. Someday, I think we will discover that the door that shuts out many from heaven is covered with silver and gold.

I love the story of a wealthy man who prayed, asking for permission to take his earthly wealth with him when he died and went to heaven. An angel appeared to the man and said, "We heard your prayer, but I am sorry. You simply cannot take it with you." The man pleaded so passionately that the angel said, "Let me see what I can do." When the angel returned, he reported, "Good news! God has made an exception for you. You may bring one suitcase with you when it is your time to go." Delighted, the man packed his one suitcase and went on with life. Several years later, he died and appeared at the Pearly Gates where he was met by St. Peter who took one look at the suitcase and said, "I am sorry, sir, but you cannot bring that in with you." The man protested, "But I received special permission." Just then, the angel appeared and said, "Peter, it is true. He has special permission to bring one suitcase in with him." Curious, Peter said, "Do you mind showing me what is in the bag that is so important to you?" With a smile, the man replied, "Not at all" and proceeded to open the suitcase to reveal stacks of gold bricks. Peter's face said it all, "Pavement? You brought pavement with you?"

Stress thrives on greed that urges us on, in a never-ending and futile quest to accumulate "pavement" here that is totally worthless there! Wealth is all a matter of perspective. We need to understand that our Father wants us to have wealth. We just have to be careful that we do not settle for earthly money and possessions instead of eternal treasures.

Let’s Pray
Father, thank You for reminding me that what I have is temporary but that who I am is eternal. Give me a heart that loves to give instead of to receive. Help me to make decisions and choices that are generous instead of greedy. I pray that others would see You in the way I give myself away in service and that I would never count on earthly possessions for the peace and contentment only You can give.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Now It Is Your Turn

* Make a list of your ten most prized possessions.
* If you lost them all, how would your life change in light of eternity?
* How much peace and contentment would you forfeit?
* Set aside time today to review your list and surrender each prized possession to God.
* Give one of those possessions away this week as a secret gift.
* Pray for an eternal perspective of earthly “things”

More From The Girls
Several years ago, we moved from a large house to a much smaller one in order to pay off some debt. As we packed, I realized that half of what we owned would not fit in the new house. We began giving away furniture, making frequent trips to various charities and the local dumpster. It is amazing how much “junk” can be accumulated over the years. Looking back, with the exception of one or two items, I can’t even remember what we got rid of. It really is just “stuff”. Do you want to break the hold that material things have in your life? Give them away. You will be amazed to see that you just can’t out-give God! I want to invite you to join my Free Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. We are beginning a new study, “A Glimpse of Heaven” that will encourage an eternal perspective in your life and help you to break free from the grasp of earthly things.

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Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Thoughts for Today
Enablers work hard to shield their loved ones from the consequences of self-destructive choices. As a result, the enabler brings pain upon themselves that really belongs to their loved one.

In their well-intentioned efforts to help, enablers may:

* lie for their loved one
* allow abusive behaviors
* hide the truth from relatives and friends
* defend their loved one when others point out problems
* help them with legal difficulties
* change the home environment to accommodate the person with the problem
* refuse to discuss the problem with anyone

Consider this…
It is difficult to stop enabling a loved one because we don't like to admit that we have no power to change another person. As we take on responsibility—and control—of our loved one, our focus is on "fixing" them. But only God can transform lives. This is a God-size problem, not one we can fix. And we need to step back, to give our worry and anxiety to God, and to trust him.

If we don't come to the realization that we have no power to change another person, enabling will progress to a condition known as codependency. Codependents take ownership of another person's problems, get their sense of well-being from managing the behavior of the dependent person, and end up being controlled by the person they are trying to help.

Prayer
Father, forgive me for trying to take your place in my loved one's life. I realize now that I cannot change anyone's life. Only the power of Jesus can do that. I commit my loved one to you. I pray that he will turn to you for help in making right choices. In Jesus' name …

These thoughts were drawn from…
Living Free by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. and Dan Strickland, M.Div. Using Living Free training, your church or ministry can unleash a new kind of group leader—one who understands how tough life can be, but also knows the hope and freedom found in Christ.

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Being Vigilant

by Gail Rodgers

It is easy for our awareness of God to diminish in our busy schedules. It is easy to lose our observant eye and ear as we rush from one thing to the next! In the noise and commotion of life, it is easy to miss the still, small voice within us.

How do we remain vigilant in our Christian walk?

A vigilant person is watchful and alert. He is observant with an eye to the future and is on guard for dangers or pitfalls.

A vigilant person pays attention to the little things in his life and in his relationships. He is careful with his money knowing that the little things can add up to be big things. He is alert to the subtle slip in important relationships. He takes the time to mend the small tears in the relationships around him, knowing this will make them stronger in the future.

A vigilant person is wise in tending his marriage. Wherever he can he seeks to sow seeds of approval, appreciation, affection and attention in this most important of human relationships.

“Be very careful, then, how you walk—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

As you walk through this day ask God to help you be observant to His still, small voice nudging you. When you are attentive in your relationship with God He will help you grow to become more aware and vigilant in your life and relationships.

~Father God, thank you that You can help me grow in becoming more vigilant. I know I am not always as careful as I should be in how I walk and how I tend my relationships. Help me to be on guard against the slow erosion that can happen in relationships when I become too busy. Help me to see how my hurried life distracts from some of the most important tasks I have in building for the future. Remind me to make the most of the opportunities I have each day to build into the relationships with those I love. The days are evil, Lord; there is much to pull us away from each other and from You. Help me to be wise. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me to be watchful and alert as I guard my heart and my home. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

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LIVING THE SOLUTION WITH DAILY INSPIRATION
God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. (Colossians 1:27-28 — The Message)

Why, why, why do we continue to try and make our faith and life with God so complicated? It is so simple and it was meant to be simple, but when we complicate it we make things much harder for ourselves. For the followers of Christ, life and faith are simple, they are basic and uncomplicated. Christ died for us to pay the debt of our sin, rose again conquering death and the devil, ascended to the right hand of the Father and when we accept what He has done for us on our behalf He comes to live in us. We have the Holy Spirit of the Living God living in us so now we not only share in God’s glory, but we are able to show that glory to the others who are missing from God’s family.

How do we do this? By doing what Jesus and God have done. Love God with everything you have, hold nothing back and love others as you love yourself and as God has loved you. As Jesus said, if you do these things you will fulfill every part of the old law, the rules and regulations. That is the whole message and the way to live in a nutshell. It really is not any more complicated than that.

So what are we to do then? As Paul said, put away childish things, simplify our lives by focusing on the basics, accepting the Good News of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension and love God and love others holding nothing back. That is what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It’s really that simple; everything else is just stuff that gets in the way of the simple life God wants us to live.

Live intentionally, purposely, free and with passion,

Pete Reinbold

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Victory Versus Defeat
Day-by-Day

The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways….The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them. (Deuteronomy 28:7, 25)

As the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land, God set before them a choice: Heed His voice, obey His commandments, and experience continued victory. Or turn from God, disobey His word, and experience repeated and resounding defeat. It was a simple choice. The choice they made would be evident by the results on the battlefield.

The assurance of victory did not mean that the Israelites would not have to strap on their armor and go to battle. It did not assure them of effortless victory. At times their enemies fought fiercely, and the battles raged back and forth. Nevertheless, as the Israelites walked closely with God, they knew that their efforts would always result in victory.

God gives us the same choice He gave the Israelites. If we walk with Him, obedient to His word, He will stand with us and ensure victory over our challenges. We must face the battle, but God promises us victory if we remain in His will. However, if we choose to disassociate from God, we surely will be overtaken by difficulties. As with the Israelites, our decision will be evident by the outcome. If you are continually being defeated by everything you face, your heart has departed from God. If you have been experiencing defeat in the challenges you face, examine your heart. When you are buffeted by the crises of life, your heart may have shifted away from God. Choose to listen to God. Then obey what He tells you, no matter what you face, and you will experience victory.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Anticipating the Sacrifice

It was now the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
This was the day when the Jews killed the lambs for the
Passover. Jesus' followers came to him. They said, "We will
go and prepare everything for you to eat the Passover meal.
Where do you want us to have the meal?"

-- Mark 14:12 (ERV)

KEY THOUGHT:
Jesus is our Passover Lamb. Mark wants us to know that Jesus will go to
his death in the context of the Jewish Passover and God's great
deliverance of his people from Egypt. Jesus brings us deliverance in
the events that lie ahead. That deliverance, however, will require a
sacrifice. Jesus chooses to be that perfect sacrifice for our sins.

TODAY'S PRAYER:
Righteous and holy Father, the God Almighty, thank you for my
deliverance from sin. Thank you for the sacrifice that Jesus made in
his body to deliver me from sin and death. And thank you Lord Jesus, in
whose name I pray, for the incredible price you paid to cleanse me.
Amen.