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01-08-2009, 06:43 PM
42 For He remembered His holy promise,
And Abraham His servant.
43 He brought out His people with joy,
His chosen ones with gladness.
44 He gave them the lands of the Gentiles,
And they inherited the labor of the nations,
45 That they might observe His statutes
And keep His laws.
Praise the LORD! Psalm 105
-----
'Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?' Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, 'Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . .' He said to the paralytic, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!' Mark 2:7-12
-----
Take the hard road
Let God rule in all things and die to your own desires and wishes.
Take up your cross daily and follow after Jesus and let the Spirit of the Lord rule and not the desires of your flesh.
The Spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak.
Don't wait until you feel like serving the Lord to serve Him.
Serve the Lord whether you feel like it or not.
Put away all personal desires and ambitions and seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven.
Take the hard road and not the easy one because the difficult road is usually the right road.
Lot choose the fertile valleys and ended up living with vexation in Sodom and Gomorrah.
Abraham choose the rocky and dry higher ground and ended up with God.
©01/09/2001 Jim Welch
-----
Left Undone
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him... (Luke 12:46)
It seems we all have something (or things) we are always putting off. Whether a new exercise program or those unattended odd jobs around the house, or working on the car, or...the list goes on. But nothing is quite as haunting as realizing you are putting off the really important things. Many a person has fell into the snare of neglect and procrastination only to become trapped in a situation in which there is no escape. Perhaps a physical exam would have caught a cancer in a stage early enough to do something about it. Maybe taking care of your financial situation earlier would have prevented the compounding of late fees and overdraft charges. Maybe a kind word would have mended a broken relationship before it was too late. Neglect leads to regret. Fortunately, God is in the business of helping us turn regret into wisdom. Then hopefully the next time we are faced with the serious decisions, we won't try to ignore them and hope they just go away.
Just One More Verse
His mind began to frantically search,
to learn what felt so wrong.
His heart beat grew enormous,
with each chorus of the song.
He wished it to be over,
it seemed an endless curse.
But deep inside, a voice cried out,
"Please sing just one more verse."
Another Sunday came and went,
And another invitation.
But once again it passed him by,
due to his hesitation.
For every time the songs were sung,
the struggle grew much worse.
And his grip of pride grew tighter,
Through the passing of each verse.
The day soon came which was to be,
his last day in the church.
It seemed he no longer had the need,
to carry on his search.
But as they came to carry him,
from the alter to the hearse,
deep down inside, his spirit cried,
"Please sing just one more verse."
Things left undone. Words left unsaid. Procrastination and neglect are the nails to the coffin of the man in the poem. But whose neglect is it? It's obvious he procrastinated too long, but what about the Christians who carried his coffin? Could they have been led by the Spirit to say something, to pray with him, to simply be a friend? Perhaps someone felt a strong compelling to call this man the night before, but talked himself out of it because it was too late at night, or he was too tired. Maybe, like so many of us, that person thought to himself, "I'll call him tomorrow."
We do not know the hour that our Lord will come, nor do we know the hour we will go. That is why we will always be wise to take heed to Jesus' words to His disciples, "watch and pray." Because some things are far too important to leave undone.
Day by Day Devotionals
-----
Read Genesis 25 -- 27 http://www.studylight.org/desk/?l=en&query=ge+25-ge+27§ion=0&translation=kjv&oq=
Highlights In Today's Reading:
As the great patriarch Abraham dies, we meet Isaac's family — his wife Rebekah and their twin sons, Jacob and Esau.
Only two men in the Bible are called hunters — Nimrod and Esau. The fact that Esau is described as a hunter like Nimrod, the rebel, gives us some insight into Esau's true character. He revealed his lack of interest in spiritual things when he said: Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright be to me? (25:32-34). Esau could not have been at the point of death because of missing one meal. Obviously, he had no concern for the things of God, who later called him a profane (godless) person (Heb. 12:16). The family birthright included, among other things, the sacred position of spiritual leadership of the family and heir to the covenant between God and Abraham and his descendants. The birthright was a link in the line of descent through which the Messiah was to come (Num. 24:17-19).
Though much maligned by Esau and others, the fact is that Jacob purchased the Abrahamic covenant from Esau for what Esau thought it was worth. In sharp contrast with Esau, Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents (Gen. 25:27). The Hebrew word for plain is the same word translated in other Scripture as perfect, upright, undefiled; so the word plain refers to Jacob's character — Jacob was a man of God. God declares twice: Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated (Rom. 9:13; Mal. 1:2-3). And David records: The Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar (special, sacred) treasure (Ps. 135:4).
Many today, like Esau, are willing to gratify fleshly cravings in total disregard for God's will in their lives until it is too late. Then, like Esau, they find fault with the people of God and blame their failures on someone else. Inevitably, the faithful servant of God will be falsely accused and betrayed; but, it is encouraging to see from Jacob's experience that it is impossible for anyone to keep the chosen servant of God from accomplishing the perfect will of God.
Rather than criticizing others, we need to guard our own hearts: Looking diligently lest any one fail (fall short) of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. . . . Afterward . . . he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance (no way to undo what he had done), though he sought it carefully (desperately) with tears (Heb. 12:15-17).
Thought for Today:
It is not too late for us to impart godly spiritual values to our children or someone else's as long as we have them ourselves.
Christ Revealed:
As the spiritual Seed that would bless all the nations of the earth (Gen. 26:4). Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. . . . as of one . . . which is Christ (Gal. 3:16).
Word Studies:
25:6 concubines = secondary wives without inheritance rights; 25:8 gave up the ghost = died; 25:16 castles = settlements; 25:21 intreated = prayed earnestly; was intreated of him = granted his prayer; 25:23 two nations = the Israelites and the Edomites (36:9); 25:29 sod = cooked, boiled; 26:3 Sojourn = Live temporarily; 26:8 sporting with = showing loving affection; 26:9 of a surety = clearly; 26:10 lightly = ignorantly; have lien = had sexual relations; 26:11 charged = warned; 26:13 waxed = became; 26:14 store = household; 26:19 springing = running; 26:31 betimes = early; 27:15 goodly raiment = choice clothes; 27:28 fatness = best; 27:37 corn = grain.
-----
HEAVY Get Help to Lift
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Being a Burden Lifter
You would think I would get the hang of packing for the airlines after a few trips, but it only seems to be moving from bad to worse. After each trip I make mental notes: 1) Do not pack that item again, you didn’t use it anyway. 2) Don’t forget these items, it would have been nice to have them along. The last two trips my suitcase came back to me marked with an orange tag: HEAVY Get Help To Lift.
Now, I knew my suitcase was heavy, but was it really necessary to inform all my fellow travelers standing around the carousel?
Wouldn’t it be helpful if hurting people were as easily identifiable as tagged suitcases? They know their burdens are heavy. Sometimes so heavy they can hardly lift themselves out of bed in the morning. But how can others know they are hurting? Maybe these people, maybe you and I, should begin clearly marking our oppressive days with an orange tag: HEAVY BURDENS Need Help to Lift!
There’s no guesswork in the Bible on if we should help carry each other’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 commands us to do so, Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
The question is how do we obey that command without the use of orange tags identifying those who need help with their heartaches and burdens? Let’s again go to the Bible for God’s Word on burden lifting.
Ask the Holy Spirit to clothe you with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). Have the attitude of Christ, looking not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2). Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Would orange tags make it easier to identify the hurting people in your corner of the world? It certainly would. But is it the best option? No, God always provides the best way. Follow God’s commands for burden lifting, imitate Christ’s example in how He reached out to others, and let the Spirit lead and guide as you go about the task you’ve been called to: being a burden lifter for others.
Today’s Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your word on burden lifting. Please help me to see the burdens that people are carrying. Give me eyes to see where the needs are. Give me ears to hear the cries of hurting people. Give me love that reaches out in compassion and understanding. I want to imitate Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. By Lenae Bulthuis
-----
1 Minute Daily Devotions
January 9, 2009
To Cleave
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." - Genesis 2:24
The eight-year-old girl was cuddled on the sofa with her parents, munching on a big bowl of popcorn and watching the video of their wedding. She found the whole process fascinating! She contributed her own play-by-play analysis during the "show," pelting her parents with observations and questions. Her unique perspective was particularly displayed during the exchange of vows. When the preacher asked "Will you take this man for richer or poorer?" the little girl looked up at her mom and commented, "So, I guess you chose 'poorer,' huh?"
Contrary to the thoughts and practices of many people today, the wedding vows really aren't multiple choice questions. The vows are actually a description of the commitment God expects us to make when we join with our mate. The King James translation uses the word cleave. What a wonderful term to describe this commitment! Cleave forms a picture of being bonded together, being so tight that nothing can separate the relationship. And that is why many wedding ceremonies go into such detail describing the inseparability of a God-made marriage. Through those vows, we commit to always cleave, and promise to stick together no matter what the challenge, in a manner and for a union that was designed by God Himself.
-----
Marriage, II
Bible Reading: Genesis 2:22-25; Psalm 51:17; Matthew 19:4-5; Romans 12:1.
When Adam first saw Eve, he said "Wow!" Not really, he actually said, "This is now bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh". Marriage is the only human institution where 1 plus 1 equals 1. In order for this equation to work, both parties involved must be willing to subtract (or sacrifice) things in their lives. Oneness in marriage takes work. It is not a Hollywood "happily ever after" that just happens because bells ring when you kiss. If you are not willing to work at oneness, stay single.
Moment of Meditation: Achieving oneness in marriage grows out of physical, emotional and spiritual agreement.
A Talk with Jesus: (If married, pray) Lord, lead me into oneness with my mate and with You. Amen. (If unmarried, pray) Lord, lead me into oneness with You. Amen.
For Further Study: Romans 6:5; Ephesians 5:28-32; Philippians 2:1-2; Colossians 2:2-3; 3:14.
-----
Find Grace
Daily Devotional for January 9
Genesis 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."
The grace of God is found in the first book of the bible. Noah built an ark for a hundred years and found grace in the sight of God each day. When one is obedient to God's word they also will find grace that saves, and mercy that covers the effect of sin, and love that will last throughout eternity. God loved Noah with an everlasting love.
God's grace is not just for a moment, but for each day of our lives. Live one day at a time for Christ Jesus and you will experience great grace. Walk with Him, talk with Him, love Him and life will be poured upon the hurting, the sick, and the lost.
-----
No Faith
January 9th
READ: Mark 4:35-5:20
Do you still have no faith? (Mark 4:40c).
This is why people become afraid--because they lose faith. Faith is the answer to fear. Faith is always the answer to our fears, regardless of what they are. Jesus put His finger right on it: "Do you still have no faith?"
Well, evidently they did not. They had forgotten all the things He said to them in the Sermon on the Mount about the extent of God's care for them: "Are you not much more valuable than flowers and birds? God cares for them; will he not much more care for you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:30). Here Jesus was in the boat with them; their fate would be His fate; and yet they had forgotten this.
How would these men have acted, do you think, if they had faith? Suppose their faith had been strong--their faith in Him and in God's care and love--what would they have done? One thing is certain: they would not have wakened Him; they would have let Him rest. He was tired and needed the rest badly. They would have done so because their faith would have reminded them of two great facts: First, the boat will not sink; it cannot sink when the Master of ocean and earth and sky is in it. Second, the storm will not last forever.
A good friend of mine, a handsome young evangelist from another country, told me about all the troubles he and his wife were going through. He was dejected. She was struggling with severe physical problems, ill health arising from asthma and bronchitis, which constantly kept her down. They had gone through years of struggle with this condition of hers already, and it seemed to pull the bottom out of everything he attempted to do. Here they were planning to go back to their own country, and now she was sick again. He came to me discouraged.
I remember turning to this incident in Mark and reciting this story and saying to him, "Remember, the boat will not sink, and the storm will not last forever. That is having faith--to remember those facts." He thanked me, we prayed together, and he left. I did not see him for a couple of months; then we ran into each other. I said, "How are things going? How is your wife?" He said, "Oh, not much better. She's still having terrible struggles. She can't breathe and can't take care of the children or the house, and we have a hard time. But I do remember two things: the boat will not sink, and the storm will not last forever!" So I prayed with him again.
After a while I received a note from him. He and his family had gone back to their country, and there they had found the answer. A doctor discovered a minor deficiency in his wife's diet that needed to be remedied. When that was done, the asthma and bronchitis disappeared, and she was in glorious, radiant health, and they were rejoicing together. At the bottom of the page he had written, "The boat will not sink, and the storm will not last forever."
I thank You. Lord, that You are here with me to comfort and strengthen me, to reassure me, and to take me through whatever storms may come. I know You are not here to stop the storms from coming, but to take me through them.
This daily devotion was inspired by one of Ray's sermons
-----
SAVED
“…They have been saved from a living death.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page150
“I was facing death, and He (the Lord) saved me.” Psalm 116:6
For what it's worth: The belief that I would not be saved inflamed my drinking for years. I even experienced serious doubts long into sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous. Only after years of prays for my Higher Power’s help, frequently discussing it with my sponsor, and honestly sharing about it at AA meetings, have I come to believe that I am forgiven and worth saving. What I am now experiencing is that the deeper the roots of this belief grow, the more precious I see the gift of salvation to be. And even more unbelievable is the thought that a sinful, worthless drunk like me is at times granted the privilege of being some small part in saving another soul along the way.
God bless you!
Joe W.
And Abraham His servant.
43 He brought out His people with joy,
His chosen ones with gladness.
44 He gave them the lands of the Gentiles,
And they inherited the labor of the nations,
45 That they might observe His statutes
And keep His laws.
Praise the LORD! Psalm 105
-----
'Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?' Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, 'Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . .' He said to the paralytic, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!' Mark 2:7-12
-----
Take the hard road
Let God rule in all things and die to your own desires and wishes.
Take up your cross daily and follow after Jesus and let the Spirit of the Lord rule and not the desires of your flesh.
The Spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak.
Don't wait until you feel like serving the Lord to serve Him.
Serve the Lord whether you feel like it or not.
Put away all personal desires and ambitions and seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven.
Take the hard road and not the easy one because the difficult road is usually the right road.
Lot choose the fertile valleys and ended up living with vexation in Sodom and Gomorrah.
Abraham choose the rocky and dry higher ground and ended up with God.
©01/09/2001 Jim Welch
-----
Left Undone
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him... (Luke 12:46)
It seems we all have something (or things) we are always putting off. Whether a new exercise program or those unattended odd jobs around the house, or working on the car, or...the list goes on. But nothing is quite as haunting as realizing you are putting off the really important things. Many a person has fell into the snare of neglect and procrastination only to become trapped in a situation in which there is no escape. Perhaps a physical exam would have caught a cancer in a stage early enough to do something about it. Maybe taking care of your financial situation earlier would have prevented the compounding of late fees and overdraft charges. Maybe a kind word would have mended a broken relationship before it was too late. Neglect leads to regret. Fortunately, God is in the business of helping us turn regret into wisdom. Then hopefully the next time we are faced with the serious decisions, we won't try to ignore them and hope they just go away.
Just One More Verse
His mind began to frantically search,
to learn what felt so wrong.
His heart beat grew enormous,
with each chorus of the song.
He wished it to be over,
it seemed an endless curse.
But deep inside, a voice cried out,
"Please sing just one more verse."
Another Sunday came and went,
And another invitation.
But once again it passed him by,
due to his hesitation.
For every time the songs were sung,
the struggle grew much worse.
And his grip of pride grew tighter,
Through the passing of each verse.
The day soon came which was to be,
his last day in the church.
It seemed he no longer had the need,
to carry on his search.
But as they came to carry him,
from the alter to the hearse,
deep down inside, his spirit cried,
"Please sing just one more verse."
Things left undone. Words left unsaid. Procrastination and neglect are the nails to the coffin of the man in the poem. But whose neglect is it? It's obvious he procrastinated too long, but what about the Christians who carried his coffin? Could they have been led by the Spirit to say something, to pray with him, to simply be a friend? Perhaps someone felt a strong compelling to call this man the night before, but talked himself out of it because it was too late at night, or he was too tired. Maybe, like so many of us, that person thought to himself, "I'll call him tomorrow."
We do not know the hour that our Lord will come, nor do we know the hour we will go. That is why we will always be wise to take heed to Jesus' words to His disciples, "watch and pray." Because some things are far too important to leave undone.
Day by Day Devotionals
-----
Read Genesis 25 -- 27 http://www.studylight.org/desk/?l=en&query=ge+25-ge+27§ion=0&translation=kjv&oq=
Highlights In Today's Reading:
As the great patriarch Abraham dies, we meet Isaac's family — his wife Rebekah and their twin sons, Jacob and Esau.
Only two men in the Bible are called hunters — Nimrod and Esau. The fact that Esau is described as a hunter like Nimrod, the rebel, gives us some insight into Esau's true character. He revealed his lack of interest in spiritual things when he said: Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright be to me? (25:32-34). Esau could not have been at the point of death because of missing one meal. Obviously, he had no concern for the things of God, who later called him a profane (godless) person (Heb. 12:16). The family birthright included, among other things, the sacred position of spiritual leadership of the family and heir to the covenant between God and Abraham and his descendants. The birthright was a link in the line of descent through which the Messiah was to come (Num. 24:17-19).
Though much maligned by Esau and others, the fact is that Jacob purchased the Abrahamic covenant from Esau for what Esau thought it was worth. In sharp contrast with Esau, Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents (Gen. 25:27). The Hebrew word for plain is the same word translated in other Scripture as perfect, upright, undefiled; so the word plain refers to Jacob's character — Jacob was a man of God. God declares twice: Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated (Rom. 9:13; Mal. 1:2-3). And David records: The Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar (special, sacred) treasure (Ps. 135:4).
Many today, like Esau, are willing to gratify fleshly cravings in total disregard for God's will in their lives until it is too late. Then, like Esau, they find fault with the people of God and blame their failures on someone else. Inevitably, the faithful servant of God will be falsely accused and betrayed; but, it is encouraging to see from Jacob's experience that it is impossible for anyone to keep the chosen servant of God from accomplishing the perfect will of God.
Rather than criticizing others, we need to guard our own hearts: Looking diligently lest any one fail (fall short) of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. . . . Afterward . . . he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance (no way to undo what he had done), though he sought it carefully (desperately) with tears (Heb. 12:15-17).
Thought for Today:
It is not too late for us to impart godly spiritual values to our children or someone else's as long as we have them ourselves.
Christ Revealed:
As the spiritual Seed that would bless all the nations of the earth (Gen. 26:4). Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. . . . as of one . . . which is Christ (Gal. 3:16).
Word Studies:
25:6 concubines = secondary wives without inheritance rights; 25:8 gave up the ghost = died; 25:16 castles = settlements; 25:21 intreated = prayed earnestly; was intreated of him = granted his prayer; 25:23 two nations = the Israelites and the Edomites (36:9); 25:29 sod = cooked, boiled; 26:3 Sojourn = Live temporarily; 26:8 sporting with = showing loving affection; 26:9 of a surety = clearly; 26:10 lightly = ignorantly; have lien = had sexual relations; 26:11 charged = warned; 26:13 waxed = became; 26:14 store = household; 26:19 springing = running; 26:31 betimes = early; 27:15 goodly raiment = choice clothes; 27:28 fatness = best; 27:37 corn = grain.
-----
HEAVY Get Help to Lift
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Being a Burden Lifter
You would think I would get the hang of packing for the airlines after a few trips, but it only seems to be moving from bad to worse. After each trip I make mental notes: 1) Do not pack that item again, you didn’t use it anyway. 2) Don’t forget these items, it would have been nice to have them along. The last two trips my suitcase came back to me marked with an orange tag: HEAVY Get Help To Lift.
Now, I knew my suitcase was heavy, but was it really necessary to inform all my fellow travelers standing around the carousel?
Wouldn’t it be helpful if hurting people were as easily identifiable as tagged suitcases? They know their burdens are heavy. Sometimes so heavy they can hardly lift themselves out of bed in the morning. But how can others know they are hurting? Maybe these people, maybe you and I, should begin clearly marking our oppressive days with an orange tag: HEAVY BURDENS Need Help to Lift!
There’s no guesswork in the Bible on if we should help carry each other’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 commands us to do so, Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
The question is how do we obey that command without the use of orange tags identifying those who need help with their heartaches and burdens? Let’s again go to the Bible for God’s Word on burden lifting.
Ask the Holy Spirit to clothe you with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). Have the attitude of Christ, looking not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2). Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Would orange tags make it easier to identify the hurting people in your corner of the world? It certainly would. But is it the best option? No, God always provides the best way. Follow God’s commands for burden lifting, imitate Christ’s example in how He reached out to others, and let the Spirit lead and guide as you go about the task you’ve been called to: being a burden lifter for others.
Today’s Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your word on burden lifting. Please help me to see the burdens that people are carrying. Give me eyes to see where the needs are. Give me ears to hear the cries of hurting people. Give me love that reaches out in compassion and understanding. I want to imitate Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. By Lenae Bulthuis
-----
1 Minute Daily Devotions
January 9, 2009
To Cleave
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." - Genesis 2:24
The eight-year-old girl was cuddled on the sofa with her parents, munching on a big bowl of popcorn and watching the video of their wedding. She found the whole process fascinating! She contributed her own play-by-play analysis during the "show," pelting her parents with observations and questions. Her unique perspective was particularly displayed during the exchange of vows. When the preacher asked "Will you take this man for richer or poorer?" the little girl looked up at her mom and commented, "So, I guess you chose 'poorer,' huh?"
Contrary to the thoughts and practices of many people today, the wedding vows really aren't multiple choice questions. The vows are actually a description of the commitment God expects us to make when we join with our mate. The King James translation uses the word cleave. What a wonderful term to describe this commitment! Cleave forms a picture of being bonded together, being so tight that nothing can separate the relationship. And that is why many wedding ceremonies go into such detail describing the inseparability of a God-made marriage. Through those vows, we commit to always cleave, and promise to stick together no matter what the challenge, in a manner and for a union that was designed by God Himself.
-----
Marriage, II
Bible Reading: Genesis 2:22-25; Psalm 51:17; Matthew 19:4-5; Romans 12:1.
When Adam first saw Eve, he said "Wow!" Not really, he actually said, "This is now bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh". Marriage is the only human institution where 1 plus 1 equals 1. In order for this equation to work, both parties involved must be willing to subtract (or sacrifice) things in their lives. Oneness in marriage takes work. It is not a Hollywood "happily ever after" that just happens because bells ring when you kiss. If you are not willing to work at oneness, stay single.
Moment of Meditation: Achieving oneness in marriage grows out of physical, emotional and spiritual agreement.
A Talk with Jesus: (If married, pray) Lord, lead me into oneness with my mate and with You. Amen. (If unmarried, pray) Lord, lead me into oneness with You. Amen.
For Further Study: Romans 6:5; Ephesians 5:28-32; Philippians 2:1-2; Colossians 2:2-3; 3:14.
-----
Find Grace
Daily Devotional for January 9
Genesis 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."
The grace of God is found in the first book of the bible. Noah built an ark for a hundred years and found grace in the sight of God each day. When one is obedient to God's word they also will find grace that saves, and mercy that covers the effect of sin, and love that will last throughout eternity. God loved Noah with an everlasting love.
God's grace is not just for a moment, but for each day of our lives. Live one day at a time for Christ Jesus and you will experience great grace. Walk with Him, talk with Him, love Him and life will be poured upon the hurting, the sick, and the lost.
-----
No Faith
January 9th
READ: Mark 4:35-5:20
Do you still have no faith? (Mark 4:40c).
This is why people become afraid--because they lose faith. Faith is the answer to fear. Faith is always the answer to our fears, regardless of what they are. Jesus put His finger right on it: "Do you still have no faith?"
Well, evidently they did not. They had forgotten all the things He said to them in the Sermon on the Mount about the extent of God's care for them: "Are you not much more valuable than flowers and birds? God cares for them; will he not much more care for you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:30). Here Jesus was in the boat with them; their fate would be His fate; and yet they had forgotten this.
How would these men have acted, do you think, if they had faith? Suppose their faith had been strong--their faith in Him and in God's care and love--what would they have done? One thing is certain: they would not have wakened Him; they would have let Him rest. He was tired and needed the rest badly. They would have done so because their faith would have reminded them of two great facts: First, the boat will not sink; it cannot sink when the Master of ocean and earth and sky is in it. Second, the storm will not last forever.
A good friend of mine, a handsome young evangelist from another country, told me about all the troubles he and his wife were going through. He was dejected. She was struggling with severe physical problems, ill health arising from asthma and bronchitis, which constantly kept her down. They had gone through years of struggle with this condition of hers already, and it seemed to pull the bottom out of everything he attempted to do. Here they were planning to go back to their own country, and now she was sick again. He came to me discouraged.
I remember turning to this incident in Mark and reciting this story and saying to him, "Remember, the boat will not sink, and the storm will not last forever. That is having faith--to remember those facts." He thanked me, we prayed together, and he left. I did not see him for a couple of months; then we ran into each other. I said, "How are things going? How is your wife?" He said, "Oh, not much better. She's still having terrible struggles. She can't breathe and can't take care of the children or the house, and we have a hard time. But I do remember two things: the boat will not sink, and the storm will not last forever!" So I prayed with him again.
After a while I received a note from him. He and his family had gone back to their country, and there they had found the answer. A doctor discovered a minor deficiency in his wife's diet that needed to be remedied. When that was done, the asthma and bronchitis disappeared, and she was in glorious, radiant health, and they were rejoicing together. At the bottom of the page he had written, "The boat will not sink, and the storm will not last forever."
I thank You. Lord, that You are here with me to comfort and strengthen me, to reassure me, and to take me through whatever storms may come. I know You are not here to stop the storms from coming, but to take me through them.
This daily devotion was inspired by one of Ray's sermons
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SAVED
“…They have been saved from a living death.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page150
“I was facing death, and He (the Lord) saved me.” Psalm 116:6
For what it's worth: The belief that I would not be saved inflamed my drinking for years. I even experienced serious doubts long into sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous. Only after years of prays for my Higher Power’s help, frequently discussing it with my sponsor, and honestly sharing about it at AA meetings, have I come to believe that I am forgiven and worth saving. What I am now experiencing is that the deeper the roots of this belief grow, the more precious I see the gift of salvation to be. And even more unbelievable is the thought that a sinful, worthless drunk like me is at times granted the privilege of being some small part in saving another soul along the way.
God bless you!
Joe W.