Devotional Christian » Trusting God

Wholesome and Clean

Patricia Day — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:42:02 +0000

Ezekiel 37:23b – I will wash away their sin and make them clean, and I will protect them from everything that makes them unclean. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (CEV)

There is a major house renovation going on close to where we live. Actually, it has been in progress for weeks and weeks – new roof, insulation, siding, windows, doors, sunroom and storage addition – a complete overhaul! I don’t know, because I have not seen inside, but I have to assume that there is a great deal of updating, repair and cleaning being addressed inside the home too: and I assume this due to the time it is taking to complete the work.

I recall when my husband and I, were looking for a home in this park, that we viewed one particular unit that was in a beautiful location, the price was amazing (it would have left a great deal of ‘spare’ cash for renovations) but the condition inside was nothing short of ‘disgusting’: how anyone could have lived in the home in the condition it was in, was beyond our comprehension.

We had agreed that we were willing to move into a house of our choice and do work while living there, but the filth and the updates needed in that particular house, were way too bad for us to even consider moving in and living there in – there was far too much to do to make it habitable.

When some people are challenged to give their lives to God and invite Jesus into their hearts, they recognize the truth that they have sinned before God. As a result, they want to clean up their lives before they issue an invitation to Jesus. They don’t yet understand that God comes into our lives to clean us up, precisely because we can’t do it for ourselves.

Isaiah 64:6a – But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags. (NKJV)

The good news is that God loves us just as we are. So when we become willing to accept God into our lives, thankfully, He does not shun our dirty lives like we rejected that dirty home. He welcomes us and cleanses us. He does not leave us as we are, with our disparaging thoughts, our criticism of others, our idolatry of all things material, and all our major and minor sinful ways. This process is called “sanctification”.

Isaiah 1:16 – Wash yourselves clean! I am disgusted with your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong. (CEV)

Just as the house we viewed had much to clean up before being habitable, so God needs to clean up our lives, thoughts, and actions, so that we become a true reflection of His Son, Jesus, in our hearts, minds, and spirits.

James 4:8 – Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can’t make up your mind. (CEV)

Prayer: Abba, make us aware of all that is in our lives, our thoughts, and our deeds, that is unworthy of Your presence within us. Wash us clean, and renew our spirits and hearts so that we are wholesome, presentable, and welcoming to all who look at us and the ways that we live. We want to be acceptable to You and winsome to them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

Get Out of My Way, I Want Queso

Hariette Petersen — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:14:57 +0000

Hoots, whoops, and cheers filled the room when I told my granddaughters I would make them some queso and chips. ”You can make queso? I wanna help?” Haylee pushed a stool up to the kitchen counter. ”Me, too. Me too!” Kinsey grabbed another stool and pushed it up into the corner of the counter, smack dab in front of the microwave I needed to use. I managed to reach around her with a bit of contortionist technique (so this is how a pretzel feels), however, she completely blocked the silverware drawer. I had to bodily move her stool so I could open the drawer and get a fork to stir the melting cheese and sauce. Kinsey moaned. As I grabbed a knife to cut the cheese, I assured her I’d move her back and let her watch it melt.

“That’s the same kinda cheese Mommy uses to make macaroni and cheese,” Haylee skeptically noted. “Will it taste like Los Tres? Are you sure this is queso? Is this how they make it?” While I adore my quizzical granddaughters, and wallow in the joy of their enthusiasm, their interrogations can be quite overwhelming in the midst of trying to cook and avoid calamity or unintentional burns, scalding, and knife-nicks. One time Kinsey fell off her stool when she lost her balance trying to scootch up closer to me. No concussion, but my heart rhythm spiked. Another time Haylee got poked in her tummy as she and Kinsey battled with a wooden spoon to stir brownie batter. I remedied the howling by letting her crack an egg. Then Kinsey wanted to crack one too. I learned early on to give each of them individual bowls to crack eggs to avoid making crunching brownies, cakes, and muffins with eggshell shards. Oh, the dilemma of cooking with children.

It makes me wonder if this is how it is for God when I am eager to help fulfill a plan He has for me…when I want to see Him work in my life. Do I impulsively rush, crowd, and get in His way? As He tries to work out good for His glory and my provision, do I cause more harm than good? Does it take Him longer to accomplish something in my life because He has to stop, have patience, and tolerate my childish enthusiasm? Do I impede progress by blocking the path to the instruments of His choice?

As I nudged Kinsey out of the way, and pulled her chair away from the drawer to get utensils I needed to make their queso dip, I wondered. Is God unduly harsh to nudge me out of the way, to pull me out of progression’s path, to grab something from me to protect me from myself? Or is intrusive action simply God’s intervention…preventive measures? Grace and mercy? I think so.

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.” Psalm 37:5 ESV

This tells me God wants my faithfulness to Him, to look to Him…to follow His lead and directions, then “HE” will act, not me–God. So often I find myself rushing to accomplish what only He can do. Impatient to see the end result, I want to do things my way, instead of seeking His way. I work, strive, and struggle with incompetency without regard to His competency. I’m just like my granddaughters. How long will it take? When will I learn?

“Without Him I am nothing.”

“My ways are not His ways.”

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

When will I learn to “trust in Lord” when chaos reigns? to have patience when He wants to provide delight? to move over and “get out of the way” when He is far more able than I? The joy of the Lord is my strength…the Lord is my rock, my refuge, my peace, my hope. Indeed, He is all I need. All I need is to abide in Him…He will bring forth fruit (and queso), as I yield and let His Spirit flow through me.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

Oh, My Word! Did You Hear Why…

Hariette Petersen — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:16:42 +0000

he stopped coming to Sunday School? she quit working in the nursery? they are moving their membership? they removed their kids from youth activities? she wants nothing to do with the church anymore? Let me tell ya…

There’s a bevy of reasons why people do what they do. Legitimate reasons. And yes, some folk use anything as an excuse to do nothing. However, many come to churches today and see a white-washed extension of the world they want to escape. When people come to church, most seek a place of hope, of love, of kindness. They do not want a place filled with division, sniping, and whispers. They have plenty of people in their lives who pretend to care, who are judgmental and condemning. They need sincerity, acceptance and genuine love. Instead of Light, they see shadows of God’s love. The psalmist understood this all too well when he said:

“They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip,and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.” Psalm 41:6

Ever had that happen to you? Ever share your heartache, your burden, your failings with another in confidence, only to have them spread it all around?

It’s a sad thing when Christians carry tales and negativity. A faithful disciple of Jesus Christ resists the temptation to gossip and share tidbits of inflamatory or confidential information. Even when the information is true, it is not wise to share it with others. It hurts the body of Christ. It stomps on the toes of the Bride of Christ. It steps on the hem of her gown as she walks down the aisle to her Groom and tears apart the collective body of Believers. It stifles the fragrance of mercy and grace she carries in her bouquet. It clouds the radiance of her joy, love, and hope. It smothers the truth of God with a veil of deception and hindrance.

Gossip. Tale-bearing cloaked as sharing is gossip when one does not have another’s permission to share. It hurts. It crushes the spirit. It impedes Christian growth.

Have you found yourself as the target of gossip and whispers? I pray you find someone with whom you can feel safe. I pray you lean on them and do not allow one or two to destroy your faith in all. I pray you understand and know that people (even Christian people), are not God. Jesus loves you as you are. He will help you and keep you and give you strength to carry on in the midst of every trial you have. While you may not be able to trust some people, you can trust God.

Lord, help us not to fall prey to the baser qualities of our nature. Help us quench any desire to divulge knowledge that may harm the body of Christ and color His bride with talk that serves no good purpose. Let us prepare our hearts for the day of Your return and seek to walk humbly in Your sight until then.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

Fickleness Hinders Contentment

Linda Hull — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 11:48:55 +0000

The heat is rising off my head underneath my brimmed hat. I can’t breathe. My lungs burn and my limbs are weak. Sweat runs down my neck and my clothes are drenched. When will this awful heat stop I wonder as I move my lawn chair to a shadier spot. Heat waves can be dangerous, and certainly make summer fun less enticing.

Coming inside for an ice cold drink a bit later, I notice the pictures of this past winter. Snow mounds shroud all the vegetation, with no sign of what’s underneath. I remembered the cold bite of air upon opening the door. The frozen numbness of my fingertips after clearing away the mass of snow from the car made me wish for warmth and sunshine. Now sunshine and warmth surrounds us and we’re wishing for winter again.

The Lord reminded me this morning about the fickleness of our human heart. Never content seemed to scream in my ears, as I realized how much complaining I had been doing. Whine, whine, whine like a squeaky spring.

Reading the story of the Old Testament Israelites has always made me feel a bit smug. I’m not going to be like them I’ve resolved. When I read the account of their exodus and travels, I saw their ungratefulness and lack of faith in God. How foolish they were to whine about going back to a life of slavery in Egypt I thought. Listen to their words spoken collectively after just being rescued miraculously at the Red Sea:

“And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: and the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Exodus 16:1-3 (KJV)

These ridiculous and fickle people were always finding fault with Moses. The poor man could not please them. Their journey wasn’t going to be long. He was leading them to the promised land of Abraham. Yet, here they were, unprepared emotionally and mentally for the task before them. Finally Moses spoke a hard truth to them:

“And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.” Exodus 16:8

Wow! The realization of my own fickleness pulled me up short. I hated the winter cold, and now I hate the summer heat. The Spirit nudged me. I am humbled by the reminder of God’s sovereignty. He does what He will. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Paul learned this lesson well too. Listen to this:

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:11-13

When trouble comes to us, we will not be prepared because we are so used to our comforts. Murmuring and discontent will be our lot if we do not remember the lesson learned by the Israelites and by Paul. With God we can, meaning we are enabled, to do and to stand all that comes our way.

Be assured, God knows our circumstance. Let us be content in our circumstance, while He works out the details. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Comfort in God

Hariette Petersen — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:00:07 +0000

What comforts you? Homemade chicken soup? A warm blanket? A roof over your head? Knowing you have enough money to pay the bills? A padded retirement account?

It occurred to me that so often in our discomforts that we seek an external source to fix an internal fear, pain, or heartache. When anxious or irritated, I tend to choose sugar. Preferably, mixed with chocolate. Ho-Ho’s are perfect. If I have a choice at any given time of frustration and discomfort, I choose a big hug from my husband, a shoulder rub, or for him to just hold my hand. When I feel blue, I am comforted by my granddaughters crawling up in my lap and cuddling with me. However, when the externals of life are absent and unavailable, when friends are busy, and my husband is at work, I turn to God…to prayer, to scripture…to Christian music.

It’s sad that God is last on my list, don’t you think?

If I trusted more in God’s promises in my fretful moments, I’d have no need of sugar-laced treats which lose their calming comfort the moment they melt in my mouth. Though God has blessed me with family and friends, my greatest comfort is knowing Him and the refuge I find in His presence. Why is my memory so short?

Sometimes I turn my world upside down. I first seek the things which bring temporal comfort and pleasure, rather than the LORD and His righteousness which brings complete contentment and lasting peace. His grace is sufficient to meet my needs. He is enough in my darkness. He is enough in my distress. He is enough in my emptiness. It is when I forget that truth and let the world bear down upon me without looking to Him, that I seek the things of earth to quell my fears, to soothe my troubled mind. When things are not enough, I turn to people for companionship to fill a void…and people are never enough.

Let me repeat that. People are never enough.

We always seem to search for tangible sources of comfort. All the while…God waits. Open arms. He never moves. He never changes. He is enough.

An abiding fellowship with Christ is where God plans to take me each time I turn to Him in need. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 “Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength”…and their faith. “They will mount up on wings as eagles, they will run and not be weary…walk and not faint.”

Prayer: Remind us, Father, of Your constant love and care when we seek solace in the world. When we look backwards to moments of joy in yesterdays, when we turn our attention to the future, rather than seek Your presence today, this very moment.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

Laid Off: God Knows, Hears, and Acts

Linda Hull — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:20:14 +0000

“Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” Isaiah 48:17 (KJV)

I heard the slider door open slowly. Poking my head around the corner, I saw my dear husband coming in the door unexpectedly. Surprised, I went to greet him. It was only then I saw the look in his eyes and the box he was carrying. Laid off.

Being dismissed from a job is no fun. I know; we’ve been there, twice.

Uncertainty breeds fear like a cancer. What does one do when the only breadwinner has suddenly lost his job? Even though the answer is nebulous at the onset, remember we have a God who knows our situation, hears our prayers, and acts on our behalf.

Prayer must be the first order of business. Commit yourself to the Lord and to His will, whatever it may be. This could mean a major move or a major career change. Be ready to follow wherever He leads.

Praying unceasingly began to have new meaning in our lives. Every decision required His input. We couldn’t know the big picture behind His plans, so we had to seek Him regularly. It gave us the feeling that we weren’t in this alone. Hebrews 13:5 gave us great comfort.

“…for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Being laid off doesn’t get any easier, no matter how many times you’ve been through it.

I am reminded of the hymn, “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go” by B.B. McKinney. I sang that song our last Sunday in our Church with tears dripping off my chin because we had made the decision to make a major move to another state. It meant starting over again, leaving friends behind, and selling a house.

We tried to focus on the positives of our situation. I prayed for my husband, because ultimately he had to hear from the Lord. I comforted and cajoled. Together we got through it.

In stressful times, having a good friend to talk to, helps to ease the burden of the task. That friendship helped me to be strong for my husband because I wasn’t unloading all my worries on him. Telling the Lord my fears and concerns relieved my anxiety.

During each layoff, God met our needs. He tested us, and tried us to see if we would cave under the pressure. He reserved crucial events, liking finding a buyer for our home, for the last minute. Down to the wire, uncertainty threatened our peace, but He came through for us.

Making the hard decisions is so difficult, but with the Lord standing with us, we were ready to go. Instead of focusing on what we were leaving behind, we chose to embrace change. We decided that our Lord was opening new adventures and opportunities.

You know what? We weren’t wrong.

Bible Verses On Freedom

Hariette Petersen — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:47:08 +0000

Below are some Bible verses that relate to freedom we have in Christ. Freedom can be defined in several ways for different individuals. Some people are in bondage to fear, to sin, to other people, to circumstance. Through Christ we are assured God delivers, rescues, frees, and releases Believers from all kinds of chains: be they physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. I pray you find some verses here to help you understand the freedom God offers you. Feel free to add your favorite verse in the comment box below.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

When we struggle to accept the freedom we have in Christ. When others need to be encouraged to rest in Christ and not the laws of man.:

“Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?” Acts 15:10

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

“We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us.” 2 Corinthians 1:10

“In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and He answered by setting me free.” Psalm 118:5

“Since the children [are human], He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy Him who holds the power of death– that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2:14-15

PRAYERS for deliverance, rescue, and help:

“Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.” Psalm 25:20

“The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! He is the God who avenges me. . . who sets me free from my enemies.” 2 Samuel 22:47-49

When Others Cast Doubts:

“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance– now that He has died as a ransom to set them free…” Hebrews 9:15

“But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:22

“The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.” 2 Peter 2:9

“Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you are a shield around me, O LORD…From the LORD comes deliverance. Psalm 3:2-3, 8

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4

“For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight. Psalm 72:12-14

“When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors He will send them a savior and defender, and He will rescue them.” Isaiah 19:20

Security in Christ’s Freedom:

“But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:17-18

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15

“With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.” Proverbs 11:9

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

“But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.” Malachi 4:2

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5

Examples of God’s Deliverance and Faithfulness:

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 God saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace to show His watchcare and power to deliver.

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20 God freed Joseph from the pit and raised him up in Egypt to high authority with Pharoah in order to save Israel from famine and certain death.

Why God Rescues and Sets Me Free:

“Because He loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for He acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15

“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him would have everlasting life.” John 3:16

How To Receive this Freedom In Christ:

ASK God: “Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.” Psalm 6:4

THEN: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

BELIEVE: “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

GOD PROMISES: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

UNDERSTAND: “But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Colossians 1:22

I pray you read these verses again and again and gain consolation through the freedom offered you in Christ Jesus….the comfort available…the peace afforded…the sufficiency in God’s grace.

Compiled by © Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

Stop Daddy! Stop!

Hariette Petersen — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 18:59:52 +0000

“Daddy! Stop!” the little girl screamed as she dragged her feet on the ground. “Stop! Stop, Daddy!”

The child wailed as he steered the bicycle-built-for-two and pedaled all the harder. They rode on the edge of a hill–a hill with a 50 foot drop-off–as he made his way around the perimeter of the golf course. My friend and I witnessed her fear. I’m certain she thought at any second she was going to drop off the edge, down the embankment. She was obviously looking at her own hands and thinking she could not steer the bike. She was unaware of her true dependence on her father’s sure hands. He fully in controlled the bike as he gripped the handles and rode on with his little girl in tow. She bone-chilling squeals did not deter him.

It was easy to see how a child could be frightened. It was an extremely steep hill. I thought of how similar her reaction is to mine when I am following God’s will and am suddenly met with daunting circumstances. Sometimes I follow my heavenly Father with total assurance until the way gets rough, the terrain gets steep. Then I drag my feet and question Him. Does He realize how bad things are? Can He not see the threats, the danger, the instability of the path before me?

“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Of course, our heavenly Father knows what is before us. He knows our every step along every path. We sometimes get frightened because we are looking at the danger rather than resting in the promise of His faithfulness. Yet, God is fully cabable of taking us through difficulty. He is in control and has no doubts when we doubt Him and His ability to keep us from harm. He has a destination in mind–just as the father of the frantic little girl. He was headed for the bridge to cross over the ravine. He knew where he was going and did not waver as he kept pedaling his part of the bicycle. Even as she screamed, he did not hesitate or halt. He just kept going.

God is like that. He sees the road ahead. He knows where He is taking us, just as He knew where He was leading Moses, and Joshua and the people of Israel; they did not need to fear. God knew that.

Ever feel like the little girl? Has some cliff, or fear of falling caused you to tremble and panic? to dig in your heels and beg God to stop? We do not need to drag our feet or turn back. As we trust in Him, His strength, power and foresight never let us fall.

PRAYER: Lord, let us keep our eyes on You when the world frightens us. Let us focus on the fact that You go before us, that we can rely on Your unfailing watchcare and sufficiency. Forgive us when we waver.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

No related posts.

Bible Verses About Death

Hariette Petersen — Tue, 31 May 2011 21:54:45 +0000

Below are some Bible verses about death. Hopefully you find ones which help meet your needs today as you consider the finality of life. In the comment box below, please feel free to add ones you think will add encouragement.

God is with us in life and in death. We are never alone.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3

“For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:26

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b

There is hope in death.

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:27-28

“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 25:8

“Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.” Isaiah 60:20

“For God so love the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have ever lasting life.” John 3:16

What will heaven be like?

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

compiled by Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today

Plans and Agendas

Dionna Sanchez — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:03:53 +0000

One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 16:9. It says, “ In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

I love it so much because that’s how life is. I have an agenda; an intended course for my life. It often includes my wishes, dreams, and wants for my life. Of course I want to be a blessing to others along the way, but still….it’s mostly about me.

I often don’t trust my own judgment. I don’t want to go down a certain path in life and say that “It must be God’s will” when it certainly wasn’t. So this verse speaks for my heart and truly it says what my heart intends all along…that I don’t want to step outside of God’s will.

I want the Lord to determine my steps in life regardless of my own plans. Of course I’m hoping they will intersect or coincide at some point, but if I’m way off track – I’d rather defer to God’s plans because I know if I pursue my own without His blessing that it will be all wrong.

The thing is… God WILL determine our steps. Whether we ask Him to or not. He loves us and wants what’s best for us. I’d much rather work with Him than against Him along the way! I’d much rather learn the easy way than the hard way about just what it is and where it is that He desires to take me. That being said, remember that God knows your heart. He often will use and direct you to things in which you are gifted at or where your natural personality leans. He just may “tweak” how you get there!

Life is about agendas. We all have them. We all pursue them.

God knows our hearts and He certainly knows our mind and what we are thinking. Give your plans over to Him and seek Him in your quest to fulfill your life’s dreams and longings. Ask Him to direct your steps.

I promise that you can trust Him with the task.
~ Dionna Sanchez

madetomom@yahoo.com

When You Are Troubled by Doubt

Hariette Petersen — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:17:33 +0000

Faced with a troubling situation? Is anxiety building from some crisis in your life? I felt that way this weekend. The situation was beyond my control. Nothing I could do but watch. And wait. And wonder.

I felt lonely in the midst of people surrounding me at church. I felt alone though family sat next to me. My mind was not with them; it was overshadowed by anxiety within my mind. The foreboding, the shadows of doubt tore at the peace I tried to hold in my grasp. I could no more hold the peace than I could grasp the shadow from the sun on a sweltering day. With every shadow of doubt, I called out to God to keep me in that moment. I prayed that He arrest my fears, my doubts, and fill my heart with more of Himself to give me calm–to give me insight and understanding.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Today, the troubling “situation” is still there. But today I do not doubt the outcome. Once again I went to the Father and asked for assurance. And once again, He showed me that I already have His assurance. I have everything I need in Him. He has not changed because some problem clouds my vision with shadows of doubt. He is in control and will bring about His good, His perfect plan. He loves my loved one far more than I do. His love is trustworthy for them. His watchcare certain.

There is no shadow of turning from our heavenly Father. His Light is constant–far more reliable than the sun above. Shadows we face in life are of the world. Sometimes obstacles. Sometimes, opportunities. Some shadows are waiting periods…waiting for the cloud to pass over–times to trust in the ever-present love of God and His power.

When we face shadows of uncertainty, we have the assurance that the Light of the World is with us and unchanging. He dispels darkness. He destroys fear and restores confidence. He outnumbers our enemies. In Him there is victory. We can walk with confidence through the shadows of life and death. He is with us. Always. We need only thank Him for His gifts.

PRAYER: O LORD, Most High, thank you. Thank you for Your everpresent love. For Your watchcare and hope in the times I question circumstances in my life. Thank You.

Bible Verses About Faith

Hariette Petersen — Mon, 23 May 2011 02:03:36 +0000

Below are several Bible verses about faith. Feel free to add your favorite in the comment box.

FAITH DEFINED:

^“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1-2

“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

WHEN YOUR FAITH IS TESTED:

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.” Psalm 138:7

“Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

“Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.” James 1:3

“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” Psalm 138:8

“In the day when I called, You answered me; and You strengthened me with strength in my inner self.” Psalm 138:3

“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:12

“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” Psalm 147:5

FAITH PROMISES

“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.” Psalm 145:18

“The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him.” Lamentations 3:25

“The Lord upholds all those (of His own) who are falling and raises up all those who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:14

“Faithful is He that calleth you, Who will also do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

ACTIONS OF FAITH

“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.” Habbakuk 2:4

“The Lord is my portion, says my living being; therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” Lamentations 3:24

“When Jesus heard [it], He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Matthew 8:10

“But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26

“Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” Matthew 9:2

“But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.” Matthew 9:22

“Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” Matthew 9:29

“And immediately Jesus stretched out [His] hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31

“Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great [is] your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:28

“But Jesus, being aware of [it], said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Matthew 16:8

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.” Matthew 21:21

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Mark 2:5

“And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:34

“Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.” Mark 10:52

“When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Luke 7:9

“Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:50

RESULTS OF FAITH:

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” Hebrews 11:7

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10

“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because sheconsidered him faithful who had made the promise.And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” Hebrews 11:11-12

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. ¹⁴ People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16

“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” Hebrews 11:17-19

“By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.

“By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” Hebrews 11:23

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.” Hebrews 11:24-28

“By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.” Hebrews 11:29

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.” Hebrews 11:30