A good coach knows his athletes and pushes each one, individually, just short of their utmost limit. This makes them strong and prepared for what lies ahead. God is the same way.
"God knows our strength, and He measures it to the last inch; and a trial was never given to any man that was greater than that man's strength, through God, to bear it. It is His trust in you that explains the trials of life, however bitter they may be." ~Streams in the Desert
TV~ (Today's Verse)
God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are
able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you
may be able to endure it. [I Corinthians 10:13]
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Following the Lamb
They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. (Revelation 14:4)
I asked a 12-year-old today what it means to follow Jesus wherever he goes. His response, "If the Lamb goes up a hard hill, we go up a hard hill." This reminded me of Much-Afraid, the protagonist in the Christian classic Hinds' Feet on High Places.
TV~ (Today's Verse)
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children... [Ephesians 5:2]
I asked a 12-year-old today what it means to follow Jesus wherever he goes. His response, "If the Lamb goes up a hard hill, we go up a hard hill." This reminded me of Much-Afraid, the protagonist in the Christian classic Hinds' Feet on High Places.
“O Shepherd. You said you would make my feet like hinds' feet and set me upon
High Places".
"Well", he answered "the only way to develop hinds' feet is to go by the paths which
"Well", he answered "the only way to develop hinds' feet is to go by the paths which
the hinds use." -Hannah Hurnard, Hinds' Feet on High Places
TV~ (Today's Verse)
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children... [Ephesians 5:2]
Sunday, November 10, 2013
A Different Way of Living
I spoke with someone today who said that Bach had 32 children. I drew the conclusion that Bach must have been promiscuous and said, "I thought he was Christian." This person commented, "Maybe he was, but what difference does it make?"
A brief investigation showed me that Bach had 20 children, seven with his first wife and 13 with his second wife. History does not point to Bach being promiscuous. I hope and pray that our Christian faith causes us to live markedly different lives, based on wholesome values. (Not perfect, and struggling, we press on toward the goal for which Christ has called us heavenward.)
"When he was 48, Johann Sebastian Bach acquired a copy of Luther's three-volume translation of the Bible. He pored over it as if it were a long-lost treasure... Near 1 Chronicles 25 (a listing of Davidic musicians) he wrote, "This chapter is the true foundation of all God-pleasing music." At 2 Chronicles 5:13 (which speaks of temple musicians praising God), he noted, "At a reverent performance of music, God is always at hand with his gracious presence." (Christian History.net)
TV~ (Today's verse)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
[Romans 12:2]
A brief investigation showed me that Bach had 20 children, seven with his first wife and 13 with his second wife. History does not point to Bach being promiscuous. I hope and pray that our Christian faith causes us to live markedly different lives, based on wholesome values. (Not perfect, and struggling, we press on toward the goal for which Christ has called us heavenward.)
"When he was 48, Johann Sebastian Bach acquired a copy of Luther's three-volume translation of the Bible. He pored over it as if it were a long-lost treasure... Near 1 Chronicles 25 (a listing of Davidic musicians) he wrote, "This chapter is the true foundation of all God-pleasing music." At 2 Chronicles 5:13 (which speaks of temple musicians praising God), he noted, "At a reverent performance of music, God is always at hand with his gracious presence." (Christian History.net)
TV~ (Today's verse)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
[Romans 12:2]
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Two Teens and a Baby
I learned recently of a beautiful baby born to an unmarried teenage couple. No longer together, they now share the custody of their child, each taking the baby every other week. The dad awakes at 5:30 a.m. daily for a landscaping job. The mom is cleaning houses. Their responsibilities limit their job and education options.
There once was a younger son who left home. He wanted to be "free." It was fun for a while, until his money ran out and he became a farm hand, feeding the pigs.
The best part of the story....
When the younger son decided to return home, physically and spiritually, he was welcomed with open arms.
TV~
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. [Proverbs 14:12]
There once was a younger son who left home. He wanted to be "free." It was fun for a while, until his money ran out and he became a farm hand, feeding the pigs.
The best part of the story....
When the younger son decided to return home, physically and spiritually, he was welcomed with open arms.
TV~
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. [Proverbs 14:12]
Friday, November 8, 2013
Stuck in the Muck
There are seasons in which we become stuck. It is horrible. We may be stuck in anger, or unforgivenss, or grief, or.....
If we are unable to climb out, we can cry out and ask God to rescue us.
TV~ (Today's Verse)
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
If we are unable to climb out, we can cry out and ask God to rescue us.
TV~ (Today's Verse)
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
The Downward Spiral of Temptation
Here are the five steps downward:
1. We are drawn away by our own evil desires.
2. Our desire conceives.
3. Our desire gives birth to sin.
4. Sin becomes full-grown.
5. Sin brings forth death. (Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy.)
TV~ (Today's Verse)
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
1. We are drawn away by our own evil desires.
2. Our desire conceives.
3. Our desire gives birth to sin.
4. Sin becomes full-grown.
5. Sin brings forth death. (Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy.)
TV~ (Today's Verse)
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)