West Texas has been hit by several severe storms recently that have included hail, tornado warnings, and heavy rain. Flooding is a real problem here in our very flat city. There is no place for the water to go. Heavy rain turns our streets into rivers and our intersections into lakes. In fact last week dozens of motorists had to be rescued from their cars and one woman drowned when her mustang was swept off the road and into a ditch.
These kinds of storms are scary and, unfortunately, also inevitable here. We expect them and try to prepare for them. What about life’s storms? Do you expect them? In John 16:33, Jesus said we would have trouble in this world. (And, praise God, He also said to “take heart” because He has overcome the world!) So why are we sometimes surprised when trouble comes?
Here are three things that can help us when we find ourselves in the midst of trial and difficulty: Read more
When I was in seminary I met many people who had left everything behind to answer God’s call to ministry. One very successful, middle-aged businessman closed his business and never looked back. Others sold homes, quit jobs, and moved far away from family.
I thought about my fellow students this morning during my daily Bible reading. In 1 Kings chapter 20 we read about Elisha’s call by God to be Elijah’s successor. When Elijah issued the call Elisha was plowing a field behind a yoke of oxen. Not only did Elisha answer the call he also slaughtered the oxen and cooked them over a fire fueled by the plowing equipment.
Now that’s commitment! There would be no turning back for Elisha. No changing his mind or deciding he heard wrong. He could only move forward in obedience to God’s plan for his life. Read more
Has God given you a job recently? Perhaps you sense He has guided you to tackle a specific task or take on a new responsibility. Does it feel overwhelming or beyond the scope of your experience or expertise? Good. Then it’s probably right where God wants you!
Recently God has presented me with a new opportunity. Since it’s a bit different from anything I’ve done before I’m a little nervous about how to proceed. I know I will have to depend on Him. And that’s a good thing.
This morning I was reading about David’s task of planning for the temple in First Chronicles, chapter 28. God did not allow David to actually build the temple because David was a man of war. God assigned that task to David’s son Solomon. However, God did ask David to do the planning and make preparations.
I know I’ve read this passage many times, but this morning I noticed truths about the Holy Spirit’s involvement that I had never slowed down to think about before. Read more
My mother once saved my life. When I was about four, I fell in a lake and didn’t know how to swim. By the time Mom got to the edge of the water I was quite a ways from the shore and going under yet again. She dove in and quickly brought me safely to dry ground.
God saved His people Israel. He chose them out of all nations to be His. God rescued them from slavery in Egypt. He brought them safely through the waters of the Red Sea. Then after centuries of rebellion, the prophet Isaiah warned them of God’s pending discipline. They would soon face exile in Babylon, but God would redeem them again. Like a loving father, God would lavish His children with grace and mercy. He would snatch them out of exile and bring them safely home.
God has a unique relationship with us, His people. First, He made us. He intimately formed you and me. Then He chose us to belong to Him. He called us by name. He redeemed us out of slavery to sin and claimed us as His own.
He promises to save those who belong to Him. Are you passing through a fire right now? Whether you’re experiencing God’s discipline, Christian persecution, or a refining trial, God is with you. You may feel the heat and smell the smoke but you will not be consumed. God may not choose to rescue you out of every trouble, but He will always rescue you through them. He will not leave your side.
1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.
Isaiah 43:1-4, NIV
God’s greatest act of salvation on our behalf was in sending His Son to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. Have you received God’s great gift of eternal salvation? Have you experienced God’s saving hand in past circumstances of your life?
Remember, the God who saved your soul and acted on your behalf in the past is the same God today. Will you trust Him with your current circumstances?
Have you ever been wronged by someone who had no idea she had done anything? It may have been hurtful words or inconsiderate actions. But she was completely clueless. It’s happened to me. And I know without a doubt that I’ve done it to others as well.
I read a Psalm recently during my quiet time that I’ve read dozens of times. However, this time God showed me something I had not really noticed before.
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. Ps 19:12-13
Sometimes I sin against God and don’t even realize it. My sinful heart keeps me from being able to recognize the depth of my transgression against our holy God. I’m clueless. My sin nature blinds me to my own sin.
The psalmist, David, asked God to forgive him for the sin he was not even aware he had committed. Then he asked God to protect him from yielding to blatant temptation. David longed to be blameless – innocent in thought, attitude, and deed. And not in just the things that people would notice. David wanted to be innocent in the eyes of his holy God. Wow!
God has brought me back to these verses several times in the last week. Do you think He’s trying to tell me something? Every time, my prayer has been David’s prayer:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Ps 19:14
warnings, and heavy rain. Flooding is a real problem here in our very flat city. There is no place for the water to go. Heavy rain turns our streets into rivers and our intersections into lakes. In fact last week dozens of motorists had to be rescued from their cars and one woman drowned when her mustang was swept off the road and into a ditch.
task or take on a new responsibility. Does it feel overwhelming or beyond the scope of your experience or expertise? Good. Then it’s probably right where God wants you!