Entries for August 2014

The Call from the Father's Heart

'"Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." Jeremiah 3:22

This was a call from the heart of God the Father to His children, Israel. He saw their tears of regret and heard their lament. He wanted them close, but they had wandered and lost contact. As they wandered, they slipped, lost ground and backslid.

To backslide is not a single act, it is a process. The absence of God in our thoughts, our plans, our lives, causes a vertigo of the soul. We become disoriented, lose our sense of direction and go the wrong way. We backslide and we are heart sick.

Listen: There is God's love call. "Come back, I can heal you."

PRAY: Father God, indeed I come back to you. Fill my mind with thoughts of You and keep me close to You. The power of your love when you shed your blood on the cross heals my memories and my backslidings. Keep me on track. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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FAITH OVERCOMES FEAR

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."Psalm 56:3

We can feel smothered with daily newscasts of world events until we can hardly breathe. Multiple conflicts of our hypertensive culture press down on us and we sigh with a sense of futility. At times a strange dread sweeps over us and we are afraid.

If we do not know what to do with our fear, if we keep it inside of us, internal anxiety will cause external symptoms. Our bodies register emotional turmoil. inner tension and stress. Eventually physical diseases like heart trouble, high blood pressure, and associated problems signal the body is sick with fear.

The Psalmist learned what to do with fear. He turned to trust the Lord. It was not fight or flight that relieved him of his fear; it was faith.

TRUST IN THE LORD: And don't despair. No matter what your troubles are, Jesus will see you through.

PRAYER: Lord, I cannot control or solve any world problems or whatever makes me anxious. I care, but you care more. I turn to You. I relinquish my fears to make room for faith. I know you love all who need you in this unjust world. In Jesus' Name. Amen

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THE WAYS OF GOD

"Oh the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out." Romans 11:33

The Bible warns the last days will be perilous times that will challenge our faith.Christians will react differently to God's ways. Some may cave in with doubt and fear. At the same time others will cultivate stronger faith.

The most seasoned saint is often tempted to question the ways of God. In perilous times it is hard to understand why the innocent suffer and the righteous are persecuted. Believers can be tempted to think God does not notice the evil plans of the wicked.

Those who love God must remain humble before Him and maintain faith in His wisdom and knowledge. Admit God's deep, deep wisdom is way over your head. You will never figure it out nor explain God or His ways. Give up trying to tell God what to do. Accept that everything comes from Him, and happens through HIm and will end up in Him.

GOD'S WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS. Isn't that the way God should be? Sovereign!

PRAYER: All glory and praise to You, Lord. How wise and knowing you are. Your judgments are unsearchable and Your ways past finding out. I believe You when I cannot understand what You are doing and I humbly trust You. Amen to Your will!

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