Weekend Words

Some devotionals on prayer this week.  And there is much going on in our world today to pray about...

 

From Be Still and Know...

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. - Ephesians 6:18

We are in a spiritual warfare.  Satan is a powerful foe and only God know how to carry on a successful warfare against him.  Someone has said that every spiritual battle is won or lost first in the prayer life.  We are too weak to meet the onslaughts of Satan alone.  In prayer we acknowledge our helplessness and our dependence upon God.  Through earnest prayer we stand victorious in the conflict.

Prayer is God's communication system between Himself and His children.  He knows how to carry on the warfare against our enemy.  He knows his tactics and strategies.  But we need to keep in close touch for His orders and assistance.

We are to PRAY ALWAYS - at all times, wherever we are, on our knees, when we are driving our cars, while waiting for an appointment, or when we lie awake at night - pray always.  First Thessalonians 5:17 reads, "Pray without ceasing."

We are to pray "with all prayer," all kinds of prayer.  Sometimes we just worship the Lord in prayer, other times we have to make a confession.  Sometimes our prayers are longer; other times the need is so urgent we have to send up a quick "SOS" prayer.  Requests must be specific.

Prayer to be effectual must be in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Often we are not sure how to pray; we do not know what is best.  The Holy Spirit will guide us in what we are to pray for.

We must always be alert to the tactics of our enemy, watching with all perseverance.  In many ways Satan tries to prevent our prayers - through weariness, neglect, forgetfulness, or business.  He even tries to convince us that we can be self-sufficient.

Then we are to pray for other believers - "all saints."  There is a great need to pray for each other, not only for those we know, but for ALL saints around the world.

Through prayer the armor is made effective and kept ready for instant use.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).

From Beside Still Waters...

Pray Without Ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Observe what the above verse follows.  It comes immediately after "rejoice always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16).  Has that command ever staggered you and made you ask, "How can I rejoice always?"

The apostle gives the answer, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  The more praying, the more rejoicing.  Prayer gives a channel to pent up sorrow, and it flows away in a steady stream of scared delight.  The more rejoicing, the more praying.  When the heart is quiet and full of joy, it will draw near to the Lord in worship.  A holy joy and prayer act and react on each other.

Now look at the verse that follows, "In everything give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  When joy and pray are married, the firstborn child is gratitude.  When we joy in God for what we have and in faith pray for more, then our souls thank Him for the enjoyment of what we have and for the prospect of what is to come.

These three verses are companion-pictures representing the life of a true Christian.  The middle verse is the link.  These three precepts are an ornament of grace to every believer.  Wear them for glory and beauty.

"Rejoice always."

"Pray without ceasing."

"In everything give thanks."

Weekend Words

A theme this week in some of my readings was keeping our eyes on God.  Where is our focus?

From Our Daily Bread...

Spotting God - Read Isaiah 26:3-4

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." - Isaiah 26:3

A pirouette is a graceful spin that's executed by ballerinas and contemporary dancers alike.  As a child, I loved to do pirouettes in my modern dance class, whirling around and around until I was dizzy in the head and fell to the ground.  As I got older, a trick I learned to help me maintain my balance and control was "spotting" - identifying a single point for my eyes to return to each time I made a full circle spin.  Having a single focal point was all I needed to master my pirouette with a graceful finish.

We all face many twists and turns in life.  When we focus on our problems, however, the things we encounter seem unmanageable, leaving us dizzy and heading towards a disastrous fall.  The Bible reminds us that if we keep our minds steadfast, or focused, on God, He'll keep us in "perfect peace" (Isaiah 26:3).  Perfect peace means that no matter how many turns life takes, we can remain calm, assured that God will be with us through our problems and trials.  He's the "Rock eternal" (v.4) - the ultimate "spot" to fix our eyes on - because His promises never change.

May we keep our eyes on Him as we go through each day, going to Him in prayer and studying His promises in the Scriptures.  May we rely on God, our eternal Rock, to helps us move gracefully through all of life. 

- Kimya Loder

From Beside the Still Waters...

Walking in Darkness - Read John 12:35-50, John 3:17-21

"He that walketh in darkness knoweth not wither he goeth." - John 12:35

The cattle feeders were only three hundred yards across a level grass field directly in front of our home, yet I could not see them.  A dense fog and the winter darkness of a predawn morning combined to totally eliminate all visibility.  The calves needed to be fed, however, so I faced directly west and started walking.  But several minutes later, in embarrassment, I concluded that I was lost, literally in my own front yard.  The sloping ground told me that I was now actually heading north.  A right-handed person tends to drift to the right when hiking in unfamiliar territory, and will ultimately travel in a circle, exactly as I was doing.

The spiritual parallel struck me later as I pondered my experience.  Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).  Spiritual light dispels spiritual darkness, yet our society has largely rejected that light.  "Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved" (John 3:19-20).

The self-centered path to power, pleasure, prominence, and wealth is well illuminated by another light, a deceptive one, for "Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14).  His path, however, leads to eternal ruin.

Drift is inevitable whenever we take our focus off the Everlasting Light.  Though I eventually found the feeders, the object lesson continues to help me remember the consequences of walking in spiritual darkness.

Pete Lewis - Halsey, OR

"Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." - 1 Thessalonians 5:5

Photo credit: Bill Coleman

And this one, which, although not specifically mentioning keeping our focus on God, it highlights the troubles and trials we can bring to ourselves when we concern ourselves with things we should not.  When we should be 'looking to Jesus...' 

From Behold the Lilies...

"Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you." - 2 Chronicles 20:17

Did you ever bring needless stress upon yourself because of your curiosity?  Perhaps several people held a conference to discuss some matter and you were not included.  You would have liked to know what was said.  Or perhaps you know a pleasant surprise awaits you, but you do not know what it is or when it will be.  Your curiosity does not allow you to focus on anything else.  In these cases, you think you must know and you must have answers.  But you really don't.  These matters are under control, and you will find out when you need to know when the time is right for you to know.  In the past, things turned out right, did they not?

Do you struggle needlessly because you think you must have answers when the devil challenges you?  He might ask, "Why did the Lord put you in this place?  There is not much opportunity to do anything for him in your position."  Or, "Why doesn't the Lord give you what He does others?"  Or, "Why does God ask this of you if He does not ask it of others?"  Panic-stricken, you grope for an answer, something concrete to cling to.  You think you have to have answers because Satan's challenges keep you from thinking about any thing else.  But you do not have to have an answer.  Ask God to fight for you, and have faith that He will take care of each of your questions.  You will see His answers when the time is right for you to know.  You can rest in His care.

On the home front...

 It's cooler and cloudy today after some very hot weather (and headaches).  Rain is forecast, and needed, and I have some busy days coming up, so wanted to take the opportunity to get a post on today.

The light on my early morning walk around the river yesterday was particularly pretty.  Softer than usual, I guess as we head into autumn...

Been working on my squares, and they are all finished....

Just need to weave in the ends and sew it together...

The last lot of beanies I sent away for charity...

Already have a new knitting project lined up...

the shorter version

My reading is a bit of a mixed bag...

And I'm working my way through the Anne of Green Gables DVD series...

Still plenty happening in the garden...

cooking up apples

And digging potatoes...

Made a lentil loaf...

and potato salad with my home grown potatoes

And to have with coffee...

a coconut cake

It's a hard life when you are a cat!  When she's not sleeping...

She's being a bird...

The rain has started, and I am ready for my morning coffee, so I'll leave you with this little quote I read recently...

"A happy life is not built up of tours abroad and pleasant holidays, but of little clumps of violets noticed by the wayside." - Edward Wilson

Have a blessed week! xx

Weekend Words

From Be Still and Know...

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. - John 15:11

As we look at the faces of people today, few reflect joy.  This is understandable, for conditions in the world tend to produce fear instead of joy.  People are seeking joy but in the wrong places.  They are looking for it in outward circumstances, but to their great disappointment, they do not find it.

Not long before His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus shared with His beloved disciples words of encouragement.  He knew life would not be easy for them; some would suffer great persecution.  Yet He wanted them to know that even in trouble, they could have joy-filled lives.

The joy Jesus was talking about springs from a heart untouched by outer conditions.  He had been talking with His disciples about the abiding life.  "Abide in me, and I in you" (John 15:4).  He used the vine and branches as an illustration.  He had told them these things that they might know that such a relationship would give joy in the midst of trouble.

This same joy is possible for us today.  From a vital union with Christ comes real joy for our lives - His joy - for He is its source.  He said, "...that MY JOY might remain IN YOU."  It is a supernatural joy produced in us by the Holy Spirit.  We try to find joy in what we have or what we do, but real joy comes from constant abiding in the Lord.

Outward happiness is not permanent, but the joy of the Lord is.  Jesus said, "...that my joy might REMAIN in you."  When our joy is in Him, no one can take it from us.

The Lord does not do things in small measure.  He promised, "...that your joy might be FULL."  The Living Bible (John 15:11) reads,  "Yes, your cup of joy will overflow."  A container overflows with that which is within.  When our lives are filled with His joy, it will overflow on others.

His joy, a joy you can experience in any circumstance, is for you personally today.  "I have told you this so that YOU can share MY joy, and that YOUR joy may be complete" (John 15:11, Phillips).

From Behold the Lilies...

.

Freely ye have received, freely give. - Matthew 10:8

What do you have that you have not received?  Every day you are a recipient of God's blessings.  Do you thank Him?  Do you live as though you appreciate His gifts?  Do you share with others what you have received?

A clear, sparkling mountain stream feeds the Sea of Galilee.  The water is fresh and the sea full of fish.  Day and night the water flows into the sea and out again.  

When the water flows out of the sea into the Jordan River, it drops downhill fast, over waterfalls, making many twists and turns.  Finally it empties into the Dead Sea, which has no outlet.  The millions of gallons of water that run into the Dead Sea just lie there in the sun and evaporate.  Salt deposits are left behind, and even the fish cannot live in its salty waters.

Do you see the contrast of a living and giving individual to one who only receives but never shares with others?  Be like the Sea of Galilee.  Pass on the joy of your salvation through your constant smile, your friendship, your sympathetic ear, and your finances.

Jesus told the disciples to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils.  There was work to do, and Jesus wanted them to share with others the power He was giving to them.

There is much to do today as well.  Many people need you.  The more you give, the more you will receive so that you can bless even more people.  You will find a giving life to be a blessed one.

Weekend Words

There seemed to be a theme of  'the blessings of suffering' running through some of my devotionals this week.  May they be a blessing someone. xx   

 From Be Still and Know...

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble - Psalm 46:1

This is a Psalm of comfort and trust for a life lived with trouble.  When problems arise and discouragements come, when there is no human source of help, we have the promise that God is "our refuge," "our strength," and "our help".

Refuge is defined as "shelter from danger or distress."  The Lord Jesus Christ IS our refuge today (present tense).  Hidden in the hollow of His all-mighty hand, we have a shelter that is safe and secure.  This refuge is not a place where we escape from the situations and circumstances of life, but is a protection for us in the midst of them.

Not only is the Lord our refuge in time of trouble, but our strength to endure it.  When we realize our limited strength is not sufficient, we discover He has a never-ending supply of strength on which we can draw.  "And as thy days, so shall they strength be" (Deuteronomy 33:25).

He is also our help in trouble.  Whatever our need may be, He wants us to know that, "I AM, right now, this very moment, not only your help in trouble, but a PRESENT help."  It has been said, "It sometimes takes trouble for God to get our attention."

When we become Christians, we often assume our days of trouble are over.  Soon we discover this is not true.  God has a purpose to accomplish through difficulties in our lives.  Some lessons can only be learned through trouble.

We are proved and tested in this way.  "A very present and WELL PROVED HELP in trouble" (Psalm 46:1 Amplified).  "A TESTED help in times of trouble" (LB).  It has been said "Trouble is his vote of confidence in us."

He is a "well-proved help," a "tested help."  Are you testing and proving Him as your own personal refuge, strength, and help in your problems and trials of today?

There is a poem that begins, "He's helping me now, this moment; in ways that I know and know not."  He is our help today, whatever our day.

From Our Daily Bread...

Not for Our Comfort - Read Romans 5:1-11

We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. - Romans 5:3-5

Dan was riding his motorcycle when a car swerved into his lane and pushed him into oncoming traffic.  When he woke up two weeks later in the trauma centre, he was "a mess."  Worst of all, he suffered a spinal cord injury that left him a paraplegic.  Dan prayed for healing, but it never came.  Instead, he believes God has compassionately taught him that "the purpose of this life is that we become conformed to the image of Christ.  Unfortunately that doesn't happen when everything is unicorns and rainbows.  It... happens when life is tough.  When we're forced to rely upon God through prayer just to make it through the day."

The apostle Paul explained two benefits of right standing with God: persevering and rejoicing in suffering (Romans 5:3-5).  These two benefits weren't a call to endure suffering with stoic fortitude or to find pleasure in pain.  It was an invitation to unshakable confidence in God.  Suffering plus Christ cultivates "perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (vv 3-4).  This all flows from a faith that the Father won't abandon us but will walk with us through the fire and into the future.

God meets us in our suffering and helps us grow in Him.  Rather than viewing afflictions as His disfavour, may we look for ways He's using them to sharpen and build our character as we experience His love "poured out into our hearts" (v 5).

- Marvin Williams

From Beside Still Waters...

After His Own Heart - 1 Samuel 13:14

When your faith endures many conflicts and your spirit sinks low, do not condemn yourself.  It was David in haste who said, "I am cut off from before Your eyes" (Psalm 31:22).  Yet David is now in the blessed heavenly choir, for even here on earth he was a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).

There is a reason for your season of heaviness.  Great soldiers are not made without war.  Skillful sailors are not trained on the shore.  It appears that if you are to become a great believer, you will be greatly tested.  If you are to be a great helper to others, you must pass through their trials.  If you are to be instructed in the things of the kingdom, you must learn from experience.  The uncut diamond has little brilliance, the unthreshed corn feeds no-one, and the untried believer is of little use or beauty.  There are great benefits to come from your trials and depression.

Many people have a comparatively smooth path through life, but their position is not the equal of the tested believer.  The one who is much plowed and often harrowed will thank God if the result is a larger harvest to the praise and glory of God by Jesus Christ.  If your face is now covered with sorrow, the time will come when you will bless God for that sorrow.  The day will come when you will see great gain from your losses, your crosses, your troubles, and your afflictions.

From all your afflictions His glory shall spring,

And the deeper your sorrows the louder you'll sing.

- Charles Spurgeon