Pointed in the Right Direction

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6 NLT

Though I could see the tower from my front porch, its being near did me little good.

My wife and I were living in a small town in Lowcountry South Carolina. Like many others, we had decided not to forego a landline and use our cell phones only. The trouble was reception was terrible. Since I could see our provider’s tower idling less than one mile away, I couldn’t understand why I had to stand near a window or go outside for others to hear me clearly or to keep from dropping a call. Until I called to complain.

“I’ll put in a work order,” the customer service representative said as I explained my dilemma.

A few months later, I called back to find out the results. “Well, the satellites on the tower are pointed away from you,” I was told. “They always point them in the direction where the most people live.”

“Can’t you just send someone out to point them in my direction,” I queried.

She laughed and said, “It’s not that easy.”

At some point, I guess they did because reception improved. It reminded me of how important it is to have things—myself included, pointed in the right direction. The wisdom writer thought so also. Trusting in the Lord with all one’s heart and seeking His will in everything I do keeps me on the right path.

Being pointed in the right direction means I have to walk by faith where I use a sixth sense, rather than the five I normally use to interact with things and others. When I walk by faith, I proceed through disappointing times believing God will construct things for the better in the end. When I walk by faith, I face financial setbacks with the hope God will remain true to His Word and take care of my needs. Hitting relationship snags isn’t a problem either. I believe God will guide me through them as well by unkinking the kinks. Nor is needing daily guidance a problem for a future seeing God. I may not be able to research the answers I need, but the inner prompting of God’s Spirit will give me insight.

Point your life in the right direction, and be amazed by how straight your path will become.

Written By: Martin Wiles

Martin lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God (www.lovelinesfromgod.com). He is an author, minister, and freelance editor. His most recent book, Grits & Grace & God, is available on Amazon. He serves as Managing Editor for Christian Devotions and Assistant Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. His next book, Grits & Gumbo & Going to Church is scheduled for release in September 2016.

My Season of Loneliness and Isolation

Loneliness is rampant in today’s culture. It’s an epidemic in every part of the world. Everyone has experienced this unpleasant feeling at one time or another. Remember that time on the playground when all the kids were playing and you were sitting on the sidewalk, wanting to join in but was either too shy to approach them or they never made an effort to approach you and invite you to play with them? Or maybe you felt left out in high school because nobody saw you approachable enough because you were labeled awkward, weird, or different from the rest like I was. I was a socially anxious teenager growing up. I couldn’t relate well to most people or keep a conversation going. I grew up in a very sheltered, protective environment which made it difficult for me to connect with others and engage in social activities. As a result, I tried to keep myself under radar as best I could to avoid judgment and ridicule from people, but to my dismay and chagrin, they found out since I didn’t do a stellar job apparently. My senior year, I suppressed my desire for connection and found solace in watching anime, reading books, and playing video games instead. In college, I met some wonderful people who helped me realize the depths of God’s love and saving grace that drew me to Him, but when I was strongly encouraged to join community/church, I declined and went solo in my Christian journey.

I identified myself as a “lone ranger” simply because I felt like I couldn’t be a part of community. I knew the essence community had on believers, but I was too ashamed and embarrassed of my setbacks and worried about the perception of others. There were a few times I actually went, but my anxiety was so overwhelming each time I stopped going. I was still living in the past, succumbed by fear of ridicule, judgment, and rejection back in high school. Isolation felt more comfortable and familiar. However, it isn’t. Studies have indicated that loneliness and isolation attributes to depression, suicide, and a range of physical health issues. Not only that, but isolation makes us more vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." The enemy is a coward. He plays dirty and usually targets those who have isolated themselves because they’re weak and defenseless without fellowship. He knows he’s not powerful enough to go after those who are united in fellowship because, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”-Ecclesiastes 4:12. That’s why it’s so important to be rooted in the Body of Christ. And the only way to do that is to surround ourselves with like-minded Christians.

When I was still solo in my Christian walk, not only did I believe I couldn’t belong to community, I also believed this ridiculous lie that I would be fine as long as I read my Bible and prayed. It’s not enough to just read the Bible and pray. They’re both essential, but that’s never an excuse to neglect meeting with our fellow brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 10:24-25) Those who do are in danger of slipping into apostasy. Isolated Christians only care for themselves and pursue their own interests. (Proverbs 18:1) As believers, we play an integral role in exercising our spiritual gifts, fostering growth and development, keeping each other accountable, praying for one another, teaching and edifying all for the sake of building up the church and glorifying God. (1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 3:8-11, Ephesians 4:12, Acts 2:44-47, James 5:16, Matthew 18:19-20) For two and a half years, I stumbled blindly into the murky waters of sin which pulled me deeper into apathy, idleness, poor self-control, anger, bitterness, self-pity, a decreased appetite for God’s Word, more selfishness and loneliness that kept getting worse.. If you’re currently there, run, get out of there before it’s too late! There is nothing more terrifying than drowning out the voice of the Holy Spirit with your fleshly desires.

If you’re suffering from loneliness, guess what? You’re not alone! Many people have gone through and are going through it from various contributors such as disease, death of a loved one, divorce from a spouse, a recent breakup, betrayal from a friend, relocation, neglect from childhood, etc. But the main contributor is our fallen state: Separation from God. So often, we try to fill that void by putting so much stock in our relationships with people. If only I had a lot of friends, I’d be satisfied. If I was married, I’d be complete. If I could just get this person to notice me, I would feel important. But in the end, we feel just as empty as we started out. We crave after the things that won’t bring us full satisfaction. Because they were never meant to in the first place.

Society has done a great job in forming idols out of relationships. We feel we have little to no value if we’re single, have just a few friends, or don’t have any right now. We strive persistently for validation, intimacy, and affection only to be met with disappointment, hurt, bitterness, and regret. Sometimes, we feel as if God wants us to be lonely and miserable, like He’s holding out on us. On the contrary, He doesn’t. He understands completely for He said in Genesis 2:18, “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” And that’s before the fall! I think part of us longs for affection from people instead of God because of the shame and guilt that has passed down to us and plagued us as a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. We can’t fathom God’s love towards us so in a sense we distance ourselves from Him. But God’s love for us doesn’t change; never has or will ever change. “I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore, I have drawn you with everlasting kindness."-Jeremiah 31:3

Friend, if only you realized the depths of God’s love for you, the painful sacrifice He suffered on the cross, you wouldn’t need to strive or beg for validation from anyone. Your value doesn’t come from the opinions of people. Your worth is not defined by how many likes, followers, and comments you have on social media. Or whether you’re popular, single, married, have children, etc. If you truly want to know where your value comes from, look at the cross Jesus died on for you. He willingly gave Himself up as a price to rescue you and provide access for you to have a rich, personal, deep, satisfying, and intimate relationship with Him. How it grieves our Heavenly Father when we treat the sacrifice He made through His son as if it meant absolutely nothing to us every time we pursue idols. Yet He still continues to lavish His wonderful love, mercy, and grace on us despite. Isn’t God enough for you?

Unfortunately, it’s human nature to go after things we can see and God understands this. But, we must be careful with what we long for most in our hearts. Deuteronomy 4:24 tells us that He is a jealous God, consumed with wanting to be first and foremost in our hearts, and He will not partake in or share His glory with another. He is either our all or nothing. Throughout Scripture, you’ll meet plenty of characters who knew the struggles of being human and their issues with loneliness. Some of the prominent ones are Elijah, Job, Jeremiah, David, Paul, and even Jesus Himself experienced it. But what is the one thing each of them had in common despite their difficulties and hardships? Their wholehearted devotion to God. Study these guys if you haven’t and see what you can learn from them.

Something that is really helpful in dealing with loneliness is investing your time to serve others. Serving people has great benefits. It opens doors to sharing Christ with non believers,(which should be our ultimate goal), it shifts your focus off of yourself and your problems which is a fantastic remedy for self-pity and depression, it helps you identify your spiritual gifts and where you’re most useful in developing them, and it enables you to cultivate potential long lasting friendships.

Regarding friendships, if you want to make friends, you must learn what it means to be a friend. Being a friend is more than texting a Bible verse or writing an encouraging email/letter when they’re down and it’s more than having and sharing common interests with each other. What if the whole purpose of having relationships with others was to live beyond yourself instead of living for yourself? “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13. Jesus is the best definition of a friend. He taught that true friendship is all about sacrificial love for one another. A true friend is someone who loves without gain, is loyal when times are extremely tough, loves you even when you’re at your worst, allows you complete freedom to be yourself and express your feelings and thoughts with them, rebukes you when necessary, and is consistently willing to put your happiness above theirs. It takes time to build friendships and effort to maintain them. Be patient and rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance.

If you feel like you’re in a perpetual season of loneliness, trust me when I tell you that it’s only temporary. Loneliness is a feeling, and like all feelings they come and go like the fleeting winds. They should never dictate what you know intellectually is true from God’s Word. I know circumstances can make it very difficult to believe, but that shouldn’t stop you from living a life of obedience and commitment to God. There was an Irish missionary named Amy Carmichael. Amy was called by the Lord to South India where she started an orphanage for underprivileged children and rescued young women and girls from prostitution. She served there for 55 years witnessing God’s love to them. Amy lived a life of celibacy and suffered from great pangs of loneliness and desperation, but she accepted that as a cost of obedience for her life. I think for some people, loneliness is a lifetime cross to bear, but to a degree it’s part of the suffering promised to all who follow Jesus on Earth. Regardless of the cost, Amy exemplified such a tremendous love for the Lord and displayed incredible humility and dedication to serve Him that all of us should strive to emulate.

In the midst of loneliness, may we realize that it’s a season filled with an opportunity to grow closer to our Lord and Savior. May we not be deceived by our human emotions and desires as well as the lies of the enemy telling us that God isn’t enough to bring us full satisfaction. May we place our trust in what God says in His Word. If we did this, just think of the many people that would come to know Jesus through our willingness and obedience, not based on how we “feel”, but what we “know.” When we fail, may we rest in the fact that God will always be with us towards the very end. (Matthew 28:20)

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."-Romans 8:38-39

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."-Ephesians 3:14-19

Written By: Jennifer Burgin

Jennifer is a twenty something year old imperfect sinner who constantly needs Jesus every minute and hour of the day. She graduated from a community college in General Studies and is considering Social Work at a university in the fall or spring. Her hobbies are watching anime, reading manga and good books, playing basketball, dancing, exercising to K-pop music(or rather any music that has a good beat), finding and listening to good, solid, biblical sermons, discovering new interests, and occasionally stumbling upon a good website or blog to read now and then. You can find her blogging through the Bible at http://myveryownsimpleblog.blogspot.in

The storm that wasn't...

psalm 107:28-30

A big storm front was recently moving quickly into my area. The weather men (women) were warning us to prepare to take shelter...from up to 60 miles per hour winds and golf ball size hail. I'm a big thunderstorm lover but wasn't looking forward to the impending storm that was surely going to be the big one. I like mild storms - a few claps of thunder & some lightning to go with it - that move along quickly.

So I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

The storm was coming, I just knew it was.

It was already a torrential downpour with lots of loud thunder claps and bright streaks of lighting hitting close by.

Yep, the storm was coming! My cell phone was going off with a loud shrieking noise every so often warning of the severe weather quickly moving my way. I started to get more worked up with each weather alert that went off.

And I continued to work myself up, fearing the worst was on its way. Soon I had every possible worse case scenario running through my head (a tree falling on the house, a tornado hitting - even though the chances of that happening in Northern Michigan are next to none - power going out, no cell service, the list went on and on).

And I continued to wait...and work myself up.

And wait. And, yep, work myself up even more.

And wait. And work myself up some more.

Then I had to leave for an appointment! As I ran through the rain to my car and then proceeded to drive through the torrential downpour, I kept hoping I could 'out run' the storm.

But guess what? 

That storm never came. It blew right over us. And from Facebook pictures and reports of those an hour away, I'm glad it did. There was a lot of damage to vehicles from the hail hitting. There were large trees blown down, a few roads shut down until crews could remove the debris.

As I drove back home from my appointment, I started to feel silly at how worked up I got and how easily I jumped to worst case scenarios. I kept thinking to myself about how I know the weather people have a job to do and have to report a storm front moving in and use a 'scare tactic'to get us to prepare for the worst (because the worst did come to some & could have come to my area). But so many times, I can't even count, those weather people worked us (well me anyway) up for a big bad storm...only to have it never come!

Then God ever so politely reminded me:

"Tishia, how many times do you work yourself up into a raging storm that ends up being nothing because you didn't have faith and trust in me?"

OUCH!

But it's so true. Just like the weather people creating 'panic', I do it all too often on my own. Heck, this was a perfect example of just what God was reminding me of. I immediately started thinking awful things, working myself up into a 'raging storm'...and never once stopping to pray or have faith that God would protect me.

Again, OUCH!

So the next time I feel like I'm turning something into a raging storm, I'm going to stop what I'm doing and go to God - my protector, my provider, the one who can calm the storms and bring me safely into Harbor.

The verse that I was nudged to read and meditate on:

“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! -Psalm 107:28-30 NIV

Now it's your turn. Leave me a comment and let me know - have you waited for a raging storm (either physically or figuratively speaking) only to have it end up not being a storm at all? 

tishia-lee

Written by Tishia Lee Tishia is the owner of this site (Faithful Devotions), its sister site Faithful Bloggers & the Faithful Bloggers Directory. She's been blogging and running her Virtual Assistant business since 2006. She gave her life to Jesus at 25 and loves sharing her story of hope, restoration and the messages God's created out of her messes.  She's a single mom to one - a soon to be high school senior - who resides in lovely Northern Michigan but hopes to head south to the sunshine state one day. 

Haunted Lighthouses

A lighthouse is fascinating in general, but add a little eerie twist to its history and it becomes an even more interesting conversation piece especially for those who like mystery and suspense. One quick internet search will reveal hundreds of stories about “haunted” lighthouses. However, in light of Scriptures, they are nothing more than sensational stories inspired by fear and superstition. And although we can dismiss such stories as legends and lore, being haunted can be a real experience resulting from images and reminders of our hurtful and sinful past.

Just like lighthouses, we can be bright guiding towers when we are connected to Christ, but we can also become like dark disenchanting ones when we are haunted by our past. The Bible says that when we turn our lives over to Christ we become new creations and that the old (way of life) is passed away. However, since God is the only One who can completely forget our past transgressions the memories of our bad choices and experiences can, from time to time, come back to rob us of our peace and joy. It is during these times that the enemy of our soul, namely Satan, takes advantage and uses our past to condemn, weaken, and grieve us emotionally as well as spiritually.

But remember, neither the Devil nor our haunting past can actually harm us. So when unpleasant or regretful memories appear don’t allow them to extinguish the light of Christ in you. Don’t  let them draw you away from God, but rather bring you closer to the cross. The redeeming power of Jesus’ blood not only cleanses us from all sin but it also removes the webs of guilt, clears the fog of shame and restores the light of hope.

It was King David who, in the midst of being haunted by his past, was led by God’s Spirit to pen some of the most encouraging Psalms. The Bible says that God makes all things work in favor of those who love Him. Yes, even the haunting effects of our past can be used by God to accomplish His purpose in our lives.

Prayer: Blessed Lord, when my past comes to haunt me remind me that it no longer has power over me for I am a new creation in You. I believe that I no longer stand condemned and therefore ask that you deliver me from any haunting thoughts that would seek to destroy my peace.  I believe that you can and will use all of my life experiences to help me grow spiritually and to fulfill your perfect plan for my life.  I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” -2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12

“..no weapon forged against you will prevail…” -Isaiah 54:17a

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” -Isaiah 43:18

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Written By: Joe Rodiguez

I love lighthouses. For years, I have been fascinated by their architectural design, but mostly by their purpose. My dream is to one day own a lighthouse or at least live in a house where my “man cave” is designed to resemble one. Lighthouse Devotions is intended to reflect the peace, the strength, and the hope I experience in the presence of lighthouses. But these inspirations would be meaningless if they did not bring glory, honor and praise to One who is the true beacon of light to the world, my savior Jesus Christ.

What Spiritual Lesson Can You Learn From GPS?

What is GPS?

It is a Global Positioning system. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense.

How does it work?

The GPS tell you where you are on Earth.

GPS answers four questions simultaneously:

1. Where am I?
2. Where am I going?
3. What's the best way to get there?
4. When will I get there?

GPS is the only system today that can show your exact position on the Earth anytime, in any weather, no matter where you are!

Now you will learn, how can you get spiritual lesson from GPS.

I am going to do comparison of GPS with DPS. Let me explain;

What is DPS?

It is a Divine Positioning System. Earth is not our final destination; we are aliens here. This system takes us to the divine track.

How does it work?

If you are truly a saved person, the power of the Holy Spirit is in you. When the Holy Spirit comes into your life, then He works like GPS. He tells us where we are standing in the eyes of God. What we need to do is to grow more towards our final destination. When someone goes in the wrong direction, GPS does rerouting. In the same manner, when you make a mistake or do sin, the Holy Spirit tells you that you are not on the right path. Then He helps you to get back on track to move towards your destiny.

You have to pay for the GPS, but the Holy Spirit is a free promised gift that is given to direct your life.

Think for a moment. If you don’t have GPS, and you don’t know the way, what will happen? Without the Holy Spirit, you are going somewhere; but you don’t know if you will reach your destiny or not.

If you don’t have the power of the Holy Spirit, ask God to give it to you today. You don’t have to beg for it. It is a gift of God. Walking in the Spirit is an absolute must for the believer. It is not up for debate. Don’t wait for another day, today is the day.

Written By: Nabeel Shahzad

Dr. Nabeel Shahzad is the Founder/Director of Winning Souls Ministries of Karachi, Pakistan and Myrtle Beach, S.C. He is a young man on fire for God, originally from Pakistan, now living in SC. He holds a Doctorate of Theology in Ministry and Doctorate of Divinity.

He is a Bible Teacher, Evangelist who seek to see the lives of people transformed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the Author of the Book called “Your Divine Design”. Which is now a part of curriculum of a Bible college. Get my eBook free. Like his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter.

A Great Love Story

The Bible is a book of love stories: the love of Jacob for Rachel, of Boaz for Ruth, and of Joseph for Mary. But the greatest story is not one of these; rather, it is the story of God’s love for ordinary people!

It is the story of an unreasonable love. ‘‘For God so loved the world . . .’’

Unreasonable because God’s love is not requested, respected and is seldom reflected. When things go wrong in the world like war, terrorism, homelessness, disease, drug addiction, or political campaigns, people tend to blame God. The world’s response to trouble is to seek diplomatic, judicial, economic, and social solutions. God’s love is not respected (valued) because it is viewed as old-fashioned, rigid, and restrictive. God’s love is seldom reflected in a world that worships at the altars of success, popularity, and power. In the midst of all of that, God’s love breaks through and He freely loves the world, with what is an irrational and unreasonable love!

It is the story of an unreserved love. ‘‘. . . that He gave His only Son . . .’’

William Gladstone, in announcing the death of Princess Alice in the House of Commons, told a touching story. The little daughter of the Princess was seriously ill with diphtheria. The doctors told the princess not to kiss her little daughter and endanger her life by breathing the child’s breath. Once when the child was struggling to breathe, the mother, forgetting herself entirely, took the little one into her arms to keep her from choking to death. Rasping and struggling for her life, the child said, “Momma, kiss me!” Without thinking of herself the mother tenderly kissed her daughter. She got diphtheria and some days thereafter she went to be forever with the Lord.

Real love forgets self. Real love knows no danger. Real love doesn’t count the cost. The Bible says, “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.” Unreserved is God’s gift given freely. Without hesitation, no debates, committees, conferences, or deliberations, what He gave was the only one—unique, incomparable, unmatched, and without equal –His Son! What an unreserved love!

It is the story of an unrestricted love. ‘‘. . . that whoever believes in Him . . .’’

A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on “The Love of God.” As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say. How beautiful is the power of the cross? The cross proclaims loudly that Christ’s work on our behalf is a story of unrestricted love in that there are no qualifications to measure up to, achievements to master, or requirements to maintain. The gift of salvation is universal and offered as a free gift to the world.

It is the story of an unrestrained love. ‘‘. . . should not perish, but have everlasting life.’’

Unrestrained in that God’s love for you has no limits (there is nothing it cannot do), knows no bounds (there is no place where it is hindered or ineffective), and it will never end. As the writer of Hebrews describes it, “Your way of life should be free from the love of money, and you should be content with what you have. After all, he has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5. What an unrestrained love!

Sadly, it is also a story of an unrealized love.

There are many who have yet to respond or even hear of God’s love. ‘‘For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God’’ (vv. 17, 18).

At a comparative religions conference, the wise and the scholars were in a spirited debate about what is unique about Christianity. One person suggested that what set Christianity apart from other religions was the concept of incarnation, the idea that God took human form in Jesus. But someone else quickly said, “Well, actually, other faiths believe that God appears in human form.” Another suggestion was offered: what about the resurrection? The belief that death is not the final word. That the tomb was found empty. Another participant slowly shook his head. Other religions have accounts of people returning from the dead.

Then, as the story is told, C.S. Lewis walked into the room, tweed jacket, pipe, arm full of papers, a little early for his presentation. He sat down and took in the conversation, which had by now evolved into a fierce debate.

Finally, during a lull, he spoke saying, “what’s all this rumpus about?” ?Everyone turned in his direction. Trying to explain themselves they said, “We’re debating what’s unique about Christianity.”?“Oh, that’s easy,” answered Lewis. “It’s grace.” ??The room fell silent. Lewis continued that Christianity uniquely claims God’s love comes free of charge, no strings attached. No other religion makes that claim.

After a moment someone commented that Lewis had a point, Buddhists, for example, follow an eight-fold path to enlightenment. It’s not a free ride. Hindus believe in karma, that your actions continually affect the way the world will treat you; that there is nothing that comes to you not set in motion by your actions. Someone else observed the Jewish code of the law implies God has requirements. But the beauty of Christianity is that God’s grace is completely and totally free. We didn’t earn it, we don’t deserve it. It was not given to us because we were better than others, because we gave more than someone else, we worked harder than another, were more talented, better looking, or more fit. None of that matters to God.

Hear the text again from the Message Bible: “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one, and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.”

So our mission is clear, those who know God’s love have the privilege to take it to those who have yet to hear, so that they may not only hear the greatest Love Story ever told, but receive the full benefits of that love first hand through faith in Christ Jesus. Through that faith in Christ you receive a life of eternity with God who made your salvation possible.

Written By: Keith Haney

Husband for 25 years. Father of six, and Mission catalyst helping plant new churches and congregations find shepherds in Northern Illinois.  My undergraduate work was completed at Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a minor in Business Management in 1987. I then attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO and received by Masters in Divinity in 1993 with a major in Systematic theology and a minor in Biblical studies. You can find me on the web at: http://revheadpin.org

(Un)Apologetic Parenting

Recently I went to judge at a speech and debate tournament, and much to my surprise I found out that a little book that I made for the junior speakers when I directed a tournament several years before was still being used.  This was really my first attempt at writing and it was a little booklet of apologetic questions and answers that I made for the children aged 6-11 who were competing in the NCFCA-National Christian Forensics and Communications Association.

The NCFCA is a speech and debate league for homeschool students. They offer a speech category for apologetics, which is a fancy word for defending your faith. When my eldest son was in junior high and high school he spent all 6 years seeking answers to the 150 questions of the faith that were the questions that made up that event of the competition. Participating in this activity was really helpful in forming his world view, and seeking things out on his own. It gave him an opportunity to answer questions like explain the meaning and significance of sanctification, justification, and propitiation. Which are some really big words, and even bigger concepts for a 12 year old.

When I wrote this booklet my youngest son was in junior speech, and would be competing in Apologetics the following year. I really wanted him to start working on some of those difficult theological concepts, and I remembered how daunting tackling 150 questions of the faith were to a lot of the kids in the leauge. If you have ever heard the expression, how do you eat an elephant? The answer is one bite at a time. Well, I don't know anyone who has ever eaten an elephant, but I thought it was a pretty good analogy for my youngest son, and the other kids his age, to begin exploring these questions of the faith. One bite or one concept at a time. And if they could start with 10 questions, then they could do 10 more, and another 10 and so on.

So I took 10 of the 150 questions, with at least one question from each of the five categories. So they could have exposure to each of the five categories.

• EXISTENCE AND NATURE OF GOD
• SCRIPTURES
• THE NATURE, PURPOSE AND DESTINY OF MAN
• SALVATION or HOW TO KNOW GOD
• THE PERSON OF CHRIST

Armed with my ESV study bible in hand, I set out to explain concepts like the Omniscience and Omnipresence of God in simple basic terms, along with some key memory verses.

I believe it is important that my kids know what they believe, and why they believe it, because as old adage says, "If they don't stand for something, they will fall for anything." Also, as we learn from the warning in Collisions 2:8, "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Why is this important? Because according to the Barna group, "Parents and leaders have long been concerned about the faith development of the generation born between 1984 and 2002—and for good reason. First, Barna research shows nearly six in ten (59%) of these young people who grow up in Christian churches end up walking away from either their faith or from the institutional church at some point in their first decade of adult life." That means that more then half of the kids that currently go to church are leaving the faith!

I think our kids have a better chance of staying in church and following Christ, if they know what they believe and why they believe it.It is our job and responsibility as parents to teach our children in the way they should go, but it is up to them to own their faith and walk it out.

My belief on this subject has been recently challenged, as my eldest son has decided to leave the church we attend as a family in search of his own church home. At first, I was a little hurt by this, because I love having my family all together digging into God's word, and worshipping with them. But then I realized this is exactly what I taught him to do. He is firmly grounded in what he believes and why he believes it, so he will not get swept away by empty deceit or human tradition. As a man, my son does have to make his own way, and he is the one who is responsible for his faith.

There is no fool proof plan or formula that parents can follow that will assure that their kids stay in the church or that they will follow Christ for that matter. However, the bible does give us a promise to cling to, in Proverbs 22:6, that if we teach our kids in the way they should go, that when they our old, they will not depart. It is however, our responsibility to teach our children to love God, to share our faith with them, to lead them by example by spending time in the word, and praying with them.

Written By: Misty Phillip

Misty Phillip and her husband Peter live in the suburbs just north of Houston, Texas with their three boys, Jacob, Connor, and Ian, where they are active members of Champion Forest Baptist Church. Misty left the corporate world over 15 years ago to homeschool her children, and thus began an adventure of a lifetime. Misty loves studying her bible, cooking healthy meals for her family, and creating a warm inviting home for friends and family. Misty is excited to share her years of experience as a Christian wife, mother, daughter, homeschooler, and friend. You can find Misty on the web at http://www.MistyPhillip.com

Where Does Evil Come From?

As the teacher drove on, I began to wonder about all the evil in the world. “Father, I don’t understand something. Where does evil come from in the first place? How could God allow it? I thought He was completely sovereign.”

“He is. Let me explain it this way: God cannot do evil and He did not create evil; but He did ordain that evil exist.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”

“Look at it this way,” he said, “if God allowed evil to enter into this world, it could be only by His sovereign decision. Since He is always right and perfect, we have to conclude that His decision to allow evil to exist is a good decision. That’s not the same as saying ‘evil is good.’ We should never say that. However, we can say, ‘It is good that there is evil,’ solely based on the fact that God allowed it. I know this is a difficult concept to understand, but there would be no evil if God didn’t want there to be evil. The outcome of evil is always turned into His Glory; we just can’t see into the future how it’s done. But He can. And, we have His promise that one day those who know and love His Son will live on this earth without evil.”

I couldn’t respond. I could only think about it. As he drove on to Parchman, I looked out at the cotton fields and pondered what I would say to Sartain—the epitome of evil. Will I tell him that he’s evil, but God allowed it? Will I ask about JJ? Will I tell him that he’s going to hell and deserves it? Or should I plead for his soul?

Written By: Michael Hicks Thompson

Born in his mother's own bed out in the country, Michael grew up on the words of theology. Now he mixes that with mystery novels. Christian Fiction With Theology. His series, The Solo Ladies Bible Study, comes with a 6-week discussion guide. You can find him on the web at http://www.michaelthompsonauthor.com

Changes

Life isn’t always a bouquet of roses or a barrel of laughs.  Life can get HARD and we go through some tough trials along our journey.

Circumstances change.  Maybe you have been skipping along in life, going about your merry way, when BOOM…there it is!!!  An obstacle is in your path that really messes with that planned and predictable life you had set up.  What do you do in your uncertainty?  Well, if you are wise, you go to the word of God for direction. There are sure to be golden nuggets of wisdom found there that will speak to your heart and guide you through to the other side of whatever you are struggling with.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.  2 Timothy 3:16

People change.  We have relationships that we are certain will last forever.  In an instant, that can change.  A harsh word, an untruth spread in gossip, or an unspoken apology can bring a rift that is hard to mend.  What do you do in your pain and regret?  Go to God’s word and gain His wisdom for your life.  He will teach you about forgiveness.  Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  As many as seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”  Matthew 18:21-22.     He will teach you about loving others.  He will help you restore what the enemy has taken from you.

Life is full of changes.  We should never get to “comfortable” where we are, because the devil is out there.  He wants to bring destruction and devastation to our lives.  He wants to steal our joy and rob us of our faith.  We must always stand guard against the evil one.  We must always seek after the things of God.  We must always remember that His word is our greatest weapon.  It never changes, it never fails, it endures always.  The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.  Isaiah 40:8.

Written By: Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a women's ministry leader, speaker, blogger, and author of Pondering Virtue.  She spends her days blogging inspirations and working with women, helping them overcome struggles and strongholds by drawing them closer to Christ and sharing the love and word of God.

Betty is married to Jim, and their blended family consists of 10 children, with the youngest three being adopted siblings.

Betty enjoys blogging on her website www.bettypredmore.com. 

She also shares her blogs on her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GraceandVirtueBettyPredmore/

Start Seeing Hurting People

I am guessing you too have noticed the bumper sticker reading, “Start Seeing Motorcycles.” Well, that is working. I am really noticing them more, I can’t help seeing one and thinking of that bumper sticker. So it caused me to think maybe I should commission a company to make a bumper sticker with the phrase, “Start Seeing Hurting People.”Maybe it would raise our awareness of the pain of suffering that is all around in our town, in our neighborhoods and even in our pews. With that awareness in mind this blog today is about doing outreach from the perspective of if you want to truly make a kingdom impact (again with the doctrine of salvation in mind the Holy Spirit converts we do not.) we need to start seeing hurting people. In the encounter, Jesus had with the woman at the well in John 4, he did something amazing he shows us how to notice hurting people. Today we will examine just how he did that. Here is a portion of that conversation:

Jesus: Would you draw water, and give Me a drink?

Woman: I cannot believe that You, a Jew, would associate with me, a Samaritan woman; much less ask me to give You a drink. Jews, you see, have no dealings with Samaritans.(The Voice)

Jesus saw her through spiritual eyes.

If Jesus looked at her through the eyes of culture, he would have seen only this about her, she was unclean, she had a very questionable past. She was a woman, who in that culture alone, meant she had a second class status just by virtue of her gender. Now add to that her moral issues of having had five husbands, which was two more that society allows and culturally she was the one the Lord should have just ignored.

If Jesus saw her through the eyes of history, she and her entire Samaritan clan were enemies of the Jews. As one historian recounts, “The woman reminded him that Jews and Samaritans had no social dealings. This situation dated back to 722 b.c. when the Assyrian captivity was concluded by Sargon, who resettled nearly thirty thousand people from Samaria to other points in the Assyrian Empire. They were replaced by captives from other countries, and a pluralistic culture of sorts developed. Any Jew would become ceremonially unclean by using a vessel handled by a Samaritan.”

Viewing this woman through the eyes of history she was unclean. If Jesus views her through social eyes this conversation should have never taken place. The person with whom he spoke was not only a Samaritan but a woman. For a Jewish man to speak to a Samaritan woman was unheard of, and she probably had never experienced a similar conversation. She represents an oppressed minority, still a common reality in many Middle Eastern culture. But Jesus was neither racist nor sexist. He knew that his question would lead to far more than an exchange of words and water.

Jesus did not see anyone who was an outcast. He didn’t see a woman who, by making contact with her, would make him unclean. What Jesus saw was an opportunity to share the hope that we have in being united with Jesus in his kingdom.

Jesus respected but did not judge her journey.

Jesus pushed all metaphors aside and dealt in straight talk. Like this woman, we must recognize our sin and understand that God sees us for what we are, broken and weighed down by sin and guilt. This woman lived outside the boundaries of any religious or cultural standards of her day. Confronted by the sting of the law through Jesus’ penetrating analysis of her moral condition, the woman like so many of us would change the subject. Let’s talk about religion, where is the proper place of worship? As we encounter hurting people with social and moral backgrounds outside of our religious norms, be prepared for the conversation quickly becoming uncomfortable. How you handle those conversations may determine if this relationship moves forward.

As we encounter hurting people with social and moral backgrounds outside of our religious norms, be prepared for the conversation quickly becoming uncomfortable. How you handle those conversations may determine if this relationship moves forward.

Jesus chose to not judge her checkered past, but instead offer her a different path.

Jesus offers the hurting a different path.

Dr. Martin Luther, suggested the conversation should have gone this way, “I would be happier to reverse the order and give you a drink. In fact, this is the reason for My presence here. I am asking for a drink to quench My physical thirst that I might have occasion to give you a drink. If you only realized what a gift is now to be found on earth, you would ask Me for it, and I would give you a drink that would taste better than this water. It is of the utmost importance to recognize this gift and to know Him who gives it. But neither the gift, nor the Giver is known.” 1 Our outreach is meant to point people to the gift, faith in the redeeming work of Christ Jesus and the giver, God the Father who sent his Son to redeem the hurting.

So we pray that God will give us the spiritual eyes to start seeing hurting people.

1Luther, M. (1999). Luther’s works, vol. 22: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 1-4. (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald, & H. T. Lehmann, Eds.) (Vol. 22, p. 525). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.

Written By: B. Keith Haney

Husband for 25 years, Father of six, Mission catalyst helping plant new churches and congregations find shepherds. All the while serving an Awesome God for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Northern Illinois.

“Life’s a Beach,” says this empty nest mother.

Sun, sand, ocean. The perfect emotional cocktail for stressed out moms. Whether on the rocks, straight up, neat or dirty, any busy, exhausted, mentally drained mom would love to consume this healing toddy in a glass. Like for real. God bottling up His sand, surf, and rays creation would revolutionize the Zen market and be ama-za-zing.

Let’s face it, as moms we rarely experience the actual beach. We typically have to settle for daydreaming about a day spent basking in golden sunshine with our un-pedicured feet nestled in the shore. The imagining is enough to pulse peacefulness through our varicose veins.

When God blesses us with priceless opportunities to leave our minds eye at the door and venture off to the real deal seashore; we best leave the idea of relaxation inside our dreamy heads. As a mom with small kids in tow, our seaside fantasies are usually missing a large dose of reality when it comes to down time.

The Good, the Bad & the Beautiful of Beaching It With Kiddos

The Good: Hours of Natural Entertainment

God created the largest sandbox on earth including a super cool swimming pool right next to the grainy stuff. When you add sea shells, sea life, sea weed, and seagull feathers to the mix, there’s no stopping a sea of creativity from crashing on the shores of Funville.

Sand captivates and waves fascinate. Tiny tots marvel as water disappears into the strand and then spend hours digging to try to find it. Jellyfish, sand dollars, and horseshoe crabs ignite a sense of wonder in little minds.

This ultimate playground for kids is replete with built-in toys and equipment. So, why do all of us parents insist on lugging to the shore boatloads of additional accessories for our kids? Especially when they can’t help shoulder the load?

Anyone? Bueller?

The Bad: Beach Day Pre-Gaming

If we are left dumbstruck by the previous question, perhaps this scenario which we are all too familiar with will prompt us to  do some soul-searching when it comes to sun surfing.

A typical pre-beach morning includes the following energy-sapping tasks for many ocean loving families with small children:

Feed kids breakfast, find and put on swimsuits and sandals. Instruct them to use the bathroom which includes five minutes of arguing with preschooler on why he does actually have to go to the bathroom even though he insists he doesn’t while bobbing up and down and holding himself during argument. Pack cooler, snack bag, toy bag, diaper bag, beach bag. Load car with all things beach, i.e. chairs, tent, buckets, shovels, sports equipment, beach buggy, wagon, fishing rods, plus all the various packed bags. Spend a few minutes praying only minor items break upon slamming trunk to force everything to fit. Time elapsed: 2 hours.

Drive to beach which includes a stop to buy more sunblock which we realized we needed when packing the beach bag. Time elapsed: 30 minutes.

Unpack car and lug giant caravan of beachy stuff 200 yards to the sand. Detours include stubbed toes, potty breaks (we lost the argument at home or our kid only pretended to go), fascination stops to look at bugs on boardwalk, dropped items, shifting of items hanging on shoulder to other shoulder after losing feeling in first shoulder. Time elapsed: 20 minutes.

When finally at the beach,

Unpack toys, set up tent which will be used for all of ten minutes, and apply sunscreen to wiggling arms and legs itching to get down to business. Time elapsed: 20 minutes.

Plop down in a beach chair, inhale a giant breath of salty ocean breeze, and embrace the blazing sun. Ah. Bliss. Carefree timelessness.

Feel stress slowly seep out of bones and tune ears to the ambient sound of surf lapping against the shore. Sip the emotional cocktail which goes down smooth and warms from head to toe.

Then hear a tiny voice say, “Mommy, I’m hungry.” Time elapsed: 2 minutes.

Feel stress seep back into bones while looking at watch and realizing three and a half hours have already passed since breakfast. Seriously? Yes, seriously.

Search all the bags because we forgot where food was packed. Feed hungry child and plop down in our beach chair a second time.

Dig our toes in the sand, take a deep breath, reach into beach bag and pull out

a book. Read two sentences and then hear this from another child, “Mommy, I’m thirsty.” Time elapsed: 5 minutes.

For half a lunatic second consider telling junior to make his way to the sea and gulp down some Alka-Seltzer and bring back a bucket for our acid stomachs. Instead, talk ourselves down and get juice box out of cooler. Press little straw in tiny hole, and give drink to our zinc nosed angel.

Forget the book and appreciate God’s wonder. Allow our mind to escape into the magnificent landscape. Then hear crying child say, “Mommy, I dopped da straw in da sand an now it’s yucky.” Time elapsed: 1 minute.

The Beautiful: Priceless Memories & Exhausted Kids

As realist mothers, we have no choice but to give in to our reality. A day at the beach with youngsters equals beautiful chaos. We merely transfer our busyness from the confines of our home to the refreshing open air of the sea.

Not one of us would trade sand covered fingers, crushed dreams from crushed castles, beach tool bickering, and burning salt-water eyes for a day of endless laundry, cleaning dishes, and stepping on Legos.

And although bringing a thousand unnecessary items to the beach is asinine, we do it anyway. Whether hereditary or caving to the social norm, we can’t help ourselves from joining the Parents Do Ridiculous Things out of Pure Love Club.

Experiencing the coast with our kids exposes the natural paradox that life’s a beach, which seems ridiculous. How can a place which offers rest, relaxation, warmth, fun, soothing water, shoreline walks, and beautiful views be analogous to long days, sleepless nights, exhausting chores, endless activities, and unpredictability?

Simple, really. The ocean never rests but rather constantly changes tide, much like the highs and lows of mothering. Sudden storms can whip up; causing large waves to crash onto shore and alter the shoreline, akin to sudden illnesses and accidents which redirect our best laid plans.

The beach is brimming with the hustle and bustle of daily visitors boogie boarding, digging in the sand, frolicking on the shoreline, riding bikes, running around playing paddle ball and Frisbee. God’s playground endures long days indeed.

Life’s a beach because beach time creates priceless memories with every visit. And if we view every day we are able to wake up healthy and mother our children as a gift from God, then each moment, good and bad, transcends valuation as well.

Last week I spent four days visiting my brother and his beautiful family with four kids under seven years old (plus baby on the way!). We spent two days at the beach which unlocked a flood of memories around trips to the beach when my kids were the same age. I even rummaged around to find pics of my family to share alongside my brother’s kids.

Now an empty nester, my perspective on life has changed drastically. When motherhood was choking the life out of me in the early years of having three kids in three and a half years I thought I’d never survive the exhaustion.  But I did.

When my little ones became teenagers I thought I’d never survive the heartburn, ulcers, and panic attacks. But I did.

Then my teenagers became young adults. I’m currently debating with God on whether I will survive the worry, fears, and anxieties surrounding my kids embarking on a life of independence. But I’m doing my best. And with God’s grace, I know I will.

What I’d like to say to all young moms out there sleepwalking through minefields and wondering if the mania ever ends is this:

Yes, the days of being on call 24/7 subside eventually. But the greatest wisdom I’ve gleaned over twenty-two years? Small kids, small problems. Big kids, big problems.

Be thankful even in your frustration for the small stresses now because some day you will look back and laugh at how ridiculous you were in coming uncorked over mostly inconsequential matters. Trust me.

And keep taking those kiddos of yours to the beach even if you spend four hours getting ready and only two hours in the sandbox. Because we all know the fresh air, crashing waves, perpetual digging, and sunshine is a perfect recipe for cooking up exhausted kids.

Exhausted kiddos means early bedtime. Early bedtime means mom time. And mom time means sanity repletion. When you think about it, I guess God really does bottle up His sand, surf, and rays creation. And when it comes to this cocktail, no moderation necessary.

Drink up, crazy Mommas!

Written By: Shelby Spear

Shelby is a Christian mom who is currently living life as an empty nester with her soulmate of twenty-three years. Her three children are in college and although the landscape of parenting has changed, the blessings of this new season of being a mom still fill the nest in countless ways. Shelby's loyal dog, Charlie, has a knack of filling the gaps with his unconditional love and goofy antics. Read her candid writings about motherhood at http://shelbyspear.com

Remain Open In The Midst Of Your Activity

Today as you are active in the events before you understand in all these things I am also working on your heart and mind. Yes, I am working in, and through, circumstances to accomplish my will, my purposes, and my plans, but I am also working on you as an individual too. I am working to shape you, mold you, and perfect you. So understand, some of the things you are involved with are for the work that will be accomplished, and other things you are involved with are working on you.

There are mindsets and attitudes within you that will be revealed only as you encounter certain and specific events and circumstances. So I will work in these events to bring them to your awareness. I will coach you in these moments, and teach you as you encounter and experience what I’ve put before you. So be mindful in this moment, understanding you are in a good place. And though there are things in your life you would like to change in this present moment, understand you are in a good place, and I am with you every single minute.

Each experience you encounter will bring about its desired effect, in both your circumstances as well as your heart and mind, over the course of time. So embrace what is before you, knowing everything is working out for you ultimate gain and benefit. In the end, everything will work for your good, my Dear Ones, so do not run from obstacles or that which may be difficult or challenging.

Many of these challenges have been presented to you in order to help you grow. These challenges are the very thing you need, because they function as a catalyst to spark the change within you to improve you. So do not run from them, deny them, or reject them, but embrace and accept them for what they are – the catalyst for your improvement and growth.

In the midst of these challenges continue to keep your heart and ears and eyes open. For I am speaking to you. I am revealing things to you. I am teaching you. I am exposing and confronting mindsets and emotions within you through these challenges. So listen as you work. Take care to keep your ears open as you are busy, working in your daily tasks.

The daily tasks are good, but there is another dimension, another layer of understanding and activity you can interact with and learn from if you will be open to do so. If you remain open, I will speak, you will hear, and you will learn and grow.

Many of your questions will be answered as you open yourself to listen, to hear, to feel, and to receive. You will understand the nature of your questions, and you will understand, with perspective, the answers to what is perplexing you. So ask, and continue to ask, but also remain open. Remain open to listen, and hear my answers, as I speak to you through life events, circumstances, and especially through specific challenges you encounter.

Written By: neil vermillion

Neil Vermillion is a blogger offering a prophetic word for today each day on his blog and email newsletter.  He is also an intercessor, prophetic life coach, dream interpreter, and he really loves Jesus.

Who Moved the Fence?

Michael Yaconelli articulates this powerful story in his book, Messy Spirituality—God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People. Chronicled during World War II, he recounts the actions of a group of soldiers and one old priest in the rural countryside of France:

“During an intense battle, one of the American soldiers was killed. His comrades did not want to leave his body on the battlefield and decided to give him a Christian burial. They remembered a church a few miles behind the front lines whose grounds included a small cemetery surrounded by a white fence. After receiving permission to take their friend’s body to the cemetery, they set out for the church arriving just before sunset.

“A priest, his bent-over back and frail body betraying his many years, responded to their knocking. His face, deeply wrinkled and tan, was the home to fierce eyes that flashed wisdom and passion. Our friend was killed in battle,’ they blurted out, ‘and we wanted to give him a church burial.’

“Apparently the priest understood what they were asking, although he spoke in very broken English. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, ‘but we can only bury those of the same faith here.’ Weary after many months of war, the soldiers simply turned to walk away. ‘But,’ the old priest called after them, ‘you can bury him outside the fence.’

“Cynical and exhausted, the soldiers dug a grave and buried their friend just outside the white fence. They finished after nightfall. They next morning, the entire unit was ordered to move on, and the group raced back to the little church for one final good-bye to their friend. When they arrived, they couldn’t find the gravesite. Tired and confused, they knocked on the door of the church. They asked the old priest if he knew where they had buried their friend. ‘It was dark last night and we were exhausted. We must have been disoriented.’

“A smile flashed across the old priest’s face. ‘After you left last night, I could not sleep, so I went outside early this morning and I moved the fence.’”

Isn’t that truly the power of God’s grace through Christ’s death and resurrection? Jesus through taking our sin upon himself on Calvary’s cross changed the rules of the game. Those who were at one time outside the fence now are included in God’s plan of salvation. The Apostle John in one of the most famous verses in all the world says it so eloquently, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God showers on the world that would reject his love grace upon grace through his Son, Jesus Christ. Who moved the fence? Jesus did. Why did he move the fence? Because of his love for the world. How did move the fence? By taking on himself the sins of the entire world. And what does that mean for us? If we believe in him we will not perish but live life eternal reunited with the Creator. I am so glad he moved that fence and included me in his kingdom.

Written By: B. Keith Haney

Husband for 25 years. Father of six, and Mission catalyst helping plant new churches and congregations find shepherds in Northern Illinois. All the while serving an Awesome God. You can find him on the web at http://revheadpin.org/

Life in the Wilderness

“If you’ve not been there yet, you will be”, “Everyone has a wilderness”, “It’s part of growing in God” These are just a few descriptions from others about living through a “wilderness” in their relationship with God, or even in everyday life. Yes, I have journeyed through times that I would consider a wilderness. Some of these such times were traveled with grace and it was a time of learning and growth. While in other times my human nature took control with impatience and wanting to know the end result first.

Take a moment and examine this verse with me…

Deuteronomy 2:7 (NIV)

The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.

The term “wilderness” can be different for each of us. Your place of wilderness might be from an area of life that is not yet submitted to God, wilderness could be from an ongoing illness or a family member’s illness, or maybe a time when hearing God’s voice seems difficult even though we know He is still there and will never leave us or forsake us.

Wilderness does not necessarily mean we have rebelled against God as the Israelites in Deuteronomy. In the Old Testament we see David spent much time in the wilderness being prepared for a new role as king of Israel, although at the time it was unbeknownst to him. Jesus was led into the wilderness to overcome temptations. As both God and man, Jesus experienced temptations in the wilderness and defeated the enemy. In doing so Jesus became our High Priest interceding on our behalf because he experienced and overcame temptations that are common to man. Jesus understands the struggles of a wilderness journey.

Instead of focussing on the reason behind the wilderness, what can we take away from this passage about the journey through the wilderness itself?

1. The work of their hands were blessed. Even in the wilderness the Israelites were prosperous.
2. God watched over their every step. Father God knew exactly where they were, where they were going, and where they had been.
3. In the wilderness the Children of Israel lacked nothing. God provided a place for them to dwell, food and drink not just for their survival but for their to be health, and leadership so they could live in unity.

Regardless of what brought us to the wilderness, we can trust that just as the Children of Israel were blessed, watched over and provided for during their wilderness journey so are we! When the end of this wilderness journey comes we will look back and see God was leading us and guiding us day and night.

Written By: Carlie Venkler

Friends call me Carlie, my husband calls me Sweetie and our children call me Mom. I enjoy sharing God's precious words with others through blogs and journaling. If you enjoyed this devotion feel free to read more at carlievenkler.wordpress.com

Making The World A Better Place

“And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”  Luke 2:35

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For Lent each year, my three kids make their own crown of thorns out of Play-doh and toothpicks. Then, over the course of the next 40 days, they focus on trying to do kind things for others. Each time they do, they take a thorn out of their crowns. The idea is: if they are helping someone else, they are helping Jesus. Their kind actions remove the thorns that caused Him so much pain.

The other day Zack came home from school and asked if he could take two thorns out of his crown. I asked him what he had done to help others. He explained that during recess, he had retrieved Brock’s tennis ball twice when it went out of play.

I am calling this boy “Brock” to protect the “not so innocent.” The “backstory” is: Zack has been friends with two other kids for years. Last August, Zack and I were thrilled to find out that his two friends were placed in his fifth grade class this year. Consequently, it has been a great school year since… up until a few months ago.

This classmate Brock decided that he didn’t like Zack. He has spent every recess since winning Zack's two friends over, and excluding Zack from whatever game they are playing that day. Zack and I have spent hours talking about it, crying about it, and strategizing how to respond to it all. It’s one of those difficult situations that, unfortunately, so many kids go through. It’s also one of those situations where there’s no guidebook for how involved I should be. So I have been leaving it up to him to call the shots.

When Zack told me about retrieving the tennis ball, I had a glimmer of hope that perhaps they were now including him in the game. When I asked him, he said no. Yet again, Brock wouldn’t allow Zack to play with them.

His answer was like a knife to my heart. How dare this kid steal my son’s friends, exclude him from recess games, and then use him as a gopher?! The mama bear in me rose up and wanted to knock this Brock kid into next week! When I shared my indignation with Zack, telling him that he doesn’t have to be anyone’s servant, his response was, “But he didn’t ask me to do it. I did it to be nice.” My sweet, innocent son.  Although I am in awe of his giving heart, I still so desperately want to protect it.

I have NO idea how Mary and Jesus did it! HOW did Mary stand by and watch her Son suffer the way He did? HOW did Jesus’ heart not shatter into a million pieces when one friend betrayed Him, another friend denied Him, and all but a few completely abandoned Him when He needed them most? Moreover, HOW did He forgive every single one of them, and still continues to forgive us when we do the same things?

What impresses me most is that Zack’s focus was more on helping others, than it was on himself. His concern was more about easing Jesus’ pain, than easing his own. Despite the fact that the mama bear in me is still growling for revenge, I need to recognize that Zack is the one in the right, not me. Although I will continue to be vigilant, coaching him so he doesn’t become anyone’s doormat, I also have to remember that all that Mary and Jesus went through had a purpose. They knew and lived out the fact that the only way to heal this broken world is through forgiveness and love. I need to put my own pain and indignation aside, and follow right alongside my little “peace maker” as he too makes this world a better place.

Written By: Claire McGarry

Claire McGarry is a mom of three young children, and the founder of MOSAIC of Faith: a ministry through which she offers evening retreats and monthly groups for moms, service projects for kids, and a weekly mommy-and-me program. She posts weekly at “Shifting My Perspective” where she writes about how Scripture always helps her to see the gifts in the midst of the challenges of motherhood and life in general. You can visit her blog at www.shiftingmyperspective.com.