Devotional for the day

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals March 2, 2009

Finding Our Calling
READ: Ephesians 4:1-16
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. -Ephesians 4:1

A continuing struggle as we seek to follow Christ is trying to find our calling in life. While we often think in terms of occupation and location, perhaps a more important issue is one of character-the being that undergirds doing. "Lord, who do You want me to be?"

In Ephesians 4, Paul wrote, "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called" (v.1). He followed this with three "be's," as one translation renders it: be humble, be gentle, be patient, "bearing with one another in love" (v.2 NIV). Paul wrote this from prison, a difficult place where he continued to live out his calling from God.

Oswald Chambers said: "Consecration is not the giving over of the calling in life to God, but the separation from all other callings and the giving over of ourselves to God, letting His providence place us where He will-in business, or law, or science; in workshop, in politics, or in drudgery. We are to be there working according to the laws and principles of the Kingdom of God."

When we are the right people before God, we can do whatever task He sends, wherever He puts us. In so doing, we discover and affirm His calling for us.  - David C. McCasland

You are called with a holy calling
The light of the world to be;
To lift up the lamp of the gospel
That others the light may see. -Anon.


It's not what you do but who you are that's most important.

Exceeding Expectations
By Os Hillman

"She said to the king, 'The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard'" (1 Kings 10:6-8).

"I'm shocked," said the woman on the phone. "I've just seen your picture. I was expecting a grey haired old man. You are too young to have the wisdom that I read in your messages."

When people meet you, or experience your work life skills, would they say that you far exceeded their expectations? Do you undersell and over produce, or oversell and under produce? Solomon's wisdom far exceeded any man's wisdom and it was evident to others. When people come in contact with you do they come away with a sense of greater appreciation of you after meeting you?

"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men" (Prov 22:29). Whenever we exceed the expectations of man, we bring glory to our Heavenly Father and He often elevates us among men.

Bezalel was a man who designed the ark of the covenant for Moses because God handpicked him to design it because of his exceptional skill. Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others" (Ex 35:30-35).

If there was a Kingdom project to be done would God recommend you for the job? God calls you and I to live our lives and do our work with excellence.

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.

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Not There Yet

In Philippians 3:12-13, Paul gives us an important insight into becoming complete or mature in Christ,

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected (or complete); but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

As believers, we must realize that we have a way to go.  We have not arrived.  There are still some things ahead.  We still must press on.

But some people have the idea they have arrived.  They don't need to grow anymore; they don't need to study anymore; they don't need to increase anymore.

It is like the true story of a young neighbor who was talking to Albert Einstein at a dinner party.  She asked, "What is it exactly that you do as a profession?"  Einstein looked at her and said, "I've devoted myself to the study of physics."  And in shock she replied, "Studying physics at your age?  I finished my studies a year ago!" 

Unfortunately, that is the attitude many Christians have today about their spiritual growth.  They think they have finished.  Instead, our attitude should be like 95-year-old Pablo Casals, considered to be the greatest cellist that the world has ever known.

A young reporter asked him one day, "You're 95.  The world considers you to be its greatest cellist; and still, at 95, you practice six hours a day.  Why?"  To which he responded, "Because I think I'm making progress."

Friend, you have not arrived.  Set your goal to be making progress every day.  That is how you will become mature in Christ. 

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Have You Felt the Pain Inflicted by the Lord?
He said to him the third time, '. . . do you love Me?' -John 21:17

Have you ever felt the pain, inflicted by the Lord, at the very center of your being, deep down in the most sensitive area of your life? The devil never inflicts pain there, and neither can sin nor human emotions. Nothing can cut through to that part of our being but the Word of God. "Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' " Yet he was awakened to the fact that at the center of his personal life he was devoted to Jesus. And then he began to see what Jesus' patient questioning meant. There was not the slightest bit of doubt left in Peter's mind; he could never be deceived again. And there was no need for an impassioned response; no need for immediate action or an emotional display. It was a revelation to him to realize how much he did love the Lord, and with amazement he simply said, "Lord, You know all things . . . ." Peter began to see how very much he did love Jesus, and there was no need to say, "Look at this or that as proof of my love." Peter was beginning to discover within himself just how much he really did love the Lord. He discovered that his eyes were so fixed on Jesus Christ that he saw no one else in heaven above or on the earth below. But he did not know it until the probing, hurting questions of the Lord were asked. The Lord's questions always reveal the true me to myself.

Oh, the wonder of the patient directness and skill of Jesus Christ with Peter! Our Lord never asks questions until the perfect time. Rarely, but probably once in each of our lives, He will back us into a corner where He will hurt us with His piercing questions. Then we will realize that we do love Him far more deeply than our words can ever say.

GOD BLESS

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals March 3, 2009

What Are We Holding On To?
READ: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. -1 Timothy 6:12

Tolkien's classic The Lord of the Rings trilogy came to life in recent years on film. In the second epic story, the hero, Frodo, reached a point of despair and wearily confided to his friend, "I can't do this, Sam." As a good friend, Sam gave a rousing speech: "It's like in the great stories . . . . Full of darkness and danger they were. . . . Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something." Which prompted Frodo to ask: "What are we holding on to, Sam?"

It's a significant question, one that we all need to ask ourselves. Living in a fallen, broken world, it's no wonder that sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the powers of darkness. When we are at the point of despair, ready to throw in the towel, we do well to follow Paul's advice to Timothy: "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim. 6:12).

In life's battles, let's hold on to the fact that good will triumph over evil in the end, that one day we will see our Master and Leader face-to-face, and we will reign with Him forever. You can be part of this great story, knowing that if you have trusted Jesus for salvation you are guaranteed a victorious ending!  - Joe Stowell

Though weak and helpless in life's fray,
God's mighty power shall be my stay;
Without, within, He gives to me
The strength to gain the victory. -D. De Haan


The trials of earth are small compared with the triumphs of heaven.

The University of Adversity
By Os Hillman

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13).

I've observed a principle: The pathway to leadership almost always takes us through the valley of adversity. We see this principle not only in the story of Joseph, who endured thirteen years of adversity, but also in the lives of many other leaders in both the Old and New Testament.

Moses was raised in the royal splendor of Pharaoh's household in Egypt, but he was forced to flee and spend 40 years in desert exile before God spoke from a burning bush and called him to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery. Joshua spent the years of his youth as a slave in Egypt and his middle-aged years wandering in the desert at Moses' side. He was well acquainted with adversity when God called him to lead Israel's armies in the conquest of Canaan. The prophet Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions before he could reach a place of power and influence in the Babylonian courts. And we see this same pattern played out in the lives of David, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea and other Old Testament leaders.

Turning to the New Testament, we see that even Jesus had to face adversity in the desert, suffering hunger, thirst, temptation and opposition from Satan. Only then could He begin His public ministry. The Lord's disciples had to endure the loss of their Master, the failure of their own faith and character, and the dark days of despair between the cross and the empty tomb before they could become the founding leaders of the Lord's church.

It's hard to find anyone in Christian history who became a great leader without earning an advanced degree at the "University of Adversity."

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.


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Prayers and Preaching

Yesterday we talked about how progressing towards spiritual maturity is a process that will never end in this life.  There are two things I want to focus your attention on today that will help you in that effort.

The first is found in Colossians 4:12,

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

If you are going to be complete or mature in Christ, you need the prayers of others.  In the long haul, I am convinced none of us make it across the finish line without the prayers of other Christians.

The second is found in Colossians 1:27-28,

...Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

In addition to the prayers of others, you need to be under good preaching and teaching to become complete in Christ.  Preaching promotes change while teaching promotes growth, and you need both of them.

Looking back at my Christian life, I can still remember messages that literally shook my world and changed me.  I remember one in particular when I had been saved less than a month.

Some new Christian friends took me to hear an evangelist preach.  I was blessed so I decided to go back the next night.  That night I heard a message that changed my life.  It was a message on the parable of the sower, and that night I fell in love with the Word of God.   It absolutely shaped me.

To become mature in your faith, make sure you are under solid biblical preaching and teaching, and develop the prayer habit as well as soliciting the prayers of others.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

His Commission to Us
Feed My sheep -John 21:17

This is love in the making. The love of God is not created- it is His nature. When we receive the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit, He unites us with God so that His love is demonstrated in us. The goal of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not just to unite us with God, but to do it in such a way that we will be one with the Father in exactly the same way Jesus was. And what kind of oneness did Jesus Christ have with the Father? He had such a oneness with the Father that He was obedient when His Father sent Him down here to be poured out for us. And He says to us, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" ( John 20:21  ).

Peter now realizes that he does love Him, due to the revelation that came with the Lord's piercing question. The Lord's next point is- "Pour yourself out. Don't testify about how much you love Me and don't talk about the wonderful revelation you have had, just 'Feed My sheep.' " Jesus has some extraordinarily peculiar sheep: some that are unkempt and dirty, some that are awkward or pushy, and some that have gone astray! But it is impossible to exhaust God's love, and it is impossible to exhaust my love if it flows from the Spirit of God within me. The love of God pays no attention to my prejudices caused by my natural individuality. If I love my Lord, I have no business being guided by natural emotions- I have to feed His sheep. We will not be delivered or released from His commission to us. Beware of counterfeiting the love of God by following your own natural human emotions, sympathies, or understandings. That will only serve to revile and abuse the true love of God.

GOD BLESS

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals March 4, 2009

An Ocean Of Ink
READ: Ephesians 3:14-19
To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge. -Ephesians 3:19

The words of the hymn "The Love of God" capture in word pictures the breathtaking magnitude of divine love:

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies
of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll
contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky.

These marvelous lyrics echo Paul's response to the love of God. The apostle prayed that believers might "be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge" (Eph. 3:18-19). In reflecting on these verses about God's love, some Bible scholars believe "width" refers to its worldwide embrace (John 3:16); "length," its existence through all ages (Eph. 3:21); "depth," its profound wisdom (Rom. 11:33); and "height," its victory over sin opening the way to heaven (Eph. 4:.

We are admonished to appreciate this amazing love. Yet as we expand our awareness of God's love, we soon realize that its full measure is beyond our understanding. Even if the ocean were filled with ink, using it to write about the love of God would drain it dry.  - Dennis Fisher

God's love cannot be explained-it can only be experienced.

Isn't This Joseph's Son?
By Os Hillman

"All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. 'Isn't this Joseph's son?' they asked" (Luke 4:22).

Jesus was more qualified to be a carpenter than the Son of God in the view of religious leaders and the common people of his day. He was also becoming known as a rabbi who thought and did things "outside the box." He was an unusual mixture of the earthly common man who did daily work just like his other villagers in Nazareth. So, when the public ministry side of his life began to surface, the first observations were, "Isn't this Joseph, the carpenter's son?"

This is not unlike what happens when God calls you or I into a more public ministry. "Isn't that John, the CPA, or Bill the restaurant manager, or Susie the bank executive?" The first question among our critics is "Where did John, Bill, or Susie get religion?"

The religious spirit in the workplace reveals itself in many ways. The religious spirit can best be defined as an agent of Satan assigned to prevent change and maintain the status quo by using religious devices. The religious spirit seeks to distort a genuine move of God through deception, control and manipulation. It was the primary force against Jesus designed to intimidate and turn His relationship with God into a set of rules and regulations. Satan does not want Jesus in the workplace because that is where the authority lies to change a workplace, city or nation. God desires you to bring His presence with you into the workplace every day. Do not let the enemy of your soul shame you into alienating your faith from your work.

Today, ask Jesus to go into the workplace with you. The two of you just might be the team to bring someone out of slavery and bondage.

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.


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Bearing One Another's Burdens

In Galatians 6:1-2, Paul admonishes us,

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

We need to bear one another's burdens.  Paul, in this passage, gives us some keen insight into what that looks like.

First, the word overtaken means to be taken by surprise, to suddenly fall into.  In other words, the sin Paul is referring to is not a premeditated sin, but rather a temptation that suddenly came up, the person stumbled in, and now they are having trouble getting out.

Notice Paul also says, "If you're spiritual, restore that one."  The word restore actually brings with it the thought of setting a dislocated limb.  The role of the spiritually mature person is to skillfully and gently relocate the "limb" that has been knocked out of its socket.

I think this happens most often to baby Christians.  They are suddenly invaded, they give in to some temptation, and they feel awful.  Then the devil goes to work on them, "Some Christian you are!  You hypocrite!  You better never go back to church again!  You're so wicked.  You're probably not even saved."

They do not know how to pull themselves out, and you and I need to help them get back in right relationship with God and the Church.

I had a friend who dislocated a shoulder one time.  It took him 45 minutes to work it back in by himself.  It would have been easier to have someone help him.

And, that is true for us as Christians.  We need to be there to help restore that brother or sister whose spiritual life has been dislocated.   

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Is This True of Me?
None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself . . . -Acts 20:24
It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world's perspective, and will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God asks of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.

What do I count in my life as "dear to myself"? If I have not been seized by Jesus Christ and have not surrendered myself to Him, I will consider the time I decide to give God and my own ideas of service as dear. I will also consider my own life as "dear to myself." But Paul said he considered his life dear so that he might fulfill the ministry he had received, and he refused to use his energy on anything else. This verse shows an almost noble annoyance by Paul at being asked to consider himself. He was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Our ordinary and reasonable service to God may actually compete against our total surrender to Him. Our reasonable work is based on the following argument which we say to ourselves, "Remember how useful you are here, and think how much value you would be in that particular type of work." That attitude chooses our own judgment, instead of Jesus Christ, to be our guide as to where we should go and where we could be used the most. Never consider whether or not you are of use- but always consider that "you are not your own" ( 1 Corinthians 6:19  ). You are His!

GOD BLESS

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals March 5, 2009

Idols In The Heart
READ: Ezekiel 14:1-8
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts. -Ezekiel 14:3

When my husband and I first went out as missionaries, I recall being concerned about the growth of materialism in our society. It never crossed my mind that I myself could be materialistic. After all, hadn't we gone overseas with almost nothing? Weren't we choosing to live in a shabbily furnished, rundown apartment? I thought materialism couldn't touch us.

Nonetheless, feelings of discontent gradually began to take root in my heart. Before long I was craving hungrily after nice things and secretly feeling resentful over not having them.

Then one day God's Spirit opened my eyes with a disturbing insight: Materialism isn't necessarily having things; it can also be craving them. There I stood-guilty of materialism! God had exposed my discontent for what it was-an idol in my heart! That day as I repented of this subtle sin, God recaptured my heart as His rightful throne. Needless to say, a deep contentment followed, based not on things but on Him.

In Ezekiel's day, God dealt thoroughly with this kind of secret idolatry. His throne on earth has always been in the hearts of His people. That's why we must rid our heart of anything that destroys our contentment with Him.  - Joanie Yoder

The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne
And worship only Thee. -Cowper

An idol is anything that takes the place of God.

Learning to Receive
By Os Hillman

"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Ps 127:2).

One of the paradigm shifts every believer must learn once they make Jesus lord of their lives is how to move from receiving by sweating and toiling to receiving by trusting and obeying. In the scripture, Egypt represented sweat and toil and bondage. The Promised Land represents a land of milk and honey received by trust and obedience. We learn in Joshua 24:13 that our obedience will allow us to receive things we would never receive out of sweat and toil. "So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant."

I learned this principle when God began to transition me from owning and operating an advertising agency to a vocational marketplace ministry. Many times I could not see how provision to do my work would result because it was not based upon a contract-for-services model. I was once invited to speak to a small group of people on a Caribbean island. I knew it would require three days of my time and I'd receive very little compensation. The Lord instructed me to go anyway. Just as I thought, I did not receive a commensurate income for the time invested for the three days. (This is often the way we think in business).

However, I left some books behind and they began to be circulated to other islands. A few businessmen received the books and they invited me to speak at a conference for 22 Caribbean islands later that year. One man was touched by my teaching. On January 2, I received a check for $5000 from this man. I pondered the sequence of events that led to receiving this provision. It was because of my obedience to the small things that God was able to "give me a land on which I did not toil."

Be faithful to the small things and God will always honor your obedience.

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.

God's GPS

Hebrews 13:20-21 are two verses that give me great encouragement,

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.

These verses teach us that God is working in us all the time to bring us to maturity-our destiny in Christ. 

A friend of mine shared a brilliant illustration of this one time.  He likened God's guidance to that of the Global Positioning System (GPS), one of those systems they now have in cars that guides you to your destination.

A GPS system uses a satellite to give an aerial view, and its sole function is to get you to your destination, your "destiny."         

As you travel to your destination, you have a map on the screen, and this little annoying voice talking to you through the whole trip, "Left turn a quarter mile ahead; left turn 150 feet ahead; left turn 50 feet ahead."

If you miss your turn, it immediately computes a new course for you so you can get back to where you are supposed to be.  And if you mess up on those directions, it then computes another new course.     

In the same way, God has a destiny for us to fulfill, something that fits into His great master plan.  By His grace, He is guiding us all the way, even when we get off track.  God just readjusts and says, "This is the next thing you need to do to get back into My plan."

Through His "GPS," He is always working to get us where we need to be.  Praise God! 

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Is He Really My Lord?
. . . so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus . . . -Acts 20:24
Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing. The joy our Lord experienced came from doing what the Father sent Him to do. And He says to us, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (John 20:21 ). Have you received a ministry from the Lord? If so, you must be faithful to it- to consider your life valuable only for the purpose of fulfilling that ministry. Knowing that you have done what Jesus sent you to do, think how satisfying it will be to hear Him say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant" ( Matthew 25:21 ). We each have to find a niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive a ministry from the Lord. To do this we must have close fellowship with Jesus and must know Him as more than our personal Savior. And we must be willing to experience the full impact of Acts 9:16 - "I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

"Do you love Me?" Then, "Feed My sheep" ( John 21:17  ). He is not offering us a choice of how we can serve Him; He is asking for absolute loyalty to His commission, a faithfulness to what we discern when we are in the closest possible fellowship with God. If you have received a ministry from the Lord Jesus, you will know that the need is not the same as the call- the need is the opportunity to exercise the call. The call is to be faithful to the ministry you received when you were in true fellowship with Him. This does not imply that there is a whole series of differing ministries marked out for you. It does mean that you must be sensitive to what God has called you to do, and this may sometimes require ignoring demands for service in other areas.

GOD BLESS

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals March 6, 2009

You Are Not Forgotten
READ: Hebrews 11:24-40
God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have showed toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints. -Hebrews 6:10

When Britain's oldest man turned 111, vintage aircraft did a flyover, and the Band of the Royal Marines played "Happy Birthday." According to the Daily Mirror, Henry Allingham was amazed by all of the attention. Until 6 years earlier, he had for 86 years kept secret the horrific memories of what happened in the trenches of World War I. Only when tracked down by the World War I Veteran's Association did this old man, who had been shelled, bombed, and shot, receive honor for what he had endured in behalf of his country.

The story of the Bible gives us parallels to Henry's story. The Scriptures show that those who fight the battles of God often end up wounded, imprisoned, and even killed as a result of their service.

The cynic might observe such lives and conclude with a sigh that no good deed goes unpunished. But the author of Hebrews sees a bigger picture. He reminds us that everything and anything we have done in faith and love will one day be honored by God (6:10).

Are you discouraged today? Do you feel insignificant? Do you feel forgotten after trying to serve God? Be assured that God will not forget anything you have done in your service to Him or others.  - Mart De Haan

Does the place you're called to labor
Seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He'll not forget His own. -Suffield


God remembers the good we forget.

An Encouraging Word

A while back I ran into a woman who I hadn't seen in quite some time.  Being my friendly self I said, "Hi!"

The moment I said that she replied, "Oh, Bayless!" and proceeded to open her purse and pull out a letter I had written to encourage her three years earlier.  She said, "I take this with me everywhere I go."

I wanted to cry!  I mean, I was touched.  But then I thought, "Is there no one else who comforts you?  Is there no one else who speaks encouraging words into your life?"  And I wonder the same about you. 

Are you needing some encouragement today?  I don't know what you may be faced with, but I personally find comfort and encouragement in the following passage.  It is 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11,

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.  Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Think about this for a moment.  As you look into eternity, which is what ultimately matters, you and I are not appointed to wrath!  That is good news!  That is great news!  That is encouraging news!  And that is great comfort!

God is storing up wrath against the ungodly.  But, just like in ancient Egypt when the death angel passed over every home where the blood of the Lamb was, I thank God the wrath of God passes over us!

It is being stored up, but not for me or for you.  As believers in Jesus Christ, we have escaped the wrath of God.

Thank you, Jesus! 

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Taking the Next Step
. . in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses -2 Corinthians 6:4
When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel.

Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ inJohn 13:1-17 .

GOD BLESS

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals March 7, 2009

God's Love And Ours
READ: Romans 5:1-11
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8

Franklin Graham regrets it now, but in his youth he was wild and rebellious. One day he went roaring up to his dad's house on his Harley Davidson motorcycle to ask for some money. Dressed in his leathers, dusty and bearded, he burst into his father's living room-and walked right into a meeting of Billy's executive board.

Without hesitation, Billy Graham identified Franklin as his son. Then he proudly introduced him to every member of the board. Billy did not apologize for his son or show any shame or guilt. Franklin wrote later in his autobiography, Rebel With a Cause, that the love and respect his father gave him that day never left him, even during his rebellious years.

Our children don't have to earn our love. To withhold love for our own selfish purposes is to follow the enemy, not God. God's love for us is undeserved. We did nothing to earn it; no good in us merited it. "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:. In all our relationships, especially with our children, we must genuinely show that same kind of love.

We are called to treat our children, and all people, with love and respect. It helps to remember what we were when Christ died for us.  - David C. Egner

Help me, Lord, to show respect and love to others,
always mindful of the fact that each of us is created
in Your image. May Your love shine through my life
and bring praise and honor to You. Amen.

God's love changes prodigal sons into precious saints.

Going Without Jesus
By Os Hillman

"After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it" (Luke 2:43).

Bob and Janice had five kids. When they go on any trip, Benjamin, the youngest, always sleeps under the seat in their mini van. In the rush of preparing for their visit to the grocery store and getting the other kids situated, they failed to pick up Benjamin, who was standing outside at the other end of the store. As they proceeded down the road, they assumed that Benjamin was quietly sleeping in his normal place under the seat in the back of the van.

Meanwhile, about an hour later, young Benjamin was wondering why his parents had not picked him up. He went back into the store and told the manager his plight. The manager called the police. The young boy was eventually picked up by a policeman.

Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. Jesus was 12-years old. They were evidently very distracted by the excitement and business of the Feast. In fact, Mary and Joseph began their return trip to Nazareth only to realize well into the trip that Jesus was not with them. It would be three days before they would be reunited with their 12-year-old son. It caused quite a scare for Mary and Joseph, and they reprimanded Jesus for "wandering" off.

As a parent, I find this story truly amazing. How can parents of the Son of God not know their son is not in their presence? Yet, this story illustrates how each of us can become so busy that we continue to operate not realizing Jesus is no longer with us.

We can walk away from fellowship with Jesus. Do not let this happen to you. He longs to have daily fellowship with you because He loves you. Today, ask yourself if Jesus is accompanying you in your daily activities. He desires to walk with you each and every day.

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.


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Forever With Him

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 gives us powerful prophetic words,

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Jesus Christ will return, and the church will be caught away!  We will meet the Lord in the clouds and in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we will be changed.  From that moment on, we will always be with the Lord.

Maybe you are going through a rough patch right now.  If so, let me remind you that this earthly life is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  But we have eternity in store.  Thank God we will ever be with the Lord!

If He tarries and we die before He returns, we get to go to heaven.  But I have a feeling, with the way things are shaping up, that we will be the generation that sees His return.

Have you noticed how the eyes of the world are on the Middle East?  This is all end times stuff.  Also, one of the things that Jesus said would be a precursor to the end is that the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached to every nation, literally, to every language group.

And you know what?  That will be completed in our generation.

So keep your eyes fixed on His return, and that day you will meet Him in the air and be with Him forever! 

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

The Source of Abundant Joy
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us -Romans 8:37

Paul was speaking here of the things that might seem likely to separate a saint from the love of God. But the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and a saint. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the close fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. But none of them is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a saint on the spiritual level. The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Calvary; a love that is not earned and can never be. Paul said this is the reason that "in all these things we are more than conquerors." We are super-victors with a joy that comes from experiencing the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.

Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let's apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against- tribulation, suffering, and persecution- are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. "We are more than conquerors through Him" "in all these things"; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 7:4 ).

The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to "separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Romans 8:39 ).

GOD BLESS

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals March 8, 2009

The Time Will Come
READ: 2 Timothy 4:1-8
The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. -2 Timothy 4:3

A USA Today article describes how parents today seek to initiate their children into a world of all faiths. Ema Drouillard, who runs a ceremony service, was asked by a couple to conduct a service for their baby, Greer. The mother said, "We just wanted a larger spirit to guide our daughter, but we didn't want to get specific. I wanted all her bases covered." The couple said, "We just do Christianity L-I-T-E" for Greer, who "believes in angels and fairies, leprechauns and Santa Claus." This illustrates the low value placed on scriptural truth that is so prevalent in our culture today.

The apostle Paul warned Timothy that a time would come when people would prefer "lite" spiritual meals and would not tolerate substantive teaching (2 Tim. 4:3-4). He predicted that false teaching would increase and be embraced by many because it caters to the needs of their flesh. They have a craving to be entertained and desire teaching that leaves them with good feelings about themselves. Paul instructed Timothy to combat this by teaching doctrines according to God's Word. The purpose of his instruction was to correct, rebuke, and encourage others (v.2).

As believers we are called to teach and obey the Word of God, not to scratch the itches of our culture.  - Marvin Williams

Lord, teach us from Your holy Word
All error to discern,
And by Your Spirit's light help us
From Satan's snares to turn. -Bosch


Stand on the Word of God and you won't fall into error.



The Awesomeness of God

When was the last time you stopped to reflect on the awesomeness of God? When did you last slow down to contemplate on how amazing our Creator is? In our skeptical and scientific world, it seems we have lost our childlike sense of wonder and awe. We fail to notice the daily miracles surrounding us.

Jesus warns us, "Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it" (Mark 10:15). Jesus is telling us to call upon God with the wonder and amazement of a child. He calls us to believe in Him with the trusting nature of a child. He wants to see our excitement every time we seek His face.

What is it like to stand in wonder of God? It is recognizing His hand in every sunset, mountain, and star that we see. It is marveling at the miracle of a tiny life being formed in its mother's womb. It is reading a Scripture passage for the hundredth time and still finding new insight in its words.

There are so many qualities about God and so many things He has done for us that are awe-inspiring. In Psalm 139, we see David's praises for four of God's awesome characteristics: His knowledge, presence, power, and judgment.

When we think of God's omniscience, we often associate it with His knowledge of the big, eternal picture. Yet He also knows the very deepest corners of our hearts. Our Creator knows us inside and out-better than we know ourselves. He knows our hidden motivations. He knows what we're going to say even before we say it.

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord" (Psalm 139:1-4). When we think of how vast and how intricate and how intelligent God's knowledge is, we should be overwhelmed.

David also praises God for His omnipresence. "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? ... If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast" (Psalm 139:7, 9-10).

We cannot go anyplace where God is not already present-physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Even during our darkest days, we know that God is right there in the midst of our situation with us.

Our God is omnipotent, able to create life itself. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well" (Psalm 139:13-14). How amazing is our God who designed everything from the tiniest cell in our bodies to the grandest star in the universe!

David concludes his psalm by acknowledging God's perfect judgment. God loves His children enough to purify and to refine their hearts. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).

Have you lost your wonder and awe of God? Do you take the intricacies of His Creation for granted? Do you gloss over His words when reading the Bible? Stop today and praise God for His amazing nature. Thank Him for caring for you through His knowledge, presence, power, and judgment. Write below how He manifests each of these qualities in your life.

****

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Exceedingly Great and Precious Promises

2 Peter 1:2-4 says,

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

I want to draw your attention to verse 4 where the Scripture states that through the promises we partake of God's nature.

The promise is the connector, it is the pipeline through which God's nature flows to us.

"What is God's nature?" you might ask.  It is the answer to everything you need!  His nature is life, it is health, it is peace, it is wisdom, it is abundance.  There is an answer in God's nature for every one of mankind's needs.

That is why the promises are called "exceedingly great and precious."  Without a promise, there is no pipeline.  Without a promise, we cannot partake.

But when you take a promise-an exceedingly great and precious promise-and act upon it in faith, God's nature is released into your situation.

Thank God for His promises! 

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

The Surrendered Life
I have been crucified with Christ . . . -Galatians 2:20
To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things. Being born again by the Spirit of God means that we must first be willing to let go before we can grasp something else. The first thing we must surrender is all of our pretense or deceit. What our Lord wants us to present to Him is not our goodness, honesty, or our efforts to do better, but real solid sin. Actually, that is all He can take from us. And what He gives us in exchange for our sin is real solid righteousness. But we must surrender all pretense that we are anything, and give up all our claims of even being worthy of God's consideration.

Once we have done that, the Spirit of God will show us what we need to surrender next. Along each step of this process, we will have to give up our claims to our rights to ourselves. Are we willing to surrender our grasp on all that we possess, our desires, and everything else in our lives? Are we ready to be identified with the death of Jesus Christ?

We will suffer a sharp painful disillusionment before we fully surrender. When people really see themselves as the Lord sees them, it is not the terribly offensive sins of the flesh that shock them, but the awful nature of the pride of their own hearts opposing Jesus Christ. When they see themselves in the light of the Lord, the shame, horror, and desperate conviction hit home for them.

If you are faced with the question of whether or not to surrender, make a determination to go on through the crisis, surrendering all that you have and all that you are to Him. And God will then equip you to do all that He requires of you.

GOD BLESS

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals March 9, 2009

You Can't Say That!
READ: Genesis 3:9-19
"Lord, what do You want me to do?" -Acts 9:6

According to a career-building Web site, certain words should be avoided on the job. When someone in authority asks you to do a project, you shouldn't say, "Sure, no problem," if you don't mean it and aren't going to follow through. Otherwise, you'll become known as someone who doesn't keep his word. And don't say, "That's not my job," because you may need that person's help in the future.

And if your boss comes to you with a problem, careerbuilder.com suggests it's best not to blame someone else and say, "It's not my fault!"

That's the excuse Adam and Eve gave to God. They were told not to eat from the fruit on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17). When they disobeyed and were confronted by God, Adam blamed God and Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent (3:9-19). They basically said, "It's not my fault!"

Perhaps there are things we should avoid saying to God about what He's told us to do or not to do. For example, He gives us specific instructions for Christlike behavior in

1 Corinthians 13, yet we may be tempted to say, "I just don't feel convicted about that," or "That's not really my gift."

What is the Lord asking of you today? How will you respond? How about, "Yes, Lord!"  - Anne Cetas

God wants complete obedience,
Excuses will not do;
His Word and Spirit show His will-
Then we must follow through. -Sper


The highest motive for obeying God is the desire to please Him.

Comforting Others
By Os Hillman

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Cor 1:3-4).

I was 14 years old in September 1966. I was home watching I Dream of Jeannie on television when the program was interrupted by a news bulletin: "Three prominent local businessmen have died in a plane crash in the mountains of Tennessee." That's how I learned of the death of my father.

It was difficult and painful growing up without a father. I loved and needed my dad. I couldn't understand why God would take him away from me so suddenly. I certainly didn't see the death of my father as a "blessing" in any sense of the word.

Yet I have seen blessings come out of that terrible tragedy. In the years since my father died, God has brought a number of men across my path that have lost fathers at an early age. Because of my own loss, I had an instant connection with others who suffered similar losses. We shared an experience that other people couldn't fully understand.

I went through a seven year period where I experienced major financial problems. I can't say that it was a blessing to go through those seven years of adversity, but God has used my trial to bring blessing to other people. It actually was a catalyst to move me into a whole new calling. When I meet someone who is going through a business failure or a financial loss, there's an instant bond between us of shared experience.

God can take our adversity-a heart attack, cancer, an automobile accident, violent crime, bankruptcy, a marriage crisis, the loss of a loved one-and transform that pain into encouragement for the people around us. We come out of those experiences stronger and better able to comfort others.

Although adversity may never be a blessing, God in His grace can bring blessing out of our adversity. The key is releasing the hurt and pain to the Lord so He can bring the needed healing to our lives. Why not give your circumstance to the Lord today and let Him use it in the lives of others. This will be the first step toward healing.

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.

TGIF
Volume 2
All New TGIF Devotionals by Os Hillman
Os Hillman has the unique ability to capture a deep spiritual truth in a succinct "daily devotional" format that is amazingly relevant to the 'real-world' of business and the workplace.Volume 2 contains all new 365 daily messages at your fingertips in an attractive hardcoverversion ready to encourage you daily at work. New messages on topics such as work as ministry, handling disappointments, time management, integrity, finances, decision-making, hearing God, and much more.
Click to Order or Learn More 

Richer Blessings

Jeremiah 23:3-4 says,

"But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.  I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the LORD.

As we discovered in one of our earlier devotionals, God gives richer blessings to these who remain faithful (the remnant).  A good question to ask is, "What are the blessings for those who remain faithful?"

Jeremiah gives us a good clue,

They will have no fear.
They will lack for nothing.
They will be fruitful. 
They will increase.
Are you interested in increasing?  In fruitfulness?  In not being afraid?  God says those are things that happen to the remnant.  These are the rich blessings you will receive if you stay faithful, committed, and obedient.

I once read a story about an old member of the Brooklyn Dodgers, a pitcher named Harry Hartman.  In 1918, he was called up from the minors to pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  It was his dream come true!  On his first pitch, the batter hit a single.  No big deal.

The next batter hit a triple.  Harry walked the next guy on four consecutive pitches.  The next batter hit a single.  Harry Hartman walked off the mound, went into the locker room, showered, put on his street clothes, went to a local naval recruiting office, and enlisted.  The next day he was in uniform and was never seen again in professional baseball.  He got discouraged and quit.

No matter what, do not give up!  Remain faithful, because God promises great blessings to those who stay the course. 

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Turning Back or Walking with Jesus?
READ:
Do you also want to go away? -John 6:67
What a penetrating question! Our Lord's words often hit home for us when He speaks in the simplest way. In spite of the fact that we know who Jesus is, He asks, "Do you also want to go away?" We must continually maintain an adventurous attitude toward Him, despite any potential personal risk.

"From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more" (John 6:66 ). They turned back from walking with Jesus; not into sin, but away from Him. Many people today are pouring their lives out and working for Jesus Christ, but are not really walking with Him. One thing God constantly requires of us is a oneness with Jesus Christ. After being set apart through sanctification, we should discipline our lives spiritually to maintain this intimate oneness. When God gives you a clear determination of His will for you, all your striving to maintain that relationship by some particular method is completely unnecessary. All that is required is to live a natural life of absolute dependence on Jesus Christ. Never try to live your life with God in any other way than His way. And His way means absolute devotion to Him. Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus.

Peter saw in Jesus only someone who could minister salvation to him and to the world. But our Lord wants us to be fellow laborers with Him.

In John 6:70 Jesus lovingly reminded Peter that he was chosen to go with Him. And each of us must answer this question for ourselves and no one else: "Do you also want to go away?"


GOD BLESS

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals March 10, 2009

For The Birds
READ: Hebrews 13:5-16
You shall not covet . . . anything that is your neighbor's. -Exodus 20:17

The bird feeder attached to my office window is just beyond the reach of the squirrels. But one squirrel has made it his mission to get the seeds meant for the birds. Having seen his tiny neighbors nibbling noisily from the abundant supply, the squirrel is fixated on enjoying the same pleasure. He has tried coming at the feeder from every direction but without success. He clawed his way up the wooden window casing to within inches of the feeder but slid down the slippery glass. He climbed the thin branches of the forsythia bush. Then he reached so far that he fell to the ground.

The squirrel's tireless attempts to get what isn't meant to be his calls to mind a man and woman who reached for food that wasn't meant to be theirs. They too suffered a fall-a fall so severe that it hurt the whole human race. Because they were disobedient and helped themselves to food that God told them not to eat, He put them where they could no longer reach it. As a result of their disobedience, they and their descendants must now work hard to get what He originally had given as a gift-food (see Gen. 2-3).

May our desire to have what God has kept from us not keep us from enjoying what He has given to us (Heb. 13:5).  - Julie Ackerman Link

Thinking It Through
What (or who) am I looking to for happiness?
Is this wise? Or do I need to make some changes?
How may I be content? (Heb. 13:5).


Godliness with contentment is great gain. -1 Timothy 6:6

Discipling the Nations
By Os Hillman

"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous" ( Prov 13:22 NKJV).

As a student in 1971, Berthold Becker was converted from being a socialist activist to a disciple of the Lord Jesus. Shortly after completing his university education, Berthold decided he wanted to understand what it meant to experience God in his professional career. So, he learned to walk with God at work in the automotive industry. Berthold testifies how God gave him many designs for cars that became their best-sellers. He was often referred to as the "prophet" among his non-Christian auto executives.

With his wife Barbara as his personal intercessor, Berthold left his career in the auto industry in 1986, to begin many entrepreneurial Kingdom initiatives. One was launched in the Ukraine through an initiative called GfS (Gesellschaft für Strukturentwicklung). Berthold became active in many training, consulting and joint venture situations, helping Ukrainian business start-ups. During his travels there, he noticed the lack of availability of good bread, and he decided to do something about it. He started small businesses using mobile bakeries that he bought from the Swiss Army. The German and Ukranian governments soon recognized that Berthold had been serving the nation through his business expertise and came alongside him to say, "You are doing it better than we can." The governments began funding his enterprises, while his group remained in control of the business. The Bible says "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession" (Ps 2:. I believe one way that will happen is when Christians become the source of blessing to a city or nation.

These enterprises (which include technology transfer and training centers for bread, meat, and dairy products) have become a joint venture with a Ukrainian business group, operating successfully in the food industry.

Today, God is raising up a new breed of Christian workplace leader. God will use anyone to impact a nation because we are all called to disciple the nations. How might God want to use you in the days ahead? What idea might God give you to impact a nation?

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.

TGIF
Volume 2
All New TGIF Devotionals by Os Hillman
Os Hillman has the unique ability to capture a deep spiritual truth in a succinct "daily devotional" format that is amazingly relevant to the 'real-world' of business and the workplace.Volume 2 contains all new 365 daily messages at your fingertips in an attractive hardcoverversion ready to encourage you daily at work. New messages on topics such as work as ministry, handling disappointments, time management, integrity, finances, decision-making, hearing God, and much more.
Click to Order or Learn More 

Liberty!

Look at Isaiah 30:21,

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.

The idea this verse is conveying is that if you get off-course with God, He is going to let you know you are making a wrong decision or a wrong turn.

The Living Bible puts it this way,  And if you leave God's paths and go astray, you will hear a voice behind you say, "Not this way.  Walk here."

What I have come to realize is that you and I have far greater liberty within the parameters of God's will than I previously thought.

It is important that you stay open and keep things laid out before God.  But I have discovered, as I said, that we have far greater liberty than I previously thought.  Let me give you an example.

Not long ago, my wife and I were very seriously considering selling our house and moving.  Real estate had gone up so much that the equity in our house had more than doubled since we bought it.  So we got to thinking that it might be a good time for us to move.

I did not have a word from God about moving.  But I just know God well enough to know that I could make a decision like that.  If I was getting into an area where we were going to make a mistake, God would let me know!

Some people get so uptight about everything.  But as long as you stay open to God, you can make those kinds of decisions, because He will be there to direct you if indeed you are making a mistake.

That is true liberty! 

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Being an Example of His Message
Preach the word! -2 Timothy 4:2
We are not saved only to be instruments for God, but to be His sons and daughters. He does not turn us into spiritual agents but into spiritual messengers, and the message must be a part of us. The Son of God was His own message- "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" ( John 6:63 ). As His disciples, our lives must be a holy example of the reality of our message. Even the natural heart of the unsaved will serve if called upon to do so, but it takes a heart broken by conviction of sin, baptized by the Holy Spirit, and crushed into submission to God's purpose to make a person's life a holy example of God's message.

There is a difference between giving a testimony and preaching. A preacher is someone who has received the call of God and is determined to use all his energy to proclaim God's truth. God takes us beyond our own aspirations and ideas for our lives, and molds and shapes us for His purpose, just as He worked in the disciples' lives after Pentecost. The purpose of Pentecost was not to teach the disciples something, but to make them the incarnation of what they preached so that they would literally become God's message in the flesh. ". . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . ." ( Acts 1:8 ).

Allow God to have complete liberty in your life when you speak. Before God's message can liberate other people, His liberation must first be real in you. Gather your material carefully, and then allow God to "set your words on fire" for His glory.

GOD BLESS

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals March 11, 2009

Flying Machines
READ: Psalm 6
I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. -Psalm 6:6

Recording artist James Taylor exploded onto the music scene in early 1970 with the song "Fire and Rain." In it, he talked about the disappointments of life, describing them as "sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground." That was a reference to Taylor's original band Flying Machine, whose attempt at breaking into the recording industry had failed badly, causing him to wonder if his dreams of a musical career would ever come true. The reality of crushed expectations had taken their toll, leaving Taylor with a sense of loss and hopelessness.
The psalmist David also experienced hopeless despair as he struggled with his own failures, the attacks of others, and the disappointments of life. In Psalm 6:6 he said, "I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears." The depth of his sorrow and loss drove him to heartache-but in that grief he turned to the God of all comfort. David's own crushed and broken "flying machines" gave way to the assurance of God's care, prompting him to say, "The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer" (v.9).
In our own seasons of disappointment, we too can find comfort in God, who cares for our broken hearts.  - Bill Crowder


Even in my darkest hour
The Lord will bless me with His power;
His loving grace will sure abound,
In His sweet care I shall be found. -Brandt


God's whisper of comfort quiets the noise of our trials.


Failing Forward
By Os Hillman


"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).


Back in the 1970's, Tom Watson was the up and coming golfer on the PGA Tour. But time after time, when Tom led a tournament coming into the last round, he would choke, bogey a few holes, and finish in the middle of the pack. Soon, the media began calling him a "choker." That kind of criticism only increases the pressure and the tendency to choke.
In an interview with Guy Yocom for Golf Digest, Watson said, "Everybody has choked. In the 1974 U.S. Open, I kept hitting the ball right to right. My nerves wouldn't allow me to adjust. That's what choking is-being so nervous you can't find a swing or a putting stroke you can trust."
How did Watson overcome his tendency to choke? "Byron gave me the best cure for it," Watson recalled, referring to Byron Nelson, the legendary golf pro of the 1930s and '40s. "[Byron said], 'Walk slowly, talk slowly, deliberately do everything more slowly than you normally do. It has a way of settling you down."* That advice helped Tom Watson overcome his nervousness. He went on to win many tournaments, including five British Opens.
Everybody fails. It's part of the process that leads us to maturity and success. Most successful entrepreneurs have been through a number of failures in life, but they usually don't think of their failures as defeats. They think of them as lessons.
My failures have served to help many people who are also experiencing failure in their lives. God will always have a redeeming value in our failures if we let Him reveal His life through them.
If you hope to succeed, learn everything you can from your failures. 
*Os Hillman, Upside of Adversity, Regal Books, Ventura, CA p. 195, 2006
Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.

Obedience to the "Heavenly Vision"

I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision -Acts 26:19
If we lose "the heavenly vision" God has given us, we alone are responsible- not God. We lose the vision because of our own lack of spiritual growth. If we do not apply our beliefs about God to the issues of everyday life, the vision God has given us will never be fulfilled. The only way to be obedient to "the heavenly vision" is to give our utmost for His highest- our best for His glory. This can be accomplished only when we make a determination to continually remember God's vision. But the acid test is obedience to the vision in the details of our everyday life- sixty seconds out of every minute, and sixty minutes out of every hour, not just during times of personal prayer or public meetings.
"Though it tarries, wait for it . . ." ( Habakkuk 2:3  ). We cannot bring the vision to fulfillment through our own efforts, but must live under its inspiration until it fulfills itself. We try to be so practical that we forget the vision. At the very beginning we saw the vision but did not wait for it. We rushed off to do our practical work, and once the vision was fulfilled we could no longer even see it. Waiting for a vision that "tarries" is the true test of our faithfulness to God. It is at the risk of our own soul's welfare that we get caught up in practical busy-work, only to miss the fulfillment of the vision.
Watch for the storms of God. The only way God plants His saints is through the whirlwind of His storms. Will you be proven to be an empty pod with no seed inside? That will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of the vision you have seen. Let God send you out through His storm, and don't go until He does. If you select your own spot to be planted, you will prove yourself to be an unproductive, empty pod. However, if you allow God to plant you, you will "bear much fruit" ( John 15:8  ).
It is essential that we live and "walk in the light" of God's vision for us ( 1 John 1:7  ).


Amazed

1 Corinthians 8:2 is a short verse, but one that has come to have real meaning in my life,
And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
Here is what this verse has come to mean to me:  The more I realize of God, the more I realize how little I know of God.
It is almost as if God is represented by this enormous mountain, and it is shrouded in fog.  As the fog retreats, I can see how vast this mountain is and how little I have really seen, how little I have explored, how little I have experienced.  I am in awe as I look at this enormous mountain.
I once thought, "I'm really mature in God.  I've learned so much.  Look at these gems I've dug out!  And I've experienced this, and I've climbed here, and I've looked from the heights."  Then the fog began to roll away, and I realized I hadn't even gotten out of the foothills yet.
God just really amazes me.
Think about God.  He merely spoke and created the universe.  I read an article not too long ago where scientists now think that perhaps there is not just a "universe" but there is really a "multiverse," or multiple universes.
Whether it is one that spans millions of light years, or multiple universes spanning even greater distances, God made it all just by saying something.
And that is what I mean.  The more I learn of God, the more I am amazed at just how little I really know of Him.  I hope you too will be amazed, and let that wonder and amazement bring you into the worship of our great and awesome God! 
Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

GOD BLESS