From His Heart

[Judy Harder]

March 4, 2011   

Practical Atheism?

Have you ever met an atheist?  An atheist believes there is no God.  Do you know what God's response to that is?  "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Ps. 14:1).

While no Christian would ever be guilty of being an atheist, many Christians are guilty of being practical atheists.  Practical atheism does not believe there is no God; practical atheism lives as if there is no God.  Could you be a practical atheist?

THE PRACTICAL ATHEISM TEST

Notice the convicting similarities between atheism and practical atheism:

1.  An atheist does not pray. So many Christians do not really pray.  They may mumble something with a bowed head before dinner or before bed, but there is no real time to seek God in prayer.  The Lord says in the Book of James, "You do not have because you do not ask" (Jas. 4:2).

2.  An atheist does not read the Bible.  So many Christians do not read the Bible.  The average Christian is very susceptible to the devil's lies because he/she does not take time to read and study God's Word.

3.  An atheist walks by sight, not faith.  So many Christians do the same thing.  They fail to evaluate their situation in light of God's miraculous power, so they worry and fear and fail to simply trust God.  How quickly we forget, "Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God" (Heb. 11:6).

4.  An atheist does not give to the Lord's work.  So many Christians do not either.  Many Christians spend more money on their pets than they do the Kingdom of God.  A recent statistic revealed that if all the members in an average-sized church were on welfare, and each one tithed, the giving to that church would double.  WOW!

5.  An atheist lives only for this life.  So many Christians are guilty of the same.  They store up their treasure on earth.  They live and plan as if this temporary, mortal life is all that matters.  They make decisions with only earth in mind, not heaven.  The Bible says, "The eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth" (Prov. 17:24).

CHANGE ME, LORD!

If some of those similarities are too close for comfort, don't sink down in guilt and shame.  DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!  Confess it as sin, and ask God to change your heart.  Tell Him that you do not want to live another day as if He were not alive and able to work miracles.

The story is told of Martin Luther, the great Christian reformer of the 1500s.  There was a time in his Christian life when he was very depressed for days on end.  His wife, Kate, came into his study all dressed in black as if she were in mourning.   Luther asked her what exactly she was mourning:

    "Have you not heard?" she questioned.  "God is dead." 
    Luther responded, "Woman!  That is absurd!  God is not dead!" 
    "Well," she replied, "if God is not dead, then stop living like He is!" 

My friend, God is not dead, He is alive and well.  He still answers prayer, He still speaks through His Word, He still blesses when we honor Him with our wealth, He still moves mountains when we come to Him with a mustard seed of faith, and He still rewards those who diligently seek Him.

No matter what you are facing today, God is able.  Take Him at His Word and trust Him!!  Determine to live every day in the light of His presence.  Remember, His name is Jehovah Shammah, "the Lord ever-present."  He is ever-present for you this day and every day.  Live like it!

Love,

Jeff Schreve

Pastor
www.fromhisheart.org
jeff@fromhisheart.org
1-877-777-6171

[Judy Harder]

 March 11, 2011   


Taking The Pressure Off

He [Gideon] said to Him, "O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house." But the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man."  Judges 6:15-16

Pressure.  Ever felt it?  In sports, we marvel at those who can step up amidst the pressure and sink the winning putt, kick the winning field goal, or make the winning free throws. 

I recently saw the movie The King's Speech.  King George (B, B, B, Bertie) definitely felt the pressure as he stood to overcome his stammering and deliver the most important speech of his life. 

Have you ever felt great pressure to try to live the Christian life?  Have you ever felt great pressure to be the person God wants you to be?  Have you ever felt great pressure to knock one out of the park for Jesus as you teach or preach or witness or sing or serve in His name? 

Have you ever wilted under the pressure, and then beat yourself up for failing?

PRESSURE RELIEF

In Judges 6, God calls Gideon to deliver Israel from the hand of Midian and their vast armies.  Gideon is stunned.  He responds with incredulity – "There is no way I can do this, Lord!  I am a nothing nobody from a family of nothing nobodies.  I don't have what it takes to deliver Israel.  I can't make the putt, kick the field goal, sink the free throws or deliver the speech.  I am not up to the task and can't take the pressure."  And God says, "I know YOU can't, but I will be with you and will enable you." 

The Bible tells us in Judges 6:34 that "the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon."  Literally, it says that God clothed Himself with Gideon.  He wore Gideon like a suit, and delivered Israel through him.  God did it through him.  The results were not dependent on Gideon, they were dependent on God.  You see, the pressure is gone when God shows up and does it through us.     

A SUIT OF CLOTHES FOR GOD TO WEAR

Just as God clothed Himself with Gideon, He wants to clothe Himself with you.  God wants to do amazing and miraculous things THROUGH you!  The best ability is simple availability.  As Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Perhaps you are trying so hard to do this, that and the other, thinking it all depends on you.  Perhaps you are starting to crack under the pressure of trying to be the perfect spouse, the perfect parent, the perfect boss, the perfect employee, the perfect pastor or deacon.  A tell tale sign that YOU are trying to do it on your own is anger, frustration and irritability.  Do you see those things leaking out of your life with increasing frequency and velocity?  Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Listen, your only real job is to present yourself to the Lord as an empty vessel for Him to fill.  You don't have to do it all yourself.  He will do it through you, if you let Him.

PRAYER

Dear God, I have been trying so hard, when I really just need to be trusting.  I don't have what it takes to do what You want me to do.  So, I humbly ask You to wear me today like a suit of clothes.  I surrender to You and claim the truth that the pressure is off and the power is on.  Today is going to be a great day of victory as You, Lord Jesus, live your life through me.  In Jesus' name.  Amen!     

Love,


Jeff Schreve
Pastor

jeff@fromhisheart.org

[Judy Harder]

March 18, 2011   

The Key to a Lasting Marriage

And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32

Do you remember the Energizer Bunny?  He was the mascot and marketing icon for Energizer Batteries.  That little rabbit beat a bass drum ... and he never stopped.  He just kept going and going and going.

Wouldn't it be nice if marriages were like that? Wouldn't it be nice if, when you tied the knot, it wasn't a slipknot?  The sad truth is that tons of marriages don't seem to last as long as an Energizer Battery. 

I performed a wedding one time for a marriage that ended up lasting only four months. Four Months!  I was shocked and dismayed.  The couple went through nine weeks of premarital counseling and still trashed their wedding vows after four short months.  Now, whenever I do a wedding, I have the couple repeat after me, "Divorce is not an option."  As Ruth Graham once said, "I never considered divorcing Billy, but I did think of murdering him."  She was obviously kidding about the latter. 

WHAT IS THE KEY?

Without question, if you want to have a good and lasting marriage, one that keeps going and going and going, getting better and better as time marches on, there is one big requirement.  It is the "F" word – forgiveness. 

What is the source of all the problems in marriage?  It is simple.  Guys, you married a sinner.  And she married a bigger one!  When you get two sinners together, there will be fireworks, disagreements, hurt feelings and the need to seek forgiveness and grant forgiveness.

1. Seek Forgiveness.  When you do something dumb, selfish and hurtful, be quick to take full responsibility and humbly and genuinely apologize.  Don't go to bed until you make right those things you made wrong.  A good maxim to live by in your relationship with the Lord and your spouse: "When you mess up, fess up."  Spit on your pride and your rights and be quick to seek forgiveness for your sins and failures.

2. Grant Forgiveness.  When your feelings have been hurt, don't hold on to the hurt.  Let it go.  Even if your spouse does not seek forgiveness, grant it to him/her.  Every hurt eventually turns to anger.  And unresolved anger turns to bitterness and resentment, two poisonous snakes that inject their venom into the marriage until the love is dead and an icy cold fills the once happy home.  God's Word is clear, "Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity" (Ephesians 4:26-27).  Talk through problems, hurts and issues in the marriage.  Don't let molehills turn into mountains.  Give your hurts to God and refuse to live in unforgiveness.

OUR STORY

On Tuesday, March 15th, Debbie and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage.  We can honestly say that we love each other way more today than we did when we married at 23.  Although we have had our fair share of bumps in the road, we have made the Lord our cornerstone and practiced seeking and granting forgiveness.  It has made all the difference in the world.
In your marriage now (or marriage to come for those who are single), make it your goal to be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving.  If you are thinking of throwing in the towel on your marriage, seek godly counsel before you do anything of the sort.  God specializes in raising the dead.  He can even raise your dead marriage, if you let Him.
Love,

Jeff Schreve
Pastor
jeff@fromhisheart.org
1-877-777-6171
Jeff Schreve is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. He and his wife Debbie have been married for over 20 years and are blessed with three wonderful girls. Jeff began From His Heart Ministries, a radio and television ministry, in January of 2005. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no salary from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast. 

 

[Judy Harder]

March 25, 2011 
 
Taking The Pressure Off

He [Gideon] said to Him, "O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house." But the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man."  Judges 6:15-16

Pressure.  Ever felt it?  In sports, we marvel at those who can step up amidst the pressure and sink the winning putt, kick the winning field goal, or make the winning free throws. 

I recently saw the movie The King's Speech.  King George (B, B, B, Bertie) definitely felt the pressure as he stood to overcome his stammering and deliver the most important speech of his life. 

Have you ever felt great pressure to try to live the Christian life?  Have you ever felt great pressure to be the person God wants you to be?  Have you ever felt great pressure to knock one out of the park for Jesus as you teach or preach or witness or sing or serve in His name? 

Have you ever wilted under the pressure, and then beat yourself up for failing?

PRESSURE RELIEF

In Judges 6, God calls Gideon to deliver Israel from the hand of Midian and their vast armies.  Gideon is stunned.  He responds with incredulity – "There is no way I can do this, Lord!  I am a nothing nobody from a family of nothing nobodies.  I don't have what it takes to deliver Israel.  I can't make the putt, kick the field goal, sink the free throws or deliver the speech.  I am not up to the task and can't take the pressure."  And God says, "I know YOU can't, but I will be with you and will enable you." 

The Bible tells us in Judges 6:34 that "the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon."  Literally, it says that God clothed Himself with Gideon.  He wore Gideon like a suit, and delivered Israel through him.  God did it through him.  The results were not dependent on Gideon, they were dependent on God.  You see, the pressure is gone when God shows up and does it through us. 

A SUIT OF CLOTHES FOR GOD TO WEAR

Just as God clothed Himself with Gideon, He wants to clothe Himself with you.  God wants to do amazing and miraculous things THROUGH you!  The best ability is simple availability.  As Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Perhaps you are trying so hard to do this, that and the other, thinking it all depends on you.  Perhaps you are starting to crack under the pressure of trying to be the perfect spouse, the perfect parent, the perfect boss, the perfect employee, the perfect pastor or deacon.  A tell tale sign that YOU are trying to do it on your own is anger, frustration and irritability.  Do you see those things leaking out of your life with increasing frequency and velocity?  Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Listen, your only real job is to present yourself to the Lord as an empty vessel for Him to fill.  You don't have to do it all yourself.  He will do it through you, if you let Him.

PRAYER

Dear God, I have been trying so hard, when I really just need to be trusting.  I don't have what it takes to do what You want me to do.  So, I humbly ask You to wear me today like a suit of clothes.  I surrender to You and claim the truth that the pressure is off and the power is on.  Today is going to be a great day of victory as You, Lord Jesus, live your life through me.  In Jesus' name.  Amen!

Love,

[Judy Harder]

April 1, 2011   

When God Doesn't Make Sense

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When therefore He heard that he was sick, He stayed then two days longer in the place where He was.  John 11:5-6

The urgent message came to Jesus.  His good friend Lazarus was very sick and needed Him ASAP.  Surely Jesus, the One who would drop everything to go heal complete strangers, would come running to Lazarus' town of Bethany to save the day, right?  Wrong!  When Jesus heard Lazarus was deathly ill, He purposely waited two more days before making the twenty mile journey to Bethany.  By the time He finally arrived, Lazarus was stinking dead and in the tomb four days. 

Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, both said the same thing when Jesus showed up, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21, 32).  Undoubtedly, they were wondering WHY He didn't come in time.  Undoubtedly, they were shell-shocked at the message He sent, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it" (John 11:4).  What in the world could that possibly mean given the fact that Lazarus died the very day Jesus uttered those words?  Is this some cruel joke? 

To be sure, the Lord wasn't making much sense to Mary and Martha.  Have you ever been there?  Have you ever prayed about a problem and believed God for deliverance only to have the problem worsen ... even to the point of death, or divorce, or bankruptcy?  Have you ever cried out to God in faith and seemingly received nothing from Him to meet your pressing need?  I think we can all relate.

Hey, what do you do when God doesn't make sense?

1. You remember that He loves you.  Before the Bible tells us that Jesus purposely waited two more days before coming to Bethany, it emphatically states, "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus" (John 11:4).  Just because the Lord does not do things the way you and I think He should, that does not mean the Lord has stopped loving us.  God is love and everything He does flows from His great heart of love.  When God's actions and delays don't make sense to us, we must cling to the fact that He loves us.  The Bible declares it again and again, and the blood-stained cross of Christ proves it beyond any shadow of a doubt.

2. You trust that He has a plan.  Jesus purposely waited until Lazarus was dead four days before coming to Bethany.  Why in the world would He do that?  He did it because He was going to perform His greatest miracle of all, the raising of Lazarus from the grave.  Jesus had raised two other people from the dead (Jairus' daughter, freshly dead in her bed and the guy from Nain, hours dead and in a casket on the way to the cemetery), but He never called a four-day-old dead man back to life from the tomb.  That miracle proved He was indeed "the resurrection and the life."  It was irrefutable evidence that Jesus was and is God in the flesh.

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He delayed His coming.  While it would have been a great blessing to have him heal Lazarus from his sick bed, it was a miracle of the highest order to have Him raise decaying Lazarus from the grave.

WHAT ARE YOU FACING TODAY?

Perhaps you are facing great problems today.  Although you have been praying, God does not seem to be answering.  Your tears are flowing, your faith is fleeing, and you are sitting bewildered at the Lord's absence.  What gives? 

Listen, it may be day three for you and your situation.  But I have good news: The Lord is on His way with jaw-dropping, miraculous victory in tow.  Day four is coming!  You see, the greater the problem, the greater the miracle God is getting ready to perform. 

Of course He doesn't make sense to you and me.  He is the infinite God who sees all and knows all, from beginning to end.

Whatever the trouble, remember His love and keep trusting Him, regardless of the current circumstances.  He knows exactly what He is doing, and He really will work all things together for your good and His glory!

Love,

[Judy Harder]

April 8, 2011 

What Are You Doing With Your Anger?

For the churning of milk produces butter, and pressing the nose brings forth blood; so the churning of anger produces strife.
Proverbs 30:33

Any college football team knows about rivalry games.  There are just some special match-ups where the stakes are higher and the emotions run hotter.  That is especially true concerning the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners.  Texas-OU weekend in Dallas in October often sees fan fights as the animosity toward one another runs as deep as the Red River.

Obviously, these "fighting fans" let their anger run amok.  They churn their anger, work themselves into a frenzy, and, no doubt, regret the strife that invariably ensues.  Anger is like that.  If you churn it and turn it over and over in your mind and heart, you will see harmful, hurtful results.  Many have been murdered because of churned anger.  If you don't believe me, just ask Cain and Abel.

SO WHAT DO WE DO WITH ANGER?

God never wants us to churn and chew on our anger.  To churn and chew on anger is as foolish as rolling around in Poison Ivy.  Surely no one would do that, right?

Perhaps you are angry toward a boss who mistreated you, or a spouse who betrayed you, or a relative who abused you, or a dad who wasn't there for you, or a coach who cut you, or a teacher who embarrassed you, or a former friend who stabbed you in the back.  When that person's name is mentioned in conversation, you can feel your stomach start to churn and begin to taste the bitterness in your mouth toward that terrible, horrible, hypocritical person.  Inflicting harm on that "evil" person sure sounds like a great plan, doesn't it?  Surely God would want you to take the bull by the horns and get even, right?  WRONG!

"Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord"(Romans 12:19).

GIVE YOUR ANGER TO GOD!

Anger typically comes about because something happened to you or someone you love that you did not like, did not want, or did not think was right.  Yet, God in His providence allowed it to touch your life.  Therefore, when you feel anger welling up inside of you, instead of churning it, chewing on it, and letting it produce strife, give it to God.  You can choose His grace to help you in your time of need.  His grace, the desire and power to live for Christ and rise above, is sufficient for every situation you and I will ever encounter.

Are you angry today?  Are you churning your anger?  Is the rancid butter of strife, discord, resentment and disharmony starting to ooze out of your life like pus from a boil?  (I was extra graphic here on purpose to help see what God sees when you churn your anger.)  Put down the churning-stick, and give your anger to God.  Let Him repay those who have wronged you.  Choose His grace, and allow the Lord to take the ashes of your hurt and anger and turn them to gold.

PRAYER

Dear Father, I have been holding on to anger, churning it, and chewing on it ... and I need to stop.  I confess what I have been doing is a sin, and it is very displeasing to You.  Forgive me, Lord.  By faith, I put down the churn-stick and turn this situation over to You.  I choose Your grace to help me rise above.  Bring back the joy, Lord, as I walk in the light with You.  In Jesus' name.  Amen!

Love,

[Judy Harder]

 April 15, 2011   

Ever Surrendered?

And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love; and will meditate on Your statutes.
Psalm 119:48

Operation Desert Storm of 1990, do you remember it? It was our definitive answer to Psycho Sadaam Hussein's brutal and unprovoked takeover of oil-rich Kuwait.

I remember watching footage of that military offensive. Sadaam called it the mother of all battles, but the truth of the matter was the Iraqi soldiers were ill-equipped to take on America. In one memorable scene, the Iraqis surrendered to U.S. military without even a shot being fired. They came out of their bunkers with their hands in the air – the global sign of surrender.

A surrendered soldier has ceased fighting. He has relinquished his weapons and his rights. He is now pliable and agreeable to the will of the conqueror.

SURRENDERED?

When it comes to God and the commands of God, have you surrendered? The psalmist in Psalm 119 had surrendered to God's commands. He lifted up his hands in surrender. In verse 128 of Psalm 119, he goes on to say, "I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything." He didn't just surrender to various commandments from God; he surrendered to all of them.

IT'S NOT A CAFETERIA

Have you noticed how easy it is for us to get a cafeteria mindset with regard to the commands of God? We pick and choose what to obey and what to leave behind. "I'll have an order of baptism, church membership, Bible reading and prayer, please ... but I'll pass on tithing, serving, submitting to authority, and sexual purity." Hmmmm. It's not a cafeteria!

God's Word is right concerning everything, not just the things with which you agree. We are to take all of God's commands and surrender to them. As the song we sang last Sunday goes, "I'll say, 'Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. Yes, yes, Lord. Amen!'" We didn't sing, "I'll say, 'Yes, Lord. No way, Lord. Maybe one day, Lord. Amen!'"

WHAT ABOUT THE DIFFICULT THINGS?

There is no doubt that certain commands are harder for us than other ones. For example, we are called to "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7). That is a difficult command for the person who is undisciplined by nature.

My wife is very disciplined, and I have to really work at it. Debbie can have a jar of candy in the house and only eat one piece every other day – what discipline! I nearly ate the entire bowl of jelly beans last night while watching the news – what a lack of discipline!

So what about the difficult commands for you? Maybe sexual purity is a difficult command for you to obey. Or perhaps for you it is gossip, or forgiveness, or honesty, or integrity, or loving your enemies. Here is the secret: surrender to all of God's commandments and see all of them as right for your life!

That doesn't mean you will not fail and fall from time to time. It simply means your heart is surrendered, and you desire to obey ALL of God's Word because you know it is right for your life and will produce joy and peace as you walk in His ways.

ASSIGNMENT

How about lifting your hands in prayer right now? "Dear God, I want You to know that I am surrendering anew and afresh to Your will, Your ways, and Your Word. My way is not right, but Your way is right concerning everything! Give me power, Lord, to obey You ... for that is what I want to do. I want to please You, my King, my Savior, and my God. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Love,

[Judy Harder]

 April 22, 2011   

From His Heart
     
The Day of Reckoning

There shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.  Acts 24:15

When I was a kid, I played a lot of board games.  One of my favorites was The Game of Life (I just loved the spinner in the middle of the board).  As you went through "life," you typically went to college, got married, had kids, grew older and then faced THE DAY OF RECKONING.  This determined if you would go to the Poor Farm or Millionaire Acres.

Looking back, it is interesting how The Game of Life is so true to real life.  You see, there really is a DAY OF RECKONING for every person ... but so many are so confused about it.             

YOUR DAY BEFORE GOD   

What does the Bible teach with regard to THE DAY OF RECKONING?  It teaches that there are two separate judgments.  One is for the wicked, and one is for the righteous.

1. THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT (Revelation 20:11-15) – This judgment is reserved for those who rejected God's love and plan of salvation found only in Jesus Christ.  These are the folks who refused to humble their hearts, repent of their sins, and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  All who appear before the "great white throne" will be judged for their sins and separated from God forever.

This judgment is one of horror, regret and great sadness.  No doubt, the Lord with tears in His eyes has no choice but to say to those who rejected Him, "Not My will, but thine be done.  Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."

It is interesting that at this judgment, the Lamb's Book of Life is opened.  Now, none who appear at this judgment will have his/her name in the Lamb's Book, so it seems futile to even open it.  I think God does this to show every person who stands at the Great White Throne that Jesus died for every human being.  This person's name COULD HAVE been in the Lamb's Book had they not "refused the love of the truth so as to be saved."

Although many people will be at this terrible judgment, it is NOT because God desires it.   The truth of the matter is God does NOT want one person to go to hell.  He "is not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).  I believe with all my heart that if a person ends up in hell, that person has to trip over the cross of Jesus Christ to get there.  Sadly, many do just that.   

2. THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10) – This judgment is reserved for Christians.  Everyone at this judgment received Christ as Savior and Lord.  Never get the erroneous idea that this judgment determines if you go to heaven or not.  That issue is determined in this life, the moment you repent and give your heart to Jesus.

The Judgment Seat of Christ is not a judgment of horror, as is the Great White Throne Judgment.  This judgment is one to determine rewards.  At this judgment, every Christian will be examined by the Lord Jesus to see what he/she did in the Christian life.

A good way to think of the Judgment Seat of Christ is to think in terms of an award's banquet.  When I was selling chemicals for Nalco, we had an annual award's banquet.  If you had a good year as a salesman, it was something to look forward to as you were going to be honored before the higher-ups in the company for a job well done.

So it is at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  Those who lived for Jesus will hear those priceless words, "Well done, My good and faithful slave."  Those who lived for self will experience the shame and regret of a loss of reward.  These folks did nothing with the opportunities God gave them.  These folks buried their treasure in the ground.  They are saved, but saved with no reward and nothing to show for their years as a Christian.
         
WHAT ABOUT FOR YOU? 

Do you know what judgment you are headed to?  Are you ready to meet your God?

"Only one life will soon be past;
Only what's done for Christ will last."

Love,

[Judy Harder]

 April 29, 2011   

IN GOD WE TRUST?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5

When my daughter was in the fourth grade, she went to school without her lunch. She immediately called me to let me know she had forgotten her lunch and needed me to bring it to her. I knew her lunch period did not start until noon. So, at 11:55 a.m., I arrived at her school with lunch in hand.

When she entered the cafeteria, she was a little upset with me. She said, "Dad, why didn't you bring my lunch earlier? I was worrying all morning that you had forgotten." I said, "When is your lunch period?" She said "12:00." I said, "What time is it?" She said, "12:00." I said, "Great, here is your lunch, right on time."

YOU AND I DO THE SAME

What my daughter did to me is just what we do to God. We call on Him in prayer with our needs, and then we worry all day long because He has not yet delivered. We need to remember that God is an on-time God. He gives us what we need when we need it.

To me, it made no sense to bring the lunch early. My daughter had no use for it early. It made perfect sense to bring it to her precisely at the time she needed it. She needed to just trust the fact that her Dad was faithful and had promised to deliver her lunch to her on time.

God has promised to meet all of our needs IF we will simply trust Him. When we worry and fret about tomorrow's needs, we tell God by our actions that we do not believe He is going to keep His promises. Listen, if God is true to His Word (and He is!), we can rest in the fact that "what He has promised, He is also able to perform" (Rom. 4:21).

WORRIED?

What are you worried about today? Something you don't even need just yet? Is it 10:00 a.m. in your life, and you are worried and bothered that the lunch you need at noon has not been delivered yet? Trust God!! Keep looking to Him. As Solomon said, "Not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised" (1 Kings 8:56). You can count on the Lord. He will deliver on time to those who simply believe Him and rest in His Word.

Love,

[Judy Harder]

May 06, 2011   
   
From His Heart

Jehovah - Who?

In the Old Testament, God tells us that His special, covenant name is just four letters – YHWH.  The name is so sacred, so wonderful and so awesome, the Jews would not even dare pronounce it for fear of taking His great name in vain.  They would simply substitute Adonai (another name for God meaning master, owner, Lord) whenever they read Scripture aloud and ran across YHWH.

From YHWH, we get the name Yahweh or Jehovah (King James Version uses Jehovah). Just four letters, but those four letters are often coupled with other names to give us a richer understanding of God's wonderful nature.  For instance, we have the names Jehovah-Rapha: the LORD who heals, or Jehovah-Shalom: the LORD who is our peace, or Jehovah-Jireh: the LORD who provides.

One of my favorite names for God isn't specifically mentioned in the Bible, but it is indeed taught in the Bible.  And what is that name?  Jehovah-Nick-O-Time!  Over and over we read stories of Jehovah-Nick-O-Time showing up at the eleventh hour to deliver His own.

DAVID'S ESCAPE

In my quiet time today, I was reading about Psycho King Saul coming after David to kill him.  David was trying desperately to escape, but Saul and his armies were closing in fast.  As a matter of fact, David was almost completely surrounded.  When it seemed like all hope was lost and David's goose was cooked, Saul got this urgent message, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land" (1 Samuel 23:27).  To his great chagrin, Saul was forced to call off the dogs and return to Israel on the double.

David breathed a sigh of relief and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to Jehovah-Nick-O-Time who showed up at the eleventh hour, just when David needed Him most!

YOUR SITUATION

Maybe you are facing terrible circumstances today.  Maybe you can almost feel the hot breath of the enemy on your neck.  Maybe you feel hemmed in, surrounded and done for.  Maybe you feel as if God has forgotten you and your desperate situation.  Believe me, He has not!  Remember ... His name is NOT Jehovah-Ahead-O-Time.  It is Jehovah-Nick-O-Time.

Keep trusting Him, even if you can see Psycho Saul and his blood-thirsty armies in your rear view mirror, closing in fast.  Your Sovereign Lord is in charge of everything ... even the exact timing of a distress message that ends up saving God's choice servant.

Let me give you a wonderful verse to claim as you deal with the frightening situations of life that often appear as if they will sink your ship: "But as for me, I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more" (Psalm 71:14).

Regardless of your seemingly hopeless circumstances, hope in Jehovah-Nick-O-Time.  He knows what He is doing and delivers those who trust in Him.

Love,