Love Worth Finding

[Judy Harder]

MAY 27

Holy through Hardship

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul... hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him." Psalm 42:5

Here's an anchor for your soul in the storms of life: "I am growing by His plan."

What is God's plan for you? He wants to enlarge you, not indulge you. God is not so interested in making you happy and healthy as He is in making you holy. And so God will allow troubles to make you more like Christ.

Think about the times when you have grown the most. It is when your friend "Trouble" came along. I have grown the most in my own life in times of deepest despair.

Can you look at the troubles in your life, not as adversaries, but as friends? Take a second look and get a godly perspective of it. See how you can become holy through hardship.

[Judy Harder]

MAY 28

When Our World Caves In

"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." Mark 13:26

When we come to a place where we don't understand what is happening...when everything seems to be caving in, there is Jesus. We always have the forgiveness of the cross, the victory of the empty tomb, and the hope of Christ's imminent return.

When we go to the doctor and he tells us we have a malignancy. When we hear that we are infertile as a couple and cannot bear a child. When we have to declare bankruptcy. When we are laid off work. When we read a note that our spouse has left. When a loved one dies because of a terrorist act. We have a Savior...and we have a choice to believe or not to believe!

At that time we can begin to murmur, criticize, grumble, or despair. Or we can yield to the Savior and hear Him say, "My child, no matter what is happening, this is how much I love you. Look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. Look for Me. I'm coming again."

Get in a position of humility. If you can, drop to your knees. If you cannot, bow your head and close your eyes. Imagine the cross of Christ. Meditate upon the shame Christ experienced, the pain He endured, and the victory He secured in His death.

[Judy Harder]

MAY 29

When Delays Are a Blessing

"And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you." Isaiah 30:18

Many times the Lord will deliberately delay that He may be gracious to us. When Lazarus fell sick, his family sent for Jesus. Instead of coming immediately, Jesus waited (see John 11:1-46). He held back until Lazarus was dead. And if you read John 11:15, you'll see that He said, "I'm glad," because He had something greater in mind.

God waited four thousand years to send the Lord Jesus Christ after He made that promise. But Galatians 4:4 says He came in the fullness of time. Never late, never ahead of time, never in a hurry.

Are you in a waiting game...praying days, weeks, months, even years, for something and God hasn't answered? Be still and know that in the fullness of time your request will be answered.

[Judy Harder]

MAY 30

He Has Overcome the World

"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you. His power is ever-present in your life as His child.

If I could have been there in the days of His flesh, I would have wanted to see Him walk across the sea and calm the waves. I can just see that kingly form with the wind in His hair, putting His foot steps on the sea, His garments billowing back. Smiling at the storm.

When the disciples saw Him walking on the water what was their biggest problem? The water. Jesus in essence was saying, "What looks like is going to be over your head, is already under My feet."

What are some problems that are drowning you in fear, in discouragement, in sadness today? Give them to Jesus. Remember what is over your head is under His feet.

[Judy Harder]

MAY 31

Remembering Those Who Have Sacrificed for Us

"And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place." Exodus 13:3

Each year, Americans remember those brave-hearted souls who fought and gave their lives so that you and I would have the rights and privileges of living in a free country. Remembering is important. In fact, God instructs His people on many occasions in the Old Testament to remember from whence they came and to remember His providence.

It is by the mighty hand of God that we are saved, we are protected, and we are free to live in the Land of the Brave. Never take that freedom for granted, my friend. It is a precious commodity for which the world hungers, and it is a powerful charge for you and me to protect.

Do you know of someone in your life who has served in the armed forces of this country? Make it a point this week to express to them your gratitude for their service.

[Judy Harder]

June 1

Being a Man of Your Word

"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest you fall into condemnation."  James 5:12

In June, we take time to focus on fathers, and I've discovered in talking with teenagers that many harbor bitterness and resentment. Much of that resentment is directed toward their fathers over the serious matter of broken promises.

If you're a dad who wants to restore your relationship with your teenager, one of the best things you can do is to remember those broken promises. Then go and say to them with a remorseful spirit, "I've asked God to forgive me, and I want you to forgive me." Then ask this question, "Have I ever made a promise to you that I've failed to keep? If so, I want you to tell me, because I want to repent. I want you to believe that your dad is a faithful man."

Are you a man of your word? If not, start fresh today and make a commitment that you will stand behind your word.

[Judy Harder]

JUNE 2

All Things Are Not Expedient

"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Corinthians 6:12

If you want to be a victor in the race God has for you, you must learn the discipline of laying aside some weights. Many times these weights are good things in our lives. But good things are bad things when they keep us from doing the best things.

Life would be simple if it were a choice between good and bad. But typically it's a choice between good and best.

Our verse says "all things are not expedient." When you think of the word "expedient," think of the word "expedition." You are going somewhere, and if something doesn't speed you on your way, it's excess baggage and you need to get rid of it.

Ask God, "Are there legitimate, lawful things in my life that are keeping me from running the race You've given me?" If revealed, ask for discipline to lay them aside!

[Judy Harder]

JUNE 3

Removing Debilitating Obstacles

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."  1 Corinthians 9:24

Runners not only need to untangle themselves from weights that may slow them down, but they need to also remove things from the track that may trip them up!

As a Christian, the good things in life may slow us down, but sin will stop us dead in our tracks - it will trip us up. You had better learn to treat sin as sin would treat you! Sin will be merciless to you, and you need to be merciless to sin.

2 Timothy 2:19 says "Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

Is there any unconfessed sin in your life that is tripping you up today? Pray Psalm 139:23-24.

[Judy Harder]

JUNE 4

Running With Endurance

"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit."  John 12:24

You can tell the size of a Christian by what it takes to stop him. Hebrews 12:1 says we are to "run with patience the race that is set before us." And this word "patience" is not used in the sense that we use the word. It literally means "endurance."

Everybody knows that a runner is going to win or lose primarily by his endurance. You cannot quit. When it hurts, you cannot quit. When your lungs are on fire, you cannot quit. When your feet feel like lead, you cannot quit. When your sides ache, you cannot quit! You'll never be a spiritual athlete if you're a quitter! No pain. No gain.

Thank God for His power that enables you to run the race and gain the victor's crown!

[Judy Harder]

JUNE 5

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." Mark 11:22

I ask some Christians, "How are you doing?" They say, "Okay under the circumstances." How did you ever get there?

Circumstances are like a mattress. You're supposed to be on it, not under it. Under the circumstances, you suffocate; on them you rest pretty well.

The only way you can run the race is to take your eyes off things or people around you and look unto Jesus. He's the author of the race. He's the goal to which you run. If you look unto Jesus to supply your every need for the race, you'll find faith growing in your heart and in your life. You see, it's not great faith in God; it is faith in a great God.

Do you have a hymnal in your home? Find the hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" by Helen Lemmel or click on the title here to go to Cyber Hymnal and reflect on its message.