Children of God

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” -John 1:12-13

Learning to Trust

1 John 4:9-19

 

⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
¹³ This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. ¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ¹⁷ This is how love is made
complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
¹⁹ We love because he first loved us.   (NRSV)

 

For many years I have kept part of a friend’s letter in which she described how she had lovingly cared for a timid, stray cat. At first it was extremely fearful and suspicious and kept its distance from her. But gradually “Pussy” became less afraid and even allowed my friend to handle her kittens from the very first day they were born. Pussy had learned to trust my friend completely because of the constant love my friend gave her.



We can see in this a picture of God reaching out to us with constant love. How do we respond — by backing away from God, keeping our distance, always afraid? Or do we respond by gradually drawing nearer and nearer because we have learned to trust God? When we receive the love God offers us through our Lord Jesus Christ and learn to trust completely, God teaches us to love one another so that people around us may also experience this love. “If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.” It is a wonderful transformation when love drives out fear and replaces it with trust.

 

The Author - Hazel V. Thompson (Somerset, England)  from The Upper Room

Thought for the Day

God’s love can drive away our fears.

Prayer

Thank you, Christ Jesus, that you have come to be our friend as well as our Savior, loving us so completely that we can trust you with all that is dearest to us. Amen.

Prayer focus  Reach out to others in fear and share His love!

Disconnect to Reconnect

“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns” (Matthew 14:13).

There are times when the crowds crowd in on me. I need relief—relief from the routine, relief from responsibilities, relief from relationships, or relief from the raw pain of losing a loved one. Jesus felt this intense emotion as John the Baptist, His friend and spiritual confidant, was brutally beheaded. The pain of severe loss led Him to be alone.

 

 

 

Are you on the edge of complete exhaustion? Is your tolerance for any more trouble at the tipping point of chronic fatigue? If so, it is time to disconnect from distractions so you can reconnect to your relationship with the Lord. You preclude coming apart emotionally and physically when you come apart relationally with your Savior Jesus.

 

 

Our private investment in solitude gives our public service sustainability. If we are always available to everyone, then we are not effective with anyone. A soul that is always exposed to the light of life is unable to discern the desperate state of hurting humanity. So we schedule time on the calendar with Christ in seclusion, and He empowers us.

Your responsibilities will not rest while you rest, but trust the Lord to take care of any crisis that may arise. For you to disconnect from your duties means you prepare ahead of time to transition from your tasks while you are away. Do not be ensnared by your ego that always wants to be wanted. Let others learn what you know so you can go away and grow. We grow stale if we reject retreats, but we are energized when we engage them.
 

When we disconnect, we trust God to get things done through others in spite of our absence. Your break from work and home is an opportunity for a colleague to step up and be blessed with a new opportunity to be stretched. Why keep all the challenging circumstances to yourself? Let go so others can gain invaluable experience. Once you have truly disconnected from your phone, enjoy your soul reconnecting with Christ!

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

Prayer: What relationship or responsibility do I need to disconnect from for a season? When and where is the best place for me to reconnect with Christ?

Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 15:4; Daniel 9:3; Acts 17:27; Hebrews 11:6


© 2013 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry
info@mail.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com / www.wisdomhunters.com

Final Goal

 

 

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 3:14

Desert Experience

At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. Mark 1:12-13

Sometimes the Holy Spirit sends you into a desert experience. The purpose of this hard time is not punishment, but purity. God wants to purify your faith and grow your dependence on Him. Naturally, the enemy does not sit still when he senses someone has escaped eternity’s cover. He does, however, miss the principle that God uses all things for His good, even your enemies. Times of trial are full of temptation from Satan, for he appeals to your pride, your physical appetite, and your spiritual vulnerability. He wants to bring you down when you are at your weakest. He sees you alone and ready for the kill. Satan smells blood, but the blood he smells is not your demise, it is your salvation. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that covers you during this crisis time in your desert of life.
   

Your desert experience may involve a child who is away from God and away from home. It may be that your health is failing quickly and you are on the fast track to heaven’s gates. Your desert experience may encompass loneliness and a Lord that does not seem to answer prayer. Heaven may be silent during this time of stress and distress. Your marriage may be in the ditch and even on the way to divorce court, so be careful not to make a dumb decision during your desert time. He will carry you through. His angels are not passive to your plight, but present to minister to your needs.

Your heavenly Father is sending reinforcements for your faith, so stay immersed in the Word of God because His word is your anchor during this troubling time. The promises of God rain down like manna during desolate desert times. Feed your soul with Scripture, and you will have strength to make it through this time of turmoil. Look to the Lord, for He cares. He is willing to make you whole and to walk with you through this desert of distress. Do not attempt to gut it out without God and people.
   

Lastly, you will be stronger as a result of this faith-stretching situation. What was meant to drive you away from God will draw you closer. The Holy Spirit knows better than you what you need to become more like Jesus in your faith and deeds. This desert experience will pass, so don’t waste this pain and discomfort, but use it to go deep with the Divine. Turn the tables with trust, for your faithfulness inspires others to remain faithful. The irrigation of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness will flood your desert with new life and will be beautiful to behold. Jesus creates a paradise of character where once existed a desert of temptation.
   

The Bible says, “Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert” (Isaiah 35:6).

“Seeking Daily the Heart of God”

Feed your soul with Scripture, and you will have strength to make it through times of turmoil. #Scripture

May God Bless you through these readings!

© 2013 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.

“Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.” -Psalm 112:5

Oneness With God

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. Psalm 57:1-2

Adversity is an avenue to Almighty God. When all spiritual trappings are stripped away the human spirit and Holy Spirit have seamless communion. Refuge in the Lord means utter dependence on His protection and reputation. He alone is good, as nothing good comes from fallen humanity. A confession of depravity shows desperation for Christ. Hard times soften hearts for oneness with God's heart.

 

Have you run into a spiritual brick wall? Have your ways of relating to God lost their effectiveness? Once prayer was energizing, but now it has become boring at best, a drudgery at worst. You used to anticipate the dynamics of Bible study, but now it is a chore just to read a chapter. The Holy Spirit has often led your heart, but now He seems disinterested and distant. If you feel frustration over faith issues take heart, for a dark soul is ready for spiritual oneness.

 

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2

Oneness with the Spirit of God moves us beyond meditation to contemplation. In meditation we relate more to God, while in contemplation God relates more to us. Like a first time driver of an automobile moves from conscious decisions to unconscious ones, once we are united with Christ we willfully execute His will, unaware. Oneness with Almighty God creates an automatic response of obedience.

Spiritual dullness is an opportunity to sharpen our understanding of His work all around us. Yes, we persevere by grace, because the Lord is doing a deep work of grace in our heart. Our goal to know Christ in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering never changes. However, how we get to know Him grows and changes over time. We become one in Christ by walking through dark days together. Refuge in God revitalizes our relationship.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
Philippians 3:10

Prayer: Heavenly Father, grow me in oneness with You, so my will becomes Your will.

Related Readings: Jeremiah 32:39; John 17:21; Colossians 2:2-3; Ephesians 4:2-6

Post/Tweet today: Oneness with Almighty God creates an automatic response of obedience. #onenesswithGod



© 2013 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.

Eternal Hope

 

R

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be^[a] in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

John 14:15-19

Jesus said, “Because I live, you also will live.”

- John 14:19 (NIV)

 

In the time since my mother died, I have thought of her and missed our times together. Thankfully, I am surrounded by many things that offer comfort: the colorful patchwork quilt, pieced by her hands, that brightens my bed; the rose bush near my back deck that started as a cutting from her yard; the loving note she placed in a safe-deposit box for me that read,

“Trusting in God and walking by faith can carry you far. A mother’s love never dies.” Certainly the greatest comfort of all is the promise of Jesus Christ that gave her hope for so many years: “Because I live, you also will live.” I know that I will continue to miss my mother. It is natural to feel the loss of those we love so much, but through faith in God we can experience joy even in times of sorrow.

 

The Author - Barry N. Hopkins (Georgia, USA)

Thought for the Day

Christ’s victory over death gives us hope in any sorrow.

Prayer

O God, you comfort us in our grief and lift us up in our despair. Thank you for the great hope we find in our risen Savior as we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”*
 

Prayer focus  Someone whose parent has died

Footprints of Faith

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.      Hebrews 12:1-2

 

 

 

 

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  - John 14:6 (NRSV)

 

For a long time our province has suffered from the volcanic ash spewing from the Puyehue volcano. We can see the ash particularly on the dark-hued rooftops and other dark surfaces, including the ramp leading to the entrance of our church. One day as I stepped onto the ramp, I saw footprints made by the people who had arrived earlier.


That observation led me to remember those who had preceded me on this great journey of faith. In addition to their faithful witness, they left tangible “footprints,” such as the construction of churches and schools, the forming of church choirs, and many other works of faith that have contributed to our life of Christian discipleship. I am grateful to the pioneers of the faith who led the way for my spiritual formation. Just as they faithfully walked the path God set before them, I too must continue my journey and leave footprints of faith.

 

 The Author  - Luis Alberto Jones (Chubut, Argentina) from The Upper Room

Thought for the Day

The footprints of others can guide us in our walk of faith.

Prayer  Dear Lord, help us recognize the footprints of the faithful who came before us so that we may follow their example and may we continue in His pathway. Amen.

 

Prayer focus   Inspire those who have guided me on my journey

Ashamed

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” -Romans 1:16

Belong

Read Romans 8:11-17

You are no longer strangers and aliens . . . you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household. - Ephesians 2:19 (CEB)
 

My first memory of being different centers on a scar on my right wrist. All through my early years, I was positive that the only thing people saw when they looked at me was an ugly line flanked by polka dots where sutures once had been knotted. I was sure that my scar, my flaw, flashed as brightly as a neon sign.





However, as I grew and matured, I began identifying with other “marks” — a mark of baptism on my forehead; a mark of confirmation on my heart; a mark of discipleship within my spirit. Gradually, I stopped thinking about that scar that had held me in its little shackled grip far too long. The scar on my wrist has faded somewhat. The fear of not belonging that it once represented has faded as well. It has been replaced by a new sense of belonging — related to the Spirit and belonging to the family of God. As part of a group of Christian believers who practice acceptance and love, I need not fear being odd. In this family, we discover each other’s scratches and gashes — some visible on the outside, some hidden in the heart. No matter which, God’s radiant, life-giving, life-bearing Spirit working among believers turns those scars into marks that stand for healing.

 

The Author - Julia A. Halstead (Tennessee, USA) - from The Upper Room

Thought for the Day

We are all beloved children of God.

Prayer

Dear God, help us to see ourselves the way you see us — as your beloved children, flaws and all. Amen.

Prayer focus      Those who feel unworthy

Make Things Right

Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Matthew 5:25

Make things right with those you have wronged or who have wronged you. If you stay engaged in a stalemate of accusations you may end up in court. Why involve civil authorities when Christ has given you a game plan for reconciliation? By faith, call an accusatory cease fire with your adversary. Take the first step to reach out and request a meeting or phone call. Better to get together with cool heads, than to separately stay mad, while matters escalate to a heated  crisis.

Humbly agree with your adversary. If they feel hurt by you, apologize for hurting their heart. If they feel misunderstood by you, say, “I’m sorry” and listen intently to what they are trying to convey. If they feel heard by you, you may not have to say a word. When you listen well you communicate love, respect and patience. Validate your accuser’s feelings and you validate them. Take responsibility for your actions and seek to be reconciled to your adversary.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-25

 

Furthermore, a fractured relationship with someone on earth hinders our relationship with God in heaven. We cannot stay focused by faith on our Heavenly Father, when we have broken the trust of another brother or sister. Our conscience will not be clear before Christ if it is not clear before the one we’ve offended. Yes, taking the time to build a bridge of acceptance over a chasm of rejection is evidence that God has reconciled us to Himself through His son Jesus Christ.

Sometimes as we soften our hearts, their heart softens. As we calm the tone of our words and lower the volume of our voice, our accusers might do the same. As we take a step toward them, they may take a step toward us. Therefore, don’t wait on your adversary to make the first move. Make things right by deciding not to fight. Go humble yourself and agree with them so you both win. Make things right on earth so you are qualified to make things right with God in heaven.

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:20-21

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the humility and courage to listen to the one I’ve offended.

Related Readings: Proverbs 6:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 John 4:12

Post/Tweet today: Take responsibility for your actions and seek to be reconciled to your adversary.


© 2013 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry

Honest Prayer

 

 A psalm of David.

¹ Answer me when I call to you,
    my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
    have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

 

² How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
    How long will you love delusions and seek false gods^[b]?^[c]
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

⁴ Tremble and^[d] do not sin;
    when you are on your beds,
    search your hearts and be silent.
⁵ Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.

 

⁶ Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.
⁷ Fill my heart with joy
    when their grain and new wine abound.

⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:1-8

Hannah replied, “I’m just a very sad woman. I . . . have been pouring out my heart to the LORD.”

- 1 Samuel 1:15 (CEB)

 

Psalm 4 begins with an anguished cry and ends with joy and peace, found in the safety of God’s arms. Often our prayers have the same pattern. We cry out to God and pour out our deepest feelings, turning them over to God. Were you raised to let it all out before God? I wasn’t.





No self-respecting farm boy would express emotions to anyone, certainly not to God. Sometimes, I didn’t even know I had feelings. My wife, Jan, helped me learn. Soon after we met, she asked how I felt. I had no idea.



Over time, I watched her pour out her feelings to God and to me. I discovered that once she did, she could let them go. Then I tried expressing my feelings to God. What a wonderful revelation!


When I read the psalms in earnest, I see honest prayer in nearly every verse. I see utter honesty in Jesus’ prayer from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Ps. 22:1, NRSV). Even on the cross, in dying breaths, Jesus showed us the way to the Father with deep, honest prayer. I’m sure God didn’t flinch at Jesus’ cry. It only tightened God’s loving embrace. So it is with us.

 

 

The Author - Dan G. Johnson (Florida, USA) - from The Upper Room

 

Thought for the Day - The psalms can teach us to pray honestly.

Prayer

Dear God, open us up to say how we feel. Amen.
 

Prayer focus   Those afraid to show their feelings to God