The Father's Plan

by Mark Jeske
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The greater our lives are aligned with His plan, the greater our satisfaction and joy in life.
The gospel message is based on mysteries and paradoxes that seem illogical and unbelievable to outsiders to the faith. Take the Trinity, for example. How can God be three and one at the same time? Is there one mind or three? one will or three? one power or three?

God tells you about Himself not to explain enough so that you understand but rather so that you appreciate and worship Him. He tells you of His essential unity, but He reveals that three distinct persons are at work in the universe.

It is the Father whom Scripture describes as the grand Planner. In servant mode during His earthly ministry, Jesus gave 100% of His attention and respect to the Father’s saving design: “When you have lifted up (i.e., crucified) the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him” (John 8:28,29).

From all eternity, even before mankind’s fall into sin, the Father lovingly predesigned the rescue He foreknew His Son would need to carry out. The greater our lives are aligned with His plan, the greater our satisfaction and joy in life.

Why Is It So Crucial to Pray "Your Will Be Done"?

by Hank Hanegraaff
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Jesus not only taught his disciples to pray “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10) but also modeled those very words in his own life and ministry. Hank Hanegraaff discusses why it is so crucial to practice this principle.
Jesus not only taught his disciples to pray, “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10), but he modeled those very words in his own life and ministry. Which, of course, begs the question, “Why is it so crucial to pray in this way?”
First, to pray “your will be done” is to recognize the sovereignty of God over every aspect of our daily lives. In effect, it is a way of saying, “Thank God this world is under his control, not mine!” We would be in deep trouble if God gave us everything for which we asked. Fact is, we don’t know what’s best for us! We only see a snapshot of our lives—while God sees the entire panoply. Thus, his perspective is far superior to ours.
Furthermore, to pray “your will be done” is daily recognition that our wills must be submitted to his will. One of the most comforting thoughts that can penetrate a human mind yielded to the will of God is that he who has created us also knows what is best for us. Thus, if we walk according to his will, rather than trying to command him according to our own wills, we will indeed have, as he promised, not a panacea, but peace in the midst of the storm. In the yielded life there is great peace in knowing that the One who taught us to pray “your will be done” has every detail of our lives under control. Not only is God the object of our faith, he is also the originator of our faith. Indeed, he is the originator of our salvation and, yes, even the originator of our prayers. Thus, whatever we pray for, whether it’s healing or a house, when our will is in harmony with his will, we will receive what we request 100 percent of the time. However, when we pray as Christ prayed, “Nevertheless, not my will but thy will be done,” we can rest assured that even in sickness and tragedy “all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Finally, to pray “your will be done” is daily recognition that God will not spare us from trial and tribulation, but rather he will use the fiery furnace to purge impurities from our lives. Ultimately, this is the message of the book of Job. Job endured more tragedy in a single day than most people experience in a lifetime. Yet in his darkest hour Job uttered the ultimate words of faith, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15, KJV). For the child of God the hope is not perfect health and happiness in this lifetime, but a resurrected body and a heavenly dwelling in the life to come.

“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will
go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on
business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know
what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are
a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will,
we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast
and brag. All such boasting is evil.” James 4:13–16
Adapted from The Prayer of Jesus

Things Above

by Walk Thru the Bible
DESCRIPTION
As Christians, we are to take ourselves out of the physical world and into the spiritual world—and operate according to its values, truths and realities.
Colossians 3

We have been raised up with Christ and should seek the things above.

INSIGHT

It is possible to be one place physically and another place mentally. It happens every Sunday morning in church. Bodies warm the pews while minds roam the kitchens and golf courses of the nation. In a graver example, prisoners of war survive by taking themselves mentally into another world away from the prison and there find meaning and solace. We, as Christians, are to do the same. We are to take ourselves out of the physical world, into the spiritual world, and operate according to its values, truths, and realities. "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above... Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (vv. 1-2).

PRAYER

Place your mind on Christ, and give Him your praise as you seek the things above:

O Lord my God, in You I put my trust;

Save me from all those who persecute me;

And deliver me...

I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness,

And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High (Psalm 7:1, 17).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving, and pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners shall be converted to You (Psalm 51:10-13).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:

This is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment (1 John 3:23).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

    Faithfulness in sharing Christ
    The Lord's work in national and world affairs
    Your activities for the day
Close your time of worship by offering this prayer to the Lord:

May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).

"Someday” Is Today

by Greg Laurie
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Many people are merely marking time instead of enjoying their lives. Their favorite day of the week is “someday.”
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom... You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath (Psalms 90:12; 39:5, NLT).

When you’ve had an encounter with death—a near-death experience of your own or the sudden passing of a loved one—it inevitably leads to a few essential questions: What is life all about, anyway? Why am I alive... and what am I really living for?

In other words, what gets you out of bed in the morning? What gets your blood pumping? Is it an alarm clock or a calling that gets you up each and every day? Every one of us needs some motivating passion, some ideal, something that gives our lives purpose that drives us on. Unfortunately some people don’t know what they’re living for.

Many people are merely marking time instead of enjoying their lives. Their favorite day of the week is “someday.” Someday my ship will come in. Someday my prince (or princess) will come. Someday it’s all going to get better. Someday my life will change. A recent study revealed that 94 percent of the people surveyed were simply enduring the present while “waiting for something better to happen.”

But here is what people don’t plan on. They don’t plan on death. And they never expect it to come around the corner unexpectedly. When you’re young you tell yourself, “I don’t have to even think about that for another fifty or sixty years.” And that may true. But death knocks at every door. The Bible says that each of us has an appointment with death: “People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, NIV).

That appointment may come later than you expected. On the other hand, it may come much, much sooner. Statisticians tell us that three people die every second, 180 die every minute, and 11,000 people die every hour. This means that every day, 250,000 people enter into eternity.

What’s the bottom line? Live every day as though you may never have another one. Live ready to step into God’s presence at any moment.

Leadership 101

by FullFill
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As a leader, how do you make space for God?
I’m almost embarrassed to share a key leadership lesson I’ve been learning recently. Embarrassed because it feels like something I should have learned well before my forties. But I didn’t. And just in case there is anyone else out there like me, and because this lesson has been so life-changing, I want to lay it out there.

Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me (John 15:4, The Message).

When I came into my current leadership position four years ago, I felt unprepared. No, actually clueless, about what I would need to do to lead an organization. Determined to learn the ropes before people found me out, I read every book, attended every conference, and asked advice from every leader I could find. I took frantic notes, had planning days to figure out how to implement new ideas, and did put a lot of great structure in place. But then something happened. My team asked me not to go to any more leadership conferences, because they were overwhelmed trying to implement all my new ideas!

After about two years of this, I was exhausted. One day, as I was trying to get even more leadership advice from a trusted friend, she began to ask me questions about my relationship with God. How were my times with him? (Um…listening to worship music during my commute?) What kind of space or margin was I making for spiritual refreshment? (Margin? With a full-time job and two kids?) I started squirming a bit, because I knew where she was headed.

So I started replacing my leadership books with Dallas Willard books. And my leadership conferences with spiritual formation retreats. And asking advice from other leaders with asking God to speak to me. Not because any the pursuit of leadership brilliance was wrong or unimportant, but because I had been neglecting the more essential leadership training—being a branch and drawing nourishment from the Vine.

And God met me. He didn’t scold me, he refreshed me and filled me up and spoke to me. And I was amazed to find that leading was much more enjoyable when I was drawing life from the Vine. Not only more enjoyable, but more wise. As I asked for wisdom he guided me into even better decisions. Once, at a brainstorming meeting for new wording for our messaging, we got stuck and ended with no resolution on one particular category. I left the meeting frustrated, shut the door to my office and said, “God, how do we say this?” Immediately a word popped into my mind and that word is still a key part of our messaging today. What we couldn’t solve in a two-hour meeting, God solved in two minutes!

I’m still on this journey, still learning these lessons two years later. I want to keep growing in my dependence on God; to pray instead of trying to control outcomes: to make space for God when things at work are the most hectic; to spend more time relishing the life that comes from sitting at the feet of the ultimate Leader.

How about you? How do you make space for God as a leader?

Written by Angie Weszely

An Attitude of Gratitude: Prayers of Thanksgiving

by Mary Kassian
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We all need to develop hearts of thanksgiving!
Last summer, my son, Matt, who had just moved back home after being away for eight months, came into the kitchen, gave me a huge hug, and exclaimed, “Mom, thank you SO much for folding my laundry!” My first thought was to check his forehead to see if he was running a temperature. My second thought was that he was about to ask for money and was trying to butter me up. But he didn’t look flushed, and the request for cash never came. So in the end, I decided that nothing had motivated him except sheer gratitude. That hug made my day! I felt so pleased that he had noticed what I had done and that he was truly thankful for it.

It’s important to express gratitude. A simple “thank-you” shows that we recognize we’ve received something that the giver was under no obligation to give. It guards against an attitude of self-centeredness and entitlement. And it contributes to an atmosphere of goodwill in the relationship. When there is no gratitude, the giver feels unappreciated, and may become discouraged and reluctant to give again. 

Gratitude is not only important in human relationships, it’s also important in our relationship with God. David, the Psalmist, knew this. He took note of the wonderful things that God did, and continually expressed appreciation for them. David said, “Let us thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men! And let us offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! (Psalm 107:21-22)

The biblical word for thanksgiving is the Greek “eucharistos.” Some church traditions use this as the name for the Lord’s supper–the Eucharist. Eucharistos means “mindful of favors,” “conscious of benefit received,” “grateful,” or simply “thankful.” Giving thanks goes way beyond praying before we eat our food. According to Scripture, it’s one of the very basic disciplines of the Christian life. The Bible commands: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2)

Are your prayers full of thanksgiving? Prayers of thanksgiving are somewhat different than prayers of praise or adoration. In praise and adoration, I extol who God is–his wonderful attributes of holiness, love, righteousness, justice, and so forth. But in thanksgiving, I personalize it. I acknowledge how I benefit from what God has done. I remember his gifts, and I let him know that I know where all the blessings in my life have come from. All the things I enjoy–life, health, friends, family, and even the beauty of the snow piled like dollops of sparkling cream on the boughs of the pine in my backyard–have come from his hand. In recognition of this, I stop what I’m doing, go into the kitchen and give God a huge hug, and bless him by saying . . . “Thank you SO much!!!”            

One item sent in for copyright at the Library of Congress was a book written by a whimsical Texas businessman, who intended to hand out copies to his customers and friends. The title of the book was “A Million Thanks,” and it consisted of the word “Thanks” repeated one million times throughout the pages. How often do we stop to give thanks to God? Once a day? Twice a day? Three times a day? If we were to give thanks to God three times a day, in a lifetime that would amount to about 76,000 expressions of thanksgiving. That’s no where near the millions of thanks that that Texas businessman was willing to give a customer for just one small favor.

When you awoke and saw the sun shining this morning, did you give thanks? When you went to your closet and it was full of clothes, did you give thanks? When you sat down at the kitchen table and your children came bounding in, did you give thanks? When you were driving on the freeway and were cut off in traffic, did you give thanks? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” One translation says “...this is the will of God... to you-ward.” (ASV)

It’s God’s will “you-ward” that you give thanks in every circumstance. You see, when you boil it right down, thanksgiving is not so much for his benefit as it is for ours. It changes us. It helps us stay focused on God and his grace and goodness and the exceedingly abundant riches we have in Jesus. It helps us remain mindful of him, and to live our lives aright. And in the end, that’s what honors him the most. A life of thankfulness reflects the glory of God. So let’s make a point to have an attitude of gratitude. Like David, let’s resolve: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart: I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you... O Most High.” (Psalm 9:1-2)

Breaking Down Thanksgiving & Praise

by Gina Duke
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Gina Duke breaks down Psalm 100:4 and focuses on what it means to "enter His gates with thanksgiving" in order to build up effective prayers.
Some people like to use different prayer models to facilitate their prayer time. Some use the acronym ABC for Abiding, Believing & Confronting. Some use the ACTS acronym for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. And some use the Lord’s Prayer as their model. Allow me to share a scripture to help order thanksgiving and praise in prayer.

I’ve always loved taking scripture, breaking it down and making practical application out of it. I will come across a scripture that I’ve read many times, and suddenly, I will see it very differently, very practically. I’m sure we all have moments like these.

This happened to me recently while studying a scripture I often use when speaking on prayer. Psalm 100:4 (KJV) says,

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

This scripture is directing us to thank and praise God. It is directing us to the gates and to the courts. Up until this moment, I had thought of praise and thanksgiving as basically the same thing, just like I’ve believed that courts and gates were the same place in this scripture. But they are not the same expression or the same designation.

Could it be that if the gates gets us onto the premises, then it’s the courts that get us into the King’s presence? Thanksgiving and praise are two totally separate activities in prayer. Not only are they separate, but there may also be in an expected order – thanksgiving, then praise. When an angel took Ezekiel to the temple in a vision, it twice states they entered through the gates before entering into the court. In a vision, the angel could have taken Ezekiel straight into the courts, but he took him through the gates first. (Ezekiel 8)

Interestingly, this scripture not only gives direction, it also gives instruction. This scripture says “enter His gates with thanksgiving…give thanks unto Him”. Thanksgiving is easy because it is self-explanatory. God does something, answers a prayer or blesses us and we thank Him.

When it says, “and into His courts with praise…bless His name” it means that I may thank God for providing in a circumstance, but I will bless His name Jehovah – Jireh in praise. Thanksgiving is about what God has done for us; praise is all about Who God is. When we bless the name Jehovah-Rophi (Healer), Yahweh (Present and Available), Lord of Armies, Comforter, Savior, and Restorer, God will inhabit the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3).

Note that it was in the temple courts that the frantic parents of the boy Jesus found Him after being separated. When they inquired about why He had stayed back, Jesus replied that He had to be about His Father’s business. May I suggest that when we need to do business with God, we enter the gates with thanksgiving, but come into His courts with praise? Bless His name!

The Power of Thanksgiving

by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
DESCRIPTION
Thankfulness and praise are the cure for anxiety and worry; a life infused with both is steady and strong.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

God instructs us to suffuse our lives with thanksgiving and marinate our hearts in praise. Notice how Paul phrases this command in his letter to the Philippians.  He reminds them of this command as part of his reminder not to be anxious. So, he is not talking about the kind of praise and thanksgiving that seems in line with events. He is saying wrap everything in thanksgiving, especially when the situation would seem to call for anxiety and worry.

People who have learned the value of praise and thanksgiving are fortified and ready for whatever life brings. But you learn it in the small things. That’s where you integrate it into your life so that it is your default mode. It’s like learning a foreign language. You have to practice it and immerse yourself in it until it is so much a part of you that you even think in your new vocabulary of praise.

Once praise and thanksgiving have become your norm, then when life’s big hurdles and hurts come along, you will respond to them from a whole different place. You will have fostered a heart of genuine praise and thanksgiving in the small things and when the big things come crashing in, you will know how to move from panic to praise because of much practice. When the earthquake hits home, you will find faith at the fault line. When the epicenter is right under your feet, you will find that your feet are planted on a rock.  When the big events seem to come out of nowhere and throw your whole life off balance, you will have been trained by all the small events when you learned to keep your eyes on the provision instead of the problem

Thanksgiving to God

by Boyd Bailey
DESCRIPTION
Gratitude to God can be a moment-by-moment expression. Even in the middle of the worst of circumstances, your thanksgiving to God is appropriate and needed.
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God… Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:11, 15

Gratitude to God is a natural overflow of generosity. For example, the gift of salvation in Christ is indescribable. He gave when we did not deserve. He still gives, even though we are undeserving. His gift of liberty is freeing; His gift of health is healing; His gift of relationships is rich; His gift of peace is calming; His gift of wisdom is confidence; His gift of the Holy Spirit is comforting; His gift of finances is security; His gift of Himself is reassuring and humbling. Gratitude explodes from our hearts when we are reminded of His generous gifts. They are incomparable and incomprehensible. Thanksgiving to God is a tremendous opportunity to unleash joy. This is one of the fruits of gratitude. Joy, joy, joy, joy down in our hearts, because He came down to earth and into our heart. This is an occasion for a raucous but righteous celebration.

Gratitude to God can be a moment-by-moment expression. Even in the middle of the worst of circumstances, your thanksgiving to God is appropriate and needed. Look beyond your current condition to your heavenly hope. He has prepared a place for you, and His preparations are not lacking. They are just what you need and desire. So, your thanksgiving is for what He has done in the past, His current provision, and what He has prepared for you in the future. God’s generosity is without competition. You can be very, very grateful for this. Let thanksgiving escape from your lips often. Use it to put out the fires of fear and worry before they spread too far. Thanks be to God for you are made rich.

Yes, in Christ you are made rich. You have everything needed for this life in Christ. As a upshot of your management of His riches, you can be ridiculously generous. This is the natural result of thanksgiving. Because of your deep gratitude to God, you are called and compelled to give. Gratitude invites you to generosity. You cannot experience authentic thanksgiving and not see it birth giving. It is a beautiful process: because God has given to you, you give to others. At the moment you receive the gift of God, generosity is conceived in your heart.

This is why your heart feels pregnant with thanksgiving. It will explode without the regular birthing of generosity to others. This expression of gratitude results in action. It is tangibly and regularly giving to people for whom Christ died. The poor need food, a job, and Jesus; orphans need parents, a home, and Jesus; divorcees need acceptance, healing, and Jesus; the angry ones need gentleness and Jesus; the confused need clarity and Jesus; the bankrupt need financial wholeness and Jesus. Opportunities abound that invite your generous expression of gratitude.

Gratitude is one of God’s prescriptions for discontentment. The two cannot comfortably coexist. Thanksgiving gives the credit for your accomplishments to God and others. Without either, you would not be in your current position of influence and success. Gratitude is generous. Gratitude is content. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

The Bible says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

Giving Thanks in Hard Times

by In Touch Ministries
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Leanne Benfield Martin shares how we can learn the discipline of gratitude during trials.
The day Donna Lott was told to hand over her car keys for good changed her life forever. Proclaimed legally blind, she could no longer drive to the grocery store, her sons’ school, or the homes of friends. Unless her husband or someone else gave her a ride, she was stranded at home. She was 35 years old.

An active wife and mother, my friend Donna had been gradually losing her eyesight to the disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Even while she struggled to accept what her diagnosis would mean, she began having difficulty cooking and cleaning, fixing her hair and makeup, and eventually, identifying her sons’ faces. Today, the lighting in many environments, whether at a restaurant, a store, or church, proves challenging. Special computer equipment helps her read and write, study, and e-mail, but her eyes fatigue quickly.

The surprising result of her experience is that as Donna’s vision became weaker and more distorted, her spiritual acuity sharpened. Her private times with the Lord grew more meaningful as she cried out to Him, and she began to perceive His love for her more clearly, sensing His purpose in allowing her to suffer this way. Even on the days she couldn’t imagine what that purpose could be—which was most of them—she gave thanks anyway.

You Mean Now?

Scripture commands us to give thanks. “Bless the Lord at all times,” the psalmist wrote (34:1). And the apostle Paul echoed that sentiment in his letter to the Thessalonians when he said, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ” (5:18). As hard as this may be to swallow, “in everything” means in both good and bad times—even when we don’t feel like it. Gratefulness comes easy with a solid marriage, good kids, and money in the bank. But what about when the marriage implodes, kids rebel, or account balances dwindle?

When hard times come, we can choose to turn away from God. But hardening our heart toward Him in anger or denial hampers our ability to deal with suffering in a healthy way—making it difficult to hear His voice and receive comfort or strength. Gratitude is the gate through which we must pass to become increasingly aware of the Father’s goodness in the midst of our trying circumstances. We need to practice the discipline of giving thanks even more during the hard times, because through it, God not only transforms our suffering, but He also transforms us.

Reasons to Give Thanks

Like Donna, if we are open to the Lord during hard times, we soon realize how dependent on Him we are, and that all of life is a gift. But humankind has always had a difficult time holding on to this perspective. Think back to the Garden of Eden: when Eve reached for the fruit, she was reaching for independence, and we’ve been grasping for it ever since. Instead of accepting our dependence on God and being grateful for Him and His ways, we insist on living life according to our own solutions and grow frustrated when He doesn’t follow our plans. Then suffering grabs our attention like a severe weather warning. Our circumstances seem to communicate, Not only is it going to get rough, but you are not in control.

Though seeing trials this way is difficult, the Lord lets us endure them out of His mercy—so we might realize once again that He alone is our Source. Trials, then, become an opportunity to return to Him. Here we see how what appears to be for harm, God can use for good. And recognizing His power to transfigure our suffering into something beautiful is what allows us to give thanks in the midst of the pain we feel. A thankful heart is possible only through humility. As clergyman Henry Ward Beecher—father of American novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe—said, “An humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow.” By setting down pride and contrasting our lowliness with God’s greatness, we understand, perhaps for the first time, that He is wholly other and beyond anything we can imagine. We marvel that the Most High not only created us but also made a way through His Son for us to know Him intimately. When we truly grasp how far He had to reach to pull us from the pit, we become filled with a gratitude that transcends the direst of circumstances.

Pain and suffering also can tenderize our hearts toward other people. God comforts us so we can comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3-5). After my marriage crumbled ten years ago, I found that my compassion for others increased five-fold, while my tendency to judge others decreased. Though my situation remained painful, I felt grateful for the change God brought about in me through it. We can give thanks not only that God comforts us but also that He can use us to comfort others who are suffering.

Easy Does It

Hard times can seem to drag on forever, yet Paul called them “momentary, light affliction” (2 Cor. 4:17). He could write those words despite having suffered persecution, imprisonment, beatings, shipwreck, snakebites, and more. By his words and example, he urged us to focus on the eternal. Even trials that last a lifetime on earth pass in an instant, compared to eternity.

“When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude,” wrote G. K. Chesterton in his book Irish Impressions. We can never be too grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross or for the empty tomb. Remembering that ?He suffered, too, can move us to take comfort in and be grateful for what He’s accomplishing through our circumstances—even when His purpose is not yet evident. If we allow Him, He can use our suffering to transform our lives. The fruit of yielding to Him will be a better understanding of His suffering and limitless love for us. And at that point, we just might be surprised at how easy giving thanks becomes

Sing Your Thanks to the Lord

by Pastor Rick Warren
DESCRIPTION
Learning to thank God for what He has given us is an important part of our spiritual journey. One of the most important ways to do so is by singing.
"Sing out your thanks to him; sing praises to our God." (Psalm 147:7a LB)
Learning to thank God for what he has given us is an important part of our spiritual journey. So how do you make gratitude to God an important part of your life?

One of the most important ways to do so is by singing. The Bible says, "Sing out your thanks to him; sing praises to our God" (Psalm 147:7a LB). Nothing makes you aware of God's presence more quickly than singing your praise to God. It doesn’t matter how much musical talent you have, either. The Bible urges us to make a joyful noise. Even pigs do that as they eat! If pigs can make a joyful noise, so can you.

Christianity is a singing faith. There are more songs about Jesus Christ than anything or anyone else, even love. That’s why you need to be part of a local church. It’s not just about listening to a weekly message from the Bible. At least once a week, you need the emotional expression that comes from singing thanks to God. If you don't, your heart will shrivel. You can’t be a healthy Christian on sermons alone. You need both the impression from the message and the expression through the music.

I have discovered that the times when I least feel like singing are when I need to do it the most. When my heart is cold, I need to be renewed, restored, and recharged through singing thanks to God. In my hectic schedule, I find listening to music and singing praise to God renews my soul.

So turn on your favorite worship songs or find a good Christian radio station, and sing along. Thank God for all he has given you. And make a joyful noise to the Lord while you’re at it.

Thanks: An Important Word to Remember

by Bryant Wright
DESCRIPTION
When God answers and helps us, we often forget to say thanks. Everyone likes to be thanked—even Jesus.
As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:12–17, NIV).

One foggy night, many years ago, there was a near-tragedy on a large lake. A lot of intoxicated people were on a houseboat when an explosion occurred. It was utter chaos. Fortunately, a resident on the shore saw what was happening. He swam out and directed the panicked people toward the shore. And miraculously, even though many could have drowned, everyone survived.

Later that night, after all the victims and emergency workers had left, the rescuer sat by the fire, talking to a lone reporter. As the interview ended, the reporter asked, “Is there anything else you might like to share about this experience?” The man sat there a moment. Then he looked at the reporter and said, “Yeah. Not one person said thanks. Not one.”

One interesting aspect of human nature is that when we find ourselves in a desperate situation, we cry out to God for His help. Even skeptics pray when facing a life-threatening experience.

Then, when God answers and helps us, we often forget to say thanks. Take time to thank God and others. Everyone likes to be thanked—even Jesus.

Weeding Out Worry

by Guideposts
DESCRIPTION
Jesus is the only One who can give you the fruitful life you desire. Let Him eradicate your weeds of worry while cultivating seeds of contentment and trust.
The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. Mark 4:18–19, NLT
I love to garden. Weeding—not so much. However, weeding is an essential part of gardening. Weeds grow right next to my tomatoes or flowers, and if left alone, will eventually cause destruction. Weeds hinder the growth of what is good in a garden. Unchecked, they’ll keep a garden from being fruitful.
Jesus said that the seeds of truth He plants in our hearts get crowded out by worries, as well as by our desire for wealth or our desire for more stuff. I can say I don’t desire wealth, but the fact is, I wish we had a little more. Not a lot, you understand. Just a bit more.

Further, in a random hour of almost any day, I probably have a dozen worries flit through my brain. I don’t consciously decide to worry; in fact, I try not to. But still, the cares of this life march right on through: How will we manage to pay for college? Will my husband find a new job? Are my kids on the right track? Did I say the wrong thing to a friend? Will I meet the deadline for this project?

Jesus is the only one who can give me the fruitful life I long for. I cannot get it by trying harder, but rather by opening my life to Him, letting Him eradicate the weeds of worry and covetousness, while cultivating contentment and trust. Ironically, the way to cultivate contentment is to simply stop trying so hard. Trust grows when we surrender to Jesus.

FAITH STEP: What unhealthy worries and desires for stuff or wealth are crowding out growth in your life? Are you willing to let God pull those weeds from your life?

Change Requires Making Choices

by Pastor Rick Warren
DESCRIPTION
You’re not going to change the defects in your life until you CHOOSE to change. You’re not waiting on God; God is waiting on you.
“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy.” (Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT)

It’s not enough to want to change. It’s not enough to desire to change. It’s not even enough to say, “I have a dream of changing.” Dreams are worthless unless you wake up and actually act on them. You’re not going to change the defects in your life until you choose to change.

How are you going to be different in six months? Are you going to be emotionally stronger? Are you going to be mentally sharper? Are you going to be physically healthier? Are you going to be spiritually deeper?

It isn’t going to happen automatically. You aren’t just going to get healthier by accident in any category of your life. A lot of times we think we’re waiting on God to change us. You’re not waiting on God. God is waiting on you.

There is no growth in your life without change. And there is no change without loss. You’ve got to let go of some old stuff. And there is no loss without pain.

Some of you are stuck right now because you haven’t learned how to let go. That’s a choice. Ephesians 4:22 says, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception” (NLT).

You might say that your defects are biological or sociological. Some of them are from your circumstances or your chromosomes. But it doesn’t really matter where they come from. You need to deal with it. Genetics explains your inclinations, but it doesn’t excuse your sin.

Here’s the good news: Once you become a believer, you have a new power in you that is greater than those old tendencies. That power is the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 2:12-13 says, “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose”(NIV).

Does that mean you are supposed to be afraid of God? Of course not! Be afraid that you’ll miss God’s best and waste your life. Be afraid that you will go your entire life and never know God’s purpose.

The secret to changing your life is not willpower. It’s God giving you the will and the power through the Holy Spirit to do what needs to be done.

It's Just Not Time Yet

by Sheryl Brady
DESCRIPTION
We serve a God who knows us so well that He will say to us... "It’s just not time yet."
I had barely made it into my home before I was being whisked away to my back yard. There stood my 5-year-old granddaughter McKenzie, dripping wet in her bathing suit and a pair of hot pink goggles waiting by the edge of the pool. “Watch this GeGe”, she said through the biggest “I’m missing my two front teeth smile” I have ever seen. She then took off and jumped head first into the deep end of my pool. I cringed slightly because I noticed that she had no life jacket on, but my apprehension quickly vanished as I watched her perform a hybrid of swimming and doggy paddling all the way to the other side of the pool.

This was a significant moment for her as just a few weeks before she would have sunk like a rock without having a life jacket on. Her parents had invested in swimming lessons for her and evidently their investment was paying off. Now that she could swim a little, she was convinced that she was fit for the Olympic trials next summer. A discussion between her and her parents ensued about what the rules would be concerning when she could and when she could not be in the pool without her life jacket. After they explained the ground rules to her, my granddaughter (who I think might be an excellent lawyer someday) vehemently argued “But I can swim…I’m good…I promise”. After listening to her points, my son-in-law Marc ended the discussion with “Kenzie I know you’re good…it’s just not time yet”.

I've always believed that God instituted the family as both a support system for us as well as a teaching tool to show us how much He loves and cares for us. I am so thankful that we serve a God who knows us so well that He will say to us…it’s just not time yet. When you find yourself in one of those “not now” moments, you first have to realize that God is fully aware of the plan he has for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. If the plan for your life has already been decided, then you must rest assure that for whatever reason you are in a season of “wait” that there are things that God wants you to learn in this season. It’s in these seasons that you have to Make It Matter in your life. Take the time to study, prepare yourself for where you want to go and expose your self to situations that will stretch you as a person.

Don’t wait until the door of success opens in your life…start preparing today. From my granddaughter’s perspective, having to keep the life jacket on a few more weeks may have seemed like a punishment, even though she knew she had progressed so much. Her parent’s perspective, through experience, allowed them to make decisions for her based on where they know she will eventually go. A few more weeks of training could mean the difference between just getting by and being extraordinary at what you do. I wonder what God has in mind for you to be extraordinary at if you’ll just wait on Him a little while longer.

Crazy is Good

by David McGee
DESCRIPTION
To be viewed as different or even crazy is probably healthy in this confused world.
2 Corinthians 5:13

If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.
NLT

The word 'crazy' is not often used to describe someone in a positive way. You may use crazy to describe that one relative you don't get along with or maybe the small children who seem to climb everything. Whatever the use of this word, crazy is mostly seen as negative, but imagine being crazy in Christ.

If crazy means different or odd, isn't that what Jesus called us to be? The world says to fight for yourself, but Jesus says to think of others first. The world says we must do whatever pleases us, but Jesus told us to die to ourselves. The world says there are many ways to Heaven, but Jesus said "I am the Way the Truth and the Life." From the world's point of view, Jesus was crazy and so are we if we follow Him. Crazy in Christ means giving up ourselves, our comforts and our desires for the sake of God and others. It means self-sacrifice and loving your enemies. It is completely contrary to anything the world says. So today, as you walk out the door, set your heart and mind on being crazy in Christ. Love God, love others and watch as your craziness changes the world.

Life Lesson: To be viewed as different or even crazy is probably healthy in this confused world.

Dear God,
I am so thankful for the new life You have given me in Jesus. Help me to walk in the Spirit even though it may seem crazy to others. I desire to be a blessing to others no matter the cost to myself. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I can be used for Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Balanced Schedule

by Dr. Charles Stanley
DESCRIPTION
Let Jesus be your role model for keeping a balanced schedule.
Ephesians 5:15-17

We often think seconds are not very important. But seconds tick away into minutes, minutes into hours, and hours into days. We have all been amazed at how swiftly days turn into weeks, months, and years. Think of it this way: a 70-year-old has lived the equivalent of about two billion, two hundred seven million, five hundred and twenty thousand seconds!

While you read that last sentence, about five seconds of your life elapsed, and you can never go back and decide to use them differently. As small as they are, seconds are precious because they are a creation and a gift of God. How we use even these small time increments makes a difference. Since our heavenly Father has a plan for each life—that we live for His purpose and His will—then we must consider how we spend not just years, months, and days, but even minutes and seconds. And the time to decide is now, before any more of your life passes by.

Understanding the value of each moment, the apostle Paul urged us, “Be careful how you walk... making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). In essence, he is instructing us, “Take advantage of every opportunity God gives you. Don’t waste your time!” Let Jesus be your role model for keeping a balanced schedule. He knew that spending time with the Father was the most important thing He could do. Follow His example, and begin each day in the Father’s presence. He will help you arrange your schedule and can make every second count.

Radical Love

by Anne Graham Lotz
DESCRIPTION
Jesus outlined a radically different kind of love—a love that puts the needs and well-being of others before our own.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, NIV).

We love others who meet our needs, whom we get along with, who make us feel good, who do things for us, whom we like.

In essence, our first concern is for our own well-being and having our own needs met, and we love others in proportion to the extent they fulfill those purposes.

Our second concern is that others respond positively to our overtures; if they don’t, we refuse to continue to love them. But Jesus outlined a radically different kind of love—a love that puts the needs and well-being of others before our own to the extent we would sacrifice our time, our energy, our money, and our thoughts in order to demonstrate it.

We are to demonstrate it to others whom we may not like or with whom we may be incompatible or who respond negatively or who may never do anything for us in return! Now that’s radical!

My Heart’s Cry

The Humble Man

by Dr. Ed Young
DESCRIPTION
Humility is not thinking poorly of yourself. Real humility is not thinking of yourself at all!
Humility is not thinking poorly of yourself. Humility is not thinking of yourself at all. Humility is the one grace that, as soon as you declare you have it, you’ve lost it. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior, the King of Kings, was a humble man. “He was a man of no reputation,” it was said. Nothing about His appearance or manner suggested divinity. The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians that it would please him (and God as well) if the Philippians would become humble men and women, in imitation of Jesus Himself.

Modern man is chiefly concerned with working his way up. Up the corporate ladder. Up the office pecking order. Up the social register. Jesus worked his way down. Jesus started at the top. Paul said, “He existed in the form of God.” But He didn’t cling to that position. “He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” Not only did He not cling to His top spot, He emptied Himself. He cashed it in. Walked away from it all. We’re stunned when we see people at the top walk away, aren’t we? But Jesus left it all and became not only human in form—He adopted the role of a servant. Do you see it? He worked His way down. And finally, He died the death of a desperate, wicked criminal. Then God brought Him back to life, and brought Him back home to glory. Jesus emptied Himself...and God exalted Him. Can you imagine the applause in Heaven over Jesus’ return? Humility is a key to true joy. Jesus didn’t just say it...He proved it.

MEMORY VERSE

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29).

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE

1 Kings 1-2; Psalm 31

Used, Abused, and Refused?

by Brian Ray
DESCRIPTION
Justified or not, when we get used, abused and/or refused, it is tough to generate a genuinely positive attitude.
I can remember all too well when my boss lost his temper, yelled and said “How can you be so stupid?”

Actually I was wondering the same thing. I messed up. The project I had been given had not gone as we all hoped, taking more time and money than planned. I had done my best, but it wasn’t good enough. How hurt I felt!

I also remember another tough time, going on spring break during graduate school. When I came back, my part-time job was given to someone else.  No explanation. I was out. That was just as painful.

When I get hurt, many times I get angry – either at them or me – sometimes both. Justified or not, when I get used, abused and/or refused, it is tough to generate a genuinely positive attitude.

Forget What Lies Behind.

“Forgetting what lies behind” means accepting the loss of something you either had or had hoped for. Whether you lost your job, or you are in a job that you wish you could lose, you will find freedom to move to the future if you admit, understand and grieve the loss, no matter how minor or major it may be.

You can expect to experience one or more of the following feelings at some level of intensity––maybe a little, maybe a lot. As you admit your feelings about your situation, you may feel that you have been used, abused and refused. Maybe you are blaming others; your boss, a coworker, someone else – maybe even yourself.

To help you process, write about your situation and your feelings in a private journal. You can talk about it with people you trust, people who care about you: your spouse, a parent, a sibling, a friend or business associate, someone from church, a minister or a counselor.

The real key to overcoming anger, however, is to exercise forgiveness toward everyone involved – not for their benefit – but for yours. As you write or talk about your situation, visualize every person you are blaming, and make a conscious decision to begin forgiving each one every day. So remember …

Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Ephesians 4:26

Let go of the past, so the past can let go of you. Only then can you reach toward the future.

Anger is One Letter Short of Danger.

When you see red, it is an alarm that “Danger Is Ahead!” Everyone feels anger sometimes. It is what you do with your anger that counts.

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone,?so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” Mark 11:25

How to Forgive from the Heart.

Let me share from the book Bondage Breaker by Neil T Andersen, which I have found helpful over the years.

Acknowledge the hurt and the hate. If your forgiveness doesn’t visit the emotional core, it will be incomplete. Let God bring the pain to the surface so He can deal with it.

Ask God to bring to your mind those you need to forgive using the following prayer: “Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the riches of Your kindness, forbearance, and patience knowing that your kindness has led me to repentance. I confess that I have not extended to others that same patience and kindness toward others who have offended me, but instead I have harbored bitterness and resentment. I pray that during this time of self-examination, You would bring to mind only those people I have not forgiven in order that I my do so. I also pray that if I have offended others. You would bring to mind only those people from whom I need to seek forgiveness and the extent to which I need to seek it. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus.”

Be prepared for surprises. The Lord may bring to mind your father, mother or yourself. Make a list of everyone who has offended you. Since God forgave them, you can too.

Decide that you will bear the burden of their offenses by not using the information about their offenses against them in the future.

Don’t wait to forgive until you FEEL like forgiving, you will never get there. Feelings take time to hear after the choice to forgive is made.

For each person on your list, say: “Lord, I forgive (name) for (offenses). Don’t say “Help me to forgive,” because He is helping. Don’t say “I want or will try to forgive,” because then you are bypassing the hard-core choice to forgive. Don’t try to rationalize or explain the offender’s behavior; forgiveness deals with your pain, not their behavior.

Forgiveness is continuous exercise, not a one-time event. Practice every day as needed. Whenever you feel angry – forgive. Exercise forgiveness. Let go of the past, so the past will let go of you, and you can move on to the future.

Prayer of Relinquishment

by Guideposts
DESCRIPTION
What is one dream you desire to accomplish? Stop trying to succeed on your own and offer God a prayer of relinquishment.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20, NLT

For many years, I wanted to write a novel. As someone who grew up loving to read, I thought there could be nothing cooler than getting published. There was a huge obstacle, though: I have no degree in literature or creative writing. Instead, I read books on the writing process and attended writers' conferences. Once I realized how hard getting a book published would be, I focused on writing magazine articles. The publication of a book eluded me for many years.

Over time, some of my friends started to get their books published, and I felt the same as I had in fourth-grade kickball…I’ll always be the last one picked. For a long season, my prayer times were more like whining sessions. Other times I’d just pout. Didn’t God realize that if I was published I could point many people to Him through my words?

My thinking of this changed after one writers’ meeting I attended. The speaker shared how God launched her career only after she relinquished her writing desires to God. That sounded like a great idea to me, so the next morning I got on my knees. The only problem was, even as I prayed words that sounded good, I knew they didn’t come from my heart. If I was going to do this, I had to give Jesus everything—my hopes, my dreams, my longings.

Ephesians 3:20 speaks of God “who is able, through his mighty power at work within us.” It wasn’t about me and what I could accomplish. It was about what Jesus could work within me as I let Him.

Jesus wasn’t concerned about me being a great writer. What He desired (and still desires) is that He has access to every part of my life. The more of myself I surrendered to Jesus over the years, the more He’s done the work. And through Him, I’ve accomplished more than I could ask or even think. Today, I have enough books to fill a bookshelf. More importantly, I walk through life depending not on my own strength, but on Jesus who is at work within me.

FAITH STEP: What is one dream you desire to accomplish? Say a prayer of relinquishment to God. Tell Him you’re tired of trying to accomplish your dreams in your own strength, and ask Him to work within you, for His glory.

Written by Tricia Goyer

Keep Your Eyes on the Goal

by Bryant Wright
DESCRIPTION
Keep your eyes on Jesus; He will keep you right on track.
Jesus said..."Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19).

Walking through freshly fallen snow, a father wanted to teach his son a key lesson in life. He said, “Son, I’m going to walk to that tree fifty feet ahead in a perfectly straight line. Then I want you to do the same.”

The father walked to the tree. He turned to look at his son, and they both observed the perfectly straight tracks in the snow. Not wanting to fail the test, the son looked at his father and began to walk. He looked down at his steps, wobbled in the snow, and veered to the left. He looked up and corrected his course. He looked down again. He veered to the right and had to correct his course once more.

Arriving at the tree, his tracks told the story of his failure.

His father explained, “Son, as long as you focused on me, your tracks were straight. The moment you took your eyes off me, you got off track. The key is keeping your eyes on the goal.”

So, it is in life. There is one primary goal, and if it becomes the heart and focus of your life, it will be the key to eternal success. That goal is following Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him, and He will keep you right on track to where you need to go.

A New Breed of Workplace Believers

by Os Hillman
DESCRIPTION
Has He called you out of Egypt in order to do extraordinary things in your life for His Kingdom? Ask God to show you how He wants to use you in the workplace this year.
"Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people...." - Haggai 2:2

Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah 60 years after the great temple built by Solomon had been destroyed. The temple lay in ruins, and the Lord spoke to the prophet Haggai, "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" (Hag. 1:4) God was calling for a remnant of His people to come out of their comfort zones and restore the glory of God's house.

God is doing this same thing today among Christian workplace believers throughout the world. He is raising up a remnant of workplace believers who are being handpicked to use their resources, skills, and experience to affect nations that have not heard the message of Jesus Christ. The only way they can hear is by commerce being brought into their nation through Christian workplace believers, because these are closed regions to normal missionary efforts.

"But now be strong, O Zerubbabel," declares the Lord. "Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land," declares the Lord, "and work. For I am with you," declares the Lord Almighty. "This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear" (Haggai 2:4-5).

The remnant of workplace believers God is calling today understand that they have to come out of Egypt from their past work life. Egypt signifies the way of the world. It represents sweat and toil. It is the flesh. This new way is exemplified by a pioneer spirit. God knows we need to have courage in order to move in this realm. Also, God assures us that His Spirit is with anyone who seeks to live in the realm of supernatural faith.

Are you one of these remnants He has handpicked in these days? Has He called you out of Egypt in order to do extraordinary things in your life for His Kingdom? Ask God to show you how He wants to use you in the workplace this year. Then act and "be strong, all you people of the land."

How to Get Out of the Pits

by Lead Like Jesus
DESCRIPTION
Are you in the pits of depression? Michael Hasha offers biblically based suggestions to help you find joy again.
Let’s think about some of the many benefits of praising God. Look at these verses:

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever (Psalm 30:11-12).

Are you in the pits of depression? Are you in desperate need of some encouragement? Here’s how you get out of depression’s grip: Gives praise and thanks to God, and He will turn your depression into dancing.

Take a look at this passage:

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing (Psalm 100:1-2).

We can look for other ways to find joy and gladness. The flesh promises joy, but never delivers what it promises. Pure joy and gladness is found in our praise of the Father.

Today, let’s do what these passages suggest we do. Let’s come before the Father and shout, serve, sing, and dance.

Written by Michael Hasha

Names for God

by Ignite Your Faith
DESCRIPTION
Learning the names of God can help add to your worship and praise of Him.
Wonderful Counselor

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

It's comforting to have someone who will just listen when I'm hurt and need to cry.

I can come to you whenever I want.

You always have time for me.

You are a wise and Wonderful Counselor. (You run the whole world, after all, so I know I can trust you with my life.)

When I'm confused and need to talk, you always offer good advice.

I can always count on your wisdom.

Mighty God

I see your might in the waves that crash against a rocky seacoast.

I see your strength when lightning streaks through the sky, and when thunder shakes the earth.

I remember your power when fire blazes through a forest, turning everything into charred stubble.

With the power of life and death in your hands, nothing I ask could be too hard for you to accomplish.

When my requests are in your will, you'll shove aside mountains to answer my prayers.

Everlasting Father

You always understand, always forgive, always deliver on your promises.

You're always interested in me, concerned about even the smallest details in my life (not to mention your concern for the billions of other people on this planet).

Always providing for all my needs, always gentle, always patient, always kind.

People may let me down, but you will always be there.

I long to feel the warmth of your huge hugs, to climb into your lap and forget about grades and dates and who likes me and who doesn't.

I want to rest in your loving arms forever.

Prince of Peace

The news blares of violence in the streets, in the schools and everywhere.

And in my school, too.

Misunderstanding reigns among family and friends.

Stereotypes and racial tension push people apart.

And the poor hate the rich.

And guys use girls and girls manipulate guys.

Sometimes I wonder what kingdom you're prince over.

But then I see those who love you:

People of different races praying together.

The rich sharing with the poor.

Respect flowing from guy to girl and back again.

Your people love you and this spills out to a hate-filled world.

Wonderful Counselor, guide me forever by your wisdom. Mighty God, help me trust in your strength. Everlasting Father, keep me in your care. Prince of Peace, I want you to rule my heart.

Written by Diane Eble

Praying the Names of God

by Sylvia Gunter
DESCRIPTION
God is the name above all names. When we praise Him using His names, we gaze at the One who wants us to draw near.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower.
The righteous run into it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

In Hebrew and Greek, a personal name communicated something indispensable for distinguishing that person's character and personality. All the many names of God present some aspect of his inexhaustible, awesome glory.

When God revealed Himself to man, he often used his name. God revealed his name in the Bible after people experienced him in a deep way in response to their immediate need. When man first began to worship, he called on the name of the LORD(Gen 4:26). He revealed Himself to Abraham, who came out of polytheism, as El Elyon, God Most High (Gen 14:18), El Shaddai, God Almighty (Gen 17:1), and Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provided the lamb (Gen 22:14). He revealed Himself to Hagar as El Roi, God who sees (Gen 16:13). He revealed Himself to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM," Yahweh LORD (Exo 3:14). He revealed Himself to the people of Israel as Jehovah-Rapha (the Lord the Healer), as Jehovah-M'Kaddesh (the Lord my holiness), and as Jehovah-Nissi (the Lord my banner).

Why Pray The Names Of God?

We are obeying a command. "Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together" (Ps 34:3). We do what Jesus modeled. He said, "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name'" (Matt 6:9). He taught us to give His Father the honor and worship He deserves. Knowing the names of God causes us to know the riches we have in Him, and we rejoice His heart when we know Him. When we pray the name of Jesus, we understand His significance. "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:9-10).

In the space of two short verses, Psalm 86:11-12 illustrates the use of the three most important names of God in the Old Testament: LORD, Lord, and God.

LORD
Yahweh means "I am I AM, I am eternal, self-existent. I am the only uncaused cause. Worship me." Six thousand times this name calls from the pages of the Old Testament, "Worship me." Will we worship Him?

Lord
Adonai means "I am ruler, master, absolute authority, sovereign. I am the one who rightfully commands obedience. Serve me." Will we serve Him exclusively?

God
Elohim means "I am infinite in power, absolute in faithfulness. I am able. I keep covenant. Trust me." The Bible opens with "In the beginning Elohim..." 2700 times the name Elohim/God says, "Trust me." Will we trust Him implicitly?

Can you find the 61 names or titles and 300 attributes of God in Psalms? How about the 64 names and titles of God and 150 attributes in Isaiah? There are 37 names and 120 ways and attributes of God in Revelation. We orient ourselves upward to the one who has the legal jurisdiction, authority, power, and desire to intervene in our affairs as the Sovereign one. He is the name above all names. When we praise Him using His names, we gaze at the One who wants us to draw near.

Jesus said that making the Father's name known was one of His continuing functions, so that we will love Him more and live in His abiding presence (John 17:26). Focus your attention on the overcoming God of the universe. Make it your ambition to glorify Him and enjoy Him in His many names. The King of kings wants you to personally know Him in all his fullness.

Think of it! The Living Water invites you to drink deeply of Him.
Think of it! The Bread of Life invites you to feast upon His Word.
Think of it! You are privileged to walk with the LORD of hosts.

God Knows Our Names

by Family Matters
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Angie Ryg, for Family Matters, shares a personal story to remind us that we are all still learning. But the One who created us is also the One to teach us.
“I said, ‘Can you put two Splendas into the tea please?” knowing full well that I am not going to understand what she says back to me. Somehow the drive- thru window takes whatever I say and whatever the person answers and turns it into gibberish that I usually cannot understand.

It was a long day.  I had been driving the kids to crazy amounts of practices and games and rehearsals. They were tired and I was tired. I was in a hurry and I just needed some tea.

I must confess I am usually pretty impatient at the drive-thru. I always think to myself, “If it is fast food, why am I not getting it faster?”

But this last trip to McDonald’s was different…

I drove around to the “second window” and had my money ready.

I asked the worker,  “Are you having a good day?”

I will never forget that look of insecurity, confusion and anxiety.

She paused for a moment and said, “Maria.”

All my sinful impatience and need for speed went out of me with my breath.  With a smile, I said quietly, “It’s nice to meet you, Maria. My name is Angie.”  And then came her smile…

So, the next time any kind of impatience hits you, whether it’s the store clerk who has to change the ticker tape or the waitress that forgot to get the ranch dressing again, whether they know English or not, whether the impatience is with your child or even with yourself… everyone has a name.

And the greatest thing is that God knows your name. And He knows your child’s name.  He knows you. He created you to be the perfect parent for your child. Not the perfect parent, but the perfect parent for your child. And the perfect wife for your husband. We are all still learning. But the One who created us is also the One to teach us.

By His sweet grace, He gave us His word to know Him better and in the end, we will know Him better. And we will know the name of Jesus.

Written by Angie Ryg

The Names of Christ

by Charles Spurgeon
DESCRIPTION
Jesus has many names - Mighty Counselor, Wonderful, Emmanuel, and more - but one name, perhaps, is sweetest of all: Jesus.
Matthew 1:21  Thou shalt call his name Jesus.

When a person is dear, everything connected with him becomes dear for his sake. Thus, so precious is the person of the Lord Jesus in the estimation of all true believers, that everything about him they consider to be inestimable beyond all price. "All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia," said David, as if the very vestments of the Saviour were so sweetened by his person that he could not but love them. Certain it is, that there is not a spot where that hallowed foot hath trodden--there is not a word which those blessed lips have uttered--nor a thought which his loving Word has revealed--which is not to us precious beyond all price. And this is true of the names of Christ--they are all sweet in the believer's ear. Whether he be called the Husband of the Church, her Bridegroom, her Friend; whether he be styled the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world--the King, the Prophet, or the Priest--every title of our Master--Shiloh, Emmanuel, Wonderful, the Mighty Counsellor--every name is like the honeycomb dropping with honey, and luscious are the drops that distil from it. But if there be one name sweeter than another in the believer's ear, it is the name of Jesus. Jesus! it is the name which moves the harps of heaven to melody. Jesus! the life of all our joys. If there be one name more charming, more precious than another, it is this name. It is woven into the very warp and woof of our psalmody. Many of our hymns begin with it, and scarcely any, that are good for anything, end without it. It is the sum total of all delights. It is the music with which the bells of heaven ring; a song in a word; an ocean for comprehension, although a drop for brevity; a matchless oratorio in two syllables; a gathering up of the hallelujahs of eternity in five letters.

"Jesus, I love thy charming name,

'Tis music to mine ear."

Why Study the Names of God?

by Revive Our Hearts
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God is so amazing, so complex, so vast and so awesome, one name just can't describe Him!
Do you know the story behind your name, why your parents chose the name they did? I love knowing I was named after my great-grandmother. My youngest is named after my grandfather. My husband, after his father. Sometimes we choose names for their meanings or because they remind us of someone special.

Names in the Bible are of particular significance. When God gave someone a name, it defined who they were, who they would become, what they would do, or even described what would happen to the nation of Israel. Abram's name was changed to Abraham which means "father of many." Simon's name was changed to Peter which means "rock."

When it comes to the name of God, the meanings for His name have extraordinary significance for us. God is so amazing, so complex, so vast and awesome, one name just can't describe Him. In fact, there are hundreds of names in the Bible that describe who God is.

The Great "I Am"

When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and told him he was to lead his people out of Egypt, Moses asked:

"If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you'" (Ex. 3:13–14).

The most common name for God in Scripture is the one our Bibles write as LORD in all capital letters. It is the name YHWH, which we pronounce Yahweh. The Jewish people had such reverence for the name that they never said it out loud; instead they used the name Adonai.

It is this name Yahweh that's used in Exodus 3. This passage is important because God is in essence defining His name for Moses. He is telling Moses that He has always existed and that He is not dependent upon anyone else. Unlike humans, He is not created and does not rely upon anything outside of Himself to sustain Him. He is also unchangeable—He always is and always was. This name—Yahweh, I AM—was the name Jesus used in response to the questioning Jews in John 8: "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am'" (v. 58).

Knowing God's Names

As believers, it's important that we learn and study the names of God in His Word. Psalm 9:10 says, "And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." While the name Yahweh is the most common and important name for God, there are hundreds more names for God in Scripture. Each one describes a particular characteristic or attribute of God. They help us understand more of His power, wonder, and might. They describe what He does, how He acts, and how He moves in our lives. They also describe how He responds toward us as His people. And as Psalm 9 tells us, knowing God's name helps us trust Him.

One name for God that I find comforting is Jehovah-Rohi, which means, "Our Shepherd." The most well-known passage where this name is found is in Psalm 23: "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want" (v.1) Jehovah-Rohi reminds us that God is our Shepherd who watches over us, guides us, and protects us.

Jesus referred to Himself as a shepherd in John 10, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (v. 11). Jesus is the Good Shepherd who became the Lamb of God and died in our place. This name also tells us that He loves and knows each one of us. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). In Luke 15, Jesus told a parable about a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to seek one that was lost. Jesus is our Shepherd who knows us, loves us, and who has gone to great lengths to rescue and save us.

Another name for God is El Roi, the God who sees, which comes from the story of Hagar in Genesis 16. After being hurt by her mistress, Hagar ran off into the desert. God saw Hagar crying. He saw her misery and had compassion on her and helped her. In response to God's kindness, Hagar gives God the name El Roi: "She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me'" (v. 13 NIV).

My own heart has been filled with worry and fear. I've felt alone and uncertain about the future. Many times anxiety has taken over my heart, paralyzing me. I, too, have run and hidden from all that frightens me. But no matter where I go, God is always there. He sees, He knows, and He cares about all the burdens on my heart. He sees the weight on my shoulders and the way worry holds me hostage.

El Roi tells me that He is not a distant God, watching things from afar. He not only sees my pain, but He meets me right there in my desert wanderings and rescues me. When I think of the name El Roi, it reminds me of just how much God cares. I can trust Him, and that trust leads me away from fear, worry, and anxiety and back to the God who sees.

Here are just a few more names of God:

El Shaddai: God Almighty (Gen. 17)

This name tells us that God is all-powerful; nothing is too hard for Him. He has proven this over and over in Scripture and in our lives. He has conquered sin and defeated our enemy. He has freed us from slavery and rescued us from sin. No matter how big our problems, He is bigger still.

Jehovah-Jireh: The LORD will provide (Gen. 22, Matt. 6)

God not only sees everything that is happening in our lives, He knows just what we need. This name reminds us that God is our provider and sustainer. The name Jehovah-Jireh comes from the story of Abraham and Isaac where God provided a ram in the thicket, a substitute taking Isaac's place on the altar. This event pointed to the day when God would provide His very own Son as a substitution and payment for our sins. If He would provide His Son for us, won't He also provide for us all our daily needs?

Strong Tower (Prov. 18:10)

Just as a strong tower provides safety and shelter from a storm, so too is God's name a place of safety for us. Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." When we trust Christ as our Savior, we are safe from evil and sin forever. Nothing can take away God's love for us. Our eternal hope is firm and secure in Christ.

And there are many more names of God in Scripture. The more we study His names and their meanings, the more we trust Him. When we are lost, wandering in our own desert wilderness, uncertain and afraid, we can call out to our Strong Tower, El Shaddai, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Rohi, and El Roi and know that He is all powerful, all mighty, and that He provides, He protects, and He sees.

Which of God's names hold special significance for you?

By Christina Fox

Be Filled with the Spirit

by Ron Moore
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When you are filled with something, that thing controls your life. Our ongoing prayer is that the Spirit will control us in every moment.
Ephesians 5:18-21

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

When you are filled with something, that thing controls your life. For instance, if you are filled with anger, anger controls your life. If you are filled with bitterness, bitterness controls your life. If you are filled with alcohol (or personified as “Al K. Hall” in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union youth meetings that my mom made me attend), alcohol controls your life. You get the idea. So, Paul says, don’t be under the influence of sinful appetites that lead to destruction; instead, be controlled by the Spirit of the living God who lives in your heart.

Now for some important theology. In Scripture, we are never asked to be baptized by the Spirit. Baptism is the work of the Spirit at the moment of salvation that places us into the body of Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body… (1 Corinthians 12:13). In Scripture, we are never instructed to be sealed by the Spirit. The Spirit seals us at the moment of salvation, guaranteeing that we are a child of God. …You were sealed in him with the Holy Spirit… (Ephesians 1:12). In Scripture, we are never asked to be indwelt by the Spirit. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16) These are all one-time-for-all-time events. But the filling of the Spirit is different. It calls for continuous action. Our on-going prayer is that the Spirit will control us for the moment, as we face a difficult challenge, as we wait for the doctor’s report, as we enter into a difficult meeting, as we worriedly watch Wall Street.

Here’s a prayer you can pray for the control of the Spirit.

Father, this is your day on loan to me, and I want to be used by you for spiritual impact. I submit myself, my plans, my activities, and my interactions with others to you. I thank you that I have been baptized and sealed by your Spirit. I thank you that your Spirit dwells in me. Now I ask that your Spirit control every aspect of my life. Take control of my tongue, that my words will reflect your love and grace. Take control of my emotions that I may respond obediently and calmly. Take control of my thoughts, that my mind may be quickly cleansed of those things that will not honor you and be full of the things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. Control my actions in such a way that others will see my deeds and know that they have been influenced by you. Give me the strength to live this day in a way that pleases you. I submit myself to your control. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Endure With Confidence

by Dr. R.C. Sproul
DESCRIPTION
We who have confessed Christ need endurance so that we will receive all of His promises.
“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (Heb. 10:35–36).

Faced with the real possibility of final apostasy among those professing faith in Christ, the author of Hebrews wrote his audience a letter to encourage them to persevere in their faith. This audience was so troubled by the persecution that came with being a part of the Christian community that they wanted to return to the old covenant where they could enjoy physical and, so they thought, spiritual safety.

The problem was that many in the original audience of the Hebrews had forgotten about the eternal reward they once anticipated (10:34). They had forgotten that Jesus was superior to the angels and to Moses (1:1–3:6). They had forgotten that He was the great High Priest from the greater order of Melchizedek (chap. 7) whose sacrifice did away with the ineffectual sacrifices of the old covenant (9:1–10:18).

However, things had not always been this way for them. The author reminds them in 10:32–34 of how they had behaved when they first professed Christ. Their love for one another and endurance of persecution demonstrated that some, if not all of them, had true faith and could be steered back to confidence in Christ.

In today’s passage, the author reminds his readers that they must hold onto their original confidence. He tells them not to throw it away because it has a great reward (v. 35). In light of the suffering that many have already endured for the sake of Christ, throwing away confidence in Him would not make any sense at all. It would be turning back on the only one who can give access to the presence of God (John 14:6). It would be turning away from the one who will renew all things (Rom. 8:21). It would be turning away from the one who grants His people to rule and reign with Him (Rev. 20:4).

If we throw away this confidence, we will also throw away our reward. We who have confessed Christ need endurance so that we will receive all of His promises (Heb. 10:36), because only those of us who maintain our confessions until the end will be saved (vv. 38–39). Commentators agree that this endurance is based on the firm resolve of heart and mind that result from having our confidence in Christ alone. The troubles of life will pull us away from Christ if we are confident in our own abilities to be faithful and not in His faithfulness.

How to Experience Peace While You Work

by Shana Schutte
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Some of you may think true peace is impossible while you work. Shana Schutte offers insight on how to experience internal rest at all times.
There are some people who balance the demands of work or of their calling with extraordinary grace. They calmly endure crises with joy; they patiently wait for God to act when things go awry, and they confidently navigate numerous daily pressures.

Then there are those of us who panic and burn ourselves out while trying to control the future, striving while we work, and worrying ourselves into fitful nights without sleep.

I have to admit, there have been many seasons while I have worked that I have experienced peace, but there have been other times when work demands and seemingly impossible tasks have threatened to steal all joy.

So over the last year I have been asking myself, “How do I work without striving, so I can still experience internal rest and peace while I work? How do I push forward through the day and face its demands without becoming a victim of panic or worry?”

Some of you may think true peace is impossible while you work. Instead, you believe the only way to experience internal rest is to experience external rest—to retire to the Caribbean, buy a slice of heaven on the beach, and stay there until God takes you home.

In his study on Hebrews, John MacArthur writes:

“Rest does not mean free from all nuisances and hassles; it means freedom from being so easily bothered by them. Rest means to be inwardly quiet, composed, peaceful. To enter God’s rest means to be at peace with God (Romans 5:1) to possess the perfect peace He gives (Isaiah 26:3). . . Rest involves remaining confident, keeping trust. In other words, to rest in something or someone means to maintain our confidence in it or him.”

Internal rest is found in belief and trust in God (Hebrews 3:18-19) even while we work. Belief that God’s promises are true, that He is who He says He is, and trust that we are enveloped in His power and lavish love to accomplish all that concerns us. Remember, the one who hears God’s promises but does not believe them is the one who does not experience internal rest. People who do not believe and trust cannot rest while they work even if they want to do so. They are always driven out of their unbelief to striving, worry, panic, or restlessness.

Do you want to experience internal rest and peace while you work? Choose to trust God today and tell Him that you know He has all things that concern your life (and work) under His control. Let Him carry your burdens.

Managing Change

by Boyd Bailey
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Are you facing a change that requires great faith? Remember that Almighty God is unchanging; He is your rock of reassurance and stability.
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2:20-21).

Change can make me uncomfortable and uncertain about the future. If I ignore change, I lose my opportunity to influence the process. If I embrace change, I treat it as a friend who wants to help, instead of a foe who wants to hurt me. The reality of change requires a Spirit-led response, not a naive dismissal. Change can manage me or I can manage change. In the same way, I learn to adjust to my body’s ongoing issues so I grow in how to make the best of life’s ever evolving events.

Daniel experienced the radical transition of moving into a new country with its unique culture and demands of god like loyalty to its king. Daniel was a person of prayer and principle, thus he would not worship anyone but his one and only sovereign King, the Lord God Almighty. He did not cower under the pressure to compromise his deeply held convictions. He managed change by rejecting expectations of political and religious expediency. Conversely, he challenged the status quo by offering dietary options that yielded better outcomes. Managing change requires courage.

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20).

What change do you face that requires great faith? You may feel your body has betrayed you. Ask the Lord for wisdom in how to leverage these new physical limitations for His purposes. Work associates may have transferred or been terminated. You are left carrying the load of their job responsibilities. By God’s grace be a team player. Do your best and trust the Lord with the rest. Be a problem solver, not a chronic complainer. Perhaps a relationship has gone rogue and you feel alone. Use this season of singleness as an opportunity for solitude with your Savior. Managing change takes a magnitude of wisdom and discernment from your heavenly Father.

Almighty God is unchanging. He is a rock of reassurance and stability. Like the weather can be sunny one day and cloudy another, so life has its dramatic occurrences. Therefore, we are wise to let life’s drama draw us closer to Christ. Our dependable Jesus wants us to go deeper with Him. He is especially near when we face the pressure to compromise our beliefs for the accommodation of an unjust authority. Prayerfully, we manage change so it doesn’t manage us.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Related Readings: Psalm 15:4, 55:19; Daniel 6:17; Matthew 18:3; Acts 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

The Busiest Man Who Ever Lived

by Bryant Wright
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No one has ever been busier than Jesus when He walked on this earth. Why not learn from Him when you’re frazzled, exhausted, and burned out. Take some time to be with God.
Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. (Mark 6:45–46 NIV)

He was exhausted, completely worn out from dealing with people and their problems. What He needed was a rest. He got away to spend some time alone with God. When He did, His spirit was renewed and refreshed. When the crowds came, He was able to respond, to care for them and meet their needs.
His name was Jesus Christ, and He was the busiest man who ever lived. He accomplished more than anyone did before or since His time here on earth.

We live in a very fast-paced world with great demands on our time, yet no one has ever been busier than Jesus when He walked on this earth. Why not learn from Him when you’re frazzled, exhausted, and burned out. Take some time to be with God. If Jesus needed time alone with God, surely we do as well.

Our Constant Friend

by Dr. Charles Stanley
DESCRIPTION
Have you experienced times of abandonment?
2 Timothy 4:16-18

Many of us have experienced times of abandonment by others just when we needed them most. It could have been a spouse withdrawing emotionally, a co-worker who ignored you, or a close friend who was too busy to help. The life of the apostle Paul teaches us how to avoid discouragement in such situations.

Remember that the Lord is with us always. When we trust Jesus as our Savior, we enter into a relationship with Him, and His Spirit comes to live in us. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus remains with us at all times, regardless of the circumstance. He is our friend—one who will never leave us. And His is the most important friendship we have. Reading our Bible will help us to remember this.

Draw on God’s strength. Through the Holy Spirit, we have access to divine power every minute of the day. When we let go of control and depend on the Lord, we will be able to draw on His strength. Then, if family or friends cause hurt, His presence will provide comfort and help us to forgive them.

Look expectantly for deliverance. Paul testified that the Lord had rescued him and would continue to deliver him from every evil situation. The apostle knew he could always trust God.

Paul faced many painful situations without the support of friends. Toward the end of his life, those who cared about him were widely scattered. Yet his attitude remained hopeful because Christ was his constant Friend. Do you know the Savior? Allow His presence to walk with you throughout your day, and experience the joy His friendship brings.