This blog is designed to create community for believers and provide support for seekers. I encourage all readers to share their faith in an effort to lift and encourage one another.
“The Spirit of God doesn’t work where there is division, and what we want today is the spirit of unity amongst God’s children, so that the Lord may work.”
– D.L. Moody
Oh, Lord, forgive us for all the divisions, mistrust, and fear among your followers. Forgive us and show us how to be unified in bringing others to your kingdom.
Something to ponder: when you give to the needy, is it out of love and concern for them, or does part of you wish to impress others?
Lord, keep my motivation pure. Let me give out of genuine concern for others.
The Old Testament book of Jeremiah uses metaphors to compare Israel to an unfaithful wife. She was unfaithful to God by worshipping idols and forsaking Him. And “…her treacherous sister Judah [had] not turned to [God] with her whole heart, but in pretense” (3:10 NKJ). This book of Jeremiah is surely only Jewish history and has no relevance to me, right? I certainly haven’t seen anyone setting up and worshipping idols, have you? Nor could I find a listing for idol shops in the yellow pages.
But if the Bible can speak to us in metaphors—Israel compared to an unfaithful wife and her sister Judah not loving whole-heartedly—can’t we also think in metaphors?
Are there ways that we, today, like Israel and Judah in Old Testament times, forsake God, merely pretend to love Him, or are unfaithful to Him?
If I spend my time in busyness—work, recreation, sports, hobbies, family and home responsibilities—but take no time to read God’s holy word, to listen to Him or talk to Him (other than a quick “Thank You for the food”), am I guilty of forsaking God?
If I come to church every Sunday but spend my time while there thinking about what I’m going to do after church, or worrying about dinner burning or missing the kickoff, am I loving Him with my whole heart?
If I spend my money fixing up my house, buying a new car, or taking a vacation, but have little left to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, or support God’s work through missionaries or the work of my church, am I being unfaithful to God?
Do all the things that I spend my time, money and thoughts on become idols that I worship instead of worshipping the most-high God?
God of all creation, may I not idolize the things of the world, but instead use my time, talent, and money in Your service and for Your glory.
Jeremiah 3:20 “’But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel,’ declares the Lord.”
Christians should never forget that the highest kind of prayer is never the making of requests. Prayer at its holiest moment is the entering into God to a place of such blessed union as makes miracles seem tame and remarkable answers to prayer appear something very far short of wonderful by comparison. ” ― A.W. Tozer
What wonderful thing has God done for you today?
“But isn’t arrogance, in fact, the other side of rejection? Isn’t arrogance putting yourself on a pedestal to avoid being seen as you see yourself? Isn’t arrogance, in the final analysis, just another way of dealing with the feelings of worthlessness? Both self-rejection and arrogance pull us out of the common reality of existence and make a gentle community of people extremely difficult, if not impossible, to attain.”
~ Henri Nouwen
Isn’t arrogance also worrying? When we worry we are not trusting in God, but rather in ourselves. What other ways do you think we illustrate arrogance toward God?
Lord, please keep me humbly trusting in you.
At first glance, the stream appears motionless, its shallow green waters merely reflecting the overarching canopy of green. But here by the bridge, rocks litter the stream’s bed, and its water comes to life. Its meandering impeded, the stream ripples, bubbles, and rushes. The currents ripple and swirl around the rocks and fall over submerged stone, plunging to a lower level, leaving bubbling foam at the base of the mini-waterfall. I sit by the side of the stream listening to its gurgling, allowing the water’s chaos to soothe my soul.
God’s spirit flows through my life like a stream. At times it moves so quietly I scarcely notice its motion. But once life’s difficulties obstruct my way, I take more quiet time to listen carefully for God’s spirit rushing through my life. When I sit quietly, watching and listening, I have eyes to see and ears to hear His spirit moving in my life.
Lord, help me to be inwardly still during both crises and calm times, that I may better acknowledge you and your work in my life.
Psalm 46:10a “Be still and know that I am God.”
Thank you, Father, for providing a way to peace even when life is chaotic and difficult. Thank you for quiet beauty in the world you created. Thank you for nudging me to take some quiet time in your word. Thank you for giving me ways to observe your spirit moving in me.
Take a moment to imagine what it might be like to approach God’s throne. Thankfully, through Jesus’ sacrifice we are able to do so. What a humbling experience.
Thank you, Father, for providing a way that we can approach you on your throne. Thank you for providing mercy and grace.
I couldn’t agree more with Liz Curtis Higgs. Before working on my book, I pray that God will give me the wisdom and the words that will reveal Him to others and bring Him glory.
Lord, You are faithful. Thank you for providing guidance to each one of us in our tasks. May we yield to Your wisdom and we go good works for You.
Growing Our Faith Together 