God and Little Things

God and Little Things

THE POTTER

The Potter,

Isaiah 64:8 New International Version
“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

There are times you may feel that you have just sinned too much, that God has no place for you because you are so unworthy. I have news for you God, the Potter, wants to take you, the broken and soiled clay, and fashion you into His likeness. He will never throw His clay away because He is your creator and He loves you.

I pray you will realize just how much God loves us that even when we are in the heat of the oven (the struggle of sin and temptation) He is purifying us.

The Potter wants to put you back together again. Enjoy this powerful song.

Who Can Find A Virtuous and Capable Wife?

“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.”
Proverbs 31:10-11, NLT

Proverbs 31:10-31 reads like a grocery list of wifely characteristics. What’s more, the verses begin by asking, “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?” My immediate response is, “That’s a good question.” Who could possibly possess all of the qualities listed in the next twenty verses? Verse 10 goes on to explain, “She is worth more than precious rubies.” Proverbs in general points us to moral and ethical human emotions, attitudes and relationships, but Proverbs 31 speaks directly to wives.

The Proverbs 31 wife has many skills. She is a wife, mother, teacher, manufacturer, importer, manager, realtor, farmer, seamstress, upholsterer, and merchant. What a resume! She possesses countless character traits. Among them she is wise, faithful, strong, energetic, careful, dignified, generous, and kind. The only reference to her appearance is in verse 25, “She is clothed with strength and dignity.” Her pleasant appearance comes exclusively from her character. The key to her success, however, is in the fact that she respects God for who he is, trusts him, is obedient to him, and shares her godly values with others.

As women, we aspire to be and do many things. But who of us has been trained in being the optimal wife? Is the wifely role one we take for granted? How many of us have made a conscious effort toward being a better wife? We would do well to look at Proverbs 31:10-31. I don’t think, however, we are to look to her as an exact model to emulate. Instead, see her as a motivation to be all you can be within God’s purposes.

Let’s look at her reward. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life (v. 11). Her children bless her. Her husband praises her by telling others she is very capable (v. 28). Her deeds publicly declare her praise (v. 31). Her character traits, along with her fear of God, lead to enjoyment, success, honor, and worth. Who wouldn’t want to be found as a virtuous and capable wife?

Time alone with God

Do you know what it means to spend time alone with God every day? I don’t mean time in family worship or at church or reading the bible with your spouse. I’m speaking about time spent with just you on your knees and sitting down reading from His Word.
So anyone that has grown up in a Christian household has been told they need to spend time with God. When are we supposed to spend this time? Well, some people say they talk to God all through the day. Ok. That’s good however, if you want to have a relationship with someone you need to come better than that! A relationship with God means that you treat Him in a special way-giving Him His own time.
“The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. (Isaiah 50:4 NKJV)
God wakes us up every morning to speak to us, so it makes sense for this to be a time we spend with Him. To learn of Who He is and listen to what He has in store for us during the day.
Jesus has to become your friend in order for you to have a Christian life. You have to become acquainted with Him each day. It’s that easy. Well kind of. We have been deceived into thinking we don’t need help from God. Until of course something really goes wrong. About to lose your house, find out you have a debilitating disease, or get laid off from your job. Then you pray without ceasing to urge God to stay the enemies hand.
What about the relationship? If you speak to God everyday and read His word which we are told is food and drink (John 6) to our soul, you won’t despair and crumble when the cares of life come. Knowing who God is and understanding His character of love will sustain and hold you (faith) when those trials come.
Get acquainted with God by speaking to Him, reading His word and taking Him with you throughout the day. When we make the extra effort, God will reward those efforts.
If you think it’s hard to wake up an extra hour in the morning to read His word, ask Him to wake you up at a specific time and He will! He will sustain you through the day. He will do it! If you need the extra energy take Zeal and you will get through the day with the nutrition you need.
Try God and the faith He has given you will be strengthened.

A Woman’s (Godly) Intuition.

Woman’s (Godly) Intuition
Judges 4:1-24
 
Read
Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time. She would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment. One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.”

Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”

“Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the LORD’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. At Kedesh, Barak called together the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, and 10,000 warriors went up with him. Deborah also went with him. (Judges 4:4-10)
 
Reflect
How did Deborah command such respect? She was responsible for leading the people into battle, but more than that, she influenced them to live for God after the battle was over. The Bible records several women who held important leadership positions, and Deborah was an exceptional woman. Obviously she was the best person for the job, and God chose her to lead Israel. She drew people together, encouraged them to obey God, and commanded the respect of even Barak, a military general.

Was Barak cowardly or just in need of support? We don’t know Barak’s character, but we see the character of a great leader in Deborah, who took charge as God directed. Deborah told Barak that God would be with him in battle, but that was not enough for Barak. He wanted Deborah to go with him. Barak’s request shows that at heart he trusted human strength more than God’s promise.

The life of faith is a life of confidence. Deborah’s faith in God made her confident to lead God’s people. She made decisive choices that brought clarity and direction to Israel. Barak’s lack of faith left him fearful and uncertain, wanting Deborah’s presence to assure him along the way.
 
Respond
Are there areas of your life where you lack confidence or feel uncertain? Often God’s power shines through our own weaknesses. Your uncertainties may be the clearest opportunity for you to take steps of faith and to trust God. As you do, you’ll see what he can do, and you may find yourself more confident for the next thing that comes your way—not because you’re so skilled but because God is so good.

Life Application Study Devotional.

Receive, Embrace, and Trust

Receive, Embrace, and Trust

(28) And we know that God causes all things to work together

for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose.

(29) For those whom He foreknew,

He also predestined to become

conformed to the image of His Son,

so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

(30) and these whom He predestined, He also called;

and these whom He called, He also justified;

and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Romans 8: 28-30 NAS

We know that God causes all things to work together for good. …

Stop right there. This is a conditional promise. There is a prerequisite given before we can claim that statement. And what is that prerequisite? To those who love the Lord.

“That’s a difficult prerequisite. Suppose I don’t meet His standard for ‘love?’ How do I know what all He means by that statement? I’m a Believer. I don’t perform perfectly as a follower of Christ, but of course, I love Him! Is there some way I can substantiate that love? I will proclaim my love for Him.”

Can I justify that proclamation? How do I love Him? Why do I love Him? Do I love Him because He gives me things? Because He has paved the way to Heaven for me? Because this is expected behavior for me? Because it’s great just to have Him there when I need Him?

He answers those questions: “If you love me you will keep My commandments.”1 And what are those commandments that He has set forth as proof? Well, He summarized all of them for us when He said, “…Love God…and love others.”2 And you say, “I can’t do that! There are too many hurts in my life–there are too many unlovely, unlikable people in my world. There is no way that I can do that!”

Don’t give up just yet. Read verse thirty again. He has equipped us to fulfill that prerequisite. He knows everything about us. He has known us before we were conceived.3 He predestined us, called us, justified us, and glorified us. And those adjectives are defining who we are as new creatures in Christ.4 We have His immaculate, unconditional love dwelling within us and He will love through us.5 He fulfills the prerequisite! This is the magic key: As we accept His indwelling Spirit6 it will be possible for us to love Him and to love others as He diligently works His master plan for all of us–to be conformed to His likeness.7

That’s more good news. When our future looks bleak and we ask, “What is my purpose in life? Why am I here? I just want out! Am I any good to anybody? It all looks so hopeless.” We are looking at our world system credentials, our world system status as a person, and for the encouragement that comes from the world. It isn’t your responsibility to plan your future. That has been planned before your life began (remember He saw every day of your life before you were born). You are being conformed to His image. Every incident, every setback, every disappointment, every unexpected tragedy are to be used to further His purpose of conforming you to His likeness in your life and in my life.

But Lord, how can such unpleasant, hurtful things in my life be in Your plan?

Dear one, I didn’t plan all of those things. You are living in the world and I have told you that you will have trials and tribulations in your world8–you are in the world as My ambassador.9 But, I can take those things and use them for My purpose. What Satan has planned to use to destroy you and the hope you are clutching so tightly, I will use to conform you to something beautiful–the likeness to me. Believe me, dear One. This world is only temporary. Wonderful things are to come!

There is one thing on which you must always stand firm:

“Lord, I cannot do this.”

“I know that you cannot do it. I never meant for you to do it. I will do it all for you.”

Repeat those seven words over and over again–emphasizing each word separately, i.e. “I will do it all for you    (Your name)…” I will do it all for you … I will do it all for you … I will do it all for you…

So we can say with confidence: Everything that comes into my life will be used for good, because it will be used to conform me to His image.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your encouragement. Help me to remember Your words tonight when I turn out the light and those familiar thoughts from the evil one of despair and hopelessness and failure come to me.

      

1 John 15:14

2 Matthew 22: 36-40

3 Psalm 139:16

4 II Corinthians 5:17

5 Romans 5:5

6 Romans 8:9

7 Romans 8:29

8 John 16:33

9 II Corinthians 5:20

LOVE

LOVE

It’s no secret that Shaquille O’Neal likes basketball.

It shouldn’t surprise you to find out that Bill Gates likes computers.

Or that Mel Gibson likes to act.

Or that Mariah Carey likes to sing.

Or that John Madden likes football.

Or that Ekaterina Gordeeva likes ice skating.

After all, it’s pretty obvious, right? Shaq spends his time playing basketball. Bill Gates made a fortune selling Windows software and other computer-related products. Mel Gibson makes a new movie every year. If Mariah Carey didn’t like singing, she’d probably quit her job and do something else.

You can usually tell what people like by what they do or say. In the same way, it’s easy to tell that God thinks love is absolutely cool. He talks about it constantly. He says things like “love one another,” “love your neighbor,” “love the Lord your God,” over and over. And he is always loving; the Bible says more than forty times, “his love endures forever.” The Bible also says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV).

Of course, the greatest indication of how God feels about love is that he commands us to love him, to love each other, and even to love our enemies. His commands make it clear that love is right. To love God is right. To love others is right. To love even our enemies is right because God says so.

REFLECT: How does God feel about love? How do you know? How has he shown his love to you? Does your behavior show that you value love? Why or why not? How does your behavior show your beliefs about right and wrong? Are you obeying God’s command to love him? to love others? to love your enemies?

ACT: Write your own version of 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, using your own words to complete these sentences:

Love is …

It does not…

It is not…

PRAY: “Loving God, thank you for showing me how to love others. Help me to put your commands into action.”

True and False Repentance Contrasted.

True and False Repentance Contrasted

There are some very specific examples in the Bible of people who sought repentance but were not forgiven by God. They wept. They were sorrowful. They confessed their sin but were not forgiven. Read the accounts of Pharaoh, Balaam, Esau, and Judas in Exodus 12:29–32, Numbers 22:32–35, Hebrews 12:17, and Matthew 27:4.
What common thread do you see running through each story in regard to repentance and/or confession?

One phrase in Hebrews 12:17 sums it up well. Speaking of Esau, the passage says that “when he wanted to inherit the blessing” (NKJV) he repented. Like Pharaoh, Balaam, and Judas, Esau’s heart was not broken over the pain that his sin had brought to his family or to the heart of God. His concern was over the birthright he had lost. He was sorry that he had not received that which he believed to be rightfully his. His motives were not pure. His sorrow was for himself. False repentance focuses upon the consequences of sin as opposed to the sin itself.
The law of sowing and reaping is a divine law. It is true that sin brings dire consequences, but repentance is not consumed with the negative results of sin. It is concerned, instead, with the dishonor and sorrow that our sin has brought to God.
True repentance is always characterized by at least three things: First, a sorrow that our sin has broken God’s heart. We are hurt because we hurt the One who loves us so much. Second, there is an honest confession of the specific sin that we have committed. True repentance is not laced with excuses for our behavior. It does not place blame on someone else. It takes responsibility for our actions. Third, true repentance always includes the decision to turn away from our sin. There can be no genuine repentance unless there is a corre-sponding reformation in the life. False repentance, on the other hand, is self-centered. It is concerned with the consequences of our sin. It is an emotional state of sorrow because our sins often bring negative consequences. It makes excuses and lays the blame on someone else. It is unconcerned about the changing of behavior unless the change will personally bring its own rewards.

Sabbath School Lesson…..

Curses are Consequences of Disobedience?

Read
“‘Cursed is anyone who carves or casts an idol and secretly sets it up. These idols, the work of craftsmen, are detestable to the LORD.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who dishonors father or mother.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who steals property from a neighbor by moving a boundary marker.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who leads a blind person astray on the road.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who denies justice to foreigners, orphans, or widows.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with one of his father’s wives, for he has violated his father.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with an animal.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with his sister, whether she is the daughter of his father or his mother.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who attacks a neighbor in secret.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who accepts payment to kill an innocent person.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’

“‘Cursed is anyone who does not affirm and obey the terms of these instructions.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.'” (Deuteronomy 27:15-26)
 
Reflect
These curses were a series of oaths, spoken by the priests and affirmed by the people, by which the people promised to stay away from wrong actions. By saying Amen, “So be it,” the people took responsibility for their actions.

We may look at this list of curses and think that God has a bad temper and is out to crush anyone who steps out of line. But these restrictions are not threats but warnings about the plain facts of life. God’s words are not in a tone of anger but of love.

Just as parents warn children to stay away from hot stoves and busy streets, God warns us to stay away from dangerous places. The natural law of his universe makes clear that wrongdoing toward others or God has tragic consequences. God is merciful enough to tell us this truth plainly. His strong words help us avoid the serious consequences that result from neglecting God or wronging others. But God does not leave us with only curses or consequences.

Immediately following these curses, we discover the great blessings that come from living within God’s plan (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). These positive consequences give us extra incentive to obey God’s laws. While all these blessings may not come in our lifetime on earth, those who obey God will experience the fullness of his blessing when he establishes the new heaven and the new earth.
 Definitions
Curse:
1: prayer or invocation for harm or injury to come upon one : imprecation
2 : something that is cursed or accursed
3 : evil or misfortune that comes as if in response to imprecation or as retribution
4 : a cause of great harm or misfortune : torment.
Consequence:
1 : a conclusion derived through logic : inference
2 : something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions


3 : importance with respect to power to produce an effect


Disobedience:


1 : refusal or neglect to obey

In essence, we call curses upon ourselves when we are disobedient. So the harm that occurs after disobedience are consequences. 
Respond
What blessings have you experienced from obeying God? What negative consequences have resulted from disobedience? Ask God to help you obey him willingly.

Life Application Daily Devotional…

Shortcut Temptations

Shortcut Temptations

Book reports are no fun, usually. After all, you have to read a book that’s a bazillion pages long about somebody who lived a long time ago and said things like, “I wot not what wot I thought I wot.” And the whole time you’re reading, you’re saying, “Huh?”

If you haven’t already, someday you’ll have to read a book like David Copperfield. Now, that wouldn’t be so bad if it was about that magician guy who made the Statue of Liberty disappear (don’t worry, he put it back). But it’s not about that David Copperfield. It’s about some kid in England and was written by Charles Dickens, the same writer who created such characters as Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and Oliver Twist.

But wait! Several David Copperfield movies have been made. You could just rent one of those movies, watch it, then do your book report. That way you wouldn’t have to read the long, boring book, right?

Wrong. That may sound like a good idea, but the problem is that if you do a book report on a movie, you’re lying (you’re even putting your lie on paper!), and lying is a sin. And movies based on books always skip a lot of stuff; you’d miss some important things (things that might end up on a test later).

It would be tempting, wouldn’t it? But that’s just the point. A lot of times temptation to do wrong comes in the form of a “shortcut.” You know, Do it this way; it’ll be easier, or it’ll be quicker, or it’ll be cheaper.

That’s what the devil tried with Jesus in the wilderness of Judea (Matthew 4:6-8). He offered instant glory and power to Jesus if only Jesus would worship him. But Jesus didn’t fall for it. He knew that all glory and power would be given to him after his death and crucifixion. He resisted the temptation to take a shortcut.

In the same way, you will often face the temptation to take a shortcut. You may be tempted to cheat on a test (instead of studying) in order to pass a class. You may be tempted to swipe a few dollars from your mom’s purse (instead of saving your allowance) in order to get a new CD.

The devil may whisper, “Come on, it’ll be easier” or “It’ll be quicker” or “It’ll be cheaper.” But don’t be fooled. Don’t take a shortcut if it means making a wrong choice. Because when you do, you’re the one who ends up on the short end of the stick.

REFLECT: Are you ever tempted to do wrong because it seems easier, quicker, or cheaper? Jesus said, “The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). In other words, most people choose the easy way the “shortcut” but those shortcuts lead to hell. Be alert this week.

PRAY: “God, help me to resist temptation, even when it comes in the form of a shortcut.”
Lifetime Daily Devotions.