Rugged and Ready

Rugged and Ready

January 27

Read:  James 1:1 - 12

The testing of your faith produces patience. – James 1:3

The Bible In One year

Exodus 38 – 40

When computers are prepared for demanding environments such as the military, they undergo a process called “ruggedization.” They are subject to extreme testing so that they will function well in the harshest conditions. Tests are conducted for shock. Vibration, and exposure to extremes temperatures. This testing ensures reliability and performance under the harsh conditions of the battlefield.

In that reminds you of the spiritual ruggedization you’re undergoing, take heart. It is God Himself, our loving Father, who allows times of testing to prepare us to serve Him. When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, the Bible offers the surprising instruction to “count it all joy…, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience”(James 1:2 – 3). Through it all, God invites us to ask Him for wisdom. Why? That we might know how to respond properly. He gives this wisdom “liberally” to all who ask (v.5).

If life was like a clean, air – conditioned office, then off-the-shelf Christians would be adequate to meet the need. But we inhabit a world engulfed in a life – or – death spiritual battle. As we trust God through the difficult times, we’ll become rugged and ready, tested and prepared for greater usefulness. – David McCasland

God has a purpose in our heartaches.

The Savior always knows what’s best;

We learn so many precious lesson

In each sorrow, trial, and test. – Jarvis

God allows adversity into our lives not to break us but to better us.

Exodus, January, Rugged and Ready 7:26 PM No comments

What Faith Is and Does

What Faith Is and Does

January 26

Read:  Hebrews 11:1 – 6

Faith is the substance of thins hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrew 11:1

The Bible In One year

Exodus 35 – 37

When I was in my mid – teens, I sometimes wondered if my faith was real. I had sincerely placed my trust in Jesus Christ, yet the injustices is society and writing of unbelievers raise doubts in my mind didn’t dare mention this to anybody. However, I repeatedly committed myself a new to Christ and to His teachings for my life.

Many have told me that they are troubled by the description of faith in Hebrews 11:1. to them it defines faith as absolute intellectual certainty – something they don’t always have. But in its context, this verse explain both what faith is and what it does. It affirms the certainty that comes as we continue in our commitment to trust Jesus and His Word. As we do, we become assured of the reality of God and the heaven that awaits us.

To test the validity of this statement, consider the steadfast faith of elderly believers who have continued trusting Jesus through great trials, sorrow, and pain. They will tell you that Jesus has become so real and precious to them that they are absolutely sure of Him and the truthfulness of His promises.

Don’t let times of doubt discourage you. Keep trusting and obeying the Lord Jesus and His Word. As you do, you confidence will grow. – Herb Vander Lugt

There can be those times when our minds are in doubt,

When we ask what our faith is really about;

We can believe Him, we know that he cares

For our God is real, as the Bible declares. – Fitzhug

Feed your faith and your doubts will starve, 

Exodus, January, What Faith Is and Does 2:37 AM No comments

The Lonely Life

The Lonely Life

January 25

Read:  Philippians 4:10 - 13

Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. – Hebrews 10:24

The Bible In One year

Exodus 32 – 34

Statistically speaking, it should be impossible to be lonely on planet earth. After all, there are more than 6 Billion of us roaming around on this big rock.

But many people in our world are lonely. One woman told me she has outlived every close relative or friends in her life. In her loneliness, she wonder why God allow her to remain.

If you’re lonely, perhaps we can offer some encouragement. Using God’s Word, discover how the following three actions can help to ease your loneliness:

Learn contentment. Read Philippians 4:10 -13, then ask God to help you to depend on Him each day and to learn to be content in any situation.

Do good for someone. Read Hebrews 13:1 – 3, then look for someone in need of help, You’ll get rid of loneliness for both of you.

Worship with God’s people. Hebrews 10:21 – 25 emphasizes the value of worshiping with other believers. Find someone with whom you can praise God.

If you’re felling lonely, lean on Jesus for contentment. Help someone else. And worship God with other believers. These actions will redirect your thinking and remind you that when you know God you’re never alone. – Dave Branon

If you are feeling all alone,

Reach out to someone who’s bereaved;

You both will find encouragement

And loneliness will be relieved. – Sper

Many people are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.

Exodus, January, The Lonely Life 2:36 AM No comments

The Most Important Days

The Most Important Days

January 24

Read:  Exodus 31:12 - 18

On the first day of the week… they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. – Luke 24:1 - 2

The Bible In One year

Exodus 28 - 31

This is the time of year when I go on “the hunt” – not for after holiday deal on decorations but for the perfect calendar. I start looking in December, but I don’te get serious about my search until January. My requirements are simple: I want to a week – at – aglace, book – type calendar that will lie open on the counter near the telephone.  It must also begin each week with Sunday, not Monday. It’s this last criterion that complicates my search. More and more calendars start the week with Monday, the day God considers second.

This trend, like others in our culture, gives the least prominence to what God considers most important. He chose to give special significance to 2 days of the week, the first and the last,. He rested on the seventh day after crating the world(Gen. 2:1 – 3), and on the first day Christ rose from the dead after redeeming the world (Luke 24:1 – 7), Under the Old Covenant, the last day was reserved for rest. Today, under the New Covenant, believes celebrate the first day of the week in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection.

Although the calendar I use is not crucial to my faith, it does help me remember that my life begins and ends not with the work I do for myself but with the work God does fro me as I worship and rest. – Julie Ackerman Link

Thinking it Over

Do I make time in my schedule for worship and rest?

How can worship transform my thinking and living?

How can rest help me to see God and life more clearly?

Time spend with the Lord is time well spent. 

Exodus, January, The Most Important Days 2:35 AM No comments

Follow the Signal

Follow the Signal

January 23

Read:  Psalm 119:1 - 8

Oh, that my ways were directed to keep your statues! – Psalm 119:5

The Bible In One year

Exodus 25 – 27

A driver who ignores traffic signals is “an accident looking for a place to happen.” Anyone cheating on red or stopping absents-mindedly on green is a danger to himself and to others. Although a series of red lights can be a pain when you’re eager to get to your destination, an accident can bring even greater pain.

Several years ago I was happily surprised when a traffic signal was finally installed on a corner that had been especially frustrating to me. It turned a daily ordeal into a busy street. Waiting occasionally at a red light is now a pleasure – at least at that intersection of bad memories.

The Scriptures too have some “red Christians. They are the prohibitions against envy, pride, hatred, irreverence, lust, and selfishness. When the Holy Spirit alerts us to their presence, we should immediately hit the brakes. Likewise, as we move into the heavy traffic of daily living, we must quickly respond by obeying the “green” signal of kindness, humility, love, worship, and purity.

God’s stops and starts are designed to help us. We should be as fearful of ignoring a command of scripture as we are of running a red light. – Mart De Haan

We take delight to read God’s Word;

We say, “Ah, yes, it’s true!”

But it’s of little use to us

Unless His will we do. – D. De Haan

The signals of Scripture are meant for our protection, correction, and direction.

Exodus, Follow the Signal, January 2:26 AM No comments

Seeing the Unseen

Seeing the Unseen

January 22

Read:  Psalm 34:4 – 7

The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. -  Psalm 34: 7

The Bible In One year

Exodus 21 -24

In a materialistic world like ours, we are tempted to conclude that the only real thins are those we experience with our five sense. Yet “there are things we cannot see: things behind our backs or far away and all things in the dark,” said C.S. Lewis.

There is another realm of reality, just as actual, just as factual, just as substantial as anything we see, hear, touch, taste, or smell in this world. It exists all around us – not our there “somewhere,” but “here.” There are legions of angels helping us, for which the world has no counter – measures (Heb. 1:14). The Psalmist David referred to them as a force of thousands of thousands of chariots (Ps. 68:17). We cannot see God nor His angels with our natural eyes. But they are there, whether we see them or not. I believe the world is filled with them.

Faith is the means by which we are able to “see” this invisible world. That is belief’s tru function. Faith is to the spiritual realm what the five senses are the natural realm. The written of Hebrews say that faith is “the evidence of thins not seen” (Heb 11:1) By faith we recognize the existence of the spiritual world and learn to depend on the Lord for His help in our daily life. To see the unseen. – David Roper

At times our fears may loom so large,

We long for proof that God is near;

It’s then our Father says to us,

“Have faith, My Child, and do not fear.” – D. De Haan

Faith sees things that are out of sight.

Exodus, January, Seeing the Unseen 1:25 AM 2 comments

The One to Watch

The One to Watch

January 21

Read:  Psalm 121

The eyes fo the Lord are on the righteous. – Peter 3:12

The Bible In One year

Exodus 18 – 20

It was a 7^th grade basketball game, and our team was getting trounced. As I watched my son running up and down the court, trying his hardest to get his first junior high point on the hardwood, the score didn’t matter that much. Like all the other parents who had come out on a cold January day to sit on hard benches and watch a less - than – stellar game, I was there for one reason – love. Steve had my attention because I care for him, love him, and want to encourage him. Win or lose, that was my son, and everything he did out there was important. My eyes were on him.

As I reflected on my concern for Steve, I began to see a tiny glimpse of what God’s love means to us. God loves each of His children many times more than we can love our children. And like a dad at hoops game, God keeps His eye on us at all times. He’s observing, loving and encouraging us in life’s struggles. He’s there, and He cars. Although He has millions of children to observer, His gaze doesn’t wander (1 Peter 3:12).

In life seems frightening, if the opposition seems tough, if it appears that you are losing, remember that God is watching. In his loving compassion, he wants to help. To him, you are the one to watch. – Dave Branon

The lord is always watching us –

We can’t escape His gaze;

He reaches out in love to help

His children all their days. – Sper

Keep your eyes on the Lord – he never takes His eyes off you.

Exodus, January, The One to Watch 1:24 AM No comments

One Person a Day

One Person a Day

January 20

Read:  Acts 8:26 - 40

Philip… preached Jesus to him. – Act 8:35

The Bible In One year

Exodus 14 – 17

I was privileged to hear retired Salvation Army Commissioner Andy Miller speak at a Bible conference. At age 75, smartly dressed in him uniform, he spoke with gentleness, conviction, and a twinkle in his eyes.

Commissioner Miller said that as a 19 years old cadet in training he made a commitment to the Lord that he would tell one person  a day about Christ’s love. That’s quite a commitment! Throughout his ministry he has led many to put their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.

Now, I know it’s not easy to talk to some people about Jesus. But we can and should learn how, because it was Jesus command to His followers before He returned to His Father in heaven (Matt. 28:19 – 20; Acts 1:8 – 9) in our Scripture reading for today, the Holy Spirit led Philip to the Ethiopian official and gave him the right words to say (Acts 8:26 – 40). And as we seek the Lord’s help and depend on Him, He will do the same for us.

You may come in contact with one or with many people throughout your day. Consider the commitment that commissioner Miller made years ago, and then ask the Lord what He would have you do. You too can be a witness of His love every day.  – Dave Egner

Your parting words, O lord, give hope,

They’re filled with promise, joy, and love;

What you have done, help us to share

With Spirit power from above. – D. De Haan

God longs to do for others what he has done for you.

Exodus, January, One Person a Day 1:22 AM No comments

Servant Or Master

Servant Or Master

January 19

Read:  Proverbs 30:5 – 9

No servant can serve tow masters…. You cannot serve God and mammon – Luke 16:13

The Bible In One year

Exodus 11 – 13

An Illinois resident asked his employer for a two – thirds pay cut in order to put his income below the poverty level. He reasoned that by making himself poor he would not have to pay income tax, and therefore he would not have to support military policies he didn’t agree with. This would make him more consistent in practicing his beliefs. A close friend commented. “He has strong commitment to justice and peace, and I think this is his way of carrying that out.”

I’m not suggesting that we should follow his example, but he is a person who doesn’t want money to divert him from his ideals. He reminds me of Agur, the wise author of Proverbs 30, who expressed concern that to much or to little wealth can get in the way of commitment to God. So we are left to consider it – money. The Illinois resident gave up part of it. Agur didn’t want to much or to little (Prov. 30:7 – 9), Jesus used it (John 13:29). Paul could take it or leave it (Phil. 4:11 – 12). The rich young ruler clung to it (Luke 18:23). Ananias and Sapphira died because they lied to God about it (Acts 5).

What about our relationship to mone? Do we use it wisely or does it control us? It is our servant or our master? We cannot serve both God and money (Luke 16:13). – Mart De Haan

If money is your highest goal,

The thing you long to gain,

Its power will enslave your soul

And cause your life much pain. – D. De Haan

Money is a good servant, but a poor master.

Exodus, January, Servant Or Master 1:21 AM No comments

Love Letter

Love Letter

January 18

Read Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2

Walk in love, as Christ also has love us. – Ephesians 5:2

The Bible In One year

Exodus 8 – 10

To “walk in love” means that we continually do the little acts of kindness that can make life bearable and better for another person.

One practical way to express our love costs only the price of a postage stamp-plus paper, ink, and a thought.

All of us have felt the nudge write a letter – an unexpected note that could brighten another person’s day. Perhaps it is a note of appreciation, an expression of concern, or a compliment for a task well done. Too often the letter goes unwritten and the impulse in unexpressed. We convince ourselves that we don’t have time, or that our letter won’t matter.

 A young minister cherished a note he received from a busy architect in his congregation. The letter said simply, “Your sermon met me where I was on Sunday – at the crossroads of confusion and hurt. Thanks for preaching it!” Those words met the pastor where he lived – at the intersection of discouragement and pain – and encouraged him to keep on in the ministry. The note took less than 5 minutes to write.

Can you think of someone who needs encouragement, thanks, or a reminder that you are praying for him or her “Walk in love” to the mailbox today. – Haddon Robinson

It was only a brief little note,

Or a word that was prayerfully spoken,

Yet not in vain, for it soothed the pain

Of the heart that was nearly broken. – Anon.

One little act of kindness can have multiple results. 

Exodus, January, Love Letter 1:48 AM No comments

Think Then Thank

Think Then Thank

January 17

Read: Psalm 100

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. – Psalm 92:1

The Bible In One year

Exodus 5 – 7

What character trait most clearly reveals a person’s moral and spiritual health? Is it love? Is it integrity? Is it kindness, cheerfulness, or trust? Opinions differ, to be sure.

Otto Friedrich Bollnow, in his essay Who Really Gives Thanks? Said, “there is hardly any other quality of man that is so suited to reveal the state of his inner spiritual and moral health as his capacity to be grateful.”

Even if we may not agree with him, Bollnow’s opinion is thought-provoking. After all, Scripture emphasizes the importance of praising God for His goodness and mercy. Many of the psalms are the outpouring of thankful hearts. For example, “Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the people praise You” (Ps. 67:3). “Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (100:4). And the apostle Paul urged his fellow Christians to give “thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”(Eph. 5:20).

In light of this, take some time to recall the Lord’s pardon, His constant protection, His faithful provision, and His abiding presence. Remembering to be grateful will help you to stay in good spiritual health and will bring honor to Him. So, think – then thank! – Vernon Grounds

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,

To His feet thy tribute bring;

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

Evermore His praises sing. – Lyte

Giving thanks is a course from which we never graduate.

January 17

Read: Psalm 100

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. – Psalm 92:1

The Bible In One year

Exodus 5 – 7

What character trait most clearly reveals a person’s moral and spiritual health? Is it love? Is it integrity? Is it kindness, cheerfulness, or trust? Opinions differ, to be sure.

Otto Friedrich Bollnow, in his essay Who Really Gives Thanks? Said, “there is hardly any other quality of man that is so suited to reveal the state of his inner spiritual and moral health as his capacity to be grateful.”

Even if we may not agree with him, Bollnow’s opinion is thought-provoking. After all, Scripture emphasizes the importance of praising God for His goodness and mercy. Many of the psalms are the outpouring of thankful hearts. For example, “Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the people praise You” (Ps. 67:3). “Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (100:4). And the apostle Paul urged his fellow Christians to give “thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”(Eph. 5:20).

In light of this, take some time to recall the Lord’s pardon, His constant protection, His faithful provision, and His abiding presence. Remembering to be grateful will help you to stay in good spiritual health and will bring honor to Him. So, think – then thank! – Vernon Grounds

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,

To His feet thy tribute bring;

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

Evermore His praises sing. – Lyte

Giving thanks is a course from which we never graduate.

Exodus, January, Think Then Thank 1:48 AM No comments

Prescription For Anxiety

Prescription For Anxiety

January 16

Read : Psalm 55:4 – 23

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. – Psalm 55:22

The Bible In One year

Exodus 1 – 4

According to a Wall Street Journal report, anxiety has overtaken depression as the leading mental health problem in the United States Anxiety-fighting drugs are now the top-selling pharmaceutical products Even with a booming economy and political stability, worry and apprehension remain part of our human condition – one that can never be adequately relieved by a pill.

When David composed Psalm 55, his mind was agitated by the same types of situations e struggle with today: He recoiled in horror from the violence, anger, and abuse that stalked the city streets (vv. 9 – 11). He suffered the anguish of being betrayed by a chose friend (vv. 12 – 14). He longed to leave and escape to a place of peace (vv. 4- 8). He longed to leave and escape to a place of peace (vv. 4 – 8).

Because David’s anxious pain mirror our own, his prescription for relief can be ours as well. He wrote, “I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me…Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you”(vv. 16,22).

Anxiety is a burden we are not called to bear. Instead, we are to lay our concerns on Christ because He cares for us(1 Peter 5:7; see also Phil. 4:6-7).

If your heart is weighed down today, the Lord is ready to bear every burden you give Him. – David McCasland

All your anxiety, all your care,

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;

Never a burden He cannot bear,

Never a friend like Jesus. – Joy

God invites us to burden Him with what burdens us

Exodus, January, Prescription For Anxiety 6:39 PM No comments