BibleGateway.com Audio
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Sunday, May 29, 2011
When Faith In U.S. Dollars And U.S. Debt Is Dead The Game Is Over – And That Day Is Closer Than You May Think
When Faith In U.S. Dollars And U.S. Debt Is Dead The Game Is Over – And That Day Is Closer Than You May Think
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Monday, May 23, 2011
Doomsday Mockery Part of Biblical Prophecy, Says Evangelist, Christian News
Doomsday Mockery Part of Biblical Prophecy, Says Evangelist, Christian News
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Friday, May 20, 2011
Comet Elenin Smoking Gun? White House Letter Addresses Potential "Impending Asteroid Collision with Earth" | Before It's News
Comet Elenin Smoking Gun? White House Letter Addresses Potential "Impending Asteroid Collision with Earth" | Before It's News
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Milk is good for you! Well…
Milk is good for you! Well…
Posted: 20 May 2011 05:21 AM PDT
“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” Hebrews 5:12-14
I am in training. From the time I came into this world, to the time I say my final farewell, I am in training.
When I was born, my parents gave me milk to drink, which was perfect for my infant body. A key thing about this is that my parents gave it to me. I didn’t have to go searching for it myself; I didn’t have to feed myself. That was done for me as at that point, I was too young to understand.
Left on my own, I might not eat enough or I might get too much at once and not be able to digest what I just took in. I might seek food that looks good, smells good, tastes good, but is really bad for me.
My parents fed me in that time for a reason. I needed their guidance in that stage of my life. But as I got older and began to mature, my parents transitioned from feeding me pure milk, which is easy to digest, to solid food, which has more of the nutrients I needed to grow. It was at this point that I began to learn to feed myself. My parents guided and directed but they were gradually giving more and more control of my nourishment back to me. They wanted me to grow and thrive, even when they weren’t around and more than that, they wanted me to have the tools and the knowledge I needed to be able to help my own kids and loved ones grow one day.
It’s easy to stay on a milk diet. I don’t have to think about what I will find to eat each day. If I just drank milk, I wouldn’t have to hunt for nourishment. I would just take whatever was given to me and absorb what I could.
The danger is that if I did this, I would stop growing and even more concerning, I wouldn’t know when I was being fed good milk and when it was contaminated, because I was never taught to tell the difference. The scariest part is, if all I have is milk, given to me by other people, what am I really able to give to those I love and want to feed?
Now as I think about this in relation to my spiritual growth I see that my parents, in this case would be those in my spiritual life who grow me in the Lord- A pastor, a friend, a family member. Their goal, their target should be to give me the right tools to help me be able, not only to feed into my own spiritual walk, but to feed and grow those around me, who I will parent in the Lord one day.
The challenge for me today, and every day is to start seeking out those tools I will need to transition. Learn to hunt for solid food by reading my Bible way more and learning to seek the meaning behind what I read there. I need to learn to teach others to do the same.
As a follower of Christ, I am in the training of my life and my training affects those God has been fostering to one day learn from me. Will I be content with the milk given to me from the safety of my base camp, or will I seek God’s best for my life and join the hunt?
As hard as this hunt is, and as tough as it will be, I am so ready. Do you want to come and join me? Would you like to grow? Then leave a comment below and you will be prayed for.
God bless,
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Posted: 20 May 2011 05:21 AM PDT
“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” Hebrews 5:12-14
I am in training. From the time I came into this world, to the time I say my final farewell, I am in training.
When I was born, my parents gave me milk to drink, which was perfect for my infant body. A key thing about this is that my parents gave it to me. I didn’t have to go searching for it myself; I didn’t have to feed myself. That was done for me as at that point, I was too young to understand.
Left on my own, I might not eat enough or I might get too much at once and not be able to digest what I just took in. I might seek food that looks good, smells good, tastes good, but is really bad for me.
My parents fed me in that time for a reason. I needed their guidance in that stage of my life. But as I got older and began to mature, my parents transitioned from feeding me pure milk, which is easy to digest, to solid food, which has more of the nutrients I needed to grow. It was at this point that I began to learn to feed myself. My parents guided and directed but they were gradually giving more and more control of my nourishment back to me. They wanted me to grow and thrive, even when they weren’t around and more than that, they wanted me to have the tools and the knowledge I needed to be able to help my own kids and loved ones grow one day.
It’s easy to stay on a milk diet. I don’t have to think about what I will find to eat each day. If I just drank milk, I wouldn’t have to hunt for nourishment. I would just take whatever was given to me and absorb what I could.
The danger is that if I did this, I would stop growing and even more concerning, I wouldn’t know when I was being fed good milk and when it was contaminated, because I was never taught to tell the difference. The scariest part is, if all I have is milk, given to me by other people, what am I really able to give to those I love and want to feed?
Now as I think about this in relation to my spiritual growth I see that my parents, in this case would be those in my spiritual life who grow me in the Lord- A pastor, a friend, a family member. Their goal, their target should be to give me the right tools to help me be able, not only to feed into my own spiritual walk, but to feed and grow those around me, who I will parent in the Lord one day.
The challenge for me today, and every day is to start seeking out those tools I will need to transition. Learn to hunt for solid food by reading my Bible way more and learning to seek the meaning behind what I read there. I need to learn to teach others to do the same.
As a follower of Christ, I am in the training of my life and my training affects those God has been fostering to one day learn from me. Will I be content with the milk given to me from the safety of my base camp, or will I seek God’s best for my life and join the hunt?
As hard as this hunt is, and as tough as it will be, I am so ready. Do you want to come and join me? Would you like to grow? Then leave a comment below and you will be prayed for.
God bless,
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Monday, May 16, 2011
Matthew 25:14-30
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
God’s ROI (Return On Investment
How are you putting your talent to use for God?
I know that some of us look at Billy Graham, Chuck Colson, Tony Evans or James Dobson and think, I don’t have the ability to do what they have. Well, here is the shocking truth. . . you are probably right. God does not equally provide! He does, however, equally expect, judge and reward.
In the parable of the talents we can see that one servant was given five talents and another two. When the time came to account for their work they had each doubled what they were initially provided. What was the master’s reaction? He was pleased similarly with both servants and rewarded them each the same.
God expects the results Reverend Graham has achieved based on the talents that he was provided. He is the believer who was provided five talents and, based on all that we know of his life, God will most likely greet him “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Now if Reverend Graham had simply been content to give spiritual advice to friends and family while never pursuing his calling to evangelism, what do you imagine God’s reaction would have been? Let’s just say that I wouldn’t want to stand in his shoes when he came before the judgment seat of Christ.
That is one end of the scale.
I have a friend at my church with a real gift for guiding people to make a decision for Christ. He is also providing leadership in a Bible fellowship class. This man is truly dedicated to the Lord and has not ignored his calling but rather responded to it with enthusiasm. Will he ever be preaching in packed stadiums, calling thousands forward to give their lives to Christ as Reverend Graham has? Probably not, but that is not what I believe he was called or provisioned to do. He was given the two talents and, by all indications, is well on his way to earning another two for the Lord.
Assuming that he is fulfilling his mission, as called and provisioned by God, he will be rewarded the same as Billy Graham who has, we assume, fulfilled his mission as called and provisioned by God. Were they equally provisioned? No, but they were both equally called and will be equally judged and rewarded.
So when it is time for you to make an accounting of your life to God, He is probably not going to ask you how many crusades you led or how many millions of souls you helped lead to Christ. What He will ask is what have you done with the gifts, talents and resources that were provided to you.
Pray
Pray for God to reveal His expectations to you. Ask that He would press upon your heart where you can do more with what He has provided.
Ask Yourself
Which servant from this parable best represents you? What will God’s response be when you present yourself to Him? Do you believe that you are doing all you can with the talents and resources that you have been provided?
Take Action
Reflect on everything you do in the home, work, recreation and spiritual sides of your life. Take one area at a time and really break it down. What have you excelled in and what do you truly enjoy? What talents and resources do you posses that can be used to bring glory to God?
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“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
God’s ROI (Return On Investment
How are you putting your talent to use for God?
I know that some of us look at Billy Graham, Chuck Colson, Tony Evans or James Dobson and think, I don’t have the ability to do what they have. Well, here is the shocking truth. . . you are probably right. God does not equally provide! He does, however, equally expect, judge and reward.
In the parable of the talents we can see that one servant was given five talents and another two. When the time came to account for their work they had each doubled what they were initially provided. What was the master’s reaction? He was pleased similarly with both servants and rewarded them each the same.
God expects the results Reverend Graham has achieved based on the talents that he was provided. He is the believer who was provided five talents and, based on all that we know of his life, God will most likely greet him “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Now if Reverend Graham had simply been content to give spiritual advice to friends and family while never pursuing his calling to evangelism, what do you imagine God’s reaction would have been? Let’s just say that I wouldn’t want to stand in his shoes when he came before the judgment seat of Christ.
That is one end of the scale.
I have a friend at my church with a real gift for guiding people to make a decision for Christ. He is also providing leadership in a Bible fellowship class. This man is truly dedicated to the Lord and has not ignored his calling but rather responded to it with enthusiasm. Will he ever be preaching in packed stadiums, calling thousands forward to give their lives to Christ as Reverend Graham has? Probably not, but that is not what I believe he was called or provisioned to do. He was given the two talents and, by all indications, is well on his way to earning another two for the Lord.
Assuming that he is fulfilling his mission, as called and provisioned by God, he will be rewarded the same as Billy Graham who has, we assume, fulfilled his mission as called and provisioned by God. Were they equally provisioned? No, but they were both equally called and will be equally judged and rewarded.
So when it is time for you to make an accounting of your life to God, He is probably not going to ask you how many crusades you led or how many millions of souls you helped lead to Christ. What He will ask is what have you done with the gifts, talents and resources that were provided to you.
Pray
Pray for God to reveal His expectations to you. Ask that He would press upon your heart where you can do more with what He has provided.
Ask Yourself
Which servant from this parable best represents you? What will God’s response be when you present yourself to Him? Do you believe that you are doing all you can with the talents and resources that you have been provided?
Take Action
Reflect on everything you do in the home, work, recreation and spiritual sides of your life. Take one area at a time and really break it down. What have you excelled in and what do you truly enjoy? What talents and resources do you posses that can be used to bring glory to God?
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Institute for Creation Research
Institute for Creation Research
Carbon Dating of '70 Million Year Old' Mosasaur Soft Tissues Yields Surprising Results
by Brian Thomas, M.S. | May. 13, 2011
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Carbon Dating of '70 Million Year Old' Mosasaur Soft Tissues Yields Surprising Results
by Brian Thomas, M.S. | May. 13, 2011
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Friday, May 13, 2011
Spectacular Filament Eruption May 13, 2011 | Before It's News
Spectacular Filament Eruption May 13, 2011 | Before It's News
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Monday, May 9, 2011
Joy In Trials
James 1:2 (NKJV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Joy In Trials
Through our relationship with Christ, joy is our constant companion. We know that nothing in our lives is without purpose. So when we face trials, we should be able to feel a joyful anticipation of the resulting transformation. If God were not using all these experiences for our benefit, they would be rendered pointless.
This does not mean that you should be excited about the pain that you are experiencing, but there should be some joyful anticipation related to what God is preparing you for through your circumstances. Above all, we must have the mindset to persevere through the trials, and be sharpened by them, so that we may be ready for our missions.
In a larger sense, however, the joy we feel is simply a byproduct of the One we know. During our trials, He is always there. He guides, protects, helps and heals. All of this He does so that we are made more complete.
It is easier to persevere when we recall today’s verse and think of it in context of another verse. In 1 Cor 10:13 we can see God’s promise that we will not walk through anything that we cannot bear. Understanding that this verse does not mean we, in and of ourselves, are strong enough, but rather that while we are walking with God we will be provided the strength to bear any burden we encounter or be provided a way out.
So take heart and walk boldly, joyfully and without fear through any trials knowing that the one who created everything is walking with you and refining you so that His purposes might be fulfilled in your life.
Pray
Ask God to help you to see His plan in your pain. Pray that your walk through trials serve His purposes and that He provides you with the strength to persevere.
Ask Yourself
Are you able to look for God's hand in trials that you are walking through or do you focus either on the pain or the solution? Do you let worry overtake you?
Take Action
If you are walking through trials now, look past the pain and find how you are growing as a result. Be encouraged as you are prepared for God's service through the circumstances you are in.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Joy In Trials
Through our relationship with Christ, joy is our constant companion. We know that nothing in our lives is without purpose. So when we face trials, we should be able to feel a joyful anticipation of the resulting transformation. If God were not using all these experiences for our benefit, they would be rendered pointless.
This does not mean that you should be excited about the pain that you are experiencing, but there should be some joyful anticipation related to what God is preparing you for through your circumstances. Above all, we must have the mindset to persevere through the trials, and be sharpened by them, so that we may be ready for our missions.
In a larger sense, however, the joy we feel is simply a byproduct of the One we know. During our trials, He is always there. He guides, protects, helps and heals. All of this He does so that we are made more complete.
It is easier to persevere when we recall today’s verse and think of it in context of another verse. In 1 Cor 10:13 we can see God’s promise that we will not walk through anything that we cannot bear. Understanding that this verse does not mean we, in and of ourselves, are strong enough, but rather that while we are walking with God we will be provided the strength to bear any burden we encounter or be provided a way out.
So take heart and walk boldly, joyfully and without fear through any trials knowing that the one who created everything is walking with you and refining you so that His purposes might be fulfilled in your life.
Pray
Ask God to help you to see His plan in your pain. Pray that your walk through trials serve His purposes and that He provides you with the strength to persevere.
Ask Yourself
Are you able to look for God's hand in trials that you are walking through or do you focus either on the pain or the solution? Do you let worry overtake you?
Take Action
If you are walking through trials now, look past the pain and find how you are growing as a result. Be encouraged as you are prepared for God's service through the circumstances you are in.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Daily Light on the Daily Path
- Daily Light on the Daily Path -
May 4
MORNING
Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.
In the day when I cried thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. -- While I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help, leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. -- Be not thou far from me, O Lord, O my strength, haste thee to help me.
Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. -- Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. -- Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.
ISA. 59:1. Psa. 138:3 ‑Dan. 9:21. Psa. 27:9. ‑Psa. 22:19. Jer. 32:17. -II Cor. 1:10. ‑Luke 18:7,8.
EVENING
I have glorified thee on the earth.
My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. -- I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. -- This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. -- Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well -- All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words, which proceeded out of his mouth.
Thou art worthy ... for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and peopIe, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
JOHN 17:4. John 4:34. ‑John 9:4. Luke 2:49,50. ‑John 11:4,40. Luke 2:52. ‑Luke 3:22. ‑Luke 4:22. Rev. 5:9,10.
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May 4
MORNING
Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.
In the day when I cried thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. -- While I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help, leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. -- Be not thou far from me, O Lord, O my strength, haste thee to help me.
Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. -- Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. -- Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.
ISA. 59:1. Psa. 138:3 ‑Dan. 9:21. Psa. 27:9. ‑Psa. 22:19. Jer. 32:17. -II Cor. 1:10. ‑Luke 18:7,8.
EVENING
I have glorified thee on the earth.
My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. -- I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. -- This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. -- Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well -- All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words, which proceeded out of his mouth.
Thou art worthy ... for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and peopIe, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
JOHN 17:4. John 4:34. ‑John 9:4. Luke 2:49,50. ‑John 11:4,40. Luke 2:52. ‑Luke 3:22. ‑Luke 4:22. Rev. 5:9,10.
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Monday, May 2, 2011
Invading the Privacy of God -
Week of May 2
Devotional 18
My Best Friend
Friends play an important role in my life. It's hard for me to think of a period when I didn't have several close ones.
My best friend is David. The close relationship we have didn't happen merely because of the passage of time, although that certainly played a role. In analyzing our friendship, the most significant factor has been that we nurtured the relationship. We spent time together. We talked. We shared things about ourselves that we had told no one else. I share this about David because it's the best way I know to talk about my Best Friend in the universe. His name is Jesus.
This morning, I went for a walk with Him through a wooded area near my home. I had a quiet, peaceful time. Of course, I did most of the talking, because Jesus is a better listener than I am. But I paused occasionally. A few times I stopped, and we pushed aside our conversation to take in the wild ducks that live all year long at the little lake. Jesus and I sat in silence on a bench as I stared at the murky water and gazed upward at the cloudless sky. In the far distance, I heard a child call another. Although I couldn't see them, cars occasionally whizzed down the nearby street.
Even in the silence, I was aware of my Friend's presence. In fact, we didn't always need words. Once I closed my eyes and "felt" him give me a warm, lingering embrace.
"I can tell you anything," I said. "You're the only person who already knows everything about me and I don't have to censor my thoughts or feelings."
I like to think he smiled then.
This morning, as I concentrated on my special friendship with Jesus, again I compared it to my relationship with David. I love my friend, and we've told each other many times of our mutual affection and commitment. My relationship with David is the closest human friendship I have. I trust David. He knows things about me others don't know. In fact, I have told him he fits my definition of a perfect friend: someone who knows everything about me, still loves me, and has no plan for my self-improvement.
Jesus doesn't quite fit that definition. True, he knows everything about me and he knows it before I do. As it says in Psalms 139:4 (NIV), "Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O LORD."
Jesus still loves me, despite the wickedness of my thoughts. Despite the disreputable lusts and yearnings that flow through my heart, he doesn't love me less. "You know my heart, Jesus," I say from time to time. But I say that for Cec, not for him, to remind myself that even though the garbage of my mind may be four feet deep and increasing, it doesn't diminish his love for me.
"I'm your friend, and I'm here to listen. Tell me everything." Although not spoken audibly, these words are part of the image I have of my friend Jesus.
The one big difference between my Best Friend and other friends in my life is that Jesus does have a plan for my self-improvement. He constantly pushes me toward a life of holiness.
Today, when Jesus and I walked together, I remembered a poster I had seen in a Sunday school classroom a few years ago. It showed Jesus with his hand on the shoulder of a young boy, and they were walking together. From the animated expression on the boy's face, I knew they were having a delightful time together. That's my idea of friendship with Jesus-simply enjoying each other's presence.
Sometimes when I walk with my Best Friend, I suddenly become aware that not only am I doing all the talking, I'm not even giving Jesus a chance to answer.
Once in a while (not often), I walk in silence and I try to think of him. Sometimes I mediate on some of the words in the Bible that he spoke. Or maybe I ask him to help me live out a statement such as, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me" (Jn 14:1, NIV). Other times, I simply rejoice in being in his presence. Or I may talk to him about the people I care for deeply and who need his help.
My friendship isn't always smooth and simple. Not long ago, we had an argument, Jesus and I. Okay, I did the arguing and he did the listening. I had asked him for something specific, something that would, in my thinking, make me a better person and a stronger Christian. I prayed and searched my heart for my motive. I was sure Jesus would answer yes.
I didn't get what I asked for, and I was angry.
"I'm going for a walk," I told my wife that day. "I feel the Lord let me down, and I have to get it straightened out."
Jesus got an earful of complaints, groanings, and rantings. For perhaps twenty minutes, I walked along and complained. The anger seethed. "You let me down," I said. "I know I fail all the time, but you're not supposed to do that."
Jesus never answered me, but he didn't leave me or rebuke me.
After a while, I felt as if he were asking, "Is it all out of your system now?"
"Yes, it's okay," I said, "even though I still think my idea was better."
He's my Best Friend. He doesn't mind if I talk that way. I don't have a happy ending to that story. No miracles. No change to reverse it so that I got what I wanted. Jesus didn't explain a thing to me-and I'm not sure he ever will. But it's okay.
It's okay because he loves me. It's okay because he knows what's best for me-even when I still don't understand.
After that particular incident, while I brooded, I had to run to the drugstore. There I saw a little girl and her mother. The girl kept begging her mother to buy her something, and the woman kept saying no or shaking her head.
"Why not?" the little girl demanded, hands on her hips.
"Because I said no, and that's all I need to tell you right now," she said.
That incident sent me back to my Best Friend. "I'm sorry. I'm not apologizing for not accepting your decision as best for me. With my limited wisdom, I still think I should have gotten what I asked for. But I heard you speak to me through that mother. You said no, and that's all I need to understand right now." Then came peace.
Because Jesus is the Best Friend of all believers, we can open our hearts to him and tell him anything. Our Best Friend walks with us, cares deeply for us, and wants only good things for us.
[Jesus said,] "You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit." --JOHN 15:13-16a, NIV
My dear friend Jesus,
You're the best friend I've ever had or ever will have.
I'm safe and comfortable with you.
You won't let me down, betray me, or hurt me.
Please help me be a faithful friend to you.
You deserve my best after all you've done for me. Amen.
------------------------------------------
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Devotional 18
My Best Friend
Friends play an important role in my life. It's hard for me to think of a period when I didn't have several close ones.
My best friend is David. The close relationship we have didn't happen merely because of the passage of time, although that certainly played a role. In analyzing our friendship, the most significant factor has been that we nurtured the relationship. We spent time together. We talked. We shared things about ourselves that we had told no one else. I share this about David because it's the best way I know to talk about my Best Friend in the universe. His name is Jesus.
This morning, I went for a walk with Him through a wooded area near my home. I had a quiet, peaceful time. Of course, I did most of the talking, because Jesus is a better listener than I am. But I paused occasionally. A few times I stopped, and we pushed aside our conversation to take in the wild ducks that live all year long at the little lake. Jesus and I sat in silence on a bench as I stared at the murky water and gazed upward at the cloudless sky. In the far distance, I heard a child call another. Although I couldn't see them, cars occasionally whizzed down the nearby street.
Even in the silence, I was aware of my Friend's presence. In fact, we didn't always need words. Once I closed my eyes and "felt" him give me a warm, lingering embrace.
"I can tell you anything," I said. "You're the only person who already knows everything about me and I don't have to censor my thoughts or feelings."
I like to think he smiled then.
This morning, as I concentrated on my special friendship with Jesus, again I compared it to my relationship with David. I love my friend, and we've told each other many times of our mutual affection and commitment. My relationship with David is the closest human friendship I have. I trust David. He knows things about me others don't know. In fact, I have told him he fits my definition of a perfect friend: someone who knows everything about me, still loves me, and has no plan for my self-improvement.
Jesus doesn't quite fit that definition. True, he knows everything about me and he knows it before I do. As it says in Psalms 139:4 (NIV), "Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O LORD."
Jesus still loves me, despite the wickedness of my thoughts. Despite the disreputable lusts and yearnings that flow through my heart, he doesn't love me less. "You know my heart, Jesus," I say from time to time. But I say that for Cec, not for him, to remind myself that even though the garbage of my mind may be four feet deep and increasing, it doesn't diminish his love for me.
"I'm your friend, and I'm here to listen. Tell me everything." Although not spoken audibly, these words are part of the image I have of my friend Jesus.
The one big difference between my Best Friend and other friends in my life is that Jesus does have a plan for my self-improvement. He constantly pushes me toward a life of holiness.
Today, when Jesus and I walked together, I remembered a poster I had seen in a Sunday school classroom a few years ago. It showed Jesus with his hand on the shoulder of a young boy, and they were walking together. From the animated expression on the boy's face, I knew they were having a delightful time together. That's my idea of friendship with Jesus-simply enjoying each other's presence.
Sometimes when I walk with my Best Friend, I suddenly become aware that not only am I doing all the talking, I'm not even giving Jesus a chance to answer.
Once in a while (not often), I walk in silence and I try to think of him. Sometimes I mediate on some of the words in the Bible that he spoke. Or maybe I ask him to help me live out a statement such as, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me" (Jn 14:1, NIV). Other times, I simply rejoice in being in his presence. Or I may talk to him about the people I care for deeply and who need his help.
My friendship isn't always smooth and simple. Not long ago, we had an argument, Jesus and I. Okay, I did the arguing and he did the listening. I had asked him for something specific, something that would, in my thinking, make me a better person and a stronger Christian. I prayed and searched my heart for my motive. I was sure Jesus would answer yes.
I didn't get what I asked for, and I was angry.
"I'm going for a walk," I told my wife that day. "I feel the Lord let me down, and I have to get it straightened out."
Jesus got an earful of complaints, groanings, and rantings. For perhaps twenty minutes, I walked along and complained. The anger seethed. "You let me down," I said. "I know I fail all the time, but you're not supposed to do that."
Jesus never answered me, but he didn't leave me or rebuke me.
After a while, I felt as if he were asking, "Is it all out of your system now?"
"Yes, it's okay," I said, "even though I still think my idea was better."
He's my Best Friend. He doesn't mind if I talk that way. I don't have a happy ending to that story. No miracles. No change to reverse it so that I got what I wanted. Jesus didn't explain a thing to me-and I'm not sure he ever will. But it's okay.
It's okay because he loves me. It's okay because he knows what's best for me-even when I still don't understand.
After that particular incident, while I brooded, I had to run to the drugstore. There I saw a little girl and her mother. The girl kept begging her mother to buy her something, and the woman kept saying no or shaking her head.
"Why not?" the little girl demanded, hands on her hips.
"Because I said no, and that's all I need to tell you right now," she said.
That incident sent me back to my Best Friend. "I'm sorry. I'm not apologizing for not accepting your decision as best for me. With my limited wisdom, I still think I should have gotten what I asked for. But I heard you speak to me through that mother. You said no, and that's all I need to understand right now." Then came peace.
Because Jesus is the Best Friend of all believers, we can open our hearts to him and tell him anything. Our Best Friend walks with us, cares deeply for us, and wants only good things for us.
[Jesus said,] "You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit." --JOHN 15:13-16a, NIV
My dear friend Jesus,
You're the best friend I've ever had or ever will have.
I'm safe and comfortable with you.
You won't let me down, betray me, or hurt me.
Please help me be a faithful friend to you.
You deserve my best after all you've done for me. Amen.
------------------------------------------
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Visit the Christian Forum at www.ChristianPreppersNetwork.net
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