[FEBRUARY 17] In the Car Wash

Read: Isaiah 43:1-13

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you" 

--Isaiah 43:2

I’ll never forget my first experience using an automatic car wash. Approaching it with the dread of going to the dentist, I pushed the money into the slot, nervously checked and rechecked my windows, eased the car up to the line, and waited. Powers beyond my control began moving my car forward as if on a conveyor belt. There I was, cocooned inside, when a thunderous rush of water, soap, and brushes hit my car from all directions. What if I get stuck in here or water crashes in? I thought irrationally. Suddenly the waters ceased. After a blow-dry, my car was propelled into the outside world again, clean and polished.

In the midst of all this, I remembered stormy times in my life when it seemed I was on a conveyor belt, a victim of forces beyond my control. “Car-wash experiences,” I now call them. I remembered that whenever I passed through deep waters my Redeemer had been with me, sheltering me against the rising tide (Isa. 43:2). When I came out on the other side, which I always did, I was able to say with joy and confidence, “He is a faithful God!”

Are you in the middle of a car-wash experience? Trust God to bring you through to the other side. You’ll then be a shining testimony of His keeping power.--Joanie Yoder

How wonderful to know that He
Who watches from above
Will always keep us sheltered in
His ever-present love! --King

REFLECT ON THIS:
A tunnel of testing can produce a shining testimony.

[JANUARY 31] Charlie's Walk on the Moon

Read: Genesis 5:21-32

"Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him."

--Genesis 5:24

The documentary In the Shadow of the Moon includes the story of Charlie Duke, one of the Apollo 16 astronauts launched to the moon in 1972. While the command ship orbited the moon, Duke and another astronaut landed the lunar module Orion on the moon's surface. After 3 days pf running experiments and collecting lunar rocks,the Apollo 16 crew safely returned to earth.

Later, Charlie has a spiritual transformation. He said it began when his friend invited him to a Bible study. After the meeting, Charlie prayed to Christ, "I give You my life, and if You're real come into my life." He then experienced an indescribable peace. It was so profound that he began to share his story with others. Charlie told them, "My walk with god lasts forever."

The Bible tells us of another man who walked with god. "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." (Gen. 5:24). His spiritual walk with God was so close that God took him directly into eternity (see Heb.11:5)

We can learn a lesson from Charlie and Enoch. For believers, no matter where our journey leads, our walk with God will last eternity! --Dennis Fisher

Let me walk with You, dear Savior;

Side by side and hand in hand;

Keep me clean and pure and faithful

Till I reach the heavenly land. --Hess

REFLECT ON THIS:

Keep eternity's goal in sight by walking daily in God's light.

[JANUARY 19] A Constant Companion

Read: Psalm 119:129-136

"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end." 

--Psalm 119:33

When my wife and I are preparing for a trip, one of the first things we do is get out the road atlas. We study it intensely to learn the best routes, determine the number of miles we’ll have to travel, pick out interesting places to visit, decide how far we can get in a day, and estimate expenses. On the journey, the atlas is our constant companion, and we consult it many times a day. We couldn’t get along without it.

For Christians, the Bible is an atlas for their spiritual journey, but it is much more. It is described as:

• sweeter than honey (Psalm 19:10; 119:103)

• a lamp (Psalm 119:105)

• rain and snow (Isaiah 55:10,11)

• a fire (Jeremiah 23:29)

• a hammer (Jeremiah 23:29)

• water (Ephesians 5:26)

• a sword (Ephesians 6:17)

• solid food (Hebrews 5:12)

• a mirror (James 1:23)

• milk (1 Peter 2:2)

Like the highway traveler, we as Christians are on a long and sometimes hazardous journey. We face many decisions and will have many needs on our pilgrimage to paradise. The Bible has been given to us to help us make those decisions and to meet those needs. It should be our constant companion–studied diligently and consulted often along the way. We can’t do without it. --Dave Egner

I have a companion,a dear, faithful friend,

A union of blessing that never shall end;

Till Jesus returns with His saints from on high

We'll travel together, my Bible and I. --Anon.

REFLECT ON THIS:

The Bible is like a compass—it always points the believer in the right direction.

[JANUARY 15] A Second Chance

Read: Lamentations 3:22-33

"His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" 

--Lamentations 3:22-23

A year ago today, 155 people on US Airways Flight 1549 thought they were going to die. During take-off from New York City, their plane struck a flock of geese, disabling both engines. In a powerless glide, the captain maneuvered over the densely populated area, then announced: “Brace for impact.” Less than 90 seconds later, the crippled plane made a water landing in the frigid Hudson River, where boats and ferries quickly arrived to rescue the passengers and crew, all of whom survived. People called it the “miracle on the Hudson” and praised the pilot and crew. One grateful passenger said simply, “We have a second chance in life.”

In times of crisis, we grasp the importance of every hour. During our ordinary routine, however, we often forget that each day is a second chance. “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’ ” (Lam. 3:22-24).

We can choose to live with thankfulness for God’s mercy and grace, with confidence in His faithful care, and with hope because He is with us forever. Today, God offers us a second chance in life. Let’s make the most of it! --David McCasland

As shadows of night give way to dawn's light,

God opens the door to a brand new day;

And with it come mercies from His gracious hand

For giving new mercies is always his way. --D. De Haan

REFLECT ON THIS:

Our God is a God of second chances.

[JANUARY 14] The Sin Buildup

Read: 1 John 1:5-10

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" 

--2 Corinthians 4:7

For hundreds of years, windmills around the world have been used to pump water and to process grains. But in the last few decades, as wind turbines producing electricity have become more prevalent, a “fly in the ointment” unexpectedly occurred.

Researchers discovered that windpower generators worked fine at slow speeds, but at high-wind velocity, bugs on the blades reduced power output. Operators found that it was necessary to regularly wash off the buildup of dead insects to avoid having them slowly decrease the turbine’s power.

A buildup of sin in a Christian’s life can be a problem as well. God has provided a way to clear the accumulation of sins from our lives. First John 1:9 reminds us: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” But unless we do that often, we’ll be running on diminished power. That’s because the power for living comes from God and not us (2 Cor. 4:7). When we try to live the Christian life in our own strength, we’ll feel defeated—like windmills robbed of their energy.

God’s power can be more easily seen and experienced in our lives when we get rid of sin’s buildup every day. --Cindy Hess Kasper

The power in our Christian life

Will be diminished by our sins;

Confession will restore our strength--

When we're forgiven, cleansed within. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

Sin drains our spiritual power; confession restores it.