[APRIL 19] The Secret Chamber

Read: Isaiah 50:4-5

"Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light."

--Matthew 10:27

People have some needs that are excruciatingly deep. Poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote, "Never morning wore to evening, but some heart did break."

We find ourselves in conversation at times with heartbroken friends and may feel at an utter loss to know what to say. How can we "speak a word in season to him who is weary," as it says in Isaiah 50:4?

Telling people what human teachers have taught us may have some impact on them. But the most helpful or persuasive words are spoken by those who are taught by the Lord Himself.

That's why it's essential for us to sit at Jesus' feet and learn from Him. The more we receive from Him, the more we have to give to others. George MacDonald pictures this time with the Lord as having ''a chamber in God Himself." He continues: ''Out of [that] chamber . . . man has to bring revelation and strength for his brethren. This is that for which he was made."

It's through our thoughtful and prayerful Bible study, reading, and quiet meditation that God speaks to our hearts. He gives us "the tongue of the learned" (Isa. 50:4) so that we have something to share with those who are in the depths of despair. --David Roper

The comfort God has given us

He wants us all to share 

With others who, with broken hearts,

Are caught in deep despair. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

Listen to God's heart, then speak from your heart to others.

[APRIL 2] The Rescue Business

Read: Romans 3:10-22

"There is joy in the presence if the angels of gods over one sinner who repent."

--Luke 15:10

Living in the Colorando, I climb mountain. On summer weekends, I see casual hikers who have no idea what they are doing. in sandals, shorts, and T-shirts, carrying a single container of water, they are start up a trail at mis-morning. They have no map no compass and no rain gear.

My neighbor, who volunteers for Alpine Rescue, has told me stories of tourists rescued from certain death after wandering  off a trail. Regardless of circumstances, Alpine Rescue always responds to a call for help. Not once have they lecture a hapless tourist, "Well, since you ignored the rules of the wilderness, you'll just have to bear the consequences." Their mission is rescue. They pursue every needy hiker, no matter how undeserving.

The central message of the Bible is one of rescue. Paul points out that none of us "deserve" God's mercy and none of us can save ourselves. Like a stranded hiker, all we can do is call for help. Quoting the psalmist, he says, "There is none righteous, no, not one; none who understands; there is none who seek after of God" (Rom. 3:10-11; Ps. 14:1-3).

The good news of the gospel is the spite of our state, God seeks after us and responds to every plea for help. You might say that God is in the rescue Business 

 

THINKING IT OVER

What keeps you from calling out to God for spiritual rescue? 

Your pride? Do you fear that you are too bad for God's grace? what does Romans 3:23-26 say?

REFLECT ON THIS:

The heart of repentance is turning from sin and toward God

[MARCH 30] The Kingdom of Me?

Read: 1 Peter 3:8-17

"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts."

--1 Peter 3:15

In 1977, 15 year-old Kevin Baugh and a teenage friend decided to create their own country, just for fun. The Republic of Molossia began as they drew a map, created paper money, and made a flag. Today, Mr. Baugh continues his micro-nation the same way it began--just for fun. When Chicago Tribune reporter Colleen Matony toured his 1.3 acre kingdom in the Nevada desert, Baugh assured her he still pays US taxes, which he calls "foreign aid."

"It's always tongue-in-cheek," Baugh admits. "I'm doing this for the pleasure and enjoyment of having my own country."

Not many of us will create our own nation, but we all have a kingdom of the heart where we decide who will rule. The apostle Peter wrote: "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" (1 Peter 3:15). "Sanctify" means to set a part Christ as Lord or Ruler of our life.

There is something within each of of us that longs to be in control of our lives. It may be only a small corner where we assert our spiritual independence and answer to no one but ourselves.

But true freedom comes when we allow Christ to rule our hearts. --David McCasland

'Tis mine to choose if self shall die

And never rise again;

'Tis mine to yield the throne to Christ

And bid rule and reign. --Christiansen

REFLECT ON THIS:

When Christ rules in our heart, our feet will walk His ways.

[MARCH 29] Thanks, God!

Read: Psalm 105:1-5

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord!"

--Psalm 105:1

At RBC Ministries, our human resources team has developed an effective and encouraging program that centers around gratefulness.

When an employee notices something good another employee does here at the office, he or she can take a special "Thank You" card provided by human resources and write a note of appreciation. It's a good feeling to walk into your office and find one of those cards on your desk.

Isn't it great to be thanked for a job well done? Doesn't a good hearty "thank you" brighten your day? And doesn't it make your relationships a little more special--just to know that your work is not being taken for granted?

Everybody loves to be thanked. Even God. Our heavenly Father finds pleasure in our expression of thanks to Him. It's His will that we tell Him "Thank You." Give thanks in all circumstances," Paul said, "for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18 NIV). The writer of Hebrews took it a step further by saying, "Let us be thankful, and so worship God" (12:28 NIV).

Keep looking for ways to improve your relationship with God. Don't forget what may be the most basic way to worship and honor Him: Tell Him "Thanks." --Dave Branon

Then let us adore and give Him His right,

All glory and power, all wisdom and might,

All honor and blessing, with angels above,

And thanks never ceasing for infinite love. --Wesley

REFLECT ON THIS:

The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful heart.

[MARCH 11] God's Mercies

Read: Genesis 32:3-13 

"I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies" 

--Genesis 32:10

Less than the least of all God’s mercies.” This was the motto 17th-century English poet and clergyman George Herbert engraved on his signet ring, and it was the phrase with which he signed his letters and books. Jacob had spoken these words when he pondered God’s goodness despite his own sin and shame: “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant” (Gen. 32:10).

The word “mercies” is from the Hebrew word chesed, meaning “God’s enduring love.” I think it is significant that it rose from the heart of one who saw himself as utterly unworthy.

Relying solely on God’s faithful love, Jacob cries out: “Deliver me!” What an odd combination of thoughts: “I am not worthy... Deliver me” (vv.10-11). Unlike some who seem to have it all together, Jacob knew that everything he brought to God had been ruined by sin. He thought of himself as a man undeserving of God’s grace. But his hope lay not in his worth but in the promise of God to look with favor on those who throw themselves on His mercy. Humility and contrition are the keys that open the heart of God.

As He did with Jacob, God hears us when we humbly cry out to Him for mercy. --Dennis Fisher

For mercies so great, what return can I make?

For mercies so constant and sure?

I'll love Him, I'll serve Him with all that I have

As long as my life shall endure. --Chisholm

REFLECT ON THIS:

Mercy is an unearned blessing bestowed by God on an unworthy recipient.

[MARCH 6] Is it Well?

Read: Philippians 4:4-7

"The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" 

--Philippians 4:7

As the high school chorale prepared to sing Horatio G. Spafford’s classic hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul,” a teen stepped forward to tell the song’s familiar history. Spafford wrote the song while on a ship that was near the spot at sea where his four daughters perished.

As I listened to that introduction and then the words sung by the teenagers, a flood of emotions washed over me. “Where his four daughters perished” were hard words to grasp as I listened again to Spafford’s words of faith. Having lost one daughter suddenly, I find the idea of losing four unfathomable.

How could it be “well” for Spafford in his grief? I hear the words “When peace like a river attendeth my way” and remember where peace can be found. Paul says in Philippians 4 that it can be found as our heart-prayers are voiced to God (v.6). By trustful praying, we unburden our hearts, divest our anxieties, and release the grip on our grief. And we can gain “the peace of God” (v.7)—an inexplicable, divine calmness of spirit. This peace supersedes our ability to understand our circumstances (v.7), and it is a guard on our heart, through Jesus, that protects us enough to allow us to whisper, even in the pain, “It is well with my soul.”

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea-billows roll--

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul. --Spafford

REFLECT ON THIS:

Jesus never makes a mistake.

[FEBRUARY 26] Under New Orders

Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" Matthew 22:37

Herman Wouk’s thrilling World War II novel The Caine Mutiny contains an excellent illustration of what happens when someone becomes a follower of God.

In the novel, a young man from an influential family has enlisted in the Navy. On the day of his induction, his mother drops him off in her fancy car and then kisses him goodbye. He shakes hands with the guard as he enters the building, and the door closes behind him.

His mother, suddenly worried that he might not have enough money, rushes up to the door. But the guard politely stops her. When she demands entrance, he refuses to let her in. She can see her son standing inside the door, so she reaches for the doorknob. “He’s my son!” she cries. The guard gently removes her hand from the knob and says softly, “I know, Ma’am, but he belongs to Uncle Sam now. He’s a sailor.”

When we believe in Jesus Christ and become His followers, we are under new authority. We are subject to new commands. Now we belong to Him. What was once important to us loses its significance. We evaluate things differently. Our new desire is to love and serve the Lord with all our heart (Deut. 6:5-6). Have you joined His ranks? --Dave Egner

Jesus my Lord will love me forever,
From Him no power of evil can sever;
He gave His life to ransom my soul--
Now I belong to Him! --Clayton

REFLECT ON THIS:
Followers of Christ get their marching orders from Him.

[FEBRUARY 20] Parked for Now

Read: Numbers 9:19-23

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry" 

--Psalm 40:1

Parking my car has been a lifelong problem for me. It really wasn’t a high priority with my driving instructor, so I never learned to back up into a parking space until many years later. He also skipped the parallel parking lesson, and I still avoid that unless there’s enough space for two or three cars.

I’ve also struggled to understand a statement I heard when I was a young Christian: “God can’t steer a parked car.” I took that as a challenge to shift my life into motion, and along the way God would guide me in the right direction. It’s an interesting thought, but it’s not always the way God works. Occasionally, God does want us to “stay parked” for a while.

At times, when Moses was in the wilderness, God kept the Israelites in one place. He led them by a cloud, and when it stayed still for many days, “the children of Israel... did not journey” (Num. 9:19). Waiting isn’t always easy, but sometimes God wants us to stay right where He has put us. The psalmist reminds us, “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart” (27:14).

You may feel that you’re stuck and just spinning your wheels in your service for God. But keep your heart open to God’s leading. Then you’ll be ready to shift gears when you hear God say, “Let’s go this way.” --Cindy Hess Kasper

Praying, resting, waiting, trusting--NU
These are words that tell a story;
As we wait for God to lead us,
He responds, "Just seek My glory." --Hess

REFLECT ON THIS:
God orders our stops as well as our steps.

[February 10] Rich toward God

Read: Luke 12:13-21

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

--Luke 12:34

I watch the fluctuations of the stock market and reflect on the effects of fear and greed. A character in a 1980s movie had this philosophy: “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right! Greed works!... Greed [will] save... the USA!” What foolish thinking!

I think of that occasion when a man asked Jesus to serve as an arbiter and make his brother share their inheritance. Jesus refused the request but went on to do the man a greater kindness. He pointed out the motive behind the man’s request and its consequences: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

Then Jesus told a parable about a man who harvested a bumper crop and began to make plans to increase and enjoy his riches. He concluded: “God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (vv.20-21).

The trouble with greed is that ultimately our goods go. But worse—we go. Better to store up treasure in heaven, invest in spiritual riches, and become “rich toward God.” --David Roper

The treasures of earth do not last,

But God has prepared us a place

Where someday with Him we will dwell,

Enjoying the riches of grace. --Branon

REFLECT ON THIS:

Our real wealth is what we invest for eternity.

[JANUARY 16] Respect for Life

Read: Psalm 139:13-16

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" 

--Psalm 139:14

In Psalm 139, David describes God as fashioning his tiny body together in the darkness of his mother’s womb. God loved David before he ever existed.

God designed the person David was to be, and He brought that person into being according to His predetermined plan. In this psalm, David used the intriguing metaphor of a journal in which God first wrote His plan and then brought that plan into fruition through His handiwork in the womb: “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written” (v.16).

Put another way, David was shaped by his heavenly Father’s love into a unique creation. He came from the inventive heart and hand of God. What was true of David is true of you. You are special—along with everyone else in the world.

This being true, we must be pro-life in the purest sense of the word. We are to respect and cherish all human life: the born and those still in the womb; winsome children and weary seniors; the wealthy executive and the financially destitute. All persons are unique productions of our Creator’s genius. With David, let’s exclaim: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (139:14). --David Roper

By God's wise designing

We are wonderfully made,

Every part essential

And in every balance laid. --Anon.

REFLECT ON THIS:

All life is created by God and bears His autograph.