Indecision is no man’s land. There are no answers there, and no place to go. You need to fill your thoughts with Me, seek My face, and come into My presence where I can give you direction and guidance. Wait for My wisdom about every situation. Stand still until you have clarity, and do not fret. James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. SMALL STRAWS by MARSHA BURNS
The Purpose of Trials
“Take up your cross and follow me,” Christ said. We shouldn’t expect the Christian life to be easy and comfortable because believers aren’t exempt from trials. Becoming a Christian may result in increased trouble and suffering. Peter refers to such hardship as a “fiery ordeal,” and tells us not to be surprised by it. God uses our suffering for His purpose, and He walks through it with us. Hope during affliction is possible when we understand what God is achieving in the situation. Here are four reasons the Christian may go through trials.
1. The heavenly Father sometimes uses painful experiences to purify us. Trials drive us to the Lord and open our eyes to sins that we have tolerated. His discipline is not designed to crush us but to produce “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11).
2. God uses suffering to display his power. Trials humble us by revealing our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). They teach us to depend on the Lord for the power to persevere and mature
3. Our suffering has eternal benefits. Earthly affliction “is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
4. The Lord at times allows difficulty as a way of testing us. His goal is to produce increased faith, endurance, and devotion to Him. Rather than complaining, we should exult in our tribulations, knowing that they are producing proven character within us (Romans 5:3-4).
Today, be encouraged and view your next trial from God’s perspective. Though you may not feel it at the time, the Lord is with you. He is your hope and sufficiency.
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are [a]reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [b]On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 1 Peter 4:12-14
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, as I go through the trials of life, help me to realize that you are always with me in all things; that I have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds me for eternity. In the security of your embrace, in Christ’s name Amen.
Pruning Season Pt 2
Have you ever done something you said you would never do? Scriptures describe a time in Peter’s life in which he had done what he thought he would never, ever do. On the night he instituted the Lord’s Supper, Jesus predicted that all the disciples would be made to stumble because of him. Peter, in his overzealous confidence, responded, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not…”. He was so sure of himself that he proclaimed emphatically that even if he had to die with Christ, he would not deny him. Yet, hours later, he did just that.
God, in His omniscience, had zeroed in on a weakness in Peter’s character. Through humbling circumstances, Jesus pruned away the pride that would prevent Peter from later becoming the leader of the early church God intended him to be.
Today, we can all identify areas we’re overconfident in by noting the lack of time we spend in prayer over them. If the Holy Spirit brings something to mind, ask the Father to prune that tendency from your life and permit him to use whatever means is necessary to prune negative things out of your life so that you may fulfil the purpose he has for you.
“Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Mark 14:29 (NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, you promise in your word to prune branches that don’t bear fruit. Father, I ask you to humbly search me and see if there are barren branches in my life. God, I permit you to do whatever is necessary that I may bear lasting fruit for your glory. In Christ’s name. Amen.
Pruning Season
While pastoring in central California I was surrounded by vineyards. Have you ever walked through a vineyard? In John 15, Jesus’ words to His disciples reveal that He had passed through many vineyards. He had no doubt observed a caretaker faithfully preparing the grape vines for harvest: tenderly and thoroughly examining each vine and its branches to ensure maximum yield for many seasons to come.
Jesus used this metaphor of the vineyard to emphasise, among other things, the necessity of the Father tenderly trimming branches in our lives so we can produce an even greater yield for His Kingdom. The Father separates the unproductive branches from the vine, enabling the remaining branches to flourish.
Today what do you need to prune from your life so you can become more fruitful? Pruning can be painful and perplexing, but every believer, regardless of call or creed, and if he or she remains organically connected to the true vine, is commissioned, and pruned to bear eternal fruit. Are you a believer? then you are a candidate to be pruned and trimmed tenderly and thoroughly empowering you to thrive and flourish as you faithfully abide in God. If you’re not a believer, then choose to make Christ the centre of your life. Allowing Him to remove all the negatives from your life.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your love. Father, help me to discern and to surrender to your daily pruning process so that I can faithfully and effectively bear fruit for Your kingdom. God, please Empower me for maximum yield in the harvest fields of my sphere of influence no matter how hard it may be. In Christ’s name Amen.
Your Pain Has Purpose
God will use whatever he wants to display his glory. Including my dying dad.
The heart attack took him from a healthy man to a comatose paralytic. He lost his voice and couldn’t move, but never lost his faith. Dad suffered stately and died with dignity. His faith in the last few years of life led me to marvel in amazement. After the funeral, I sat there thinking that because of my dad’s example, many may have become Jesus’s followers.
Now I ask the question did God orchestrate my father’s illness for that very reason? Knowing the value, he places on one life; I wouldn’t be surprised. And imagining the beauty of heaven, I know my father will not complain.
Today, a season of suffering is a small assignment when compared to the reward. Rather than begrudge your problem, explore it. Ponder it. And most of all, use it. Use it to the glory of God. Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end—the glory of God.
“Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” Psalm 50:15 NLT
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, when problems and pain come my way, help me to remember that nothing comes into my life without your approval. So rather than complain and cry about the challenges I face, help me consider them as opportunities to bring glory to you. Father, give me the strength and patience to bear my burdens in a way that will honour you. God, I will lift my eyes off the trials and keep them fixed firmly on you. In Christ’s Name Amen.
Maybe We Are Scattered on Purpose
In a moment, everything changed. Life, as usual, ceased and Christianity and the world plunged into a time of fear and uncertainty.
This sounds like our current situation during a pandemic, war, and major growth in anti-social behaviour, but it also speaks to a time of “great persecution” the early Church faced. The vibrant new Christian Church was forced to splinter apart. They were under siege. New believers, untethered from their apostolic anchor, fled through the Judean countryside and into the surrounding nations. What did they feel? Fear? Confusion? That this new, seemingly fragile faith was threatened with eradication?
They felt a mixed bag of many things. But after a brief time, the scattered believers regained their bearings and “went about preaching the word”. The crisis turned out to be a vehicle that God, in His sovereignty, used to further His purposes. The Gospel entered new nations and began its inexorable march to the ends of the earth.
God has repeated this process throughout history. Plagues, persecution, and disasters all have come and gone, appearing as threats but proving to be the kindling that has stoked the fires of the mission.
Today as in the early Christian Church we have become scattered in a different way, what might God do? Instead of gathering physically on Sabbath mornings and various weeknights, we journey on digital roads, streaming church services and Gospel messages wherever we go. Might this moment be another watershed moment in Church mission history? How can we move past our own fear and uncertainty to proclaim Christ when we’re physically and digitally scattered? Maybe God has scattered us on purpose so that this gospel can be preached into all the world…
“And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Acts 8:1 ESV
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank you for your sovereign control of all things, even still through the chaos of today. I give my anxieties to you and pray that you’d give me the peace, wisdom, and creativity to proclaim your greatness to those around me, both digitally and physically. Father, revive my heart During this time and use me to help bring the Gospel to the very ends of the earth. Amen.
We Need Caleb’s Faith
When the Israelites first approached the borders of Canaan, Moses sent scouts into the Promised Land to assess the situation. Ten of the scouts came back with reports that focused on the giants in the land, men so big and powerful the scouts feared they could not be defeated. Two of the scouts focused on the promise from God that he would hand the land over to the Israelites. One of those scouts, Caleb, silenced the others when he said,
“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it”
Caleb trusted God instead of trusting his fear. The opposite of fear is faith some say, the belief that Jesus is capable of handling anything we may face in life. But operating out of faith means we must rely on God, remaining dependent on him to see us through any issue.
It brings us to a choice: Will we trust God, or will we trust our fears? And we reach that level of trust by knowing the Father and understanding His character through His word and we understand the Father by following Jesus.
Today Your Greatest fears simply reveal places where you aren’t yet trusting God. Don’t stay stuck in your fear, and don’t receive condemnation for your lack of faith. Christ wants to move you past that into a place where your fears are replaced by faith. Follow him and learn to trust Him more.
“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Numbers 13:30b
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I believe, but help with my unbelief! Help my head and my heart to believe in you and trust in you fully, without a doubt, knowing that in you all things are possible. I pray for help to strengthen my faith in you. Father, I believe, but I don’t always believe in your power and might. I don’t always believe that in you all things are possible. I don’t always place my trust in you, instead trying to fix everything on my own. I don’t always turn to you first, instead turning to others and the world for answers. Lord at times I struggle to relate the scriptures to my own life. Lord, Lord, please strengthen my faith! In Christ’s name Amen.
Crises Are A Catalyst For Prayer.
When was the last time you cried out to God about something other than personal issues? We’re often so absorbed in our own lives that we fail to see the crises others are facing. But whether a hardship impacts total strangers or hits close to home, do you ever feel some matters are just too big for one person’s prayer to make a difference?
The Bible assures us that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (ESV). And the next verse gives a powerful example: “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”
God can heal, bring peace, and change circumstances. And He has chosen to let His children participate in the process through prayer. He wants us to talk with Him about everything
Today, when you hear of a tragedy or problem—regardless of whether it affects you or perfect strangers—resist the temptation to distance yourself from it. You can influence the lives of others when you intercede on their behalf. Let crises become a catalyst for prayer.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, the world is in an uproar. News reports on radio, television, and social media grow grimmer each day. Along with the global crisis, there are families in crisis, too. From losing jobs and income to medical diagnoses that shock and scare, we find ourselves at a loss for words and direction at times. Father, please guide us to be alert for ways to lift each other and to offer help when needed. Remind us that this earth is not our home. God, I pray that in each moment, our thoughts will go to You. I pray we will glean hope that is found in Your Word. Thank You for the peace and comfort found in You. In Christ’s name. Amen
Forgiveness and Deliverance Are Not The Same
Good morning from Zanzibar. It’s one thing to be forgiven of sin, however, there is still a need for deliverance. God is a mighty Deliverer! You may feel afflicted, overwhelmed, or burdened by the cares of life. God is working to bring you out of that difficult situation. It may not be how you thought, but you must trust that God has your best interests at heart.
Consequences and afflictions can take different forms—sickness, hardship, temptation, a difficult co-worker, a friend or maybe a contentious family member. There are so many things that can come against us. Remember, those afflictions are only temporary. Stand in faith today believing that God is on your side. It doesn’t matter what your circumstances look like, why don’t you get up every morning and say, “this is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!”
Today, because of life’s afflictions and hardships, you may not feel like rejoicing or being upbeat, look to God with eyes of faithful expectancy, you’ll see your Deliverer is coming. Hallelujah! As you stand and trust the Lord, He will deliver you and empower you to overcome all evil afflictions, and you’ll see His abundant blessings in every area of your life.
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19, NKJV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for being my Deliverer! Father, thanks for the promise to deliver me from all evil and afflictions. I trust that You have a plan for me to not only be sinless but to be spiritually cleansed from my evil ways. God, I thank You for Your strength and peace in every area of my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
I Am Forgiven
| If you’ve done things wrong (and we all have), the forgiveness that comes from God through the blood of Jesus can lift the guilt and shame, and take the weight from your shoulders. The key to God’s forgiveness is knowing and accepting that Christ gave His life to pay the price for the things you’ve done wrong. There is no sin that God cannot forgive. God’s forgiveness is made complete by asking Christ into your life and surrendering your life to Him. Remember your sin doesn’t take away your purpose or calling. Today, God is speaking to your heart and drawing you to Himself. He doesn’t want you to perish. God wants to give you life. He wants you to pass from death to life. He wants to take you out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness and bring you into God’s Kingdom. The way He does that is by saying to you, ‘your sins are forgiven.’ Can you imagine what it’s like to have all your sins forgiven? To have the load taken off of your back and to be set free? Accept it today and experience God’s freedom. Gods Promises Claim them today; So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 Let’s Pray Yahweh, I believe that You are the Son of God. I believe that You are the only Saviour promised to me who will give me eternal life. God, I want to be set free from my sin. I don’t want to be a slave to sin any longer. Take away my guilt and shame today, cover me with Your blood, break the devil’s hold on me and remove the curse. Give me the faith to believe it is done. Christ, I receive You as my Lord and Saviour. I want to be Your child, in Christ’s Name! Amen. |
“Breathe in… breath out….
Sitting in Tanzania this morning breathing some natural air I came across this thought we breathe at least 12-14 times a minute without thinking. Breathing is a miracle. It keeps us alive. In the same way, God has given Christians “spiritual breathing” for our spiritual well-being. Spiritual breathing, like physical breathing, is a process of exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure. It can become a way of life.
You “exhale” by confessing your sins as soon as you become aware of them and claim God’s forgiveness….
You “inhale” by asking the Holy Spirit to take control and empower you to help you from returning to that sin.
Usually, we don’t give much thought to our physical breathing. But spiritual breathing requires conscious action – a readiness to “exhale”, confess our sin, and “inhale”, or trust God to fill us with his Holy Spirit.
When Christians do not understand this concept, we live on a spiritual roller coaster of frustration. On our own, we may have a fresh start in life only to lose it again – negative thoughts, angry words, slammed doors…… How could this change? It could change by learning and applying the concept of spiritual breathing.
Today as we practice spiritual breathing. Don’t wait to exhale. Be quick to confess. We can pause and confess our sin as soon as we entertain a sinful thought, speak an ugly word, or act on evil desires. “Spiritual exhaling” is agreeing with God about our sin. Inhale spiritually is to claim and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. When the negative circumstances of life crowd in and we take A spiritual breath by letting the Spirit in to take the reigns of our life It is a continuous, conscious choice we make to walk in the Holy Spirit’s power. Are you ready to do spiritual breathing today?
“Keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit” – Ephesians 5:18.
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I need you. Father, today I breathe spiritually by exhaling the times I have sinned against you. I thank you that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross. And now I inhale by asking Your Spirit to put Christ back on the throne of my life and to fill me, as You promised in Your Word, I pray this in the name of Jesus. I thank You for directing me in Christ’s name. Amen
Directions
Landing in Tanzania has given me a chance to reflect on my spiritual direction. Direction, “a purpose or orientation toward a goal that serves to guide or motivate,” has an inevitable flow in our lives. In consideration of our daily direction, the above verse from Romans aligns our internal compass with the One who breathes strength and purpose into the very muscles that compel us.
Our spiritual direction stems from faith. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to “stand firm in the faith.” Scripture tells us to take captive every thought and to align all we hear with the truth of the Gospel. Reading Scripture daily builds godly confidence, preventing the propulsion down a path that doesn’t align with His unique purpose for our lives.
God’s direction for our lives isn’t always easy to traverse. We’re guaranteed that it most certainly will be hard in this life. Courage and strength, supplied by the Father’s love flowing through us, help our feet forge the path that is purposefully ours to trod. So “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Strength and power were ideals used to make spiritual decisions. We’re not too called to rely on our strength but to surrender to the One who is strong enough to sustain us in our spiritual paths.
Today, Jesus Christ’s residence in our hearts through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when we accept Him as our personal Saviour empowers us to set the directional compass of our hearts to His love. His love is perfect it’s direction was certain …the cross. He unwaveringly obeyed His Father and crushed the punishment of sin forever. Taking every one of our names upon His heart as He hung there, the greatest direction that was ever undertaken. That Power that should focus our direction …as we follow Christ.
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” – 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14 (NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I Praise You for Jesus’ sacrifice. His perfect love defeated sin on the cross. Thank You for loving me perfectly, and for layering my life with a unique purpose. Father, it’s hard to choose the right direction at times, forgive me for those times which have led me away from Your path for my life. Help me as we strive to be strong, courageous, and obedient to You. God, bless my heart to know the direction that You have mapped out for me. Help me to get through seasons of discouragement staying focused on Your Word and Your promises. Lord when I lose my way, remind me of who you are …Whose I am in Christ’s name Amen.
MAKE ME A SERVANT
During his reign, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in a bind. Wars had been costly, and in trying to build the nation, he was seriously short of finances. After careful reflection, he decided to ask the women of Prussia if they would bring their jewellery of gold and silver to be melted down for their country. Each piece of jewellery he received, he would exchange for decoration of bronze or iron as a symbol of his gratitude. These decorations would be inscribed, ‘I gave gold for iron, 18l3?.
The response was overwhelming. But more importantly, the women prized these gifts from the king even more highly than their former jewellery! The reason, of course, is clear. They were proof that they had sacrificed for their king.
When we come to know our King, we too should want to exchange the flourishes of our former life for Him. The amazing thing about our King is that He not only takes our jewels, but He takes our rags too — and uses them for the good of His Kingdom!
Today, there are some things we need to sacrifice for him. Let’s pray and ask for His revelation. Great things are awaiting those who give. It’s time to make the trade, the King is waiting if you want to be a servant you must sacrifice the glamour, and pleasure of this world and let the King transform you with his stamp. Then and only then you will be fit for service
I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good. Psalms 54:6
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thanks for this awesome opportunity to trade in my life for you my King, I lay all I have today at your feet begging you for the transforming stamp. So, I can be ready for Your service. Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee. In Christ’s name. Amen
Have you ever thought…
God, I want to please you but just don't know how or if I keep on doing the same thing that dishonours you, those around me and myself? This Scripture provides us with hope. It speaks of God doing something transforming inside of us. He is working inside of you and me. He is giving us the desire, the willingness and the longing to please him. He gives us a vision of what that would look like, feel like, and be like—this desire gives us hope. This is the best part. The desire comes from God, but we may not have the ability to fulfil that desire. We may try in our own power, but each time we experience massive failures. God never intended for us to fail. He wants us to experience the desires he has placed in our hearts. He wants to help us experience the fulfillment of every single desire we have. How does he help us? He gives us his power. His power is able to move us beyond physical realities into a supernatural reality in which He exists. He is able to do far more than we could ever ask or think. His power can bring life to death and strength to weakness. His power is all we need for the desires of our hearts to be realised today. And this will empower us to do what pleases him. You know the desires God has placed in your heart. Why not claim His power today to experience the fulfilment of these desires and make God pleased with you.
When Someone Hurts You
When we harbour unforgiveness or negative feelings towards other people, it can overwhelm us. Picture someone you’re not too fond of. What did you think of them doing to you? Did you think of something bad about them/their actions? Did you immediately want to start telling everyone a story about how awful they are? If you were in a good mood before, you’re probably annoyed or agitated now. If you are still bothered by that person or situation, you probably haven’t quite reached the end of your process of forgiveness yet.
If you want to live a life free from those overwhelming, not-so-positive unforgiving emotions, you must keep that process of intentional forgiveness going, with a heart open to God, until you can move forward with no negative feelings. One way to make sure that process reaches its conclusion is to take that person to God, in a good way, even while you’re still hurting.
Today, when we pray for those who do us wrong, even while it’s happening, it’s the only way we’ll ever truly let go. Come to God without pretending that you’ve let the problem go, but even while you’re honest about your hurt, pray for that person, and the situation you need to forgive. Let God give you strength beyond your hurt to love the unlovable. If you’re in the process of forgiving someone, ask God to guide the steps that you take next.
If you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you.’ Mark 11:25 NIV
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I desire to obey Your Word. Your word tells me to get rid of bitterness and anger and to forgive others as you forgave me in Christ. Lord, I lay all my pain into your hands. I give you my heavy burden of unforgiveness and pain of the past, in exchange for your yoke, which is easy, and your burden, which is light. Your word says – Come all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Lord, I come to you that you may give me rest from all the hurt, pain, and unforgiveness. In Christ’s name Amen!
Fools Lose Control
Whether it’s complaining about people queue-hogging at the supermarket or sounding off about someone behind their back, the Bible says this, ‘Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back’ (Proverbs 29:11 NLT).
It’s okay to share your feelings with those you trust. But think wisely about whom you tell and what you say because you don’t want your words to bite back. For times when you feel like you’re about to explode, here’s a tip for you: get rid of some excess adrenaline by getting active physically rather than vocally. Don’t get physical with people.
Today God is not an advocate of kicking butt! He would prefer you kicked a football around or take a good long run. It helps clear your head to think rationally and handle things in a way you won’t regret afterwards. If you’re anger-prone, challenge yourself to learn a couple of scriptures to grab from your mind when you need it most. Start with Proverbs 14:17.
‘Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back’ (Proverbs 29:11 NLT).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I’m sorry that anger rises in my heart. Father, at times I feel so much pressure. I feel as though I’m on a knife’s edge, Sometimes I resent colleagues, family and friends and I fall into anger. I know you understand, and You see all I am, the good and the bad. Please Lord let Your love flood my angry moments. God help me to pray, to look to you, to take a step back and calm down. Help me to breathe deeply, to re-fuel, to rest and reset. Please step in when I feel anger surging again and remind me of these things. I trust in you. God Amen.
