Walking With Jesus

Beyond Creation to the Source

*In this challenging article Ron speaks to us regarding the “God-sightings” we’ve had, but perhaps didn’t recognize, that give us insight into who God is. Enjoy! Blessings, Ed 😊

Just when you think little kids are pretty much all about their toys, TV, and what’s to eat, they amaze you again. Our daughter had one of those times when our grandson was puttering around the house in his jammies one early morning, and he wandered over to an East window. He stared out at the brightening early morning sky for a few moments and then he suddenly launched a question Mommy’s way, “Mommy, who painted the sky?” Before his mother could answer, our grandson answered his own question, “Jesus did.”

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Beyond Creation to the Source.”

That little guy saw something in the beauty of creation that morning that many grownup people tragically miss: that there’s someone behind the beauty, and He is the point of it all! I mean, a two-year-old seemed to understand, in his own way, what many of us miss if we just admire the painting. The point is to know the Painter! If you consider yourself a spiritual seeker, it’s important to realize that God has, throughout your life and even now, been putting life experiences and life scenery in front of you for one reason. To get your attention, so you would give yourself to the One who does such awesome things. But so far, maybe you’ve missed Him.

In our word for today from the Word of God in Romans 1, beginning with verse 19, God says of us: “What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” God says here, “After all the ways I’ve displayed My greatness and My power to you, you have no excuse for not having a personal relationship with Me.” He then spells out the tragic mistake that so many of us have made without ever realizing it: “They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.” We’ve gotten hung up on what He made for us and missed Him.

You’ve had a number of God-sightings in your life, even if you don’t realize it or acknowledge it. You got a glimpse of His power and love in the birth of a baby, in a time your life was spared, in encountering the amazing engineering of the human body, in the majesty of the ocean that you felt, the mountains, the skies, or some scenic rush you felt. You brushed close to your Creator when you were thinking about death and that it’s inevitable; when you looked at the way a follower of Jesus lived or died, or in the question or insight of a little child.

Over and over, your Creator has been trying to get your attention, trying to direct you to the one way you can have a love relationship with Him that you were made for. The Bible says, “Christ died for sins…to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

The ultimate reach of God for you was the sending of His one and only Son to love you enough to die for the sin that has been the wall between you and Him. You may say, “Well, I believe in God.” The Bible says, “Even the demons believe (in God) and shudder” (James 2:19). No, the issue isn’t believing in God – it’s belonging to God. He’s the belonging you’ve been looking for your whole life.

Here’s how it begins according to the Bible: “To all who received (Jesus)…He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Imagine, born into God’s family, loved and protected by Him forever. That’s the possibility God’s putting in front of you today.

Your personal love relationship with Him begins when you tell Jesus that you’re putting your total trust in Him to forgive your sin and to get you to Heaven when you die. He’s the only one with the power to walk out of His grave and He can deliver eternal life to your soul.

Tell Him today, “Jesus, I’m Yours.” I think our website might help you to that point. Would you go there today? It’s called ANewStory.com.

This painter of all that’s beautiful and awe-inspiring can make a masterpiece out of the rest of your life.

Continual Conversation

“O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips.” (Psalm 17:1 NLT)

Psalm 17 is one among many prayers of David and others who verify and illustrate the personal nature of prayer. Prayer isn’t our endless attempts to fill the air with meaningless rantings hoping someone is out there who will hear them. They are the quiet longings of our heart shared to keep the avenues of conversation flowing between ourselves and the Creator God of the Universe.

In this season of my life there is nothing that satisfies my heart, nor soothes my soul like spending dedicated and devoted moments specifically with the Lord. When my body is weak and my mind is grasping to make sense of what’s invading my life, to lie in the Lord’s presence and allow Him to speak life and hope and help into my spirit is soothing, comforting, encouraging, and life-invigorating.

Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz on Pexels.com

Brother Lawrence had it right when he wrote: “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.” Some may wonder: “How is that even possible?” One misnomer is thinking of conversation as a continuous flow of words, but being in someone’s presence doesn’t necessarily mean that one or the other is always speaking.

Have you ever worked closely with someone, either on a project or at work? Obviously, you’re focused on your work, that elicits conversation, but often there are “side” subjects. “How’s your family? I understand you just had a child; a child went to college; you just went through a divorce; your mom’s been sick…” There are endless conversation opportunities even with people we hardly know, along with periods of quietness. How much easier to speak with Someone who knows us better than anyone else and invites us to know and love Him intimately as well.

Often my “conversation” goes something like this: “Father, I feel rotten today. Any chance You could just let me come home?” I don’t hear His voice, but I sense His smile. He’s pondering the best way to communicate His heart to me when I sense His voice. “When you’re ready, I won’t delay.” “But that’s the point, I think I’m ready today. What else do you want me to do for you?” Then His voice gets a little firmer: “Son, you know I love you and I’ve invested Myself very fully in your spiritual development, but there are lots of things you can’t see or understand that I see clearly and understand fully. Please be patient and trust Me.”

“You know I trust You with my life, but I’m tired, weak, and feel useless sometimes because I can’t do a lot of things I used to be able to do.” To which He lovingly responds: “You can still think about Me and speak with Me. I understand your limitations, but I also know that we’ve developed a relationship that some of your friends and readers are still seeking. Keep telling them about Me and let them see in your love and devotion to Me that even in hard times, our conversations sustain and enable you to keep going. One day, sooner than you can possibly realize, probably when you least expect it, I’ll come for you and we’ll be together for all eternity. Then I’ll show you things I can’t explain now and allow you to know things you’ve never imagined or experienced. I love you, son, thank you for your patience and trust.” “I love You, too, Father, and I can’t imagine life without You. Thank You for Your endless patience and kindness with me. I’m forever Yours and can’t wait to see my home in heaven that You’ve prepared for me.”

Of course, our conversations vary as to topics and intensity but are near constant as we go through life together each day. You may not have learned the art of continual conversation with the Lord, but the sooner you do, the better your life will be and the more intimacy you’ll enjoy with your Savior.

P.S. Some of my most intense conversations with the Lord have taken place in the midst of a difficult project I was inmeshed in. 😊

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Selective Hearing

“You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” (Matthew 13:11-12 NLT)

When Matthew refers to “secrets” in the above verse, he’s not implying the Lord is deliberately trying to hide things from us. Quite to the contrary, He’s seeking to make the mysteries of His Kingdom clearer and more easily understood. The issue too often isn’t listening and understanding, it’s sifting through what we’re hearing with preconceived notions that filter the truth of what’s being taught, resulting in a distorted view of what otherwise would be clear.

It’s almost like me when I was a child. Mom would tell me to take out the trash. Simple instruction, right? Not to a 9-year-old boy. What I heard was: “Sweetheart, when you want to get around to it, please take out the trash.” So, I figured sometime within the next week should be fine. The problem wasn’t with the message; it was with the hearing. Unfortunately, we tend to do that with the Lord. His commandments become suggestions, to our demise.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Another dimension of that problem is blaming God for not speaking when the issue is clearly that we’re not listening. We wonder why God seems so far away, especially in difficult times, but we never seek His presence in prayer or His comfort through His words. The Psalms are filled with comforting messages from the Lord, not to mention the invitations from the Lord Himself in the New Testament.

I’m reminded of Jeremiah 8:18 in the KJV where it records these sad words: “When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.” Looking within to find strength is like trying to play baseball with your hands tied behind your back. Not only are you going to get frustrated, you’re likely to get hurt further in the process. The answer isn’t looking inward, it’s looking outward to the only Source of healing and hope, the Lord Jesus. Bob Goff was right when he said: “I used to think God wouldn’t talk to me, but now I know I’m just selective with what I choose to hear.”

With what are you struggling in this season? The answer isn’t to go over, under, or around your problem. The only way is through, but not alone! Strength to persevere is found in immersing yourself in God’s Word, fellowshipping with God’s people, and finding strength and hope in communion with the Lord in prayer – not just speaking but listening! The Lord speaks most loudly through His Word, but also through His Creation.

As I walked to church on many occasions when I was Pastoring, it amazed me how I sensed the trees and plants swaying in worship and adoration of their Creator. It inspired me to join them and to realize the burdens I was carrying could be lightened by lifting my hands and heart to my Savior. Rather than choosing to limit what we hear from the Lord, we must open the channel to His Holy Spirit.

Samuel learned this lesson well as recorded in 1 Samuel 3:9ff. Eli told the young boy Samuel: “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” When Samuel tuned his heart to God’s frequency a powerful message was given.

The Lord is always willing to speak; it’s many times a matter of us being willing to listen. Are you listening? Openly, not selectively?

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Playing the Part, Missing the Lord

*This important message from Ron Hutchcraft should awaken each of us to our need to never let down our guard or pretend we’re someone we’re really not. Food for thought. Blessings, Ed 😊

She was at the time, a princess in the royalty of Hollywood – one of the most successful, A-list, admired actresses in America. Behind the glamour, there are unrelenting struggles and unanswered questions, apparently. She was given some major recognition at an international awards ceremony, and as she expressed her gratitude, she also opened up her heart in a brief moment of extreme candor. Listen to what she said, “You know, I play so many roles, sometimes I wonder who the real me really is.” I’ll tell you, you don’t have to be a Hollywood star to have that going on.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Playing the Part, Missing the Lord.”

Playing a role. You know, a lot of folks are doing that. Following the script you’re supposed to follow, acting the way you’re supposed to act, giving such a convincing performance that you almost believe it yourself. That gap between playing the role and experiencing the reality becomes horribly expensive when you’re playing the role of belonging to Jesus Christ, when you don’t really belong to Him.

That’s why, in a passage of the Bible written to church folks, God gives a life-saving warning. It’s in 2 Corinthians 13:5, it’s our word for today from the Word of God. He says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?” For those of us who have spent a lot of time around Jesus, it’s particularly important that we don’t assume we automatically have Jesus. We need to examine ourselves – to test ourselves. Christ Jesus isn’t, in the Bible’s words here, “in you” unless there’s been a time in your life when you’ve consciously opened the door of your life to Him and invited Him in to run it from now on. When you know the words, go to the meetings and you believe the beliefs, it’s just way too easy to miss this one life-or-death step.

My friend Gary is in the medical profession. The other day he took me aside and he told me his personal testimony. He said he and his friends had gone forward at a church meeting as young teenagers. And while he went through what he described as an “accepting Christ” thing, he never really had a personal transaction with Jesus that day. He did what he was supposed to do on the outside, but nothing really happened on the inside. From that point on, he said, he played the role.

Gary became a Sunday School teacher in his church, a deacon, and even the youth director. No one would have even thought to question whether or not he was really a Christian. One of his former professors invited him to a men’s retreat one day, and he looked forward to impressing this respected Christian friend of his with what an active Christian he had become. But instead, that friend kept pressing him for an answer to this question: “If you died tonight and God asked why He should let you into His heaven, what would you tell Him?” Gary answered with his spiritual résumé. His friend told him that none of that could get him into heaven. It was that night Gary finally realized he was playing the role but missing the reality. He fully committed His life to Jesus Christ that night. And that has made all the difference in the world, and all the difference in where he will spend all of eternity.

Could it be that you have missed that step? The eternity-changing step of actually telling Jesus, “I believe you died for me. I believe You are my only hope. So beginning right now, I’m totally Yours.” That takes courage. It takes honesty to admit you don’t really have Jesus, but the cost of continuing to just play the role is way too high to pay; too awful to pay. God brought you here today so this could finally be your personal Jesus-day. So as He’s speaking to you in your heart, with that tug you feel, don’t miss this moment of truth. “Jesus, I’m Yours for real, beginning today.”

Check out our website today, please. And go to ANewStory.com. We will walk you through the steps to help you know you really belong to Christ now. That’s ANewStory.com.

Tonight you can finally go to sleep with the peace you’ve never had. It’s the peace that comes from only knowing that you really do belong to Jesus now.

How Important Is Your Past?

“Where is another God like You, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of His special people? You will not stay angry with Your people forever, because You delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under Your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! You will show us Your faithfulness and unfailing love as You promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.” (Micah 7:18-20 NLT)

Too many times, our past overshadows any hope we think we might have had for any meaningful and productive future that could possibly offer any glory or honor to the Lord Jesus. When our focus remains on ourselves and our sin, we lose right perspective and become blind to the grace of God made available through the sacrifice or our Savior.

Micah’s insightful words, given to Him by the Lord, revealed far more than hope for exiled Jews. His words ring forever true for anyone who has lost their way and found themselves in exile to their sin and shame. Unfortunately, it’s not only our sin that bogs us down or discourages us. We may be unhappy because as we view ourselves, we’re not as smart or as physically attractive, or perceptive, or funny, or a thousand other things that seem to separate us from all the other people we perceive as better equipped for life than we are.

We categorize ourselves and count ourselves out from excelling in anything, expecting only mediocre or less in every dimension of our life. “Why apply for college, I’m not smart enough?” “Why try out for a sports team, a role in a play, the orchestra or choir? I have no talent?” “Why hope for a meaningful relationship? Who would ever be attracted to me?”

These kinds of demeaning comments about ourselves are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, often culminating in: “What would God ever see in me? Why did He make me so worthless? So useless?” We’re prone to look at what to us seems so obvious and evaluate ourselves based on the world’s poor and wrong opinions of us. Do you want to know what God thinks of you?

Here’s what the God of the Bible says about you: “Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!”

The Psalmist continues, but hopefully you get the picture of how unique, special, and divinely created you are. Not only that, when you open your heart to His Lordship by inviting Him to forgive you and fill you with His Spirit, He gives you spiritual gifts, again, unique to you, that you can invest in His eternal Kingdom. I love how Tony Campolo describes this when he writes: “Your past is important, but it is not nearly as important to your present as the way you see your future.”

Your past may have brought you to where you are, but by God’s grace, He can take you to places in your future you never dared dream possible. Open your heart to Jesus. Put your whole trust in Him by asking Him to forgive your sin and fill you with Himself. The Bible says: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me.’”

Regardless of your past or even your present, place your life into the capable hands of the Savior, the Lord Jesus, by tapping this link anewstory.com and beginning a new life you’ve never dared dream was possible.

Blessings, Ed 😊

I Do Every Day: Just Tell Me What I Want to Hear

By: Janel Breitensten

*For many years I’ve enjoyed the daily devotionals from Family Life and Janel has been among my favorite authors. Her wit and humor make it enjoyable to read her sometimes stinging truths. Enjoy! Blessings, Ed 😊

My husband had this annoying habit when we were first married: Telling the truth.

I’d request his opinion on my shirt, and he would casually let me know if it looked sloppy or less-than-flattering. He’d thank me for the meal from my shiny new Better Homes and Gardens cookbook, but when I pushed, he’d suggest I cut back on the onion.

Or I would begin a well-known wifely script. “I feel so [insert adjective]. I can’t believe you’re attracted to me.”

My husband was supposed to reply, “I am married to the most beautiful woman in the world.” But he recognized the quicksand of my insecurity, my attempts to drag him in.

A truth-teller would not speak with inaccurate superlatives. Instead, he extended a branch: “I’m not going to say you’re the most beautiful woman in the world; you wouldn’t believe me anyway.” Try me. “But you are beautiful to me.”

Kind of anti-climactic. Where did this guy go to man school?

At times he thought that I wanted to be reminded of scriptural principles. (And I did. But not when I was sinning, for Pete’s sake.) Not in a self-righteous way. Just carefully, honestly telling me what I needed to hear.

He was gut-level honest about sin he was struggling with. At first, I’d feel awkward. Or disappointed. Or angry.

But the more this happened—and the more I revealed my own struggles—the more intimate and refining our relationship became. We drew closer, confessing failures, then asking forgiveness and even quietly holding each other accountable.

As he grew more gentle, more careful about his timing and choice of words, I recognized something valuable and rare: trustworthiness.

His compliments aren’t an attempt to make me feel good. His looks of admiration are from a brother in the battle, helping me anticipate the places I’d be wounded by my sin—or wound others. The white lies greasing the wheels of so many relationships aren’t welcome.

After nearly two decades of marriage, he’s changed a lot. But I love that he still tells the truth.

Wondering if you should tell the truth about that—and how to speak tough truths? Learn more here.

THE GOOD STUFF: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17) ACTION POINTS: In what environment do you feel like the most winsome version of yourself? How might that environment prevent you from seeing the more negative version of yourself? In what ways might you be more dedicated professionally than you are in your home?

Was this shared with you?
Get these in my inbox daily!

Life Is Terminal!

“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him.” (Hebrews 9:27-28 NLT)

It’s an uncontested fact that every human being is going to die, yet every day we’re shocked to learn we have a terminal disease, or someone has died by an accident. Children are stillborn, yet some live more than 100 years, but no one escapes their inevitable appointment with their Creator. Of course, if Jesus returns for us before we physically die, that’s the exception, but for those without the Lord they are still without hope.

It seems in many ways that people should automatically know and realize that we each only have one life of undetermined length, but, at best, brief, as a rule not more than 100 years. And yes, 100 years sounds like a lot, but in comparison with eternity that has no beginning and no end, it’s a drop in the ocean. The issue becomes, what do we do with the one life, however many years we’re allowed?

Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com

Do we wait until we “discover” ourselves, determine what we like or don’t like; what interests us; what gifts, abilities, or talents we have; who we might meet and how they might challenge or direct us; who our parents are or aren’t, what kind of environment we grew up in; friendships we forged? The list is virtually endless of things that influence us as we’re growing up: Parents, teachers, coaches, friends, enemies, and on and on it goes, but ultimately, the proverbial “buck” stops with us.

We can make excuses for what or who we’re not or we can make decisions that will maximize the gifts, talents and abilities the Lord gave us and allow Him to shape us into the person He created us to become. Depending on what part of the world we grow up in, that can be easier said than done, but if you’re reading this you have a jump start on most of the people in the world. Why? Because you know that life isn’t, at its core, about us, it’s about life and death, lostness and found-ness, life WITH Jesus or WITHOUT Jesus, heaven or hell.

To be alive physically can certainly be challenging but knowing WHY we’re alive physically is the beginning of finding our way to Jesus and discovering life as it was always intended to be lived. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “…that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” So, the issue becomes, do you belong to Christ Jesus? You’ve either had a transformational moment in your life when you yielded your life and allegiance to Jesus, or you haven’t. This was an adult decision that YOU made, no one made it for you. Your infant Baptism didn’t do it for you or having godly parents, siblings, uncles or aunts doesn’t make you right with God.

The only way any of us can be in a right relationship with Jesus is by personally confessing our sin, yielding our will to His, inviting His Holy Spirit to take up residence in our heart and life, and choosing to invest our lives, for however long we live, in His eternal Kingdom. There’s no looking back! Every step is forward and upward as we’re led by God’s Spirit who now has residence in our life.

Yes, of course, our physical body will still die (unless the Lord hastens His return), but the fact is, though our body dies, our eternal spirit lives on with the Lord. That’s why those who place their trust in Jesus have no fear of death. We’ve already died, as illustrated in our Baptism, and have been raised to new life. We’re with the Lord from that moment forward and He’s promised never to leave or forsake us. Our job from that point is to exalt Him in everything we say, do, and think, seeking to please and honor Him and extend His holy Kingdom with every ounce of energy He gives us.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What’s His Name?

“Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in His fists? Who wraps up the oceans in His cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is His name – and His Son’s Name? Tell me if you know!” (Proverbs 30:4 NLT)

You may not remember Agur son of Jakeh, but he obviously had his ear to the heart of God. The thing that strikes me about brother Agur is his honesty. Listen to his evaluation of himself: “I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God. I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.”

In our day we hear and see in print the matchless Name above all names, the name of our Lord Jesus, but glance over it with a “ho hum!” attitude. I love the story of a man who recalled hearing former President Bush tell a story about visiting an old folks’ home and chatting with a woman in a wheelchair. After a while, Bush asked, “Do you know who I am?” She replied, “Ask at the desk. They’ll know.”

I’m reminded of Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well where He said to her in John 4:10: “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask Me, and I would give you living water.” How thirsty our world is, yet no one seems to be asking: “What’s His Name?” Few are seeking the only One whose Name is above all others, who’s power is unlimited, and love beyond measure, the only One who can transform lives and change eternal destinations.

Let me close today with Ray Majoran’s beautiful prayer entitled “Surely You Know”: “God of heaven and earth, You gather the wind in Your hands, wrap the waters as with a garment, and establish the boundaries of the earth. Your eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived in the things You have made (Romans 1:20). Surely we know that creation did not form itself or remain by its own strength. You alone are the Maker, Ruler, and Sustainer of all things.

Forgive us when we behave as though our limited understanding gives us the right to question Your wisdom or resist Your authority. We cannot command the wind, contain the waters, or see beyond the clouds before us, yet we often trust our own judgment more readily than Your Word. Teach us to surrender our pride and rest in the wisdom and goodness of Your sovereign care.

Holy Spirit, open our eyes so that the beauty of creation leads us beyond itself to worship Christ. When our way is hidden beneath the mist, and we can’t see what lies ahead, help us trust the One in whom all things hold together. Give us boldness to confess His name so that others may also know the Son through whom You have revealed Your glory.”

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What To Pray When You Don’t Know What To Pray

*This being the 15^th of the month we have the joy of sharing another powerful and timely message from Sylvia Gunter. As we all experience this dilemma, please read carefully. Blessings, Ed 😊

Have you ever been so burdened by a problem that you say “I just don’t even know what to pray?” When the circumstances of life seem too big or complex to comprehend, shift your focus to who God is by praying God’s character.

For every circumstance I believe and proclaim…

God is sovereign. All authority and all power are His. Matthew 28:18.

Nothing takes Him by surprise. All circumstances serve Him. God knows the end from the beginning. Psalm 119:91, Isaiah 46:9-10. His word is forever settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89.

God does all things for our good and His glory, to conform us to be like Jesus. Romans 8:28-29

The blood of Jesus covers all circumstances, people, places, and times. The One who did not spare His own Son will freely give us all His best. Romans 8:31-32.

God is for us and nothing can separate us from His love. That was settled on the cross. Romans 8:35-39.

God’s lovingkindness never ceases. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23.

God supplies all our needs by His riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19.

God knows and cares. The very hairs of our head are numbered. Matthew 10:30.

He is God of all comfort and Father of mercies. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

God is able to supply His abundant grace to us, so that in all things, at all times, we have all His sufficient grace we need for strength, encouragement, and hope. 2 Corinthians 9:8.

God is able to show His perfect power in our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

We can know with certainty that He is able to guard what we have entrusted to Him. 2 Timothy 1:12.

He is our strength, our shield, our strong tower, our refuge, our hope, our joy, our peace, our all. Psalm 18:1-3, Colossians 3:11b.

God renews our strength as we wait on Him. Isaiah 40:31.

God promises that He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is with us, a very present help. Hebrews 13:5-6, Psalm 46:1.

God never goes back on a promise. Joshua 21:45.

God has a heart that tears can touch and invites us to climb up in the Father’s lap and cry. Hebrews 4:15, Psalm 56:8.

God gives gladness instead of mourning and praise instead of fainting. Weeping endures for a night, but He gives joy that comes in the morning. Isaiah 61:3,
Psalm 30:5.

God is enthroned on the praises of His children. Psalm 22:3. When we lift God up continually in a sacrifice of praise, we glorify Him in this situation in the here-and-now. Father, glorify Yourself this hour. John 12:28

An archive of past devotionals are available on our website.

Do You Love Pampering?

“So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside the Kerith Brook east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.” (1 Kings 17:5-7 NLT)

As Elijah discovered, obedience to the Lord sometimes gets a little frightening. We obey the Lord, but money runs short or out; our food supply dwindles, and the prospects of anything changing seem slim to none. What should we do? The same thing Elijah did – He waited until he heard from the Lord!

The next verses in 1 Kings explain that the Lord sent Elijah to a widow at Zarephath where he not only supplied Elijah’s needs, but those of the widow and her son. Satan would have us believe if the Lord really loved us, He would supply our every need BEFORE we really need it, but that’s not how the Lord works. Need and want are two very different things. Satan seeks to coddle us with wants, while the Lord is more interested in building our trust in Him by supplying our needs…right on time!

Sometimes God’s strategy is to strip us of material things so all we have left is Him, because it’s only then we’ll discover He’s all we really need. After my wife left me, I lost my position as an Associate Pastor, that left me without an income. We had to sell the house, turn in my leased car, and my wife took custody of the children because I had nothing with which to support them. It was in that context I whined to the Lord that I’d lost everything, which is exactly how it felt, but that’s when He clearly said to me: “You haven’t lost everything, because you haven’t lost ME, and I’m all you need!”

For several months following, I could have papered my walls with eviction notices, but was never evicted and I missed a few meals, but the Lord ALWAYS made a way. He even allowed me to win a contest that allowed me to take my then 16-year-old daughter to the Bahamas. Trust in the Lord has never been a problem for me since then and I’m urging you to not let it be a problem for you.

Burk Parsons reminds us: “Satan loves to try to pamper us with temporal comforts. God loves to strip them away so we’ll find ultimate comfort in him alone.” When we can decide the Lord is enough before tragedy, it sure makes it easier to navigate when seasons of need or want arrive. We all have them, they may not be material, but we all have seasons of leanness in our spirit when we pray, and our prayers seem to bounce back from the ceiling.

In those seasons we must keep on praying, trusting, believing that God IS hearing, and He WILL respond in time. We were on the verge of losing the house before it sold, but it DID sell and we were able to get out from under it just in time. “Yeh, but I lost my house! Why didn’t God come through for me?” Were you trusting Him then? Crying out in confident hope? If you were, where are things now? Have you landed on your feet or are you still struggling? Is it that you don’t have enough or you’re just not content with what He’s given you? It took me more than 10 years to pay off my debt and get back on my feet financially.

Often our discontent grows out of our greed for more than we need, so, we buy a bigger house or rent a bigger apartment than we need or can afford, then paint ourselves into a corner and expect the Lord to bail us out. There are logical consequences for misappropriation of our resources and unless and until we realize that and learn to live within our means and stop demanding to be pampered, we’re going to continue to struggle.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊